Penn National Race Course has had a rough couple of months, culminating with a lot of bad publicity concerning the Michael Gill situation (we don't need to re-hash that here). Now it appears that the Grantville oval is having some concerns about the safety of its main track surface after two breakdowns last night in the seventh event, prompting management to cancel tonight's card.
In the seventh race last night, a one mile, 70 yard test for 3-year-olds and up, non-winners of three races lifetime, the field of six had made its way onto the backstretch when, at just about the same spot, two horses broke down in unrelated incidents. Artist Moon, a 4-year-old gelding, went down nearest the rail, apparently breaking something behind. Half Moon Beach, racing in the three-path, also broke down badly. It should be noted that it had been raining steadily, but the track condition was listed as "fast."
The announcement that Penn National had cancelled tonight's card came about noon today.
"We experienced significant rain late in the card last night and the track could not get sealed up in time," said Penn's vice president of racing Chris McErlean, to us in an e-mail. "We have some inconsistent spots that could not be rectified by this evening."
Horsemen have indicated that the track was worked on by the maintenance crew both on Sunday and Monday, with the problem surfacing yesterday.
Management's decision not to race tonight no doubt was the wisest course to take, and hopefully will prevent any further surface-related injuries to horses.
The good 'ole days at Liberty Bell Park in northeast Philadelphia
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
Of broodmares, budgets and happy endings
Ah, Mother's Day. Last night, as my two daughters and I sat down to dinner at a little Italian restaurant near my home (the "old man" came along, too), the dominating topic was, not too surprisingly, our horses.
Yesterday morning, my broodmare Malibu Miss was bred to millionaire Sir Shackleton, who stands at Dana Point Farm in Lenhartsville, Pa. Apparently all went smoothly, and it was the first van ride for her 2-month old filly by Partner's Hero we've named Heroic Heart. To me, there is so much excitement, anticipation and questions surrounding a planned breeding - will the mare be checked in foal 15 days hence? If so, will she carry the foal to term? Will she have a safe delivery? Will it be a colt or filly? Will it be born correct? And most importantly, will it be able to run 3 years down the road?
Recently, I read a profile of Maryland trainer King Leatherbury, and while he dabbled in some breeding through the years, he advocated the claiming game as a quick return on investment. While that may be true, I don't think there is a greater feeling of pride and satisfaction than to have a homebred do well at the racetrack, despite the time and money invested. And with Pennsylvania's breeding program so rich thanks to slots, the return on investment can be very, very rewarding.
Which brings me to my next topic - the Pennsylvania state fiscal budget for 2010-11. After state revenue officials revealed last week that the state budget deficit has swelled to more than $1 billion, it is understandable if those in horse racing are again worried that legislators could look to tap into the percentage of slots revenue flowing to the industry, specifically the Breeding Fund, as they did during the last budget crisis. While at this juncture no mention has been made of horse racing by Gov. Rendell or state legislators, many are wondering just how the $1 billion deficit will be plugged. To make matters worse, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre), chairman of the Senate Appropriations committee, estimates that the deficit could balloon to $1.5 billion by the end of the current fiscal year on June 30.
Have you treated your thoroughbreds with the Pfizer drug Excede? The antibiotic is indicated for the treatment of lower respiratory infections, but we have heard of several negative reactions to it. If you have, drop us a note at linda.dougherty1@gmail.com and let us know of your experience.
Our 3-year-old filly continues to train well at Philadelphia Park, and was asked for her first speed work this past Saturday, which she passed with flying colors. She possesses a smart mind and a competitive drive, so we're hoping for the best when she finally faces the starter later this year.
And in closing, we were happy to find out after doing some extensive detective work that the former Pennsylvania stallion Satchmo's Band, a well-bred son of Dixieland Band, has found a new home with Stacy Rawlings of Brogue, Pa. Poor Satchmo had been sold on the back lot of New Holland in early February, then shipped to the Camelot auction in Cranbury, N. J., where he was tagged for the trip to the slaughterhouse. Thanks to the intervention of a number of kind souls, Satchmo is now a much-loved member of Rawlings' family. You can read the entire story in the next issue of The Horse of Delaware Valley, which will be in the mail early next week.
