Speaker Series: Boyd Browning

Boyd Browning, President and Chief Executive Officer of Fasig-Tipton Company, joined the Joe Hirsch Speaker Series to talk about his role and field questions from students.

Browning went in-depth with students about his annual sales schedule and what goes into planning the sales within Fasig-Tipton’s purview. He shared how despite operating many auctions across the country, that there are many differences in hosting sales in different settings based on what type of horses, buyers, and sellers that will be present. Additionally, Browning shared the differences in preparing for sales depending on the type of horses being sold, such as a yearling sale versus a two-year-old in training sale with breeze up sessions. He also discussed what his company looks for when inspecting horses for select sales, which was of great interest to the students in the course with interest in bloodstock. For these select sales, they may have to cull a pool of 2,500 horses down to 250, and he detailed that process. 

Browning also talked about the importance of integrity and relationships. There is zero tolerance for any “bad apples” who don’t abide by the sale rules. The class also discussed the ups and downs in the sales world during his 35 years with Fasig-Tipton and how COVID and a post-COVID world has impacted prices.