“I could easily have missed him. I wasn’t looking for a cheap American Ideal to be honest. At the time I didn’t even realize that it was him who was up next. But, when he came into the ring, I thought ‘here’s that small little colt I like from Hunterton’. I put my hand up twice and with no real intention on buying him, I owned him.”

Many trainers and owners spend countless hours every summer viewing yearlings live, watching their videos and studying pedigrees... all in preparation for the Fall yearling sales. But sometimes you just need fate to play a part.

Here’s the story of two trainers who, last year, each brought home at least one yearling that they weren’t necessarily planning on. And at this point, each of them is very happy that they did.

To read the full feature from the August issue of Trot, click one of the following links: The One That Didn't Get Away -- Comment aller de l’avant lors d’un encan de yearlings.