Justin Casse
Justin Casse (born February 16, 1980) is an American born Thoroughbred bloodstock agent based in Ocala, Florida.[2] He is the son of Ocala Breeders Sales co-founder Norman Casse and former horse racing television commentator Linda Casse. He is also the youngest brother of perennial North American leading trainer Mark Casse.[2] Justin graduated from Florida State University in 2002 with a bachelors degree in International Affairs. Casse had sought the degree with diplomacy and government service in mind. All that changed when brother Mark won the 2001 Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I) with Exciting Story, owned by Harry T. Mangurian Jr. Casse credits his older brother—it is not unusual for the younger Casse to be mistakenly identified as Mark’s son—with helping him during his career. His first job post-college was as working as a groom and assistant trainer for his brother, Mark. He followed that up with a stint at consignment agency Paramount Sales in Lexington, Kentucky and then started Casse Sales at the age of 24, eventually selling horses for Eugene Melnyk, Kinsman Farm, Gary Barber, Earle I. Mack, Stonerside Stable and Vincent Viola, among others. The first 2-year-old he ever sold, a Rahy filly for George Steinbrenner, brought $500,000. It was his only entrant in the sale.
As an agent, pinhooker and consignor - two-time Breeders' Cup (gr.I) heroine Mizdirection is among the high-class runners to have sold through Casse Sales LLC - Casse has long been a well known industry figure. While he got his start as a 2-year-old specialist, he has expanded far beyond. The diversification of his business and expertise in European markets has been a source of growth for Casse.[3]
“I always traveled from an early age with my dad,” said Casse. “He was on the International Cataloguing Standards Committee for Ocala Breeders Sales Co for years, and he always used to come over to London for that reason and I would always come with him. I went to school in Europe for a semester, in London, on a Florida State study abroad program. I’ve always loved Europe.”[2]
In October 2016, Dancing Rags, sold by Casse on behalf of the Steinbrenner family’s Kinsman Stud, won the Alcibiades Stakes (gr.I) at Keeneland. Two days later, Gary Barber’s Keep Quiet, bought by Justin Casse for €37,000 ($45,455) at the 2014 Arqana December sale in France won the Dixiana Bourbon Stakes (gr. III), also at Keeneland. Dancing Rags is the sixth grade I winner that Justin has either bought, sold, or been associated with as an agent. Keep Quiet, Classic Empire, Green Mask, Dancing Rags and Haveyougoneaway were five Breeders’ Cup contenders with whom Casse has been involved in 2016 alone. The agent purchased part interest in Haveyougoneaway on behalf of Barber after the mare won the Honorable Miss Stakes (gr. II) at Saratoga Race Course. She stamped her ticket to the Breeders’ Cup by winning Saratoga's Ballerina Stakes (gr. I).[4]
Other Grade I successes (excluding those mentioned above) include:
Jack Milton, who was purchased privately for Gary Barber, winner of the Maker's Mark Mile Stakes at Keeneland.
Negligee, consigned by Casse and later sold, winner of the Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland.
Lear's Princess, co-pinhooked by Casse, winner of Gazelle Stakes at Belmont Park.
References
- ↑ "Tattersalls LTD".
- 1 2 3 Finley, Sue. "Justin Casse Takes On The World". Thoroughbred Daily News. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
- ↑ Sexton, Nancy. "Casse Hoping Trips to Europe Pay Dividends". www.racingpost.com. The Racing Post.
- ↑ Ron, Mitchell. "Justin Casse Sharing Limelight With Brother". www.bloodhorse.com. Bloodhorse Publications.