5 Month Review

I started writing this blog in early June, so the end of the Breeder’s Cup is roughly 6 months. Let’s review what I have accomplished:

1. It has been fun to learn about the sales process. It has been educational to write about what I have learned. I think there is plenty I would have forgotten if I had not written about it.
2. I was lucky enough to invest in a Dare to Dream partnership that purchased Quick Tempo. QT was competitive in a stakes race on BC day. One other horse I invested in has been average, and another two horses have been suffering through small injuries.
3. I have learned a great deal about how the different partnerships operate, and how to evaluate their offerings. It is much to early to draw any conclusions. It will be interesting to meeting these folks in person.
4. The speed vs. stamina debate is eternal. Recent results have come down on the side of speed, but that will most likely be reflected in the price of speed at the sales. This is the puzzle you have to solve if you want to buy horses.
5. It has been very educational to understand the “unaccomplished mare” approach to buying horses. At first it sounds crazy, but their is some logic behind it.
6. It has been fun to watch the progress of the horses I “selected” from the training sales. It was fun to watch Get Her Number win the grade 1 American Pharoah, but it was even more fun to watch a winless owner buy Brooklyn Strong for $5,000 at Ocala and have him win a stakes race at Belmont.
7. It was interesting to “select” my own group of horses from the yearling sales. I can feel to excitement of “owning” a group of horses with unlimited potential.
8. I have learned much more about the current group of sires. I already have my favorites, but I know I need to keep learning.
9. Learning about the sales process has improved my handicapping. I have a much better feel for 2 year old races, but I have also learned more about various trainers and owners.
10. Most importantly, I have learned what I need to learn more about. This is a complex business that I am only beginning to understand.