Weisbord Glad to Be Back to a Horse Sale

One consignor who may have a greater appreciation than most for the COVID-19 pandemic health and safety protocols in place for the Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age Sale is Bradley Weisbord of ELiTE Sales.

New York-based Weisbord, who also operates BSW Bloodstock, contracted COVID-19 in early March and documented on social media his health issues related to the coronavirus, including a bout of pneumonia.

"It's nice to get back to business," said Weisbord, sporting a face mask emblazoned with the ELiTE logo. "Many of us have been holed up since March. This is my first away game working. I fought the virus for six to seven weeks and caught pneumonia. The virus leaves your body in 14 days, but if you get pneumonia, it can take two months to get rid of. It was difficult. It's obviously very scary. I think a lot more people had it than they knew in March. Some people get it and show absolutely no symptoms. There were thousands of people walking around with it in early March, and they didn't know it until the hospitals got slammed. By then it was too late. My 90-year-old grandmother got it and showed no symptoms. You just don't know how it's going to affect you. I think everybody should just wear a mask and stay as far away from other people as possible."

As part of Fasig-Tipton's COVID-19 protocols, in compliance with state government orders and guidance, everyone arriving on the sale grounds stops at a checkpoint, where their temperature is checked and they are asked a handful of questions about their health and recent travel activity. Hand-sanitizing stations are plentiful throughout the campus, and there is ample signage and floor markings to designate proper social distancing. Also, the only food service during the day of the sale will be grab-and-go orders.

Weisbord said the steps being taken by Fasig-Tipton should provide buyers with confidence in attending the sale.

"Fasig is doing a great job making sure everybody is safe on the sale grounds," he said. "Hopefully, that environment gets people out here looking at horses."

Weisbord said he believes the addition of online bidding into the sale format—complementing the live bid process and telephone bidding—will prove popular during the auction.

"I think the online bidding technology is great," Weisbord said. "That is definitely part of the future, and people have to get comfortable with it to have confidence in it."

Unlike previous years when ELiTE's HORA consignment has consisted mainly of high-profile horses who have competed at the highest levels of racing, the horses on offer this year reflect a diverse group with broad appeal, Weisbord said.

"Generally we are more high-end, but this year some of our clients want to clear out some of their stables and get ready for the 2-year-olds," he said. "It's a great mix, and hopefully we can get the buyers here."

ELITE has also taken advantage of the option to add horses to the sale late, subject to sales company approval, with the latest supplement being the Liam's Map  colt Liam's Pride (Hip 182), who won the Gold Fever Stakes on Friday at Belmont Park. A half brother to grade 1 winner and sire Morning Line, the 3-year-old colt has earned $118,740. His second dam is multiple grade 1 winner November Snow.

The ELiTE contingent also includes Passive Investing (Hip 83), a 4-year-old Tiznow  filly who descends from the female family of undefeated champion and Broodmare of the Year Personal Ensign. The filly has won or placed in all four starts. "She comes from one of the best female families in the stud book," Weisbord said.

Weisbord said Beacon Hill (Hip 11) "can head right into stakes races" after breaking his maiden by 5 3/4 lengths June 30 in his second start. The 3-year-old son of Blame  is a half brother to two stakes winners, including grade 1 winner Out for a Spin, and a full brother to multiple stakes winner Sweet Victory. The colt's dam, the stakes-placed Came Home mare My Mammy, is a half sister to Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1) winner Bandini.

In an effort to help ensure its sale horses are sound, ELiTE conducts its own veterinary inspections prior to shipping to the sale grounds.

"Everything we have here has passed the vet, so buyers can come with confidence knowing they can get a runner," he said.