For the sake of the stable help sent north early, you hope that springtime temperatures will be kind. Our wonderful and historic Saratoga Race Course enjoys legendary status, but on the backside the old historic barns with narrow or no shed rows are far from ideal in inclement weather. If it is cold and rainy, it is darn right miserable back there. NYRA is fixing up the front side but their tight budget is not expected to do much for the backside, at least not this year.

Racing, with all of its glories, issues supreme tests for participants at every level. The realities of racing are raw and real.  Racing is a microcosm of life and in today’s world there is a deep hunger for its reality.  A different kind of reality hit upon the racing industry last week and more specifically on one of its rich traditions - the financially lucrative auction companies.

Fasig-Tipton was sold to the Dubai-based Synergy Investments Ltd., a firm allied with Dubai ruler Sheikh Mohammed.  Since that time, my mind has reeled through my experiences in racing and scanned through the histories I have read. The sale of this Kentucky-based auction company leaves me certain of what to hope for but much less certain of what to expect. I remember when the Arabs first became a force in the yearling sales.  Right from the beginning the reaction was, if they’re looking at a horse, forget trying to buy him.  The only guys equipped to compete with them were the Ireland-based group, Coolmore or Ashford Stud as their Kentucky farm is called.  Animosity eventually took up residency between these wealthy and equally motivated top-end players. I don’t know just how or when issues began to influence who was bidding on which horses. I was more into books than horses during this time so I missed out on those details; however my passion for racing related things was not completely dormant so I was aware that the hostility between these two factions was growing. It has escalated still further.  It has become widely circulated information within the industry that Sheikh Mohammed does not buy yearlings from the Ashford consignment and it is reputed that he shies away from all yearlings which are sired by stallions which stand at Ashford Stud. How this scenario plays out has the rapt attention of consigners and it bears important industry swaying influence toward the stallions breeders select to breed their mares to. What it means to have the world’s most affluent buyer controlling a major auction house is a plateful which requires careful rumination.  A whole new chapter in the book of sales was created last week and volumes could be espoused on the possible consequences.

The press has zealously confirmed that the new ownership of North America’s oldest sales company will maintain sale dates, locations and present management personnel will remain in place. Their goal is to make auctions customer-friendly and attract more buyers.  The renowned Keeneland Sales Co. is reverberating from the news; what portends for the future of those sales and for the future of sales in Saratoga is an unknown.

Fresh money and big ideas facilitate opportunities but the accompanying power often creates a bias. From NYRA to Fasig-Tipton to OTB to Video Lottery Terminals we are faced with uncertainties in the NY racing industry. It is a lot to digest.

Marilyn Lane, a freelance writer, has a lifelong association with horses. Her experience includes more than 20 years as an owner, trainer and breeder of thoroughbreds. She was an assistant trainer to Hall of Fame trainer Jack Van Berg during Alysheba’s racing career. You can reach her at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it