SHAKOPEE, MN – The annual Minnesota Thoroughbred Sale will take place Sunday at the Canterbury Park Expo Center. The scheduled start time is 5 PM but shouldn’t start until after the conclusion of live racing. The rescheduled Llamas and Unicorns will take place during the seven-race card which will start at 1:10 PM.
Randy Miller and Dove Hill Farm will send five horses through the sale while Richard Bremer/Cheryl Sprick will have four and Von Seggern Thoroughbreds, Kurt & Melanie Kindschuh and Eugene & Rita Boehlke send three each.
“I’m excited to see what people bring to the sale,” said Dove Hill Farm proprietor, Lisa Duoos. “On paper we have an impressive lineup of stallions represented and I noticed some new broodmare lines that have black type. The five that Dove Hill Farm are presenting are strong, correct and have some depth of pedigree. Buyers are asking for private showings, so I’m optimistic.”
Half of the stallions that are ranked in the top 10 of third crop sires are represented in the sale including: Maximus Mischief (2nd); Mitole (3rd); Vino Rosso (4th); Flameaway (6th) and Coal Front (7th). Leading Minnesota sire, Liaison, will be represented by four horses.
There will be a mix of horses in the sale this year with an Indiana bred and an Iowa bred represented as well several weanlings and 2-year-olds. It will be important for bidders to pay attention as horses come through the ring to make sure they know what they’re bidding on.
“We’re bringing a very solid group,” said Eric Von Seggern, who has had several sale toppers over the years including the only $100,000 yearling sold in Minnesota, a Discreet Cat yearling gelding out of former Minnesota stakes winner Gypsy Melody. “I’m trying to be optimistic though I am very nervous if the money will be there.”
Major buyer Bob Lothenbach passed away last year while trainer Mac Robertson is sidelined after surgery and a couple of other traditional buyers have indicated that they will not be players this year.
Canterbury Park Hall of Fame owners/breeders Cheryl Sprick and Richard Bremer are bringing four to the sale and they are cautiously optimistic.
“I think we’re bringing what I think is our best group of yearlings,” said Sprick. “I think they are solid individuals, and I hope that they are well received. We’re a little scared, but hopeful.”
The sale will be run, for the second year in a row, by Dailey Realty and Auction.
“The Dailey Realty and Auction team is excited for this Auction,” said co-proprietor Jay Dailey. “We have a great group of horses and awesome sellers; we have a champion auctioneer on the mic and the famous Kevin Gorg on the pedigrees. On the floor catching bids will be myself and Willa Dailey along with Dave Thompson, and the rest of the dynamic Dailey auction team.”
The consignment preview hours will be from 5 PM and 8 PM on Saturday, August 23 and from 11:00 AM until sale time on Sunday in the Canterbury Park receiving barn.
