News Release: 9th Annual Thoroughbred Yearling Auction

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Twenty-one Jockey Club registered Thoroughbred yearlings are currently being fitted for the 9th annual Thoroughbred yearling auction to be held on Sunday, October 15, 2000, at 2:00 PM, at the Virginia Tech Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center (MARE Center) in Middleburg, Virginia. Inspections begin at 10 AM. This year's auction will feature fillies and geldings by Nationally Ranked Second-Crop Sire Chenin Blanc, as well as Ball's Bluff, Chief Protocol, Compadre and Lava. Yearlings sold at previous sales have matured to show, hunt, and race both over fences and on the flat. Race progeny bred and sold at the Center have earnings fast approaching $1,000,000, and include a stakes winner and two stakes placed horses. Auction proceeds benefit equine nutrition research and care at Virginia Tech. The yearlings will be shown by appointment only. Please contact the MARE Center at (540) 687- 3521.

The Virginia Tech MARE Center is a research and teaching facility located on 419 acres on Route 626 near Middleburg. The late Mr. Paul Mellon gave the land to the university in 1949, and the Thoroughbred breeding stock has been donated by many generous supporters. The center is home to 2 stallions, 40 broodmares, 8 geldings, 21 yearlings, and 26 foals.

The MARE Center is a working farm where research is conducted in the areas of nutrition, forage management, weaning stress, parasite control, reproductive efficiency, and growth and development of the young horse. In the future, nutrition and exercise physiology research will be conducted at the MARE Center.

Wendell Cooper, V.M.D. is the superintendent of the MARE Center. He coordinates the research, veterinary care, breeding and maintenance of the farm. Dr. Cooper is available to answer any questions regarding the Center at (540) 687-3521.

Dr. David Kronfeld, The Paul Mellon Professor at Virginia Tech, oversees the research at the MARE Center. He may be reached at his Blacksburg office at (540) 231-6763.

Visitors are welcome for farm tours and to view the yearlings. Please call the office at (540) 687-3521, Monday through Friday, between 8 AM and 4 PM to make an appointment.