Yesterday morning, my broodmare Malibu Miss was bred to millionaire Sir Shackleton, who stands at Dana Point Farm in Lenhartsville, Pa. Apparently all went smoothly, and it was the first van ride for her 2-month old filly by Partner's Hero we've named Heroic Heart. To me, there is so much excitement, anticipation and questions surrounding a planned breeding - will the mare be checked in foal 15 days hence? If so, will she carry the foal to term? Will she have a safe delivery? Will it be a colt or filly? Will it be born correct? And most importantly, will it be able to run 3 years down the road?
My youngest daughter and Malibu Miss
Recently, I read a profile of Maryland trainer King Leatherbury, and while he dabbled in some breeding through the years, he advocated the claiming game as a quick return on investment. While that may be true, I don't think there is a greater feeling of pride and satisfaction than to have a homebred do well at the racetrack, despite the time and money invested. And with Pennsylvania's breeding program so rich thanks to slots, the return on investment can be very, very rewarding.
Which brings me to my next topic - the Pennsylvania state fiscal budget for 2010-11. After state revenue officials revealed last week that the state budget deficit has swelled to more than $1 billion, it is understandable if those in horse racing are again worried that legislators could look to tap into the percentage of slots revenue flowing to the industry, specifically the Breeding Fund, as they did during the last budget crisis. While at this juncture no mention has been made of horse racing by Gov. Rendell or state legislators, many are wondering just how the $1 billion deficit will be plugged. To make matters worse, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre), chairman of the Senate Appropriations committee, estimates that the deficit could balloon to $1.5 billion by the end of the current fiscal year on June 30.
* * * *
Have you treated your thoroughbreds with the Pfizer drug Excede? The antibiotic is indicated for the treatment of lower respiratory infections, but we have heard of several negative reactions to it. If you have, drop us a note at linda.dougherty1@gmail.com and let us know of your experience.
* * * *
Our 3-year-old filly continues to train well at Philadelphia Park, and was asked for her first speed work this past Saturday, which she passed with flying colors. She possesses a smart mind and a competitive drive, so we're hoping for the best when she finally faces the starter later this year.
* * * *
And in closing, we were happy to find out after doing some extensive detective work that the former Pennsylvania stallion Satchmo's Band, a well-bred son of Dixieland Band, has found a new home with Stacy Rawlings of Brogue, Pa. Poor Satchmo had been sold on the back lot of New Holland in early February, then shipped to the Camelot auction in Cranbury, N. J., where he was tagged for the trip to the slaughterhouse. Thanks to the intervention of a number of kind souls, Satchmo is now a much-loved member of Rawlings' family. You can read the entire story in the next issue of The Horse of Delaware Valley, which will be in the mail early next week.
Monday, May 3, 2010
A battle at the top
The battle for supremecy among Pennsylvania's stallions has turned into a real ding-dong fight, even at this early point in the year. A quick check at today's Keystone State sire list shows that Jump Start, who stands at Ghost Ridge Farms in York, has a $233 lead over Cat Thief, who holds court at Penn Ridge Farms in Harrisburg.
Jump Start, a son of A. P. Indy, has total progeny earnings through May 3 of $712,537, while Cat Thief, a son of Storm Cat, has progeny earnings of $712,304. Not far behind the top two is Toccet, a son of Awesome Again who stands at Dana Point Farm in Lenhartsville, with $706,614.
It should be noted, however, that the purse earnings of all three stallions were won by sons and daughters conceived while they stood in Kentucky. Cat Thief's first Pennsylvania-bred foal was born this year, while Jump Start and Toccet won't have their first Pennsylvania-sired crops hit the ground until 2011.
We were fortunate enough to be at Ghost Ridge Farms yesterday and saw Jump Start breed a mare, one of nearly 140 that general manager Carl McEntee is forecasting he will cover this year. If that's the number reported to The Jockey Club, then it will be the largest book of mares ever serviced by a stallion in the Keystone State.
What's in a name? Well, how's this for a clever combination - Bushwhacked, by Posse out of Run In. "It's kind of a fun name," said Patti Miller of EQB, Inc. of West Grove, Pa. EQB did the cardio and physicals on the colt at the 2009 OBS February Select Sale of 2-year-olds in training and purchased him, as agent, for $130,000.
But EQB was "left holding the bag," said Miller, when the party for whom they bought the colt did not pay, so he was offered to George Strawbridge, Jr., one of EQB's first and major clients. EQB, which is owned and operated by Miller and Jeff Seder, has selected champions Forever Together and Informed Decision at auction for Strawbridge. "George was very gracious, and said he'd love to have a colt," said Miller, "but unfortunately Bushwhacked is now a gelding. We just loved him at the sale, and Jonathan Sheppard has done a great job with him."
