It is that time of year again when members of the racing fraternity wait with great anticipation for the annual yearling sale. What horses are on offer? Who are the new stallions? Who is the next Derby winner? These are a few of the many questions rotating in the minds of potential buyers as the sale approaches.

This year the yearling sale will be again held on what is usually dubbed ‘Super’ weekend, Sunday November 10 at the official car park at Caymanas Park.

The entity responsible for the sale, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association (TOBA), is busily preparing for the day and president of TOBA, Howard Hamilton is reporting that things are going well.

“I am happy with the preparations thus far. I can report that 153 yearlings have been nominated for the sale, but please understand, this is a preliminary figure. The number of horses offered for sale will change as the actual sale date approaches, but for now it is 153 yearlings on offer,” Hamilton said.

The TOBA president is, however, very concerned about the 153 figure. “Year after year we are witnessing a decline in the number of horses bred across the island. And yes, I am very concerned, as the racing stock is slowly depleting and it is going to have a negative impact on the final racing product. You need horses to fill races, and if we are not breeding adequately, sooner rather than later the effects will be felt,” the TOBA president said.

Hamilton believes that this year’s sales will be boosted by the victory on Tuesday of BigmanInTown in the Trinidad and Tobago Derby. “Jamaican-bred horses finished first, second, and third in the Trinidad Derby. This speaks volumes for the horses we are producing here in Jamaica under very adverse and trying circumstances. I am very hopeful that the interest in our horses at the sale will grow among local and overseas buyers, although I must say that the Trinidadians have supported our sale well, especially over the last six to seven years.”

A number of stallions will debut at the sale, including Forest Danger, Performing Magic, Porto Santo, and Liquidity, among others. For sure, horses by Adore The Gold, (second crop) sire of the much talked about Princess Popstar, will be closely watched. Champion sire Traditional is well represented among the 153 entries, as well as other noted stallions: Dayton Flyer, War Marshall, Legal Process, Burning Marque, Storm Craft, Western Classic, Region Of Merit, He’stherealthing, Image Maker and Film Director, among others. A most interesting entry in the sale is the yearling by Western Classic – Doc’s Paladin, a full brother to the talented Typewriter. This year, racing says goodbye to Market Rally, the sire of Mark My Word, as this will be his last crop of yearlings.