When a quiet buyer in a blue plaid shirt and brown baseball cap bid his way to over $1.5 million in horseflesh, attendees at the 2023 Pink Buckle Stallion Select Owners Sale quickly learned his name—Darrell Martin of 4M Equine Ranch in Decatur, Texas.
With 2021 Resistol Rookie of the Year, Kylee Scribner comparing notes next to him on October 5, Martin set out to win his picks of the 130 promising horses in the Pink Buckle Sale.
Table of contents
“I picked my own horses out of the sale and Darrell made his list, then we compared,” Scribner said. “We put a lot of thought into what we were buying and tried to give the (4M Equine Ranch) program the best start we could.”
- Scribner Keeps Promise to Herself, Earns Resistol Rookie Title
- It’s Official, Kylee Scribner’s On a Roll on the ProRodeo Trail
- It’s Brittany’s Buckle, Now: Tonozzi Goes 1-2 in Pink Buckle Futurity, Sells $490,000 Prospect
- Victory Farms is Back: Danny Ray Purchases Blackkout for $875K at Pink Buckle Sale
Who is Darrell Martin?
Martin is a self-made businessman. His company, APEX Trader Funding specializes in trading and investments. Martin also teaches courses on how to be succesful in business and investing. But the barrel racing industry isn’t just dollars and cents for this corporate powerhouse—he’s got a personal investment in the sport.
Darrell’s daughter, Felicity is a high-school student who’s already earned AQHA world titles and other accolades in her barrel racing career. Scribner explained that the reason many of the folks outside the sale ring hadn’t heard of the Martins is because they stuck to regional barrel races, AQHA shows and smaller associations until recently. But now, Darryl plans to hit the ground running on a breeding operation with massive potential.
“People keep asking who they are or thinking they’re people who nothing about the industry,” Scribner said. “They’ve been around for a long time and are a family who’s built everything they had from the ground up, and they just decided now was the right time to pull the trigger and get their operation going full-scale.”
Scribner, a longtime family friend will be Martin’s jockey of choice, while Joao Leao, the decorated Brazilian rider who came to America and notched NBHA and AQHA world titles is absorbing some colt starting responsibilities for the crew.
“It’s been incredible to watch this all unfold. Sometimes, it’s easy to question if you’re doing what God called you to do, but watching this all come together and knowing how much work has gone into the preparation behind-the-scenes is such a neat opportunity.”
Kylee Scribner
The Haul
Although it was Victory Farms’ Danny Ray who purchased the stallion Blackkout and earned high seller honors at $875,000, Martin picked up the second, third and fourth high-selling horses in the field, with stacked papers and accolades.
Reserve high seller: Epic Rokstar, $650,000
“We both really liked Epic Rokstar’s pedigree and confirmation,” Scribner said. “The (consigner, Lindsay Stock and family) have always raised great horses, so we knew the program—the Pink and Ruby buckle spots just sweetened it for him.”
- 2020 stallion by Epic Leader and out of Frenchilicious x Frenchman’s Guy
- Consigned by Lindsay Stock
- Sold with Pink and Ruby Buckle spots
No. 3 high seller: Kiss Me Good By, $490,000
“She’s got a great start on her with Brittany,” Scribner said. “You can’t beat her papers. She’s built correct and super cute. We were able to watch Brittany ride her around, Brittany had videos of her and she just looked great. She carries herself well. We thought she would be a good investment to have some great mare power in the lineup.”
- 2020 mare by The Goodbye Lane and out of BFA world champion and NFR qualifying mare, Kiss Kiss Bang Bang x Dash Ta Fame.
- Consigned by Garrett and Brittany Tonozzi, in training with Brittany Tonozzi prior to sale
- (Post-sale) Full sister, ChitiChiti BangBang won second in the futurity aggregate at Pink Buckle 2023.
No. 4 high seller: Special For Tres PZ, $400,000
- 2017 mare by Tres Seis and out of Special Copauino x Strawfly Special
- Consigned by Joao Leao
- Lifetime earnings over $100,000
- Current 2023 Future Fortunes high money earner of the year
“I rodeod for two years and was fortunate enough to be in the top 25 both years. Then, life changes happened. I think God was saying ‘Be still and wait, just let everything fold out.'”
Kylee Scribner
What is 4M Equine Ranch?
The Pink Buckle sale wasn’t the only wave the Martin family and Scribner plan to make in the industry—they’ve got far bigger things on the horizon.
“As far as the ranch itself goes, Integrity Construction is building an indoor and therapy center over there,” Scribner explained. “It started as just the arena, then we added a free-flow walker, then it turned into the whole therapy center with a water walker, a cold salt water spa and a Theraplate. We’re really trying to get a foot in the door, have a successful program and do something for the industry.”
Scribner said that the incentive races like the Pink and Ruby Buckle will take priority as their younger horses come up, but that rodeos could be on the horizon for the ranch if the horses take to that scene.
