Heritage Place Graduates Shine Ahead of 48th Annual Quarter Horse Yearling Sale

Heritage Place will head into its 48th Annual Quarter Horse Yearling Sale next week with plenty to celebrate after three graduates of its 2024 yearling sale captured major stakes during one of the industry's biggest weekends of racing.

Effortless Favorite and Flying Joy 1 delivered Grade 1 victories during All American Weekend at The Downs at Albuquerque, while AJ Remember Me added a victory in the Blue Grass Derby at Sandy Ridge Racing in Kentucky.

The trio were all offered through the 2024 Heritage Place Quarter Horse Yearling Sale, providing a timely showcase for the Oklahoma City sales company's yearling program just days before more than 1,000 yearlings are scheduled to go through the ring September 16-19.

Effortless Favorite led the weekend for Heritage Place graduates with a victory in the $1,079,992 All American Derby (G1). Jason Olmstead trains the son of Favorite Cartel, who was ridden to victory by Francisco Ramirez Jr.

The Wallace Johnson-bred runner was a $67,000 purchase by Tom Maher, Dick Tobin and Bill Maher from the Jordan Wiggans, agent for Wallace Johnson, consignment at the 2024 Heritage Place Quarter Horse Yearling Sale.

Flying Joy 1 added another Grade 1 score for the sale's graduates when she captured the $694,186 All American Oaks (G1) under jockey Ricky Ramirez.

Bred by Cuadra JM LLC, Flying Joy 1 sold for $49,000 to David Rogers at the 2024 Heritage Place Quarter Horse Yearling Sale. Jose Mendoza, agent for Cuadra JM LLC, consigned the filly trained by Trey S. Wood.

Heritage Place was also represented in the winner's circle at Sandy Ridge Racing when AJ Remember Me won the $165,600 Blue Grass Derby.

The Rancho El Cabresto-bred colt brought $120,000 from buyer Rito Sosa at the 2024 Heritage Place Quarter Horse Yearling Sale. AJ Remember Me races for Corinna Sosa and is trained by Waylan Melton. Cordarelton Benn was aboard for the Blue Grass Derby victory.

The success comes just ahead of the 48th Annual Heritage Place Quarter Horse Yearling Sale, scheduled for September 16-19 at Heritage Place in Oklahoma City.

A pre-sale party and horse viewing will kick off sale week on Tuesday, September 15, at 5 p.m., followed by four days of selling beginning promptly at 10 a.m. each morning.

Session One on Wednesday, September 16, will offer Hips 1-271, followed by Hips 272-542 during Session Two on Thursday. Session Three on Friday will feature Hips 543-813, while Saturday's final session will close the sale with Hips 814-1084.

Friday's session will also include breedings to Kiss My Hocks, Dulce Sin Tacha and Flying Cowboy 123, while Saturday will feature breedings to Just A Kool Boy, Hes Relentless, Just Dulce and Cyber Monday. Proceeds from the breedings will benefit the Ruidoso Racing Foundation.

Online bidders must be pre-registered by 5 p.m. CST on September 14.

With more than 1,000 yearlings cataloged and recent Heritage Place graduates coming off victories in the All American Derby, All American Oaks and Blue Grass Derby, the 2026 sale offers buyers their next opportunity to search for future stakes winners through the Heritage Place sales ring.

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