The two-day under-tack show for the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale–with no timed workouts from the sales company and new whip restrictions–begins Tuesday morning at 8 a.m. at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. The show had originally been scheduled over three days, but was condensed to sessions just Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of an expected rain storm in the area later in the week.
Consignors at the auction have the option to breeze or gallop their horses at the under-tack show, but “Fasig-Tipton will not time the workouts, and no official times will be recorded or published by Fasig-Tipton,” Fasig-Tipton's executive vice president Bayne Welker said.
In addition, riders will not be permitted to remove their hands from the reins to strike a horse at any point before or during a workout or while galloping out after a breeze.
“A rider's hands may only come off the reins in the case of horse or rider safety,” Welker said. “A tap on the shoulder while both hands remain on the reins to keep the horse focused will be permitted.”
Fasig-Tipton has had a safety officer on site from ship-in through training.
“If a horse is flagged by the safety officer, an appointed veterinary team will examine that horse,” Welker said. “Following that exam, the horse will either be cleared or placed on a probationary list to be monitored further. If a horse is on that list, the consignor will be required to provide a certificate from their attending veterinarian supporting their eligibility to preview for the sale. The sales company will have the ultimate say on the horse's ability to participate in the under-tack show.”
Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning, Jr. added, “This is about reinforcing safety, consistency, and buyer confidence somewhat mirroring safety procedures we now see on all major racing circuits.”
Hips one through 300 will preview Tuesday and hips 301 through 619 will preview Wednesday. Both sessions begin at 8 a.m.
The Midlantic May sale will be held next Monday and Tuesday with bidding beginning each day at 11 a.m.
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