Minnesota Ready Tops 'Phenomenal' Lothenbach Dispersal of Horses of Racing Age on Fasig-Tipton Digital

The Lothenbach Dispersal of Horses of Racing Age, conducted from January 29 through February 2 on Fasig-Tipton Digital, closed with 66 horses sold for $4,840,000. The average was $73,333 and the median was $41,000. Sixteen (16) horses sold for $100,000 or more. Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent for Lothenbach Stables Inc. Complete Dispersal, consigned.

Minnesota Ready (Hip 1) topped the dispersal when sold for $380,000 to Richard C. Colton Jr.  Offered as a racing prospect, the five-year-old son of More Than Ready was just a half-length third in the Duncan F. Kenner S. at Fair Grounds on January 20 in his most recent start. A three-time winner and stakes placed in his two most recent starts, Minnesota Ready has earned $298,312 to date under the tutelage of trainer Neil Pessin. He was bred in Kentucky by Mr. Lothenbach.

Four other offerings sold for $300,000 or more, including:

• Dazzlin' Dictator (Hip 11), a three-year-old racing/broodmare prospect purchased for $360,000 to by Rodolphe Brisset, agent for Ann Harrison. A daughter of American Pharoah, Dazzlin' Dictator won her two most recent two starts, including a 2 1/2 length victory in maiden special weight company on December 23 and a 2-length score in an allowance on January 5, both races at Turfway Park. A winner in 2 of 4 starts to date, Dazzlin' Dictator has earned $87,800 to date for trainer Ian Wilkes. The filly was bred in Kentucky by Mr. Lothenbach.
• Happy American (Hip 14), a six-year-old racing prospect sold for $340,000 to trainer Neil Pessin. By Runhappy, Happy American has won five of 25 starts to date, including a victory in the Louisiana S. (G3) at Fair Grounds last year. He also placed in last year's Stephen Foster S. (G1) at Ellis Park. To date, he has earned $630,216.
• Tickle Me Unclemo (Hip 31), a three-year-old horse of racing age purchased for $320,000 by Robert Salome. Unstarted to date, the Uncle Mo colt has been working steadily at Fair Grounds. The colt is out of Tickled Pink, a stakes placed Shackleford half-sister to Grade 1 winners Majestic Harbor and Danza and to the dam of graded stakes winners Totally Boss and Super Steed.
• Practically Dark (Hip 4), a three-year-old horse of racing age, purchased by C2 Racing Stable LLC. Recently second in his debut in maiden special weight company on January 15 at Fair Grounds, the son of Practical Joke has earned $10,400 for trainer Chris Block. Practically Dark is a half-brother to Delaware Oaks (G3) winner Midnight Stroll (Not This Time).

Seven-hundred-forty-one (741) potential buyers from 46 states and seven other countries registered to bid. Those bidders placed 3,047 total bids, averaging approximately 46 bids per offering. Veterinarians representing those bidders viewed the repository 580 times, nearly 10 views per horse.

"All I can say is, 'Wow,'" said Leif Aaron, Fasig-Tipton's Director of Digital Sales. "We have to thank the estate of Mr. Lothenbach for trusting us with this dispersal of racing stock. This is exactly what the digital platform was built for: horses and buyers from all over the country. These are phenomenal results."

The second phase of Mr. Lothenbach’s dispersal – his breeding stock and yearlings –  will be offered during the Kentucky Winter Mixed sale this coming Monday and Tuesday, February 5 and 6. The catalogue is available online.

Full results for the Lothenbach Dispersal of Horses of Racing Age are available online.

About Robert Lothenbach:

Robert Lothenbach, the prominent Minnesota owner and breeder who passed away in November of 2023, operated one of the most successful racing stables in North America for more than 30 years.  Since 2000 alone, Lothenbach color bearers have won more than 800 races and earned more than $30,000,000 on the racetrack according to Equibase.  His stable ranked in the top 10 nationally in 2020 and 2022.