Freedom Child, standing at Country Life Farm, is one of the region's new sires. Photo by Ellen Pons.

Freedom Child, standing at Country Life Farm, is one of the region’s new sires featured in the VTA auction. Photo by Ellen Pons.

by Nick Hahn

After a postponement due to last week’s snowstorm, the Virginia Thoroughbred Association is getting mobilized for what may be their largest season auction ever. 

“We’re looking to get some people some good deals on these quality seasons”, comments VTA Executive Director, Debbie Easter, on the annual event believed to be the oldest season auction in the country.  “We encourage prospect bidders to check out the list.”

More preregistered bidders than ever before will bid on the list, which includes stallions standing in 12 states including Kentucky, California, Maryland and Virginia. Curlin, Ghostzapper, Awesome Again, Dunkirk, Giant’s Causeway and Virginia-bred Bodemeister are among 2014 auction class. 

Phones open at 10:00 Tuesday, (February 18th) on the first day of the two day event.  As is in the case with many sporting prizes, you can’t win a season on the first day but you can definitely lose it.  Only the top five opening day bidders on each stallion angles bid on the second day.  Opening day bidding concludes at 9:00 pm.  The second day is scheduled by alphabetical order and closes by 6:30 Wednesday evening. 

 

New sire Despite the Odds, a son of Speightstown, struts his stuff at the Heritage Stallions open house. Photo The Racing Biz.

New sire Despite the Odds, a son of Speightstown, struts his stuff at the Heritage Stallions open house.  He’ll be part of the VTA auction. Photo The Racing Biz.

“I was worried about getting volunteers to the offices last week, so it appears we made the right decision,” explained Easter.  “I hope people don’t miss us because of it.  My hope is that we’re going to be OK.  All the big farms are represented, so we’re appreciative that they help with the association.  It’s nice of them to be so supportive.”

The seasons of 228 stallions were on the bid list as of Monday morning ranging from Adios Charlie to Zensational.  All seasons are sold on a no-guarantee basis and bids are only accepted over the telephone in $100 increments.  A complete list of rules and stallions is located at vabred.org.