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| Staff Writer |
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Thoroughbred racing and breeding have lost Mike Recio, a consignor and bloodstock agent who loved the industry and loved the people tied to the industry even more.
Co-founder of South Point Sales, Recio died Sept. 16 in Lexington after an illness. He was 46.
The son of respected Ocala, Fla., horseman Bill Recio, Mike Recio had been involved in Thoroughbred racing and breeding for the majority of his life. After graduating from the University of Louisville equine industry program in 2002, he worked in client services for Taylor Made Farm, Adena Springs, Mill Ridge, and Hidden Brook, where he cultivated his business acumen and his legendary gift of gab.
Recio's friend John David Christman noted that Recio's infectious, fun-loving personality translated well to the industry.
In the fall of 2014, Recio launched South Point Sales, which became a prominent consignor at the breeding stock and yearling sales in Kentucky and Saratoga Springs, N.Y. At the same time, Recio began Rockbridge Bloodstock, a full-service agency that quickly proved successful with matings, racing and broodmare purchases, and stallion placement.
South Point sales grads of note include Gr.2 winner Stubbins, and Gr.3 winners Proud Emma and Fear the Cowboy, the latter being grade 1-placed.
Recio was involved in the private purchase of multiple graded stakes winner Tonalist's Shape and had an especially strong record at the 2YO sales where 13% of his juvenile purchases earned black-type, including 2021 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint contender The Critical Way.