Arabs Absent From Saratoga Yearling Sale

Events in the Persian Gulf have kept an “enormous force” in the thoroughbred racing world from attending Saratoga Spring’s 70th annual yearling sales.

The three-day auction began Tuesday night without Sheik Hamdan al Maktoum and his brothers Maktoum and Mohammed, members of the royal family of the United Arab Emirates.

Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait has kept the sheiks home.

“They’re an enormous force at the sale,” said Cot Campbell, owner of Preakness winner Summer Squall.

The Maktoums spent $14.8 million on the first day of last month’s yearling sales at Keeneland, Ky.

In Saratoga Springs last year, Hamdan al Maktoum bought 16 yearlings for $7.8 million, nearly one quarter of the $31.8 million taken in by Fasig-Tipton Co., auctioneer for the Saratoga sales.

While the Maktoums have agents at the sale, Campbell said the sheiks’ representatives are less likely to bid past preset limits.

After two nights, 105 head have been sold at an average price of $229,362 and a gross of $24,083,000. Last year, 84 head had been sold for $22,357,000, or an average of $266,155.

The average per head after two nights of selling was down 14% from 1989.

A bay filly by Danzig from Family Style sold by Brushwood Stable topped the sales list Wednesday. Dr. David Richardson, acting as agent for an unnamed purchaser, paid $1.2 million for her.