Fasig-Tipton, OBS Switch Fall Yearling Sales Dates

Fasig-Tipton and Ocala Breeders' Sales announced May 20 they have come to an agreement to switch dates for the companies' respective Midlantic Fall Yearlings and October Yearlings Sales.

Fasig-Tipton's Midlantic Fall Yearlings Sale now will be held Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 5-6, at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium to coincide with the rescheduled Preakness Stakes (G1) at Pimlico Race Course in nearby Baltimore.

The Maryland Jockey Club announced May 16 that the 145th Preakness will be conducted Saturday, Oct. 3. The Midlantic sale had previously been scheduled for Oct. 12-13.

OBS will conduct its Selected Yearlings Sale Oct. 13 and its Open Yearlings Sale Oct. 14-15 at its Ocala, Fla., facility. OBS' two yearling sales were originally slated for Oct. 6-8.

"We're pleased to be able to work with OBS to adjust the dates of our respective yearling sales," Fasig-Tipton president Boyd Browning Jr. said. "With the Preakness Stakes now being held on Oct. 3, it will benefit both of our customers to be positioned closely to one of America's most important horse races. Traditionally, our spring Midlantic 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale is held around the Preakness, and that model has worked very well for us through the years."

"The swapping of the yearling sale dates makes sense for OBS and Fasig-Tipton as the change allows both companies to better serve our buyers and sellers," OBS president Tom Ventura said. "While we are competitive, it is important for us to shift gears in a way that helps industry participants as we react to the racing and sales calendar being turned upside down. Thankfully, racing is gearing up throughout the country."