Compton Place

I think the loss of Deacon Blues is a body blow. He was the top class horse that Compton needed to keep interest alive and another Gp1 winner in waiting. I also think he may have been hindered over the years by always covering a small book by modern standards although that is not really quantifiable.

Over opinionated though as I'm surely considered, I'm not really sure on this one. I would really expect him to run out of steam. However if a group/set/even pair of buyers retain any goodwill towards Compton, the fact is there will be a selection of great looking colts for them to fight over, because in that he is totally reliable, and maybe they'll still pay accordingly?

That's unfortunate for him without Deacon Blues running as like you I thought he was a GR1 horse,I too have in a way been expecting his slip form commercial appeal just like Piccolo due to his age but then bingo look how the buyers went for him last year.
One thing that's interesting with Compton Place is his foal/yearling prices are very similar,I wonder if the prices paid at Tatt's last Dec' sale will return a profit when re-offered later on this year I somehow doubt it really.I've personally tended to view him as a bit boring but I'm looking again at him as like you say he does stamp his foals and for his fee he is value.

He is a better (or less negative) sire than Piccolo, so might not tail off so quickly. Neither doing the biz as a broodmare sire to boost them.

i have not had any luck with cp thou he sends out enough winners pearl secret looks a smart prospect for him but as you say he's probably on the slippery slope

I couldn't quite believe the foal sales for him last year for sure. I think realistically that they could be seen as having outsold the yearlings really. His always having manageable numbers at the sales works in his favour commercially. I am responsible for a disasterous filly and a successful colt from him so he's been sort of okay for me.

I know we always chase the young and the sexy because that represents what the majority of the buyers look for. However I try not to be too blinkered because there are still a poportion of buyers, maybe more foal than yearling?, that aren't the quickest to catch on to a trend or simply not that well informed on stallions without runners. For them, Compton Place with his sensible numbers could remain quite popular.

He's not been my cup of tea - not mad on the family and hasnt suited possible mares.  Throws some nice horses so will probably bubble away but sire doesnt enhance the package imo. Hard to see a convincing case for pinhookers going to £30-40k, r they really going to make £60k+ yearlings? There have only been two sold at that level in last two years I think.

Hopefully Deacon Blues will be back next year. Pearl Secret looked pretty special yesterday, but its all still potential with him.

Ive only used CP once, but I took comfort from the fact that my mare was one of 85 mares visiting him, rather than 185 like some of the "commercial sires". Think it helped my foal sell well.

Although they may not be the most glamorous team I think all of Whitsburys stallions by dint of price and book size give breeders as good a chance as any for breaking even.

If like Piccolo,Compton Place does decline in popularity who can we think is likely to replace him?Others standing in the UK in his mould include stallions like Monsieur Bond at 12yo'one who is on the upward curve,Kyllachy at 14yo' enjoying a commercial renaissance or Royal Applause but with him at 19yo' he's in the twilight years like Compton Place so I guess not.Or of the younger sires poss' Sakhee's Secret similar profile to Compton Place or Equiano a son of hot sire Acclamation his son Dark Angel looks very promising and with the quality of Equiano's books his chances look brighter.Or could even Dutch Art slip into this role assuming Cheveley Park don't get too over zealous about his fee and kill his appeal off rather like they did with Medicean.

Just thinking about this it occurs to me that perhaps whilst in Ireland you get much more choice in the speedy commercial new stallion (which ofcourse we hate you for!) the fact that we have fewer perhaps means they get slightly better mares. Couple this with not as many newly retired competitors then perhaps a  speed stallion does have a bit more potential for longevity over here? 

Kyllachy is a better sire than Compton Place but Cheveley Park are always that bit too fruity with their fees. I think that, like proxygene, Whitsbury do the best job over here. They don't cover enormous books and therefore their potential marketing budget (or market distortion budget) is not as great as some, but that is balanced by the market not being flooded. It's really just about your decision on how you like to see the potential stallion for your mare managed.

Mon Bond has potential and so does Dutch Art. I think Dutch Art has plenty of potential at a level, but as Prima Donna says it might not be at the level that Cheveley choose to price him!
I cannot give too much thought to Equiano until a little water has gone under the bridge - any foals seen anyone? I also don't forget that Kheleyf started at 4k and as Darley's 'fits all dealing horse' too. So he is not without a squeak for sure but he has to get past the legions of poor mares he has covered in various seasons dictated by a fluctuating popularity.

