We purchase our yearlings with the help of the exceptional eye and experience of Pat Hoppel. Pat's Florida farm is the first stop for new Karakorum yearlings; amid the gently rolling Ocala hills, the young colts and fillies do more than gambol and play, though. Here Pat and his wife Tori break the yearlings and give them their first lessons in moving in a group, manners, and approaching the gate.

Guided by the Hoppels' evaluation, Karakorum decides which of the soon-to-be 2-year-olds make the most promising prospects. We offer each one to our partners at a time calculated to allow the briefest reasonable interval until the horse ships north to our racing barns, ready to run.