(April 13, 2015) The Texas Thoroughbred Association (TTA) and Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie announced today that they have entered into an agreement with Western Bloodstock Ltd. for the production of public auction Thoroughbred sales to be conducted at the Texas Thoroughbred Sales Pavilion located on the grounds of Lone Star Park. The first auction produced by the new alliance will be the Texas Thoroughbred Yearling Sale, scheduled for Monday August 24, 2015.

“We are extremely pleased to announce this new partnership with Western Bloodstock,” said TTA President Ken Carson. “They have a 15-year track record of conducting sales at the highest level, and we are confident they will bring a new enthusiasm to the market, to the benefit of our members and horsemen throughout the Southwest.

“The TTA and Lone Star Park have enjoyed a longstanding relationship with Fasig-Tipton in the production of our auctions since 1997,” Carson continued. “But with Fasig-Tipton making the decision to focus their efforts on other markets, it provided us with the opportunity to develop this new alliance with Western Bloodstock.”

“Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie is proud to be a part of this new alliance to produce Thoroughbred auctions,” added track president Scott Wells. “We are committed not only to offering the best racing possible, but also to having Lone Star Park serve as a marketplace for quality bloodstock through these sales. We believe that this new partnership provides for a bright future toward that goal.”

Regarded as the premier auction company in the performance horse industry, since its establishment in 2000, Western Bloodstock has offered more than 27,500 horses at public auction for total gross sales of $319 million. During the past 18 months, Western Bloodstock Ltd. has cataloged a total of 2,382 horses for gross sales of $35,670,575. The company’s data base of over 11,400 customers offers an attractive opportunity to bring new owners into the Thoroughbred industry, as well.

“We are excited about our new alliance with the Texas Thoroughbred Association and Lone Star Park and look forward to bringing our knowledge and expertise in public horse auctions to the table,” said Jeremy Barwick, owner with his wife Candace, of Western Bloodstock Ltd.

To conduct the sales in conjunction with the TTA and Lone Star Park, Western Bloodstock has teamed with longtime Texas Thoroughbred industry leader Jeff Hooper. Hooper’s experience includes nine years as the Executive Director of the TTA and three and a half years as Vice President of Administration at Lone Star Park.

“We are honored to have this opportunity to work with the TTA and Lone Star Park,” Hooper said. “The Texas Thoroughbred racing industry has strong roots and, combined with Lone Star Park’s commitment to Texas racing and its outstanding facilities, offers an exceptional regional market for quality yearlings and two-year-olds in training.We are proud of our track record of innovation and pledge to offer a first-class market for consignors and buyers, in tune with their needs.”

Founded in 1955, The Texas Thoroughbred Association is the official breed registry for Thoroughbred horses in the State of Texas

Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie is a Class I racetrack operated by Texas Partners LSP and GG LSP. The track offers a 50-day 2015 Spring Thoroughbred Season, which opened on Thursday, April 9 and concludes on Sunday, July 19. Live racing will be held three days a week, Friday & Saturday at 6:35 p.m. (except Triple Crown Days May 2, May 16 & June 6 which have a 1:35 p.m. start) and Sundays at 1:35 p.m. Live racing will be held on select Thursdays at 6:35 p.m. (April 9 & 23; June 18; July 16) The racing program on Memorial Day, May 25, will start at 1:35 p.m. A special twilight program will be held at 5 p.m. on Saturday, July 4 (Lone Stars & Stripes Fireworks Celebration). For more information on Lone Star Park visit www.LoneStarPark.com.

Lone Star Park is also home to the multi-million dollar simulcast racebook, sports bar and event venue, Bar & Book. The 36,000 square foot venue is open to the public 363 days a year.