Bushwhacked, who races in Strawbridge's Augustin Stable name, was second in the Gr. 2 Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 17 and was mentioned as a Preakness Stakes possibility, but has recently spiked a fever and now Sheppard is leaning towards not running him. The Belmont Stakes on June 5 could be an option, or one of the stakes on the Belmont undercard.
This 'N That: Godstone Farm in Pine Grove, Pa. has had its name changed to "Blackstone Farm," and is under new management. More on this topic at a later date ... Dawn Newman of Fox Tale Stud in Coopersburg has sent two mares to Kentucky to be bred to one of her favorite horses, Smarty Jones.
Jump Start, a son of A. P. Indy, has total progeny earnings through May 3 of $712,537, while Cat Thief, a son of Storm Cat, has progeny earnings of $712,304. Not far behind the top two is Toccet, a son of Awesome Again who stands at Dana Point Farm in Lenhartsville, with $706,614.
It should be noted, however, that the purse earnings of all three stallions were won by sons and daughters conceived while they stood in Kentucky. Cat Thief's first Pennsylvania-bred foal was born this year, while Jump Start and Toccet won't have their first Pennsylvania-sired crops hit the ground until 2011.
We were fortunate enough to be at Ghost Ridge Farms yesterday and saw Jump Start breed a mare, one of nearly 140 that general manager Carl McEntee is forecasting he will cover this year. If that's the number reported to The Jockey Club, then it will be the largest book of mares ever serviced by a stallion in the Keystone State.
* * * *
What's in a name? Well, how's this for a clever combination - Bushwhacked, by Posse out of Run In. "It's kind of a fun name," said Patti Miller of EQB, Inc. of West Grove, Pa. EQB did the cardio and physicals on the colt at the 2009 OBS February Select Sale of 2-year-olds in training and purchased him, as agent, for $130,000.
But EQB was "left holding the bag," said Miller, when the party for whom they bought the colt did not pay, so he was offered to George Strawbridge, Jr., one of EQB's first and major clients. EQB, which is owned and operated by Miller and Jeff Seder, has selected champions Forever Together and Informed Decision at auction for Strawbridge. "George was very gracious, and said he'd love to have a colt," said Miller, "but unfortunately Bushwhacked is now a gelding. We just loved him at the sale, and Jonathan Sheppard has done a great job with him."
Bushwhacked, who races in Strawbridge's Augustin Stable name, was second in the Gr. 2 Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 17 and was mentioned as a Preakness Stakes possibility, but has recently spiked a fever and now Sheppard is leaning towards not running him. The Belmont Stakes on June 5 could be an option, or one of the stakes on the Belmont undercard.
Bushwhacked (left, in white silks and green cap) finishing second behind Exhi in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes at Keeneland on April 17. Photo by Mathea Kelley, available at The Blood-Horse.
* * * *
This 'N That: Godstone Farm in Pine Grove, Pa. has had its name changed to "Blackstone Farm," and is under new management. More on this topic at a later date ... Dawn Newman of Fox Tale Stud in Coopersburg has sent two mares to Kentucky to be bred to one of her favorite horses, Smarty Jones.
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Smart and special
If you're a racing fan, then no doubt you have a favorite horse. The horse doesn't have to be as famous as Zenyatta or Rachel Alexandra - it could be a hard-trying claimer, a hapless maiden, or an allowance winner. Sometimes you just take a shine to a particular animal and follow its career.
Such is the case with yours truly, who fell in love with a big copper gelding named Smart Enough way back in April, 2006, when he made his debut at Pimlico Racecourse as the proverbial "good thing." Word had leaked onto the backstretch of Philadelphia Park that Dr. John R. S. Fisher was about to unleash a fireball, and I remember watching via simulcast as the son of Horse Chestnut (SaF) came running for third. From that point on, I kept track of Smart Enough, although he only rewarded me with a $4.40 payout in breaking his maiden at Pimlico in his next start, which was at one of his best distances and preferred surface - five furlongs on the grass. Even at that early point in his career, he displayed pizzazz and charisma, two traits that endeared him to me.
