Norevale Farm Consignment Off to a Promising Start

Leo and Sarah Dooley of Norevale Farm hit the yearling sales scene running with their first consignment in Fasig-Tipton's The July Sale. The couple sold all three of their offerings for a total of $350,000.

Their goal is producing racehorses and that goal was backed by end-users at The July Sale. Resolute Bloodstock picked up Hip 106, a filly by Bolt d'Oro  ; Rodolphe Brisset secured a filly by Army Mule   (Hip 237) on behalf of Storyteller Racing; and Hip 110, a colt by Practical Joke  , sold to Lynwood Stable.

The July Sale took place July 9 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington. The sale grossed $17,361,000. The average was $111,288 and the median was $90,000.

What the Dooleys are consigning represents what's on their farm—the horses they breed, pinhook, and their client's horses that board with them. In an effort to stand behind their brand, they want to focus offering horses they know well.

"That was really the only reason for starting our own consignment—to sell our own and stand behind our brand," said Sarah.

"It gives the staff the opportunity to do that as well. They've prepped them all season, it's great for them to be able to come out here and show the horses themselves, and they're proud of that," she added.

"I'm very thankful to all of the buyers, and I wish them the best of luck," added Leo. "You always like to see more end-users at that sale; Fasig is doing a great job to get more end-users in."

Norevale will offer horses in the upcoming Keeneland September Yearling Sale, and also at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale, both in Lexington.

"It's just nice to get that first sale under our belts, iron out a few creases, and give us a bit more confidence before we go into Keeneland. That's going to be a big one for us," said Leo.

Norevale will have about 12 yearlings for the Keeneland sale that takes place Sept. 9-21.

"We've got five horses in Book 2, and they're a really nice group," he said.

One of those yearlings is a colt by Not This Time  , a half brother to graded stakes-placed Common Defense , a colt co-bred and -owned by Norevale Farm. "We're super excited about him," said Leo.

Common Defense, a 3-year-old colt by Karakontie   put them on the map this year with a runner-up finish in the Rebel Stakes (G2) at Oaklawn Park. They raised the colt on their farm, and still own him in a partnership with David Bernsen and Tony and Michael Holmes.

"The special thing about him is that he was owned by family—Sarah's dad—Tony Holmes and Sarah Holmes, Michael Holmes (Sarah's brother), it's nice that the whole family owned him," he said. "Then we took on a partner in David Bernsen, and he's been great."

Background History

Although this is their first venture with their own sales consignment, the Dooleys are no strangers to the Thoroughbred business.

Sarah Dooley grew up in the Thoroughbred industry on a small commercial breeding farm that her parents ran together. She always knew she wanted to be involved in the industry. Sarah is a graduate of the Irish National Stud program and Godolphin Flying Start.

Upon completion of those programs, Sarah knew she wanted to come back to Kentucky. She worked for Hunter Valley Farm as their sales coordinator; where she and her husband Leo met.

"It just felt like I would always have a career (in the industry), I never wavered from that," she said.

"I went to college to make sure that's what I wanted to do, but I was fortunate enough to grow up in that industry and stayed on that path," she added.

Leo Dooley grew up in Kilkenny, Ireland. He had dreams of being a jockey, but grew too tall. He worked under trainer Jim Bolger, and while attending college he worked for Ballylinch Stud in Ireland; then working at Ecurie des Monceaux in France.

In the United States, he worked under the late Gerry Dilger. Dilger was a great ambassador in the Thoroughbred industry—as a breeder, consignor, and owner of Dromoland Farm. Leo then went onto work at Hunter Valley, and Indian Creek as their broodmare manager.

Norevale was founded in 2020. The Dooleys operate a 110-acre farm with around 100-150 horses at any given time. They offer boarding for mares, foals, yearlings, and lay ups; foaling and breeding; sales prep and quarantine. They hope to expand their broodmare band and keep producing runners.

Known for their work ethic and dedication to their horses, the young couple is poised to become a force in the industry.

"Don't be afraid to take risks, don't be afraid to be wrong now and then," Leo said of their guiding principles. "We all make mistakes, you learn from them. Take a couple chances and surround yourself with good people. That'll get you a long way."