Well, what could be going on "under the surface" as you so obliquely allude to?:zz:

If it is not money...what other reason?
I can't think of any. Are they splitting with Claiborne after 100 years?

Is the family selling the stable?

i'm figuring it's just something they do on occasion...altho, one has to wonder due to the fact the sr. phipps is 70-ish now, and not in great health. but you'd have to imagine he'd already have his ducks in a row re: inheritance...

Age 11-14 is when many mares start to lose fertility, have foaling problems, etc. To sell, in foal, in the early double-digits of age, before there is an open year or two on the pedigree page, is basic livestock management for getting the best dollar on aging assets, and keeping your herd producing.

Do I think they need money? No
Do I think they are getting out of the horse business? non not yet anyway.
Do I think they are doing what every other commercial or private horse operation is doing? Yes. They are streamlining, getting out of mares while they still have good commercial value.
Do I think that the phipps family will still be breeding horses with claiborne in 100 years? I sure hope so, but the realist in me doubts it. These old money racing entities just don't seem to last once the driving force dies.
As far as the press release, one writes them to garner interest and attention...in this case it may well be that Keeneland is the one who is seeking a "name" draw for november. I suppose time (and by that I don't mean november 30th) will tell. I'm enough of a conspiracy nut to not take anything at face value, I've been wrong many times...it won't hurt if I am again.

Best explanation. Makes sense.

But, they did that with Supercharger... sold the potential KD winner...and the Phipps have never won the KD...probably not an objective now.

Probably truth to prior post that SS would never have gotten to the Derby if owned by the family.

Here is the simple fact. They have tons of broodmares. They have rare bloodlines. Ever heard the phrase, "Bloodlines money can't buy."? In fact, if you look through the offspring of a lot of their best mares, they have been luckier than others at getting more fillies than colts.

They cull some every year. Otherwise it becomes unmanageable. I know they have a target number of mares (maybe 100?). I am sure in better economic times they have folks with a standing buy offer to get some of the Phipps broodmare blood. In the current economy, they probably didn't have as many offers from the usual suspects. Thus, the entry of selected mares to the sale.

Do not panic. They will be in the game forever, breeding (borderline)stayers who win some big races.

Also, they probably could care less about not owning Super Saver at the time of the Derby. If they had a nickel for "every if and and but" they have had in a 100 years of horse racing, they'd be richer than they already are.

its a good thing. they have stock that runs all day. if more people bred horses like them. more horses could get 9 or 10 furlongs......or more.

As long as they can keep winning races like the $150k Ohio Derby, everything will be fine.

I'm pretty sure they are what Chris Rock calls wealthy.

He said, " Shaquille O'neal is rich, the guy who signs his check is wealthy."