Highland Training Center announced Al Pike will retire from his position as director of sales and conditioner for 2-year-olds in-training following the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale in May. Colin Brennan will step into the role as Pike transitions to a consulting and advisory capacity.
Pike, who began his equine career in 1978 before developing a successful pinhooking business, plans to retire to Lexington, Kentucky, while Brennan relocates to Texas to assume the position.
During his career, Pike has sold three juveniles who competed in the GI Kentucky Derby — MGSW & MGISP Vyjack (Into Mischief), who earned over $1.4 million; MGSW Vicar’s In Trouble (Into Mischief), winner of more than $1.3 million; and MGSP Frammento (Midshipman).
One of Pike’s most notable sales came in 2016 when he sold Modest Maven (Uncle Mo) — purchased for $80,000 — for $1 million to Chester Broman. The mare achieved significant success as a broodmare through her sons, SP Overstep (Into Mischief), who sold to Repole and St Elias Stables for $360,000 as a KEESEP yearling, and SW & MGSP Arctic Arrogance (Frosted), retained by the Bromans to race in their colors.
Pike’s sales record also includes 2023 G3 UAE Oaks winner Mimi Kakushi (City of Light) and Hong Kong multimillionaire, Group 1-placed Chancheng Glory (Mor Spirit). His recent success story features the consistent Louisiana-bred GSW Touchuponastar (Star Guitar), who began his career with Pike Racing.
Pike joined Highlander in 2023 to develop their 2-year-olds in-training program.
“The people here at Highlander have been amazing to work with,” said Pike. “I can’t thank them enough. And I can’t think of a better person than Colin Brennan to come in and continue what we’ve started.”
Brennan brings a strong equine pedigree as the son of Niall Brennan and grew up immersed in the sales environment. He holds degrees in Equine Business Management, Equine Anatomy, and Exercise Physiology, and graduated from the Godolphin Flying Start program (known as the Darley Flying Start program when he was admitted in 2012).
His professional experience includes work with Niall Brennan Stables, Bill Mott, and Mike Ryan, handling notable horses such as Essential Quality, Mystic Guide, and Nyquist.
Brennan will assume sales responsibilities in time for the Fasig-Tipton New York-bred Yearling Sale on August 10-11, which will mark the debut of the “Colin Brennan Bloodstock at Highlander Training Center” consignment. This will be followed by the Texas Yearling sale on August 26 and the Keeneland September sale, where Highlander will present a consignment under its own banner for the first time.
“This is a huge opportunity,” Brennan said. “…the sort of opportunity a young horseman dreams about. Highlander is a first-class facility and this is a program that I’ll be proud to represent.”
Highlander’s chairman and CEO, Jeff Hooper, expressed confidence in the transition: “Colin is just the guy to take what Al has built and grow it into something even better. I’m very excited that we will be represented by Colin Brennan at Highlander consignments at major sales across the country, starting with the New York-bred sale at Saratoga, the Texas Thoroughbred Yearling sale, and the Keeneland September sale. I see a very bright future for Highlander.”