Bred by the late F. E. "Fitz" Dixon, Jr., Smart Enough campaigned for Erdenheim Farm until late summer of 2006, when Dixon passed away. While most of the Erdenheim horses were dispersed, Dixon's widow Edith retained Smart Enough, and kept him in Fisher's Fair Hill Training Center barn.
Dr. Fisher's careful training of the chestnut resulted in stellar performances in 2006 and 2007, with perhaps his finest moment coming in the September, 2007 renewal of the Turf Monster Handicap at Philadelphia Park, in which he set a new course record for five furlongs, sizzling the distance in :55.53. I remember watching in awe as he dominated this contest from start to finish, with Joe Bravo merely pointing him towards the finish line. Dr. Fisher referred to the massive, 1,260-pound gelding as the "fastest horse I've ever trained."
While Smart Enough's class and determination on the racetrack were what initially captivated me, his courage in the face of physical adversity earned my admiration. In his 2008 debut in the Gr. 3 Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland, Smart Enough finished second, and Dr. Fisher later discovered the gelding had suffered a small tear to the tissue in his left front ankle. After consultation with Dr. Dean Richardson, he of Barbaro fame, at the New Bolton Center of the University of Pennsylvania, and many months of caring for him, he finally returned to the racing wars in October, racing twice before being put back on the shelf.
Last year, Smart Enough raced three times, winning once - the Gr. 3 Highlander Stakes at Woodbine - and completed the year with an uncharacteristic off-the-board finish in the Pennsylvania Governor's Cup Handicap at Penn National in August.
"Not long after that race he couldn't even walk across his stall," said Fisher, an equine veterinarian. "We later found he had two large abscesses underneath his front shoulder blade, something I had never seen before in all my years with horses. We had to treat and drain them, so that's the reason his 2009 season was so short."
Smart Enough has been working steadily at Fair Hill for his 2010 debut, which Fisher hopes will be in the $70,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint at five furlongs on turf on May 14 at Pimlico Race Course, the day before the Preakness Stakes. And he's currently in fine fettle - Fisher said he weighed him this morning and he topped the scales at better than 1,300 pounds.
The return of Smart Enough just makes this Triple Crown season even sweeter, and I will be eagerly awaiting his race in the McKay in just over two weeks. Here's wishing my favorite horse good luck, and Godspeed.
Such is the case with yours truly, who fell in love with a big copper gelding named Smart Enough way back in April, 2006, when he made his debut at Pimlico Racecourse as the proverbial "good thing." Word had leaked onto the backstretch of Philadelphia Park that Dr. John R. S. Fisher was about to unleash a fireball, and I remember watching via simulcast as the son of Horse Chestnut (SaF) came running for third. From that point on, I kept track of Smart Enough, although he only rewarded me with a $4.40 payout in breaking his maiden at Pimlico in his next start, which was at one of his best distances and preferred surface - five furlongs on the grass. Even at that early point in his career, he displayed pizzazz and charisma, two traits that endeared him to me.
(photo by Rick Samuels; available through The Blood-Horse web site)
Bred by the late F. E. "Fitz" Dixon, Jr., Smart Enough campaigned for Erdenheim Farm until late summer of 2006, when Dixon passed away. While most of the Erdenheim horses were dispersed, Dixon's widow Edith retained Smart Enough, and kept him in Fisher's Fair Hill Training Center barn.
Dr. Fisher's careful training of the chestnut resulted in stellar performances in 2006 and 2007, with perhaps his finest moment coming in the September, 2007 renewal of the Turf Monster Handicap at Philadelphia Park, in which he set a new course record for five furlongs, sizzling the distance in :55.53. I remember watching in awe as he dominated this contest from start to finish, with Joe Bravo merely pointing him towards the finish line. Dr. Fisher referred to the massive, 1,260-pound gelding as the "fastest horse I've ever trained."
While Smart Enough's class and determination on the racetrack were what initially captivated me, his courage in the face of physical adversity earned my admiration. In his 2008 debut in the Gr. 3 Shakertown Stakes at Keeneland, Smart Enough finished second, and Dr. Fisher later discovered the gelding had suffered a small tear to the tissue in his left front ankle. After consultation with Dr. Dean Richardson, he of Barbaro fame, at the New Bolton Center of the University of Pennsylvania, and many months of caring for him, he finally returned to the racing wars in October, racing twice before being put back on the shelf.
