Love's Equine Brings First Consignment to Saratoga Sale

Billy Love came to Florida on a rodeo quest, but he said divine intervention handed him an opportunity to have a career in the Thoroughbred industry. This week in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., he begins another chapter of his story he never thought possible. Near the end of the second session of Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale Aug. 6, Love will offer Hip 229—an athletic-looking filly by Yaupon. This is his first consignment at the boutique select yearling sale, and it's an opportunity he isn't taking for granted. "I am very blessed representing a specimen out of a grade 1-winning mare," said Love. "Many people like myself will shop for many years trying to find a horse of top quality to hopefully be good enough to be cataloged in such a prestigious sale." Clovis Crane of Crane Thoroughbreds connected Love with renowned 2-year-old pinhookers Brandon and Ali Rice of RiceHorse Stables in 2016. He started working for them in the fall, in what was supposed to be a part-time job. By the summer of 2017, he had worked his way up to be barn manager. At RiceHorse, Love was able to start building a foundation in the industry. From weanling and yearling prep, to helping out at 2-year-old sales, he absorbed as much as he could from the Rices. In 2019, he had his first, albeit modest, consignment at the Ocala Breeders' Sales. He sold three out of the eight yearlings offered under the name Love's Equine at the 2019 October Yearling Sale for a total of $23,500. Love's Equine was in full force by the spring of 2021, with Love raising weanlings, prepping yearlings for sales, and facilitating as an agent for clients. Fast forward to the summer of 2024, when Love's Equine has its first consignment at The Saratoga Sale. It is just a one-horse consignment, but that does not take away from the quality of his filly, according to Love. The Saratoga Sale was always the goal for this filly from the first time Love laid eyes on her at the Fasig-Tipton Winter Mixed Sale. He said her strong physical and precociousness impressed him. "She has a classic-type physical we all want for the big races," he said. The bay filly is out of millionaire Belle Gallantey, who won the Delaware Handicap (G1) and the Beldame Stakes (G1) in 2014. The mare is a half sister to multiple stakes winner Avana (Vino Rosso). Hip 229 is by first-crop yearling sire Yaupon, whose other progeny have been well received at the sales. He was among the top three first-crop weanling sires from 2023 from 10 or more sold, with his highest-priced weanling bringing $450,000. He was the top first-crop yearling sire by average at the Fasig-Tipton July Sale last month at $162,909. A Yaupon colt out of the mare Twitterpated, consigned by Ballysax Bloodstock sold to de Meric Sales for $285,000. The highest-priced filly was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, selling to U.S. Racing Stables for $275,000. "Timing is key in this industry, striking while the iron is hot. Since November, Yaupon has shown a commanding presence in the sales ring," said Love. "What stands out about (Hip 229) is her mind and how she behaves on the sales grounds. She's quiet-minded, moves really well, classy, and balanced. She has a great walk."