It’s the time when young thoroughbreds are introduced to the routine of the Caymanas Park backstretch, they meet their trainer, their groom, their stall, enjoying the luxuries of air conditioned life at times. They are introduced to equipment such as a saddle, halter, bit, girth and others. They are handed to a groom who will become their personal caretaker and friend. They are introduced to their new home.I

t’s the time when breeders, grooms, trainers and owners look to the future with smiles on their faces, smiles of hope, smiles of encouragement, thinking that they and no one else have the next Derby winner in their care.

It’s the time when we all reminisce about past TOBA Sales graduates such as Horses of the Year Alsafra, Distinctly Irish, Thornbird and Poorlittlerichgirl; remembering their battles on the race track, remembering the excitement which they brought into our lives, remembering the touting, the bragging, the heated discussions which they stimulated among us. Whether we are an owner, trainer, breeder, jockey, punter or turfite; whether we have aspirations of being in any of those categories, we all reminisce with smiles on our faces.

It’s the time of year when we all look at each and every yearling closely, with a keen eye, with a smile – fantasizing, dreaming, thinking quietly to ourselves – is this the one?
The 2009 Thoroughbred Yearling Sale is nearing again. It is scheduled for November....., the culmination of Jamaica’s super weekend of horse racing. Plans are being finalized, arrangements are being concretized for all concerned, for both the human specie and the thoroughbred kind. Over time the young thoroughbreds will be groomed, trained and developed into mature adults, with the hope that they will follow in the hoof steps of Alsafra, Distinctly Irish, Thornbird or Poorlittlerichgirl, all of whom went on to be stars, whom will always be referred to as HORSE OF THE YEAR, the ultimate accolade in this, the King of Sports.

Or maybe these youngsters will not be Horse of the Year, but will be good enough to be garnered with championship honors. We immediately remember Valial, Classy Slew, Taalahorne, All Aboard and Triple Crown Winner Milligram, of the 1990’s; and Awesome Power, Rampage, Ransom Man, Si Mi Trial, Swing By and Allied Force, of this decade.
We are very aware that not all will be Horse of the Year, not all will be named Champions, not all will be classic winners; but we do hope that we will find one who will win, who will be a champion in our heart.

I remember seeing Thornbird and Poorlittlerichgirl in the sales rings of 1982 and 1989, respectively. Both were relatively small and compact and some may even had referred to them as being wirey, unassuming and ordinary looking. Similarly, Alsafra was relatively small and could have been considered unassuming and ordinary, but she was powerfully built. What is important is that all three displayed poise; were well conformed; possessed a pedigree that had produced several winners; and strutted through the ring with character and style. They caught the eyes of several persons in the bidding arena, and their respective purchasers were happy to have won that very first battle. Each of the new owners came away beaming with pride and adoration like a proud new father, happy that they had come away from the Sale with a ‘steal’, a bargain that would fuel their hopes and dreams over the next few years. Each of these fillies was purchased for relatively small amounts, and all of them would develop into champions, who would fill the hearts not only of their owners, but the hearts of the racing community.

Ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of year again when we all look to the Yearling Sale – it provides excitement, it provides entertainment, it provides euphoria. It gives hope, it gives us the opportunity to dream; for in this, the King of Sports, dreams do come true!