Last year, Smart Enough raced three times, winning once - the Gr. 3 Highlander Stakes at Woodbine - and completed the year with an uncharacteristic off-the-board finish in the Pennsylvania Governor's Cup Handicap at Penn National in August.
"Not long after that race he couldn't even walk across his stall," said Fisher, an equine veterinarian. "We later found he had two large abscesses underneath his front shoulder blade, something I had never seen before in all my years with horses. We had to treat and drain them, so that's the reason his 2009 season was so short."
Smart Enough has been working steadily at Fair Hill for his 2010 debut, which Fisher hopes will be in the $70,000 Jim McKay Turf Sprint at five furlongs on turf on May 14 at Pimlico Race Course, the day before the Preakness Stakes. And he's currently in fine fettle - Fisher said he weighed him this morning and he topped the scales at better than 1,300 pounds.
The return of Smart Enough just makes this Triple Crown season even sweeter, and I will be eagerly awaiting his race in the McKay in just over two weeks. Here's wishing my favorite horse good luck, and Godspeed.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Less is more?
After spending yesterday afternoon at Atlantic City Race Course on the final day of its six-day meet, and fighting a big crowd for everything from hot dogs to the restroom facilities, I have come to two conclusions.
The first is that, no matter how hard Greenwood Racing Inc., the owner of the historic McKee City oval, tries to ignore the property and let it fall into disrepair, there is an incredibly big demand for live racing in southern New Jersey. With little if any advertising that the meet was about to begin, people flocked to Atlantic City as if they were giving something away. Opening day attendance exceeded 7,000, and yesterday's attendance was announced at 8,500, although it is unclear how Greenwood calculates these numbers since there are no paid admissions.
It was obvious that the crowd at Atlantic City came solely because they love the sport, not because the racing facility offered any kind of fan-friendly conveniences. The tote boards in the infield and the paddock area have been covered over, with odds available only on televisions located within the building or outside near the paddock. The public address system could not be heard during the running of a race. Large pieces of concrete on the stairs leading up to the grandstand box seating area were breaking off underneath the crush of feet traveling up and down. But on the plus side, there did seem to be enough pari-mutuel tellers, concession stands, and clean, working restrooms. There was an overall good mood wherever one might roam, despite the elbow-to-elbow jostling down on the track apron or while attempting to walk from the paddock to the grandstand.
Here's how the picturesque track looked in the late 1940's:
And here's how it looks today:
Having covered Atlantic City for both Daily Racing Form and The Trentonian during its heyday, it was hard to see how badly the place had deteriorated, but also heart-warming to watch a large throng pressing up against the paddock railing, and families with young children getting excited about the horses. I noticed one father explaining the game to his young son, and I even had a flashback to when my father did the same for me - and it turned me into a life-long fan.
The second conclusion I came to as I searched for a place to sit near the paddock (and found none) was that, if racing is to survive into the next century, perhaps the smaller, boutique meets are the way to go. There's no doubt that owners and breeders in Pennsylvania are thankful that there is year-round racing and an opportunity to make money no matter what the season, but there's also no comparing the crowd at Atlantic City yesterday and a typical weekend crowd at Philadelphia Park or at Penn National.
Back in the 1950's, way before winter racing became the norm in the Northeast, there was a beginning and an end to the racing season. Huge crowds would cheer the spring opening of Aqueduct, for instance, in much the same way that opening day for Major League Baseball is always a joyous event. No matter whether it be food, drink, and yes, even racing, too much of a good thing can quickly turn bad.
This summer, Monmouth Park will experiment with a condensed racing season conducted only three days per week, and give away over $1 million in purses each day. The feeling here is that it will be a rousing success, and perhaps set a precedent for how the sport must adjust in order to move forward and prosper.
There was even more good news emanating from Atlantic City yesterday - a conversation with Director of Racing Sal Sinatra revealed that, if purse money allows, there could be another mini-meet in September. Let's hope that the smell of liniment complements the autumn breeze down by the paddock, and that racing fans of southern New Jersey can get a second chance at seeing real, live thoroughbreds, and hear the thunder of their hooves.
The first is that, no matter how hard Greenwood Racing Inc., the owner of the historic McKee City oval, tries to ignore the property and let it fall into disrepair, there is an incredibly big demand for live racing in southern New Jersey. With little if any advertising that the meet was about to begin, people flocked to Atlantic City as if they were giving something away. Opening day attendance exceeded 7,000, and yesterday's attendance was announced at 8,500, although it is unclear how Greenwood calculates these numbers since there are no paid admissions.
