In his second year running, 32-year-old shipper Brayhan Cruz of Cruzin’ Purebred reflects on last year’s results and what his final offer for this year brings to the kids. 2-year-olds are in training and are selling racehorses under the age of June, starting June 13 at Ocala Breeders’ Sales.
The Guatemalan native has traveled to all the major tracks on the East Coast, riding for various trainers, has hung his tack in Ocala, Fla. Cruz took a moment between the horse display at the sales area to talk to BloodMarketHorseView about what makes his show different from the rest.
Market tracking: How did you get into the horse and race?
Brayhan Cruz: I have been in the horse business for 12 years; I started out as a racer, like everyone else does. I have always been around the horses, starting from the bottom, walking and grooming various trainers. You learn a little from everyone; If you want to learn every day, you have to keep learning about racehorses.
After riding, I began to cooperate with friends, buying part of the horse. Then I started having my own horses and a few clients. I only have a few clients, but they are satisfied with the results.
MW: Tell me about your activities in Ocala, Cruzin’ Purebred.
B.C: Unfortunately, we do not have fingerlings and weaning fish for this year. Last year was a challenge for us to buy, and I can’t buy anything for this year. I just had 2 year olds that we sold this year.
MW: Since the OBS June Sale is the last stop for 2-year-olds and racing stocks, will this be your last sale this year? How did you find the market this year?
B.C: This is our last sale for this year; These are the last horses we have this year. I hope everything goes well and we can sell them all; they are here to sell.
The market has stabilized this year; We have been blessed and have had a great year. March will always be a big sale; it’s good for most people. It was the first sale of the year, and a lot of people were willing to spend money to get good horses. Bringing those horses through March has rewarded us with a nice sale, but it’s been very steady for us this year.
MW: You start selling in 2021; What are your goals for the company when you close your second year of sales and into next year?
B.C: I want to keep growing with more clients and keep learning. You are always trying to buy the best young plants, which can be difficult. The main goal is to keep moving forward, doing our best and providing the best product to the buyers. Always be honest with the people and the market.
Brayhan Curz (centre) with two young fish preparing to sell
MW: What sets the Purebred Cruzin’ apart from other shippers?
B.C: I don’t necessarily do anything different but try to keep my horses happy and give them the time they need. We’d love to sell them all in the March or April sale, but every horse is different; We try to keep them going the right way every day. I think it helps a lot.
Every sale is different and only some horses will be where we want them to be at the time of the sale. I want to see that they are handling everything that I put in front of them and handling it successfully and comfortably. It may cost me a little more because I keep them a little longer, but at the end of the day that will give you better results.
MW: What do your loyal customers mean to you as a smaller operation?
B.C: Only me now, possessing the Purebred Cruzin’. I have partnerships with several horses and three clients have been fantastic from Day One. These people, my partners, have been with me all this time and have been there no matter what, through the ups and downs—what makes you happy.
MW: For this week’s three-day sale, you brought in a shipment of five 2-year-olds; walks us through each horse that shows up in Stable 17 at OBS.
B.C: On sale tomorrow, June 13, is blur pony (hip 56) out Lemon Belle; he is half brother to the 2023 Derby starter and Gotham Stakes (G3) winner raise Cain . He comes from a nimble female family of 2nd place winner Queenie Belle, Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1) winner Unparalleled Belle and female sprinter champion millionaire Unique Bella .
The Mitole dirty (hip 66). lilac and lace and the 2 year old Fat Japanese Champion lucky lilac.
ONE Honor code pony (hip 167) is a half brother to two current athletes; he was an annual $5,000 take from last year’s Keeneland September Sale. Last week, he reached eighth in: 10 3/5.
On sale June 14, I have a Kantharos dirty (hip 431) who crossed the eighth place fastest on: 09 4/5. She’s a lovely girl, she loves this surface, and she showed me good speed on dirt roads at home. The way she walks on the ground and the way she moves is not necessarily the same as Kantharos; it is more mare (by ghost). She will probably go two turns and be a little faster with the way she moves. She comes from a godly family in middle school Blofeld .
The Violence pony (hip 577) is a half-sibling to the winner of the Make Bet (G3) Mico Margarita via Run and hide . He comes from a family of two-time Eclipse Champion and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) Lark . Brayhan bought the pony last October for $22,000 from the Fasig-Tipton Sale.
