The legendary Claiborne Farm returns to Fasig-Tipton's The Saratoga Sale, held Aug. 10-11, with a trio of yearlings. This marks the historic Kentucky farm's first consignment at the boutique auction since 1975.
Even after a half-century absence from The Saratoga Sale, Claiborne's legacy endures in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., where its deep bloodlines and champion racehorses still thrive on the racetrack. The most recent horse to come off their prominent farm in the Bluegrass is Kentucky Derby (G1) and Belmont Stakes (G1) winner Golden Tempo. The Claiborne-raised colt was bred by Phipps Stable and St. Elias Stables.
Claiborne's last consignment in 1975 featured five horses, led by a full brother to grade 1 winner and Claiborne-homebred Sham, who ran second to Secretariat in the 1973 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes (G1). The Pretense colt out of Sequoia, later named Leonato, sold for $127,000 and was group placed twice in England.
Looking further back into Saratoga sale history, Claiborne Farm consigned the Celt filly Marguerite at the 1921 auction. William Woodward's Belair Stud purchased the filly to add to his broodmare band for $4,700. Her first foal was Gallant Fox, America's second Triple Crown winner, who was foaled at Claiborne Farm. He is the only horse to sire a Triple Crown winner in Omaha, from his first crop, nonetheless.
Gallant Fox and Marguerite are both buried at Claiborne Farm.
Fifty-one years later, Claiborne returns to the Saratoga sale under the guidance of fourth-generation Seth "Walker" Hancock Jr., president of the farm.
Hancock noted that the decision to ship horses to Saratoga stemmed from clients' interest in selling at the renowned auction and was supported by streamlined yearling prep processes.
"The last few years, we've revamped the way we do things, a little more commercialization, I'd say, at least with the sales and yearlings, and it just worked out this year," he said. "We had some clients ask if we could sell the horses up here for them this year if we thought they were good enough, and we feel that they are very nice prospects to sell here—so it all worked out—and here we are."
At just 37 years old, this is Hancock's first time selling horses in Saratoga.
"I've heard stories in the past about how we used to walk the horses to the trains from the farm and put them on the train and send them up here to Saratoga way back in the day," he said.
The first horse to head to the ring from the Claiborne banner will be Hip 38, a colt by leading sire Not This Time , out of the Lonhro mare, Not Sure, who is a half sister to the dam of grade 1 winner Arabian Lion . The colt, who was bred by Colts Neck Stables, hails from a deep Phipps family pedigree that includes Hall of Famer Personal Ensign.
"We thought that this sale would hit him right between the eyes and he would be a serious prospect, and really stand out," Hancock said. "He's a gorgeous individual, a very typical Not This Time, and he's got an incredible pedigree with Personal Ensign being his third dam, and Arabian Lion under his second dam. It's a stallion pedigree, and he looks like a stallion. He's a really nice colt."
Next up is Hip 106, a filly by Three Chimneys Farm's Gun Runner , the first foal of the Tapit mare Tap the Faith, who is out of grade 1 winner Embellish the Lace. Claiborne Farm purchased Tap the Faith at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $1.25 million.
"Huge family, (grade 1 winner) Annapolis is in there, who is obviously one of our stallions, and Materiality. It's a really good dirt family," Hancock said. "The Gun Runner-Tapit cross is striking at a really high rate of stakes winners. Hopefully, she'll be another one that adds to that total."
Hip 106 was bred by Manzanita Stables.
The final offering is Hip 186, a colt by Constitution out of graded stakes winner Dream It Is. She is the dam of four horses to race, all winners, including stakes winner Otto the Conqueror (Street Sense ) and recent stakes winner Uncle Dodo (Uncle Mo). Hip 186 was bred by Hoolie Racing Stable.
"He's the best Constitution colt that we've ever had on the farm. He's really spectacular," Hancock said. "There's a nice update too with his 2-year-old, half brother (Uncle Dodo) by Uncle Mo who won the Victoria Stakes at Woodbine.
"He's a really nice individual, and the dam's already shown that she can produce a high-caliber horse."
Claiborne is poised for a triumphant return to The Saratoga Sale, a venue steeped in the farm's legacy.
Just days earlier, Walker Hancock's father, Seth Hancock, was inducted into the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame as a Pillar of the Turf. The elder Hancock took over Claiborne Farm in 1972 at the age of 23 after the sudden death of his father Bull Hancock. At the age of 24, he was responsible for the $6 million syndication of 1973 Triple Crown winner Secretariat as a stallion, a world record sum at the time.
The younger Hancock aims to add to his family's proud legacy when the sales start Monday at 6:30 p.m. ET in the Humphrey S. Finney Sales Pavilion.
"Everything just aligned this year for it to work out, and bring the horses up here and have the confidence to take that leap of faith," he said. "I've heard stories in the past, and hopefully this will rewrite a new chapter and look forward to the future."