It was obvious that the crowd at Atlantic City came solely because they love the sport, not because the racing facility offered any kind of fan-friendly conveniences. The tote boards in the infield and the paddock area have been covered over, with odds available only on televisions located within the building or outside near the paddock. The public address system could not be heard during the running of a race. Large pieces of concrete on the stairs leading up to the grandstand box seating area were breaking off underneath the crush of feet traveling up and down. But on the plus side, there did seem to be enough pari-mutuel tellers, concession stands, and clean, working restrooms. There was an overall good mood wherever one might roam, despite the elbow-to-elbow jostling down on the track apron or while attempting to walk from the paddock to the grandstand.
Here's how the picturesque track looked in the late 1940's:
And here's how it looks today:
Having covered Atlantic City for both Daily Racing Form and The Trentonian during its heyday, it was hard to see how badly the place had deteriorated, but also heart-warming to watch a large throng pressing up against the paddock railing, and families with young children getting excited about the horses. I noticed one father explaining the game to his young son, and I even had a flashback to when my father did the same for me - and it turned me into a life-long fan.
The second conclusion I came to as I searched for a place to sit near the paddock (and found none) was that, if racing is to survive into the next century, perhaps the smaller, boutique meets are the way to go. There's no doubt that owners and breeders in Pennsylvania are thankful that there is year-round racing and an opportunity to make money no matter what the season, but there's also no comparing the crowd at Atlantic City yesterday and a typical weekend crowd at Philadelphia Park or at Penn National.
Back in the 1950's, way before winter racing became the norm in the Northeast, there was a beginning and an end to the racing season. Huge crowds would cheer the spring opening of Aqueduct, for instance, in much the same way that opening day for Major League Baseball is always a joyous event. No matter whether it be food, drink, and yes, even racing, too much of a good thing can quickly turn bad.
This summer, Monmouth Park will experiment with a condensed racing season conducted only three days per week, and give away over $1 million in purses each day. The feeling here is that it will be a rousing success, and perhaps set a precedent for how the sport must adjust in order to move forward and prosper.
There was even more good news emanating from Atlantic City yesterday - a conversation with Director of Racing Sal Sinatra revealed that, if purse money allows, there could be another mini-meet in September. Let's hope that the smell of liniment complements the autumn breeze down by the paddock, and that racing fans of southern New Jersey can get a second chance at seeing real, live thoroughbreds, and hear the thunder of their hooves.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Post-mortem at Mountain Springs
Now that I've had a few days to digest what transpired at the Pennsylvania Racing Bred Spring Mixed Sale at the Mountain Springs Arena in Shartlesville, Pa. on April 18, there isn't any way to sugar-coat the results. They were depressing.
More than half of the horses that went through the ring did not sell, and the ones that did sell represented a net loss for their breeders.
Here's an example: Hip 77, named Toccet's Hope, is a 3-year-old daughter of Toccet out of Quixote's Hope, by Conquistador Cielo, an earner of over $265,000. She brought a bid of only $1,500. That sale price was merely a fraction of Toccet's 2006 stud fee of $15,000, plus it cost roughly $8,000 per year in vet fees/board/farrier fees to raise this filly from birth. In addition, she is a registered Pennsylvania-bred ($50 fee for non-members) and Breeders' Cup nominated ($500). She also sold as "broke and galloping," which means a day rate of at least $40-50 per day at the more inexpensive farms. A minimum of $30,000 was invested in her by her owner/breeder Nick Taras.
The only way in which Taras can recoup some of his losses will be if Toccet's Hope wins or places at tracks in Pennsylvania, and he earns some breeder awards from the PHBA. If her new owners take her out of state to race, he is out of luck.
In speaking with the Mountain Springs Mixed Sale manager Rich Miller, he indicated that the results of this sale were the worst - ever. He began these Pennsylvania-bred venues in 2007 with the intention of getting breeders and buyers together, for the benefit of both, but in his own words "nobody has any money."
In a normal year, Miller has both a Spring and a Fall Mixed Sale, but he stated that there will not be another sale in 2010. Despite all the money being distributed at Pennsylvania's racetracks, the bottom line is that the recession has hit Keystone State owners and breeders hard. The books of many Pennsylvania stallions will be smaller this year than last, as the influx of new sires from other states just served to further dilute the available mare population.
