While based in Ocala, Fla., today, Michelle Hemingway of Hemingway Racing and Training Stables began her career oceans away in South Africa, where she worked as an assistant trainer to notable names Mike de Kock, Joey Ramsden, and Glen Kotzen. Now working as a trainer and pinhooker, the lessons she learned in South Africa have helped her develop a method for purchasing and placing horses in future sales.
This year at the Ocala Breeders' Sales June Sale of 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age, Hemingway is once again hoping that strategy pays off.
Once Hemingway purchases a juvenile as a pinhook prospect she gives each horse time to develop and show their talents before placing them as hopeful standouts in a specific sale.
"The horse never lies," Hemingway said, noting only through progressive training will you know when and where to best place a horse to capitalize on the current market trends.
The OBS June sale allows consignors to showcase horses that might not hit at the earlier sales in the year, where the prices and bidding can be extremely competitive for an early talent. The additional calendar days give some horses more time to get the physical progression and mental acuity to step up and be a standout individual in a smaller arena.
"With our industry and the ever-changing ways of our industry right now, people need to look at some of us who are young and just getting into it," Hemingway said. "Maybe we can't spend $250,000 right now on a horse but in 10 years maybe we can with the support of the industry."
The current status of the market leaves plenty of buyers with orders to fill at all price points. Successful purchases from previous years foster trustworthy relationships, ears to bend, and future support from buyers—all of which help the up-and-coming consignors break into the industry. For Hemingway, breeder and fellow consignor Carrie Brogden and bloodstock agent Donato Lanni—who purchased Bewitch Stakes (G3T) winner War Like Goddess from Hemingway at the 2019 OBS June sale for only $30,000—have been instrumental influences in helping the young consignor build her business.
Hemingway got things started with a bang June 9 during the opening session of the OBS June sale, when she sold a $200,000 Gormley filly consigned as Hip 122 to Integrity Bloodstock, agent for Lee Pokoik. The consignor said she has a few remaining standouts in Hip 601, Hip 848, and Hip 891, all to come during the sale's remaining two days. Each of these horses started from different beginnings, but have become notable individuals among the crowd this summer.
Hip 601, a filly by Taylor Made Stallions' Not This Time out of Night Launch (by Midnight Lute) purchased for $50,000 by Eric Antonio Delvalle from Taylor Made Sales Agency's consignment to the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearling Sale, made an early impression on Hemingway.
"She (Hip 601) has blossomed into a big race filly that stands over a lot of ground. She looks the part, and this filly would be a turn-key addition to any racing stable," Hemingway said.
Hip 848, a colt by Darby Dan Farm's Klimt out of Total Eclipse (Malibu Moon) named Eclipse the Moon, has been the picture of class for Hemingway.
"He has been straightforward and the most genuine study," Hemingway said. "He came from this year's March OBS 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale. With manners to take home, he knows his job and shows up for work each day, always performing to his best ability. He showed as much in his work, when he went in :10."
Rounding out her top prospects is Hip 891, a colt by Gainesway's Tapit out of grade 2 stakes-placed Duff One (Harlan's Holiday), who brings with him a South African connection in Gainesway CEO Antony Beck. Hemingway had the opportunity to work with Beck's late father, Graham, for his racing stable in South Africa where she built a relationship that would eventually lead to consigning this strapping colt, her first horse consigned on behalf of Gainesway. According to Hemingway, since the colt shipped down to Ocala he hasn't looked back, putting in a quick eighth-mile breeze of :10 1/5 during the under tack show, galloping out nicely, and showing off an impressive walk to match his physical.
