I am not sure what I just watched. At the Ocala sale, only 650 of the 1100 listed horses actually went through the ring. The OBS spokesperson did not provide a clear answer. The buyback rate was a normal 20%, but why were so many horses withdrawn?
If the pinhookers are going to attempt to race these horse themselves, that is certainly their right. If the withdrawn horses are all going to be sold in a “shadowy” secondary private market, that presents more of a problem. If there is a large secondary market, who has access? If I was sitting there ready to spend real money after doing a lot of expensive research, and then “poof” the horse disappears, I would not be a happy camper.
I want to keep the tone of this blog positive, because I still have a lot to learn.
Only 5 of 15 listed Frosted’s went through the ring, 10 were withdrawn.
Only 3 of the 14 listed Outwork’s went through the ring.
Neither of the 2 Blame’s went to the ring. I know that hip #133 worked 10.1 and did not show up on the list of outs on Tuesday morning, yet he did not come to the ring. Now on the OBS website he shows up as withdrawn, but his workout time has been removed. This is borderline deceptive.
My guess is that the consigner/owner still owes a fee to OBS Sales if the horse is RNAed, but maybe does not have to pay for a late withdrawal. It has become my new mission to determine what happens to these withdrawn horses.
Buying A Race Horse 