California Bred News 59 April 13 2000

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NEWS RELEASE from the
California Thoroughbred Breeders Association

April 19, 2000

For Immediate Release

Del Mar Yearling Sale: Nominations Up, Space Limited

ARCADIA, CA - The Del Mar Sale, to be held August 14 and 15, has received over 600 nominations. In response to this unprecedented demand to sell yearlings at Del Mar, the CTBA's Board of Directors at its April 12 board meeting discussed possible options for accommodating a greater number of yearlings in the 2000 sale. The board's main concern was to keep the integrity and vitality of the sale intact, while at the same time further establish the Del Mar Sale as the premium yearling market in California. Maintaining this high level of quality can only be achieved through stringent pedigree and conformation requirements.

Logistically, the CTBA could not increase the number of sale dates because the Del Mar Horsepark is rented immediately preceding and following the sale. Other concerns included the limited amount of stall space at the Horsepark and the safety concerns associated with the addition of temporary stalls near the facility.

Because of these factors, the 2000 Del Mar Yearling Sale will offer the highest number of yearlings catalogued in recent times, but will still limit the sale to about 200 horses catalogued (an increase of about 20% over recent years). Despite this, the CTBA realizes some members and past Del Mar Sale supporters will not have the opportunity to sell as many horses as they may like at Del Mar in 2000.

The substantial number of nominations can be directly attributed to the recent success of the Del Mar Sale. With a strong demand for Cal-bred yearlings in 1999, the sale's average soared to $36,798, a 65% increase from 1998.

The CTBA is concerned with providing the best marketplace possible to California's breeders and will revisit this issue next year, in order to determine how it can best serve the membership. In the interim we will work with other California sales companies to help optimize opportunities for viable Cal-bred marketplaces.