Sakhee's Secret gets good looking sane types so not hard to like if the results start coming in.

Last years rash of Invincible Spirit/Oasis Dream types should throw up a few contenders - unless they are so similar they cancel each other out!

I'd have been thinking along the Bahamian Bounty, Pastoral Pursuits line next.

I'm a fan of PPursuits, as I think (as a cheap option) he has the ability to put a bit of class into his offspring, even if they can be a little highly strung.

Us Brit breeders really struggled this year with such a poor crop of new stallions retired this year. Hope CPlace can battle on for a few more years as he's a great bread and butter option.

I think a large factor on this type of stallions popularity(and many of the others mentioned, will largely depend on what's retired to stud over the next couple of years, especially in England. If it's anything like this year they should continue to get enough mares.

In my opinion there are many nicely bred 3yo's that have the potential capture a large share of the market if they perform well this year. In fact with sons of Dubawi, Oasis Dream, Danehill Dancer and others being plentifull the next couple of years could be exciting for value seeking breeders looking for speedy types.

I'm not convinced about Bahamian Bounty its true he has been pretty good overall but I wonder if now he's looking played out.We have been told for ages he's good and better to come thing is though were are the good ones?I'd of hoped for some real classy sorts for standing for his fee.His son P'Pursuits made a very encouraging start but buyers went off him pretty quick saying that its not impossible for him to bounce back but if he is going to make it he needs to.The UK does have more commercial choice with this sort of sire as Wilcayote calls 'bread and butter' here we have Clodavil,Tugula and poss'Camacho,Elnadim,Intikhab and Key of Luck,but the UK sires in that league are better and overall more reliable.
Kyllachey is a good sire and does have a future I was saying a few months ago he was 'old hat' but I'll take that back another is my friend Monsieur Bond of the stallions listed on this thread he's one I wouldn't mind having a filly by as he's done well with them like he has with his colts.Personally I think Compton Place will hold his appeal but if he does slip then my moneys on either Kyllachy or Monsieur Bond both of these offer good value but Mon Bond is better priced for now at least.

I am not sure what I think about the perpetuation of sirelines but I would like to see the Tudor Minstrel one continue if possible as it is an outcross nowadays and it's a pure source of speed. Bahamian Bounty is a consistent sire but not one of high class. Pastoral Pursuits to my mind isn't going to carry on the work because you have to be proper good to have people accept the temperament question marks. Key of Luck hasn't managed it and he has had some proper horses.

I really hope that Bahamian puts up some more top colts before he finishes and I actually think there's a small chance that he's got one on the ground in Bogart.

David Redvers said today that Pearl Secret is so good it gives him goose pimples thinking about his future.If he is as good as what connections feel(he looked very good today) then Compton Place foal buyers from last years Tatt's Dec'hopefully will feel it was right to pay so much for them.It will be great if at 18 years old Compton Place can get a top horse,lets hope so.

I should add that Hoof it yesterday looked like he needed the run,looked to me to be a little on the heavy side.Sure to come on for the run.His connections have a very ambitious season planned....even poss'taking on Frankle....Well good luck.

Thanks for the info Prima, interesting to hear DRedvers so excited as he's had a few decent horses to think about.

Agree it would be nice to see Compton Place get a good horse this year, but it was only last year he had a sprinter Timeform rated 130, thats not too bad!

Was told yesterday Monsieur Bond's book this year stands at 160 mares,not bad at all considering he was almost unused two years ago.Overlook him at your peril.Is this the stallion to replace Compton Place?

Is your source reliable Prima?

I only ask as I gather discounts were quite generous and it was easy to name the slot you wanted when booking a cover earlier in the season. Perhaps all the action happened a little later on.

I do think he has a Compton Place look about him particularly as I don't really see either of them as 2yo sires even though that's the market perception of them. I think their progressive and sound progeny keep Compton afloat and hopefully M Bond will reach that sort of hardy annual niche too.

Not sure what to make of that PD.  If I'd a mare in foal wanting to sell as a foal or yearling that stat would worry me terribly. I'd be very surprised if CP ever covered that many and prob manages half that now - and I suspect that helps keep the averages up.  MB sold 7 yearlings last year @ 20k median - when that figure becomes 70 how do you think the median will hold up?

