Henry's not very happy....

DBS managing director Henry Beeby yesterday said he was "infuriated" after owner Anthony Knott withdrew former Cheltenham Festival winner Hunt Ball from the company's Spring Sale at the eleventh hour.

DBS said on Sunday the eight-year-old son of Winged Love would "definitely be offered" for sale at yesterday's second session, but it was announced on Tuesday morning that the horse had been sold privately to race in the US.

"We're infuriated because we put a lot of work into promoting the horse," said Beeby. "We know there were a number of people coming to the sale with proper money to spend.

"We heard rumours on Sunday that the horse might have been sold privately, but we clarified with the owner that the horse was definitely travelling to the sale on Sunday.

"However, we had a telephone call on Tuesday morning to say he wasn't coming, having made sure we knew the horse was coming and after we had sent out the press release on Sunday stating the horse would be offered. We are all deeply disappointed."

Beeby believes the incident has made DBS look foolish but will ensure the company receives full commission for the sale.

"He has made us look like fools, to be honest," said Beeby. "We did a pretty good job of promoting the horse and no doubt he would have made a pretty penny.

"I believe he has made a mistake - buyers try and force a private sale before auction for one reason and one reason only: because they know they will have to pay more in the sales ring."

He added: "We will be charging full commission as conditions of sale allow."

I think DBS have every right to be p1ssed off.

Mr Knott doesn't strike one as being chocca full of integrity I'm afraid.

It's quite simple really, if you say you are going to do something then do it.

A SINGLE change of mind sometimes, whilst annoying for all those concerned, does have some semblance of understandibility but to string things on for as long as he did and then jump, was not acceptable.

I agree PotM, i have been to a number of auctions with short notice withdrawals and it is frustrating. However DBS are not perfect as has been pointed out on this forum in the past.

DBS acted like numpties - pandering to one cretin owner was bound to blow up in their face, and it did.  Emailing people to say it was definitely coming and 'its been fitted with a new pair of shoes'...you couldnt make it up.   Mouthing off about integrity from bloodstock agents / auctioneers, do me a favour.

Not really with you there yer ma, I think that dbs and their comments on the shoes was a little bizarre but whilst rumours were rife about the horse not making the date they had no choice but to show due diligence in their attempts to keep the buyers informed.
I am not sure what you think constitutes mouthing off about auctioneers/agents. I for one use plenty of integrity in my business dealings and shall  continue to moan about what is considered normal behaviour by a more ignorant section of the industry.

How's the season going for you incidentally, is it nearing a successful end?

Not you/here mouthing off, I think we're actually agreeing..I meant bloodstock is littered with people who would sell their grannies for a profit or a backhander and auctioneers are complicit in that, so Henry (for example) getting holier than thou doesnt stand scrutiny imo.  It was also very well known the seller is (at best) unreliable so to make such a big deal over him / his horse was risky.  Its not as if the casual buyer needed convincing to turn up and bid - people who wanted in would have come anyway so the min by min updates (especially one quite so odd) weren't necessary anyway.

Season has been a fillies / failed coverings disaster zone but you try to soldier on.  Getting plenty winners on the track...but sold on pinhooks dont pay and maybe my lack of sympathy for DBS is partly born of resentment at how poorly we / they have done with some of these horses.  I'm sure the tide will turn.  Glad you seem to have turned things around!

Incidentally, you've not used that free lease thing (ROA / TBA) with a nice filly have you.  I fear we wont have the funds to put a group / listed sister in training - certainly with a 'big' trainer.  I'd consider it but I'm dubious tbh

I have just got back from Norton Grove Sud where we were about this very thing. I would really appreciate anyones experience. Is this a serious alternative to selling them as yearlings?

I suppose yer ma that my stud season, particularly now that its over for me, feels quite successful, but one dead foal one colt and one filly isn't very exciting really. Still it seems like it might have been better than yours by the sound of things.
I always think though that if the stud season is  a Little taxing then there's every chance that you will get your reward on the track instead .
Incidentally, I don't think my lot has turned round I just see myself as between disasters - we all know how it works!

I know not how successful the lease scheme is. Let.s hope someone has some knowledge because I too would be keen to hear if it works.

I have a lot of experience leasing racehorses and putting them in training with "proper" exponents of the art.

If anyone wishes to correspond privavtely with me with regard to leasing young well-bred stock please drop me a line to seattledancer111@gmail.com as I am working on a new project at present. In my opinion there is no standard lease agreement that fits any one case and innovation and imagination can bring good results for all.

Royal Academy, how well bred do they need to be. I'm assuming that most breeders lease because they feel they have something that they think is better than the yearling market will value them. The hope is they win a race or two and their value is realised in a HIT sale. Am I on the right track?

most breeders lease flat fillies truehoncho because they simply cannot risk a €30,000 outlay and find that the result at that stage may be inconclusive or worse. My most recent experience involved the Irish breeder engaging a breaker and pre-trainer here in Ireland and as the pedigree had lots of French form a Grade A trainer in Chantilly was chosen. Sixteen months later the (now) 4yo was unraced and on her way back to Ireland waiting for the covering shed in February 2013. It is probably essential that horses with good pedigrees get every chance and this is Tier One training fees rather than the smaller operator (as unfair as this may seem).

The owner/breeder may wish to sell or may wish to perpetuate the dam-line at home.

There's obviously a myriad of reasons why a young horse (I have even leased decents colts) might be avaialable to lease but, imo,on the flat, pedigree is all.

National Hunt leasing is an entirely different ball-game and you have to be exteremely innovative to have a chance of making that work. I've seen nothing put in place (bar one notable exception) to dissuade me from this view.