TTA, Lone Star team with Western Bloodstock

The Texas Thoroughbred Association and Lone Star Park have reached an agreement with Western Bloodstock Ltd. to conduct auctions at the Texas Thoroughbred Sales Pavilion located on the grounds of Lone Star Park, according to a statement released by the three groups Monday. The first auction produced by the new alliance will be the Texas Thoroughbred Yearling Sale, scheduled for Aug. 24. 

Fasig-Tipton, which had been conducting auctions at Lone Star Park since 1997, held its final Texas auction with its Mar. 31 2-year-olds in training sale. 

“We are extremely pleased to announce this new partnership with Western Bloodstock,” said TTA President Ken Carson. “They have a 15-year track record of conducting sales at the highest level, and we are confident they will bring a new enthusiasm to the market, to the benefit of our members and horsemen throughout the southwest.” 

He continued, “The TTA and Lone Star Park have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Fasig-Tipton in the production of our auctions since 1997. But with Fasig-Tipton making the decision to focus their efforts on other markets, it provided us with the opportunity to develop this new alliance with Western Bloodstock.” 

Established in 2000, Western Bloodstock has offered more than 27,500 performance horses at public auction for total gross sales of $319 million. During the past 18 months, the company has cataloged a total of 2,382 horses for gross sales of $35,670,575. 

“We are excited about our new alliance with the Texas Thoroughbred Association and Lone Star Park and look forward to bringing our knowledge and expertise in public horse auctions to the table,” said Jeremy Barwick, co-owner with his wife Candace, of Western Bloodstock Ltd. 

Western Bloodstock has teamed with Jeff Hooper, who served nine years as executive director of the TTA and 3 1/2 years as vice president of administration at Lone Star Park. 

“We are honored to have this opportunity to work with the TTA and Lone Star Park,” Hooper said. “The Texas Thoroughbred racing industry has strong roots and, combined with Lone Star Park’s commitment to Texas racing and its outstanding facilities, offers an exceptional regional market for quality yearlings and 2-year-olds in training. We are proud of our track record of innovation and pledge to offer a first-class market for consignors and buyers, in tune with their needs.” 

Consignment contracts for the Texas Thoroughbred Yearling Sale are available at WesternBloodstock.com.