With you there yer ma. Compton never went over 110 I reckon, and as you say under 100 these days. A massive book following on from a few tiny ones ain't a great recipe in my cookbook.

Yes the source was reliable, from the horse's mouth almost!

Whilst a huge book is not great if you are trying to sell one of the multitudes (though I don't suppose the vendors of Bushranger foals were too concerned last year), in this case I think it virtually ensures his place as a 'hardy annual'. I would totally agree with your summation of him as a sire Pot M' , but any sire that remains commercially viable needs to keep getting winners and for that he needs runners. MB has had a few small books but hopefully the very fact he gets tough horses that improve with age should tide him over until his more numerous crops come on stream in two years time. Last season I think he was limited to 120 so demand must have been high for them to have gone over that.

I am starting to sense a bit of a seachange this season. Clodovil is doing well, although he is always going to be up and down because he lacks consistency and book quality must vary hugely. Dutch Art and Dark Angel aren't going backwards. Ifraaj profiles like Clodovil but I imagine is a keeper and look even Sixties Icon is in with a shot!

These are horses that get plenty of winners and some with quality. I think the old guard that we discuss so often on here at the < 10k level are looking vulnerable.

I'm sure PD would add Monsieur Bond to your list PotM.

With so many good stallions about there sons will no doubt be flooding the market in the next few years. They will have to give good value to get the coverings they need. There will be many more will bred good performing stallions under 10k in the future in my opinion.

I would indeed truehoncho,but I reckon it pains Pot M to add him to the list!

I didn't print a definitive list, it was just what came off the top of my head. Obviously I cannot be seen to endorse the opinions of Prima Donna on here as my Agent is still struggling with negotiations over an appropriate fee - he's a tight @rsed b@stard - but he might be surprised where I find myself with M.B. right now !

OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHH!Go on then Pot M surprise me,and just who are you calling a tight @rsed b'stard?

Now that would be telling Prima!!

I've asked for a simple 200 quid every time I agree with you on here and my man says you won't pay up!! I ask you - what else can I call you

Gosh 200 quid every time you agree with me.........at that rate I'll be getting you to pay this years nominations bill!Mind you with that looming if I were you I'd start agreeing with EVERYTHING I say from now on!And just for the record your man's telling fibs as I always pay up.

Looming? Please don't remind us of October 1st just yet!

Have you seen the 2nd season sire list in the EBN ?

Some are bombing for sure and others going well. I love being in a game where Turtle Bowl and Stormy River can woop Teofilo and Excellent Art! Endlessly fascinating. I reckon Cheveley's 2012 fee for Dutch Art which seemed very much in line with what they hoped he might achieve - well they seem to have got away with it.

Bahanian Bounty,standing this season for 8.5k does anyone know how many mares he had this year and what was he trading for?I've been told 6k but that may not be the true,does anyone know?I more than likely will go and see him at the July meeting but I'd be interested to know those points.
I have a young winning mare who is 15.3hh with a terrible lot of quality he could be just the sort to put some substance on her whilst giving her a good chance of getting an early winner.

I am a little wary of BB as the years pass because he only has the one and he is not super fertile so it is just a bit scary that I will try to use him the season his deterioration commences! I would think there might have been some pretty cheap deals if you had managed to buy direct from a shareholder but I think the stud were sticking at 7 when I approached them so I think 6 might have been tricky to secure. Stand to be corrected though.

A friend of mine has bred a useful colt both commercially and on the racetrack with exactly the type of mare you refer to Prima. So it's worked at least once!

That's good to know about your friends mare so at least I can feel I will get a good sort if I use him.tell me does he have plenty of bone?He looks like he has from his 'photos and its years since I last saw him.I didn't know he only had the one but but that being the case his fertility isn't that bad at 77.5%(2010).7k........I'd want him for less but maybe I'd settle for 6k I will see what the English National stud offer me.She is an ideal mare for Clodovil who is one who sits in this territory and is closer as you can imagine but I think he may get a small one with her so hence me thinking of BB.

Looks like everyone is on holiday here! Ther must be plenty on here that have more experience than I with this horse!

