By Bloodhorse.com
ARCADIA, Calif. (Jan. 18, 2019) — The announcement that trainer Mike Machowsky would head up Fasig-Tipton’s California initiative was the next step in North America’s oldest sales company’s effort to establish itself in The Golden State.
A veteran trainer, Machowsky is giving up his public stable to join Fasig-Tipton in what the company hopes is a lasting endeavor in Southern California. Fasig-Tipton conducted sales in California on behalf of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, but it has been out of the marketplace there since 1984. Founded in 1898, Fasig-Tipton conducts auctions at its Kentucky headquarters as well as in Florida, New York, and Maryland.
“A bunch of us have known Mike for a long time, and he’s known us for a long time,” Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning Jr. said of Machowsky. “As we sorted through and looked at what we really needed in California, we thought a guy like Mike would be a great fit and had discussions with him. Character is the most important thing we’re looking for in anybody that works for us, and certainly a strong work ethic is critical as well. He was willing to consider a new aspect of his career, and we were able to come to an agreement on something we thought made sense for both of us.”
Fasig-Tipton’s return to California came about after Fairplex, the parent company of Barretts that had held the Southern California auctions since 1990, decided to exit the equine auction business and close Barretts effective with the end of 2018.
“We want to make the California marketplace an important part of our calendar,” Browning said. “I think a lot of people understand and believe in the importance of the California marketplace and the California racing product to our industry and want to see it thrive and prosper, and we fall into that category.”
Following the decision by Fairplex to shutter Barretts, Fasig-Tipton scheduled a Santa Anita 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale June 5 and Santa Anita Fall Yearlings Sale Sept. 25.
Both sales will be held at Santa Anita Park—owned by The Stronach Group, with which Fasig-Tipton has a successful relationship with The Gulfstream Sale, the annual selected sale of 2-year-olds in training at Gulfstream Park to be held March 27 this year. Browning said a strong sales component in Southern California could help the breeding and racing industries.
“(The Stronach Group) understands our work ethic and that we are going to do everything we can to make these sales successful,” Browning said. “The stronger the sales are helps their racing program. If we can work with the breeders and over time help them increase the number of California-breds, it also helps them from a racing standpoint.
“It’s a symbiotic relationship between the breeders, sales companies, and racetracks, and everybody understands that,” the executive continued.
“We’re thrilled to have Fasig-Tipton back in California to host these sales at Santa Anita Park,” The Stronach Group chief operating officer Tim Ritvo said following the announcement last year that Fasig-Tipton would return to California. “The Fasig-Tipton Gulfstream Sale in March has been an incredible success for both Gulfstream and Fasig-Tipton, and we want to continue building on that relationship here at Santa Anita. These sales are exciting for horsemen as well as fans. Fasig-Tipton is a wonderful partner, and our work with them allows us to re-energize our facilities with different events while continuing to bring the inventory right to our horsemen.”
“We are extremely gratified with the support shown by both Santa Anita and Fasig-Tipton, as this partnership will provide the needed stability and confidence for California breeders,” Doug Burge, president of the CTBA, said after it was announced Fasig-Tipton would hold sales in California.
Entries for the inaugural 2-year-olds in training sale close March 1, and Browning said Fasig-Tipton’s personnel are working diligently to put together a catalog that will be attractive to a broad buyer base. For now, Fasig-Tipton does not have plans for anything special in conjunction with its return to California.
“I don’t think there is any magic formula that we can do in 2019 other than work really hard, utilize the relationships we have with people, and give 110% to make this first sale successful and something we can build on for a long time,” he said. “It’s about finding and recruiting good horses and identifying and recruiting plenty of buyers for the sale. It’s hard work, and at the end of the day it’s all about the quality of the horses that are going to be on offer and the relationships we can build.”
Similar to The Gulfstream Sale held at that track’s paddock, plans are for the Santa Anita sales to take place in the walking ring.
“It’s a beautiful venue, and the walking ring has a lot of personality,” Browning said. “We would anticipate bringing in temporary facilities to provide stabling at Santa Anita for the first sale and likely the second sale. There has been considerable discussion about the construction of additional stalls at Santa Anita, and if it comes to fruition, it will increase the capacity there.”
With the Southern California sales scene transitioning from Barretts to Fasig-Tipton, the CTBA conducted the January Mixed Sale in Pomona, Calif., with 81 horses selling Jan. 16 for a gross of $589,300. The average was $7,275, and the median was $4,000.