Let's hope that when the hammer falls again in Shartlesville, it does so on a more positive note.
More than half of the horses that went through the ring did not sell, and the ones that did sell represented a net loss for their breeders.
Here's an example: Hip 77, named Toccet's Hope, is a 3-year-old daughter of Toccet out of Quixote's Hope, by Conquistador Cielo, an earner of over $265,000. She brought a bid of only $1,500. That sale price was merely a fraction of Toccet's 2006 stud fee of $15,000, plus it cost roughly $8,000 per year in vet fees/board/farrier fees to raise this filly from birth. In addition, she is a registered Pennsylvania-bred ($50 fee for non-members) and Breeders' Cup nominated ($500). She also sold as "broke and galloping," which means a day rate of at least $40-50 per day at the more inexpensive farms. A minimum of $30,000 was invested in her by her owner/breeder Nick Taras.
The only way in which Taras can recoup some of his losses will be if Toccet's Hope wins or places at tracks in Pennsylvania, and he earns some breeder awards from the PHBA. If her new owners take her out of state to race, he is out of luck.
In speaking with the Mountain Springs Mixed Sale manager Rich Miller, he indicated that the results of this sale were the worst - ever. He began these Pennsylvania-bred venues in 2007 with the intention of getting breeders and buyers together, for the benefit of both, but in his own words "nobody has any money."
In a normal year, Miller has both a Spring and a Fall Mixed Sale, but he stated that there will not be another sale in 2010. Despite all the money being distributed at Pennsylvania's racetracks, the bottom line is that the recession has hit Keystone State owners and breeders hard. The books of many Pennsylvania stallions will be smaller this year than last, as the influx of new sires from other states just served to further dilute the available mare population.
Let's hope that when the hammer falls again in Shartlesville, it does so on a more positive note.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Springtime in Shartlesville
I can't think of a better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than to drive to Sharltesville, Pa. for one of Rich Miller's Pennsylvania Racing Bred Mixed sales at the Mountain Springs Arena. And that's exactly what I did yesterday, taking along with me my two daughters - Kaitlyn (15) and Devon (12).
We arrived shortly after the hammer fell for Hip No. 1, a yearling filly by More Smoke, and stayed until the last horse went through the ring at about 3:10 p.m., Hip 86, a Strike the Gold mare with a Smart Guy colt by her side. At previous Sharltesville venues, selling more than 70 horses would have taken us into the dinner hour, but the pedigree reader, Richard Taylor, did not show due to car and traffic trouble, so auctioneer J. D. Cox had to handle it all himself, and the sale progressed pretty quickly.
If you were a buyer looking for a Pennsylvania-bred 2-year-old or older - something ready to be put right into training - then you found this particular sale to be chock-full of bargains. If, however, you were the consignor of one of these horses, then you left disappointed, as the top price was $4,500. And if you had consigned a broodmare with a baby by her side, or an in-foal mare, then you were really disappointed, as all were either RNA or no bids.
Miller created these Mixed Sales to get Pennsylvania-bred horses into the hands of owners and trainers who want to race them in the Keystone State, thereby benefiting the breeders. While the prices were low, it did seem like many horses were finding new homes, so from that perspective it was a success.
We arrived shortly after the hammer fell for Hip No. 1, a yearling filly by More Smoke, and stayed until the last horse went through the ring at about 3:10 p.m., Hip 86, a Strike the Gold mare with a Smart Guy colt by her side. At previous Sharltesville venues, selling more than 70 horses would have taken us into the dinner hour, but the pedigree reader, Richard Taylor, did not show due to car and traffic trouble, so auctioneer J. D. Cox had to handle it all himself, and the sale progressed pretty quickly.
If you were a buyer looking for a Pennsylvania-bred 2-year-old or older - something ready to be put right into training - then you found this particular sale to be chock-full of bargains. If, however, you were the consignor of one of these horses, then you left disappointed, as the top price was $4,500. And if you had consigned a broodmare with a baby by her side, or an in-foal mare, then you were really disappointed, as all were either RNA or no bids.
Miller created these Mixed Sales to get Pennsylvania-bred horses into the hands of owners and trainers who want to race them in the Keystone State, thereby benefiting the breeders. While the prices were low, it did seem like many horses were finding new homes, so from that perspective it was a success.
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