I don't think he is nailed on to do you a really strong type and I wouldn't necessarily say he is the very strongest at stud. However he seems to do what he does regardless in my experience and a little quality added to the mix I would say is the right way to go.
I have sold a couple over the years and neither were correct, but the first one seriously got away with it. The 2nd who was admittedly worse didn't.

I wish I could be definitive about Clodovil, he's useful but I wouldn't guess how his commercial niche will look in a few years time.

I think BB sells better than he deserves mind, he's not going to get your maiden a pattern winner! You still anti Kheleyf? He's pottering along nicely this season so far!

I know what you are saying about Clodovil and like you I wonder how he will look in a year or two's time as I see his numbers are slipping back a little,but he's done well enough,I also like the fact he's out of a Linamix mare as he has worked so well with this little mares family before,in fact he's produced two GR1 winners from close relations of the mare but I'm inclined to be of the opinion that with her I could end up with another 'my little pony'type.
It does seem dead on here of late not sure where everyone is doubt people are on holiday what with Ascot next week but with all the rain about it does seem a good idea to try to get some sun.Talking of Ascot are you going?And no I'm not anti Kheleyf but this is make or break year for him it could go either way more than likely the same could be said for his fee for next year!
I've never been mad on BB and I do agree he sells better than poss' he should but the ones of his I've seen are good sorts I cant think that I've seen any rats by him,that's why he came into my mind with the mare as she needs a horse who will put a touch of size/bone and help her to get the early winner.So I will listen to you and agree it is the way to go.I was thinking about Compton Place himself but don't really want a filly by him so BB it may well be.

Well I certainly can't disagree with you about a Compton place filly! Possibly my worst result ever!!

I won't be going to Ascot - not one of my stamping grounds but I'd be there in a flash as an owner, although it's one of my little fantasies that I retain a filly good enough to go there at 2 and I say to the trainer " No. It might ruin her whole career we'll come back next year and win the Coronation instead "!!

I'm sure you'll have a great time next week it is ridiculously exciting this year!

Well, we had an excellent BB colt a few year's back - pattern winner and Group 2 placed, so you can work out which mare! We now have a yearling filly to sell this year but whether she will make enough for us to actually sell remains to be seen. She's a good looking but unflashy chesnut filly and if she has her dam's grit, she'll be OK.

Her second foal was a Compo and he was a decent colt too - as tough as teak and pattern winner. I like the horse - he's always done me very well.

Was told today his book this year is 95 mares,and that he covers just two mares per day.8.5k is his price....well that's what was apparently said,and there was a hint that he may in fact go up a little next year.That does depend on this years results,I don't know what to make of that as at his age and his overall results I'd of thought that is plenty enough.I'm going to keep him on my list and will get him looked at but with that news the other NMKT stallion Kyllachy comes into play.One poster will be shocked to read that(yer ma) as its documented on this forum I've said he's 'old hat' and his commercial appeal is slipping...........WRONG!he gets good sorts and he is very popular but I also think he's a little expensive at 10k.The mare I'm looking at has a strong page and could easily carry a cheaper stallion but these sorts knock in the winners and there stock are nice enough so given the choice who would you use BB or the Cheveley horse?And who gets the best individual as the mare needs bone and a bit of size,she is all quality and strong but lightish if that makes sense at the same time.

Kyllachy is a better stallion and what's more he is more current. But he is not a nailed on for a light mare and I would be very wary of that with him. Bahamian Bounty was dealing this year for sure as I was offered a discount readily by the stud itself. You would have to be following Dark Angel for this type of job too wouldn't you? You could lead the mare over there on your bike Prima
I'm guessing that this mare might be a 'pet project' and Slick is refusing to open the stud chequebook here? So keeping it local might enable you to get her covered AND pay your Leccy bill
I think that 10k is a fairly hefty fee to pay for these cheap and cheerful types. Kyllachy is probably the best of them right now though but he may be usurped by Dutch Art.

I think that's a good point about Dutch Art I wonder if he goes on and I can see him doing just that could connections push him up too high killing his appeal?You know how much his owner needs the moneyLike you say Kyllachy is current and solid,that's what I'm looking for.She's not really a 'pet project'but with this one Slick's cheque book wont be opening but mine will.
She will be based in the UK from next spring so a NMKT stallion is going to be easy,I have thought about Gay's stallion  but I' worry with her it could be light and a bit leggy.Oh yes I never worry about the 'leccy'bill as you probably know!

