“Value” investors are always attracted to a good car crash, and there none more spectacular than Runhappy.
His average yearling price fell from $223,000 to $47,000 and the median from $200,000 to just $41,000. The early racing results have been poor. Of course, the unending hype has not helped matters.
Let’s remember that Runhappy did not make to the races until late December of his 2-yr old season. His father, Super Saver, is now working in Turkey because his foals did not perform at the 2-yr old sales. Runhappy’s mom did not make to the races until March of her 3-yr old season (and never ran better than a 76 fig anyway).
Is every sprinter precocious? Most are, but not all.
It is easy to give up on Mad Mac the mattress salesmen, and everyone did. Scan the list Runhappy buyers at Keeneland this year and you will not recognize many names (look at the 2019 list you find China Horse, Robert Low, Maverick, Courtlandt, and Spendthrift all paid mroe than $400,000). The only name I know for this year is Pewter Stable that bought one for just $20,000. I nominate them for “value pick of the year”.
If you pointed a large gun at my head I would choose #2118 a Runhappy filly out a Stephen Got Even mare (Cowgirl Lucky) that produced 6 winners. The second dam is by Woodman. This is an A rated nick. I give Gayla Rankin a special award for courage for spending $50,000.
I do not like to invest in sprinters, but I must admit I am kind of cheering for poor Runhappy now. Would I actually buy one? I will at least think about the one Pewter bought.
Buying A Race Horse 