Al Pike Passes Away

[Wandering Eyes]

Veteran horseman Al Pike, who had been battling cancer, passed away Saturday at the age of 70, according to a release from the Texas Thoroughbred Association.

Pike, along with his wife of nearly 45 years, Salley, and their son, Colt, operated Pike Racing. Pike is also survived by daughter Chelsey Pike Hooton.

Pike got his start in the horse industry in the 1970s as a Quarter Horse trainer in Texas before he and his wife transitioned to Thoroughbreds, eventually focusing on pinhooking.

Pike Racing sold the $1.1-million sale-topper at the 2020 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, a son of Uncle Mo that Pike had purchased privately after he had RNA'd for $185,000 at the previous year's Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Sale. The consignment also sold a daughter of Uncle Mo for $1 million at the 2016 Midlantic May sale.

The Pike Racing consignment set a record for a TTA sale when selling the $300,000 sale-topper at the 2023 Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale.

Pike Racing had three juvenile sale graduates make it to the Kentucky Derby, including millionaires Vyjack and Vicar's in Trouble.

Pike announced in April he was retiring from his position as director of sales and 2-year-old trainer at the Texas-based Highlander Training Center.

“Al Pike was synonymous with Texas sales,” said Foster Bridewell, sales director for TTA Sales. “Everyone knew and respected Al, and together with Salley and Colt they were a vital part of the sale scene here. We are going to miss Al dearly and plan to honor his memory at our next auction.”

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