BY SARAH WELK BAYNUM

Most horsemen today know Celestino DiLibero as Charlie who orchestrates made-from-scratch catering menus at the Ocala Breeders' Sales.

But DiLibero and his family have been additionally recognized in the breeding industry for more than 50 years. In 1986, his family broke a world record with stallion Lawmaker (by Round Table out of Greek Victress by Victoria Park.) The $500,000 yearling purchase led stallions worldwide with the most 2-year-old winners in his first crop with 30. At the time, the modern-day world record was 24 held by Noholme II and the turn-of-the century record from 1916 was 27 set by Star Shoot. 

This special edition of The Florida Horse podcast is brought to you by Peterson Smith Equine Hospital + Complete Care’s Dr. Andrew Smith, who talks about several of the clinic’s equine specializations that are valuable to maintaining equine athletes at the elite level, including diagnostic imaging, dynamic airway examinations, lameness, poor performance evaluation, and equine podiatry.

BY GULFSTREAM PARK PRESS OFFICE

HALLANDALE BEACH, FL—Michael Yates is well known in South Florida for his low-key, even-keeled demeanor. He is a trainer who prefers to let his horses do the talking.

The Yates-trained Rated by Merit said a mouthful July 13 at Gulfstream Park when the Florida-bred colt scored an eye-catching nine-and-three-quarter-length debut victory. St. Elias Stable Stable’s homebred 2-year-old certainly got a lot of people talking after his front-running victory in a six-furlong maiden special weight race earned a 92 Beyer Speed Figure, the highest number achieved by any 2-year-old in the country this year until Ferocious, a $1.3 million yearling purchase, was credited with a 96 after his impressive debut at Saratoga Saturday.

According to the Equine Disease Communication Center and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the United States Department of Agriculture, several new cases of Contagious Equine Metris were confirmed in Orange County, Fla., on Aug. 5. An official quarantine has been issued.

BY THE JOCKEY CLUB PRESS OFFICE

The Jockey Club Thoroughbred Incentive Program today announced that entries for all divisions of the 2024 T.I.P. Championships are now open.

BY KEENELAND PRESS OFFICE

LEXINGTON, KY—Keeneland's September Yearling Sale, internationally recognized as a source of Thoroughbreds who excel in the sport's most important races, has cataloged 4,396 horses to be offered over 12 sessions from Monday, Sept. 9 through Saturday, Sept. 21. The online catalog will include walking videos of yearlings and links to the websites of consignors participating in the 81st edition of the auction.