Eclipse only bought one horse at the sale, but it was an interesting one. The horse has many of the characteristics I am looking for. The only problem is timing. I would hate to jump at this offer before the Keeneland sale even occurs. What if some group buys a Midnight Storm or Gormley that I really like?
Eclipse bought hip #45 for $115,000, here is what I like:
- Eclipse struck early before that sale “heated up”, as most commentators agreed. This was the only horse they bought
- West Point went strictly dirt, while Eclipse went for a turf horse
- the colt is a NY-bred
- this was the only Declaration of War offspring at the sale, these “orphans” are often interesting
- West Point’s Decorated Invader shows Declaration of War is not a complete failure
- Declaration of War is “out of favor” because he has been shipped to Japan
- Declaration of War adds Rahy to War Front, so this should be a stamina sire
- the dam is by Unbridled Song and ran a 95 Equibase fig for chad Brown during her brief 8 race career
- the horse has an impressive appearance
- the price was “right”, not too much to suggest overpaying, but enough to suggest this horse was good looking
- well known owner Robert LaPenta bought 50%, why is he even bothering with such an inexpensive horse
- Eclipse is offering 3% for $5,550 (marking the horse up to $180,000)
If this offer came after Keeneland I would almost certainly accept, but right now i want to wait for something better.
Buying A Race Horse 