Northern California Sale Closes its Doors

The Nor-Cal Thoroughbred Mixed Sale, brainchild of Dean Parker when the Northern California Thoroughbred Association dissolved and the CTBA discontinued sales up north, is sadly no more. After six years of operation, competition from a rival sale and lack of cooperation from local consignors seem to have combined to cause this event to be abandoned due to financial difficulties.

Even though sales manager Bill Nichols and his son, Lance, asked Parker if he would continue as just the manager of the sale, the offer was declined. Thus a revival of the venture would probably only result if sufficient consignors independently came forward to support it.

As the only viable outlet to market their bloodstock in the area, local breeders will now have to rely entirely on the auction that American Equine Sales holds annually. The relatively new organization, founded in 1998 by former trainer Jimmie Fostinis, already has two sales under its belt and its next sale is scheduled for July 11 at Santa Rosa, offering both yearlings and two-year-olds.

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