In addition to representing top riders, Legacy also prides itself on being a family-owned business. Tommy Eastham recently spoke with BloodHorse to discuss the January sale, the future of digital sales and what it means to have his wife and two sons, TJ and Levi, as part of the shipment.
Blood horse: Which yearling sire from the first harvest caught your eye?
Tommy Eastham: I love the Taibas. I’ve owned a few and found them very good to work with; short backs and long underlines, with some big, smooth walks. Hip 137 has a great frame, very athletic and a fast, muscular appearance.
BRA: What are some other popular horses in your shipment?
THE: I think my Yaupon (foal), Hip 148, is a very strong, exciting colt. Good bone and foot, and handled this process well. Hip 471 is also popular, the Taiba filly. Really strong filly, great hip structure, has a nice walk and is very smart. Hip 14 is a Loggins colt, bred in New York; it is a very young foal, born on May 22nd. He may get punished for that, but he has a great hip and is very correct.
BRA: Which type of horse suits the January Sale best?
THE: A domestic family tree. I think it is also nice to give those later foals time to be weaned and to overcome that process. The timing is right for many of those babies.
BRA: What about the mares?
THE: A mare pregnant with a strong dirt horse. You don’t have the Europeans and Japanese here like in November, so you have to stick to the domestic family trees.
BRA: As we approach the end of the yearling sales season, will you continue to engage in digital sales? What are your thoughts on that?
THE: Yes. I love them. I think the biggest asset of a digital sale is that breeders can liquidate if they need to. I think it is very good for the mares. The mares are the pack animals in our industry, so anything we can do to make their lives better, I think we should do. It’s certainly less stressful.
BRA: After a record-breaking November sale, do you expect this momentum to continue into the January sale?
THE: Yes. Our show volume was equal to Book 3, Book 4 in September. I think it will be somewhat polarized because I’ve seen a lot of good riders here. I haven’t seen the crowds, but the quality of buyers here is really great. I think it’s going to be a strong sale.
BRA: What does it mean to be able to do something you all love with your wife and sons?
THE: As a father you feel like you have to work when you are with your children. When you work, you feel like you have to be with your children. This kind of balances that out. I think I did good assignments before my kids came to work for me, but I think we’re better than ever with them. It’s special. I’m glad they like it. I am very blessed with that.
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