Given Dutch Art's connections it would seem that he might spend a good few years with an 'over exuberant' stud fee. Daddy is the prime example and Kyllachy has always suffered the same fate.

Newmarket ofcourse isn't the best place for value speed, which I think explains why B B has perhaps survived as well as he has.

Incidentally my Showcasing - although faultable sadly - is a real strong 2yo type and big enough too. It is going to be fascinating to see how the market copes with the 1st foals of the 2011 glut of similar types.

I think the fact is with Pivotal his hefty fee was a result of the Coolmore/Darley stand off.Breeders needed a top neutral sire,I also think another stallion to benefit from the stand off is Monsun.
I can't remember is your Showcasing a colt?And is it out of that mare who you sold a colt foal last year by a very hot sire?Not the one who had had a dose of acupuncture,but the other one,and is it similar to that foals problem if it is faultable then?If it is then take some comfort as a the few of his I've seen are all pretty similar....a bit like Showcasing himself.
If you are selling later on this year then I'd think the sire will be well received,if he gets then all like yours then he may well sell like the first crop of Bertolini remember how they went down?

Gosh, that took a bit of following! I wish I had your memory, you're like a bl00dy elephant . I am sure I should mind my P's and Q's so it can't come back to haunt me! The problem you elude to is there with this years colt but funnily enough this years looks better on them than last years did. Not the prettiest from the front either but very clean in movement so I might get away with it. I think that having the size of timber that I've got then you can get away with a bit and he's certainly all his father!

Incidentally, have you heard much or had experience with Starspangledbanner?
Do his few 1st crop foals leave anyone wondering what might have been?

I told you once before you are not the first to have drawn comparisons between myself and an elephant...! It will be interesting to see which OD son they all go for, certainly the Approve foals I have seen have been very nice. What is the said mare back in foal to? Is she the Khelyef one? I have only seen one SSB foal and it was a good sort, hard to judge the sire by it though as the mare is a consistent producer of nice types.

I hope the weather dries up otherwise we could be in for some funny results at Ascot which would be disappointing.

I daresay that I shouldn't reveal that info as it would identify me via Return of Mares!

However I would say that downgrading of the mare continues apace

It's p1ss1ng down over here and I too share your worries for an ungenuine Royal Meeting.

Does the owner of that good stock producing mare fancy re-homing her? A good home awaits as I couldn't half do with another one of those!

Looking forward to Tatts July catalogue as it certainly seems large from my Tatts email tonight. I'll wait for the paper copy to arrive before getting stuck in.

Don't worry I'll have a look later on this year.As breeders we all like to think we are half decent some even good but we are ALL capable with increasing regularity of downgrading mares despite our best efforts,its all part of it we all acknowledge with this game everyone needs a massive dose of luck!
Somehow I doubt that mare will be needing re homing but if she ever comes up then I'll give you theWhen you get the catalogue there are a couple of mares in there who you may find interesting......Shouldn't be too hard to spot
I'm warming to Kyllachy by the way...........see I'm listening to youWill you be at the July meeting if you wont be at Ascot or do you prefer to see it all on the TV?

How exciting, is there a chance that there will be opportunity to buy into a proper stud at July. I hope I have more success than the last time I tried!

Be careful with Kyllachy and a little light mare won't you? Perhaps I am talking rubbish mind - anyone else out there to dispute? I suspect you have had a little flutter with him already though - mais oui?

I don't go racing very much. Keeping in this game where to be honest I have no right to be, involves keeping ALL unnecessary expenditure to a minimum. I might venture out of my hole to the Darley brunch though. I always figure that if you surround yourself with enough money some of it might rub off! So if they are throwing in a ticket to the July meeting - well it would be rude not to!

I would concur with the warning about line boned mares re KYLLACHY - used him first season and got a pretty light boned filly.

