ANNAPOLIS, MD –-Thoroughbred race horses purchased by Filipino horsemen at the October 2005 Fasig-Tipton Eastern Fall Sales in Timonium won three stakes races at one of the biggest racing days in the Philippines, the  Don Juan Derby Day on October 15.  The winning horses were among the first ever purchased in Maryland for racing in the Philippines. 

“The fine reputation of Maryland racing is playing out in the Philippines with recent wins by Thoroughbreds purchased at our sales,” said Governor Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr. “Maryland is becoming a leading resource for international buyers seeking high quality pedigrees.  Successful racing results create a strong draw for international horse buyers to return to Maryland to buy their racing stock, illustrating the importance horse racing and sales operations to our horsemen and our economy.”

In a showing of strength for the future of horses from Maryland sales in the Philippines, the two-year old No Fear defeated Irene’s Fantasy, Lady Commander and seven others in the major juvenile race for Thoroughbred fillies in the country, the SLLP Juvenile Fillies Championship.  All three of the top placing horses were derived from American sales.  Fasig Tipton Sales graduate Deputy Stravinsky won his stakes race.  Big Deb, winner of the Don Juan Derby, the big stakes race of the day, was sired by 1996 Preakness winner Louis Quatorze. The stallion stands at Murmur Farm in Darlington, Md. 

The Filipino buyers purchased 14 horses in October 2005 and another two horses in February of 2006.  Since 2005, Maryland Department of Agriculture has targeted the Philippines as a strong emerging market for the state’s Thoroughbreds. Deputy Secretary John R. Brooks, D.V.M. led a delegation to the Philippines in February 2005 to discuss the development of the country’s livestock industries.  He found that there was strong interest in the Thoroughbred racing sector. 

Since that first Maryland trade mission, members of the Philippine Racing Commission have traveled four times to Maryland to visit Maryland horse breeders and purchase horses.   These missions are financed in part by the United States Livestock Genetic Export, Inc., a not-for-profit association to promote the export of U.S. livestock and genetics.