Brian Graves

Tapizar (Tapit--Winning Call, by Deputy Minister), who was set to be shipped to Japan to stand stud at Yushun Stallion Station for the 2021 season, was euthanized after an accident in his stall at the Gainesway quarantine barn Tuesday night. The 12-year-old was scheduled to travel in mid-January. "It is with great sadness that Gainesway confirms the sudden and tragic loss of Tapizar," said Gainesway Farm's General Manager Brian Graves in a statement. "Our hearts go out to all of those involved." Tapizar's top produce is the seven-time Grade I...

A colt by Karakontie (Jpn) (Hip 2814) achieved a very rare feat in Keeneland September's Book 5 opener Tuesday, summoning a session-topping $500,000 from Marsha Naify. The Gainesway stallion had another yearling in the top five lots of the day with a full-sister to graded stakes-bound Spanish Loveaffair (Karakontie {Jpn}) (Hip 3161) bringing $220,000 from Ballyfair Bloodstock. A total of 253 yearlings brought $6,484,100 Tuesday with an average of $25,629 and a median of $15,000.Fifty-five horses failed to meet their reserves Tuesday. Throughout the first nine days of trade, 1,880...

Sean Tugel, who served WinStar Farm as its director of bloodstock services and assistant racing manager for the last decade, and Lakota Gibson, who spent the last five years working alongside David Ingordo in the bloodstock department at Lane's End Farm, have joined the team at Gainesway. A native of Rochester, New York, and a Lexington resident since 2004, Tugel has been named the director of stallion sales and recruitment. He has also served in management roles at Hill 'n' Dale Farm and Paul's Mill. "We're excited about adding Sean...

Four-time Grade I winner McKinzie (Street Sense--Runway Model, by Petionville) will begin his stud career at Gainesway Farm upon his retirement from racing after the Kentucky nursery announced Monday that it had purchased the breeding rights to the 5-year-old. "It is very exciting to stand a horse with McKinzie's credentials at Gainesway," said Gainesway's Director of Bloodstock Alex Solis, II. "I don't believe there is a more exciting prospect than McKinzie out there. We are grateful to Mike Pegram, Karl Watson, Paul Weitman, and Bob Baffert for this fantastic opportunity."...

LEXINGTON, KY--The multiple graded stakes placed broodmare prospect Over Emphasize (Overanalyze) topped the opening session of the two-day Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale Monday with a final bid of $150,000 from bloodstock agent Andre Lynch. The day's top short yearling was a $140,000 son of Connect, purchased by Brian Graves on behalf of the Blue Sky Stable pinhooking partnership. "It is hit or miss at a smaller sale like this," Graves said. "February sales are up and down. There is not as much quality as November and January. I think there...