Our best guess after viewing and squinting and fiddling with pictures is that his tattoo is E12487. His name, (if this is him) is Ex. Alta. He has Bold Ruler in his pedigree. (teen horsey girl says this is good, I have no idea). No pictures have been forwarded yet but I am still hoping they will be.
Funny story...lady who brought him to the auction said they called him Ex, because he was an ex-racehorse. We thought it was kind of an odd name. Now that our searching the Jockey Club Registry brings up this Ex. Alta as a likely match, the name Ex suddenly seems to fall into place.
Born 2001...the teeth look right. Thank you all, I sure hope pics come that will verify for certain yes or no.