Is your last name Columbo?With all the research you must have done to find out if it was me who had used Kyllachy.Well your suspicions are right,I have used him a couple of times before and had good but mixed results.I am aware of the point you raise as to the sort that I might get with this sort of mare but every other aspect about him does appeal as still does Bahamian Bounty.As a wild card what do you think of poss' Sixties Icon?He's a poss' but I'd like to see if his stock go on a bit and it would be great to see him bag a GR winner.He's never seemingly covered large books and that's a concern as he may not back up his success next year but then again if he does do better than we all thought I could see that changing next year both with numbers and quality.No doubt about it sons of Galileo are doing well and he atm looks value.

I wonder if David Redvers has those goose pimples all over tonight after seeing a cosy win from Pearl Secret,he does look a good colt.
Well enjoy your Darley Lunch,perhaps I should go myself as I too could do with some money rubbing off my wayand why not have a days racing on them as you say it would be rude not to.

WinningColors,Yes I know what you are saying,a few years ago now I sent him a similar type of mare that time I got away with it just.I can't really remember too much about it mind.

Is Sixties Icon in any way becoming a consideration as a commercial covering for next year? He is such a well bred good looking horse that he really is the type that I would like to send a mare too. I am (and I guess others, PotM and I have discussed this in previous threads)all too often looking at stallions with moderate pedigree's or with race records that only just make the grade. How nice it would be to look at a yearling in the field by a horse like him that might even be hot at the sales.

I'm not that clever Prima I was referring to recent info that you have put into the public domain. Not on here - and I didn't know you had used him further back!

Pearl Secret saddens me a little. He looks outstanding physically and I think it such a shame that Whitsbury only got 30k for him as a yearling. Presumably the buyers had to see cast iron proof of his ability at the breeze ups before they would stump up properly for so much orange and white.

He is being given the time I suspect he needs by one of the very best trainers in the land so the sky remains the limit.

Sixties Icon.

I think we are all old enough and ugly enough to know that it is early days yet for this horse. The fact is though, that he has started better than any of his contempories when just about every one of us would have expected the polar opposite. He has enough pedigree to go to the very top mind so perhaps that's where he is heading? Let's hope that the Channon effect which has had such a positive effect on these early days doesn't come out to bite him on the backside with a load of washed out shells forced before their time. I don't think so. Let's hope for a little more quality and welcome the real deal.

One thing's for sure. EVERYONE has one eye on him right now...

Its looking like he might become just that truehoncho,he is as you say very good looking and has a seriously good sire behind him who's early sons are doing well and I like the fact his dam is by Diesis.
I think he's more than surprised a lot of people with his totally unexpected success,I had him down as a stallion who may get 1 or 2 2 y'old winners with no class and then I thought he would be marketed as a purely jumping stallion.One point with him I'd like to see is other trainers running some of his but then again with such small crops it wont be that surprising if we don't.
I do remember seeing a few of his first crop foals at the sales and they were good sorts one I liked was a filly down in wall boxes at Tatt's on the end of the row from Norman Court she was if I remember unsold at about 5k.She looked early.For me and like a lot of other breeders I will be keeping an eye on him this year as at his fee its looking like he will offer real value for anyone and a high class route into Galileo.One things almost certain with him if you did use him and you went down the field to look at the resulting foal you would stand a high chance a super looking foal would be looking back at you,and what's more you wont be that disappointed if its a filly.

Lets assume Sixties Icon goes on from his early success and does get a GR winner ever a few can you see his connections upping his fee to say 8ishk or more what do you reckon?

**even**ffs!

75k Euros if Fasliyev is to be used as a guide!

I felt that the stud went out on a limb in standing the horse. It was a new stud who took on a horse that I assume nobody else wanted. I don't know what he dealt down to in year 1 but 6000 was high for a non commercial horse at an unknown stud.
I just wonder if the next fee announced will also be high. The school of Ballylinch/Cheveley Park perhaps?

Well, I'm pleased with old Compo - mare's 3yo by him broke his maiden last week and with a yearling and a foal to sell from her this year, every little helps, as they say!

Shame "Satsuma" just got touched off in Super Sprint. WOuld have brought CP his second win in the race.

"Master of War" looked as though he might be ok as well.

Oh fu**ing hell.......doesn't it always happen at the wrong time.I have a really super yearling you know the sort,red hot sire out of very good mare got the looks,every inch a fantastic sales prospect and its in for sales prep its all going so right............then as horses do from time to time BINGO it try's to commit suicide.....completely knackering any chance of a sale and the injury is so bad it may even come to us saying 'goodbye'!Its maddening too as its a filly,it would have been salvageable as a BM prospect at the least,but even that looks unlikely!!!That's horses for you I guess....don't we just love them!

