Mike Ryan

LEXINGTON, KY - The Fasig-Tipton October Yearlings Sale smashed its previous records for gross and average and produced its lowest buy-back rate in 11 years when it concluded its four-day run in Lexington Thursday. " All in all, I am somewhere between thrilled and ecstatic with the results of these four days," Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning, Jr. said at the close of business Thursday evening. "The consignors continue to bring us higher quality horses each and every year and it is reflected in these results and these statistics." Through four...

There are horses who are special to us because of their quality, and there are horses who are special for what their names evoke in our memory. And then there are those who are special for both reasons. When Chad Brown left his position as an assistant to Bobby Frankel in 2007, the first person he hired was Mary McKulick, a bookkeeper with whom he credits for helping him build his company. She passed away in October, 2020 after losing a battle with cancer, and so when Brown was given...

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis LEXINGTON, Ky - With a pair of seven-figure colts by Nyquist leading the way, trade remained strong straight through the conclusion of Book 2 during the fourth session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Thursday in Lexington. "It was a great day," said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy at the close of business Thursday evening. "We are very pleased. The median is up 25% for the session over last year, which is a metric that we always use. That shows that it...

by Jessica Martini and Christina Bossinakis LEXINGTON, KY -- The momentum which began with a competitive Book 1 section rolled into Book 2 with a trio of yearlings bringing seven figures and continued increases over last year during the third session of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale in Lexington Wednesday. "We saw the same kind of momentum and trends just rolling over," said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. "There was a great positivity around the grounds. Consignors were invariably very pleased. And buyers found it tough and a...

At this point in the season, a freshman sire can hardly do better than to win Saratoga's--and the nation's--first graded stakes of the year for 2-year-olds. When that young stallion also leads the nation's first-crop sires in winners with 12 (75% of starters), he's signaling he might be something special. With that kind of start, it's no surprise Airdrie Stud's Complexity, a son of Maclean's Music, is firmly on top of the freshman stallion list at this early juncture. He's also currently leading all sires, regardless of number of crops,...

SARATOGA SPRINGS, N.Y.--After five career starts without a win, enough was enough. It was time for a change for 3-year-old colt Reynolds Channel (West Coast). Or two. Or three. Co-owner Lee Einsidler huddled with Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott and the following modifications were made: new distance, new jockey, and an equipment change. "I'm just glad he didn't change trainers," Mott said late Saturday afternoon. Mott could laugh and so could Einsidler because they were both standing in the winner's circle at Saratoga Race Course. Reynolds Channel finally got...

He has been here longer than just about any of them, albeit he arrived in 1978 presuming himself to be only breaking a longer journey. One breeding season in Kentucky, and then it would be off to Australia. Having instead become a pioneer of a remarkable Irish diaspora, Robbie Lyons is a perfect template for the many compatriots who have meanwhile flourished in the Bluegrass: an innate flair for trading, a fierce work ethic, and the willingness to take a gamble. He wasn't particularly raised to the horse game--his father...

Among the dogs noisily bounding to inquire after your business at Dundrum Farm, one is really something special. Gordon, a big black schnauzer, lost his sight to blastomycosis a couple of years ago, but you would never know it: he scampers confidently along corridors, through doorways, even joins the reception committee outside. "Until he gets on the grass," Lesley Campion explains. "Then he knows that he only has one stride, and has to stop. But no, he's a genius, that dog." Certainly he couldn't exhibit a more certain sense of...

Resolute Racing has finalized a deal to acquire 'TDN Rising Star' Sweet Rebecca (American Pharoah), the operation's owner John Stewart said on X late Wednesday evening. The filly will now be trained by Chad Brown. Sweet Rebecca is bred by Greg Goodman's Mt. Brilliant Farm & Ranch, who purchased the filly's stakes-winning and Grade II-placed dam Sweet N Discreet (Discreet Cat) for $1.6 million in foal to Liam's Map at the 2019 Fasig-Tipton November Sale. Herself a $250,000 Keeneland September purchase by Cobble View Farm, Sweet Rebecca is a full-sister...

Bloodstock agent Mike Ryan has given the lowdown on the top Chad Brown-trained juvenile prospects that were selected at last year's Book 1 session at the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale. Ryan, who has sourced well over 50 Group/Grade 1 winners in his long and distinguished career, including Book 1 graduates Newspaperofrecord (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}), Digital Age (Ire) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}) and Domestic Spending (GB) (Kingman {GB}), admitted to finding trade "a little easier" in 2023 compared to previous visits to Park Paddocks.  Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf heroine...

by Jessica Martini & Christina Bossinakis LEXINGTON, KY - The first of two Book 2 sessions of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale saw marked polarization, as the demand for the perceived quality remained strong, but fell off for the less desired offerings. "It's been a realistic, selective market today," said Keeneland Vice President of Sales Tony Lacy. "I think it was pretty evident throughout the day, people knew what they wanted and they were very specific about what they were willing to invest in. Speaking to a lot of...

Ever-consistent Grade I-winning millionaire Search Results (Flatter - Co Cola, by Candy Ride {Arg}) figures to be one of the top choices in the GI Breeders' Cup Distaff. A presence in the Chad Brown barn for three years, the 5-year-old's Distaff bid will be her final race sporting the Klaravich Stables silks as she will head to the Fasig-Tipton November Sale following Saturday's championship meet. "Search Results has been such a wonderful horse not only for us to work with, but for Seth and Beth Klarman," said Chad Brown. "In...