Slightly Out of Control

Day 2 was very much like day 1 of the Fasig-Tipton sale. Of the 7 horses I was interested in 3 were RNAed, and two were no shows.

Once again if had walked in with $50,000 I would have been very happy to buy Hip #373 a Point of Entry filly out of a solid producing Rahy mare for only $40,000. This is one of my favorite sires, and this horse would make a good broodmare.

I went slightly out of control and paid too much for some of my second choices. I bought the most expensive Air Force Blue for $145,000, but I love the Dynaformer pedigree of the dam. I also paid up for an expensive Gormley, $115,000, but second dam is the producer of Peace Rules. In total I filled 6 of 30 slots, and will get the rest at Keeneland next week.

1. Twirling Candy filly $190,000, big 2nd dam
2. Air Force Blue turf filly $145,000, big 2nd dam
3. Gormley colt $115,000, big 2nd dam
4. Mclean’s Music colt $70,000, Malibu Moon dam
5. Point of Entry turf filly $40,000, nice Rahy producing dam
6. Midnight Storm filly $35,000, lots of distance pedigree

6 horses for an average of about $100,000

West Point bought 6 as well:

1. Street Boss $140,000
2. Connect $120,000
3. Street Sense $150,000
4. More Than Ready $125,000
5. Kantharos $30,000
6. Dialed In $82,000

Let’s see who does better.

I also filled 3 of 10 spots in the “what if I am wrong” portfolio with Practical Joke, Unified, and Munnings.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

1. Starlight bought 8
2. Donegal bought a $450,000 Kitten’s Joy
3. Myracehorse.com bought 2
4. Centennial bought 4
5. Eclipse bought only one
6. McPeek bought a bunch

The big disaster was Frosted, the top seller went for only $105,000 and many were RNAed and withdrawn.

xxxxxxxxxxxx

West Point did partner with the Abaugh family to buy Hip #618 for $500,000 at nice looking Giant’s Causeway colt.

TDN had a nice long story about the sale. Given the difficult world conditions, I guess everyone should be happy the sale even occurred. There were a few quotes about prices being down 25-35%, and a few whispers about it being worse for the lower price ranges. The buyback rate was still around 33%. Now. I am beginning to wonder if the late withdrawals are done to prevent a higher buyback rate.

In the real world everyone should realize that TDN needs to sell advertising to stay in business. In a perfect world I would like to find a story with a more critical assessment of what I just witnessed.