Bad luck Prima. Not much to say here is there. I suppose as you have a reasonable ammount of mares, I'm guessing, you get to even out the swings and roundabouts. Problem is though, the real stars do pay a hell of a lot of bills at whatever level you operate don't they.

I'm guessing it's a back end problem if she is dodgy even as a broodmare prospect, I'm wishing that your vet is being overly pessimistic for you!

Not a back end problem Pot M,no the filly decided to try her best to jump into the next stable almost breaking her knee in the process.At this time is may still be possible to save her for the stud,but the problem we have with her atm is the injury is so bad she may not be able to stand the weight when and if she carries a foal.She's now obviously on total box rest and will remain so for some time.later on we will Xray again to see the extent of the damage then we can make a decision as to her viability for any future use as a broodmare.It will be a very much considered opinion as her value in that area would without doubt be high,I'm not yet getting trigger happy!
We will never now know how she would of got on in the sale ring but with her looks and page I'd be pretty sure she would of gone down very well indeed...........Bloody horses why oh why do they do things like this?

I had a yrlg filly who managed to jump into the next box during prep many years ago. My impressive (not) converted pigstyes also have a very low roof so actually she had to squeeze through to next door.

I know exactly how it happened. I picked a fight and didn't back off when I should've done. Blunderheaded and with more testosterone back then - not an episode I am proud of. It was a long time ago, I got her to the sale, after many treatments, and I suppose she was mine to **** up however I liked.

But do you need to do a bit of investigating whether there wasn't an overly aggressive lad involved Prima?

Just a thought

No Pot M,I'm very satisfied with the account given to me by my staff,they are all very good dedicated people who I both trust and feel fortunate to have in my employment.This filly is one of those sorts who though quiet when in the field got into a right 'paddy' when she was brought in and the accident is purely a result of her temperament and nothing else.

Really sorry to hear about your yearling PD.  I have a policy (which sounds ridiculous!) whereby I never discuss a race/competition/sale in front of said animal because you can  bet your life they will be listening and quickly whip out "Encyclopedia of the worst possible things a horse can endanger its life with"!  Countless times I have had to abort intended outings.  Even this week I was showing my Retarded (sorry Retrained) Racehorse in his biggest ever show.  Before the last show he got rain scald.  10 days before this one, he decided to cover himself in hives - not little lumps either - big sodding giants!  I tried everything until resorting to a steroid jab.  Fortunately it paid off and we won.

Got home to find the yearling had jumped out through a hedge,  over a wire fence (thank god I don't have barbed!),and was busy chasing terrified sheep around the next door paddock!  Colt is fine which means he'll probably be useless - its the nice ones that hurt themselves!

The filly I told you about above made some improvement,she has recovered enough for her future as a broodmare.She is sound at a walk and 95% at a trot so I've sent her over to the UK and given her to my daughter and son-in-law to add to their collection.That's better for the filly than a bullet............but not my pocket!!!

Is your daughter due a divorce any time soon Prima? I could do with an introduction if so, and then the free fillies can start flowing my way perhaps

I doubt it Pot M' but if you want to send me your 'photo I'll certainly pass it on and put a good word in for you....you never know I really could end up being your father in law!Took a look at your Dec' foals what are they like good sorts?

A wee small point, I have dropped my laptop on the kitchen floor so am reliant on a borrowed one from my neighbours which will only connect to their broadband- periodically too- so suffice to say things are a little testing!

God how I wish I could do technology. . .

Prima, I am going to say 'no comment' on my sales stock for now! I really am a bit clueless as to what I've got at the best of times and my moods swing up and down depending on what fault/asset I am majoring on at any one time.

I've got the walking thing sorted this year of that I am sure so that's what I concentrate on when thoughts of the gas oven become overwhelming

Looking forward to your speech at any nuptials - I reckon that will be worth travelling for!

PS. Incidentally I know which of my draft will be of most interest to you given the 'new' aspect.
A slightly quirky looking number I am minded of Key of Luck for some reason, but I quite like it and it does look a runner. Saleswise as I said I'm in a bit of a dither!