SBM Training and Sales Off to a Flying Start

Susan Montanye’s SBM Training and Sales, with just its third consignment, celebrated its biggest sale Thursday at OBS April when hip 915 brought a final bid of $275,000 from bloodstock agent Mike Ryan. 

“I thought she would be $200,000 or $250,000 by the action at the barn,” Montanye said. “She had quite a few scopes. We set the reserve low and let the market speak for itself.” 

Montanye was selling the daughter of Hard Spun on behalf of co-breeder Allen Poindexter, who bred the filly on a foal share with Darley, and Carrie Brogden. Poindexter signed the ticket on the youngster at $50,000 at Keeneland September last year. 

Montanye admitted the result was thrilling. 

“I didn’t know if I was going to cry or what,” she said. “My heart was pounding. It is exciting. And it is exciting to see them do well. I really believe in the filly, so I hope she goes on and proves herself.” 

SBM Training and Sales marks a transition for Montanye, who showed hunters as a kid and has been riding at breeze shows for the last decade. 

“I started galloping the babies probably 10 years ago and then from there I went to the 2-year-old sales and started breezing horses,” Montanye recalled. “I picked up a few partnership horses three years ago and that’s where I started.” 
The process moved ahead with an injury last year. 

“To be honest with you, being a breeze rider, you always have the risk of getting hurt,” she explained. “Last year, for example, I did go down on a horse and broke my collar bone. So it put me out for several of the breeze shows and it made me think about it. I’ve got two kids, and eventually, at some point in time either our bodies can no longer do it or we get hurt. At some point we have to break away from getting on horses and I knew I needed another outlet for financial reasons. So I thought to myself, what better way to stay in the business and do what I do for other people, but eventually just turning it over to the training end and selling horses for myself, partnerships and clients.” 

Montanye, who was born in New Jersey, but has lived in Florida for much of her life, sold nine horses at OBS April and she will have a small consignment at OBS June. 

“Hopefully, as the years go on, I may have more select-type horses and go to the March sale, but right now I think I’ve fit my horses into this April sale and I have six going to June right now. 

Montanye credited her crew with SBM’s early success. “I’ve got the greatest team ever,” she said. “Katie and Leanne and Joe–hard workers and I couldn’t do this without them. They are the best.” 

Looking ahead, Montanye said, “I just want to continue to do this–selling honest racehorses. Obviously, we all need to make money in this business and it’s a great game.”