Headed for Lexington for the sales, the races, or just plain fun? Then you’re invited to attend the 2023 Breeders Crown Charity Challenge Launch Party on Tues., Oct. 3 at noon in the Kentucky Room at Fasig-Tipton sale arena.

The Lexington Selected Yearling Sale is one of the most anticipated events of the year and the sale company has graciously hosted the Crown Charity launch party and stallion breeding auction for five straight years. 

Day two of the glitzy yearling sale starts at 1 p.m. with the auction of a 2024 breeding to seven of the most sought-after stallions in harness racing: Walner, a four-legged Fort Knox whose offspring have racked up more than $24 million on the track in a scant five years; Sweet Lou, whose great white blaze and blazing speed have been passed down to colts and fillies in winner’s circles across the country, Bettors Delight, arguably the most prolific stallion in harness racing whose get have earned a staggering $342 million; the blue-blooded Trixton, whose son Just For Trix boasts the only sub-1:50 trot mile of 2023 (1:49.4); and the fastest harness horse on wheels Bulldog Hanover, along with his fellow Horse of the Year Honouree Tall Dark Stranger and the pride of Ohio, Downbytheseaside, whose progeny are eligible to one of the most lucrative sire stakes program in North America.

Hoosier Park’s Emily Gaskin will host the noon ceremonies, detailing the Charity Challenge contest to date and previewing the $7 million Breeders Crown events at Harrah’s Hoosier Park later in the month,

In addition, top owner and breeder Marvin Katz, whose efforts launched the charity component of the Breeders Crown series, will present a $10,000 cheque to Lexington mayor Linda Gorton. Ms. Gorton has chosen the Stable Recovery program as the local recipient of Katz’s annual largesse. The Stable Recovery’s mission is to provide a safe and stable living environment for men in early recovery, with a focus on equine-related training and employment opportunities. While participating in the recovery housing program, residents attend the School of Horsemanship at Taylor Made Farm. They receive training and on-the-job experience in several different facets of the Thoroughbred industry by the very best in the business at Taylor Made. Taylor Made then helps graduates seek potential employment opportunities at participating horse farms in and around Lexington, Kentucky.

Thanks to the generous donors, sponsors and supporters, the Breeders Crown Charity Challenge along with the harness racing community has raised more than $1.2 million since 2019 for deserving local and regional charities in host track regions.

(Breeders Crown)