The 2012 Yearling Sale is drawing inexorably closer as the various vendors continue to work towards getting their charges in top exhibition condition in the hope of securing the best possible prices. Ninety horses have been listed for sale, the lowest listing over the last couple of years. This does not mean that the quality will be any less. With the increasing number of "T&T bred only" races, and the launch of the T&T Breeders Classic, locally bred horses are certain to attract attention. It is a half-brother to the T&T Breeders Classic winner who jumps out of the catalogue. This bay colt is by Maraahel out of Bandora. Maraahel was a top class racehorse in the UK, when trained by Sir Michael Stoute, whose first crop will be two-year-olds of 2012. Purchasers may probably not get a chance to witness the performance of any of his first crop before having to make a decision at this year's sale.
In the absence of that evidence, buyers will have to rely on the evidence of the dam's quality and that is undeniable. A bigger question revolves around whether this colt is really for sale since it is rare for breeders in this country to sell the offspring of their best proven mares. If this colt is the exception, he is likely to take top rank at the sale. One of the other features is the maiden mares with offsprings up for sale. In the absence of proven track record, purchasers will have to rely on the quality of the mare herself. The first mare that would fall into this category is 2008 Derby winner, Pride and Glory. This bay filly is being consigned by Humming Bird Stables, one of the leading consignors in this country. She is a daughter of Big Country, a stallion that has already made his mark on the classic generation, as the sire of the leading three-year-olds-Onetokeep and The Big Squeeze. With strong bloodlines, this filly has the potential to be anything and is certain to attract interest. Isle Be Alert has a bay colt by Precise Sweep consigned by his breeders the Scott's Farm and Fairy Dancer has a bay filly by Western Envoy, consigned by the Humming Bird Stables. Although not maiden mares, there are a few quality mares that previous offsprings have not made the track to date. Heading this list is Willing to Spend; her first offspring is an unraced two-year-old of 2012.
Her second offspring is a bay filly by Gold Market, consigned by Humming Bird Stables for her owner Andrew Gabriel. Then there is Miss Lover Lover, another top class performer, who has yet to have one of her offspring grace the tracks. This year, she has a Big Country filly being consigned by JMH Enterprises for owners Richard Mattison and Uraeus Ltd. Another mare with an interesting offspring is Latonia, she has a chestnut daughter of Charismatic Cat that has been consigned by the Poon Tip Stud Farm for its owner Elias Haloute. Then we have a number of totally unknowns. The first of these would be the bay filly who came into Trinidad in utero. This bay filly is by Keyed Entry, out of the Halo's Image mare, Muchos Halos. There is stamina on both sides for this Paradise Farms consignee and in utero foals have fared well on the track in the past. Ruthven Smith has an interesting bay colt by Maraahel out of the Grand Slam mare Igotaspellonu, who is unraced locally. This colt has been consigned by Poon Tip Farm. That Farm also owns and consigns a Charismatic Cat bay colt out of the unraced locally Spanish Fiesta, a Siphon mare. Joe Hadeed has an interesting bay colt by Gold Market out of Alyce Glen, a Gulf Storm mare that was unraced locally.
Finally, of course, we have a number of mares whose previous offsprings have performed with credit on the local race tracks, though none that have achieved classic success. Among those that stand out is the dark bay colt by Settle Up out of Dixie Glitter. This colt's half-sister, Safra Tilah, was an impressive debut winner on her only start to date. Dreams of Glory, who has a dark bay colt by Charismatic Cat; Riviera who has a bay colt also by Charismatic Cat; and Joy, who has a chestnut colt by Maraahel. Others with prospects of attracting a lot of interest are Hummingbird Stables' Keep the Faith, daughter of Precise Sweep; Paradise Farms' Magnificat, son of Big Country; Scott Farms' Sonic Wind, son of Maraahel; and Leeclare Stud Farm's Little Miss Muffet, son of Big Country. As usual, those interested in acquiring yearlings should visit the farms and look at the yearlings prior to the sales. A few farms have arranged visits, so be on the look out if you are interested in the sport.
