If its wind - i've had one changed from a 3 to a 2 on re-exam. Varies vet to vet.  Tricky though  GL

Well at least I had some insurance for such an eventuality so I'll get something back - 40% of this yrs outlay.

Interestingly the insurers have offered me the opportunity to keep him and take a reduced pay out if we can agree on how much the "salvage" is worth.

Will need to let the dust settle and do further investigation before deciding on whether to take the money and run and throw the pinhooking dice for what would be the final time or rekindle the ownership fire and live the dream once more.

The sensible thing to do would be to take the money and never go near a horse again, but where would be the fun in that....

Well after failing to come to a deal, with the Insurance company I let them take him away and took the money, although not before thoroughly reviewing my insurance paperwork and realising I was due 85% rather than 40% of this years outlay!

Sadly though, on the very eave of the Goffs Foals sale, I've completely lost my Mojo for it, hopefully it will return, but the thought of turning up on Day 3 which is now Day 1 as a purchaser fills me with dread.
 
Day 3 was my usual hunting ground and with dry powder after everyone else has had 2 days to spend their hard earned I could usually find something.  The fact everyone is now starting off on Day 3 makes me think it will be a complete waste of time as my fellow pinhookers may well completely lose the plot.  Maybe my enthusiasm will return by Saturday, if not I'll keep my dosh safely under my pillow until it does.

Best of luck to everyone who is buying and selling in the coming weeks, especially PM.

PM, thanks for the encouragement, it seemed to be the kick I needed.

Got my myself up to Goffs today and after being underbidder on no less than 3 occasions and having petty much given up all hope, I managed to pick up the last one on my list.

Gone for a FSS this time, nice strong early type but had to sacrifice a bit of paper to get him on my limited budget.

The saga continues for another year....

Thanks FT, any update would of course be gratefully received although I'm not counting on it. I've already learnt that lesson.....

Rather annoyingly I could only find a pinhooking table for lots sold as foals rather than everything for today’s Silver Sale at Doncaster.

Last year there were 9 out of 37 = 24%, this year I make it 5 out of 38 = 13% which is appalling.  Doesn’t bode well for Tatts Ascot or Tatts Ire Pt2.

The Polarisation of the market continues.

Tatts Ire Part1 has been very tricky.  Last year Day 1 - 57%, Day 2 - 45% with overall 50% profitable pinhooks

Fast forward 12 months and Day 1 - 30 out of 107 = 28%, Day 2 - 22 out of 77 = 28.5% with overall 28% profitable pinhooks

Lots of grim faces up at Fairyhouse today with most pinhookers taking a real pasting, the Foal sales are likely going to be well down. The “trough” is fairly empty at this end of the market.

Yours truly has lived to fight another day - just, by luck not judgement though as but for a tasty update I’d have been toast. 

I may have to re-think my strategy going forward if I decide to go again - start with the Sire and work back appears to be the order of the day.

“A speedy first seasoner on top of a fresh and current mare, something doesn't add up” - you’re telling me.

He looked an absolute picture, big strong colt and moved well. He was well liked by everyone who saw him and had plenty of shows.  He was not however an early sort and wouldn’t appeal to the Breeze Up boys, he is more a back end 2yo.  Is that such a cardinal sin?  Maybe I was in the wrong Sale?

Maybe I should have offered some “luck” (not that anyone asked - which was a pleasant surprise).  Am I being totally naive? Should I be prostituting my wares around the Sales offering kick-backs left right and center, if so I may lack the necessary for this game.

Everyone I spoke to told me the Sire was going to be a hard sell.  I asked why he was unpopular and nobody could tell me.  “They” just didn’t want him.  I’m still at a loss - one can only speculate, unsexy father, average race record, too big a book, too much first season competition....? Whatever the reason, the results for the Stallion speak for themselves.

I was possibly guilty of under reserving him, but the way trade was going and the fact I didn’t want /couldn’t really afford to bring him home forced my hand.  As it turned out there was only one buyer even at that modest price.

Looking back though I consider myself fortunate to have escaped in one piece (he was 2nd best priced by the Sire in the sale), plenty of others were not so fortunate and again plenty of lessons learned.  I appreciate that the sire route is gridlocked, expensive and valueless but yesterday told it’s own story and it’s difficult to get away from it.

P.S. Tatts Ire Part2 9 out of 69 - 13% which matches the Silver Sale & Tatts Ascot.

Lads, having had a quick look at the Sept sales would it be right to say that Vendors of Gutaifan stock would be disappointed ...?

I suppose Posh that the 'simple' answer goes something along the lines you give out regarding the sire. When you buy/I breed, a stallion that lacks credentials then we had better make sure they hit the commercial 2yo market or miracles shall be required.
The jury had come to a half time verdict on your sire as they always do at foal sales time and if it is a bit iffy then the hill to climb gets a bit steeper.
If you were going to need a bit of time then the chips probably tumbled on that strength.
To figure well up the order of your particular sire is a great credit to you and I always use that marker as a significant indicator as to whether I've been successful or not because bucking that is not going to happen very often.

The sale looked grim really. I am guessing the standard of horse wasn't all that and the select sales still to come guarantee nice horses, so why spend early?

Thank god Goffs is looking better this week at least. I know it's a bit rarified but at least one layer of the market looks ok.

I’m not sure what the quality of other vendors was like PM as I was like a rabbit in the headlights.  I’ll put the feelers out.

WR - Alhebayeb and War Commands early results have probably done Gutaifan & Due Dilegence no favors which is a tad unfair.


Orby 57 out of 104 - 55%

Sportsman 21 out of 68 - 31% which is mildly better than Tatts IRE as was the clearance rate of 85% as opposed to 78%. 

Whether this vindicates Goffs decision to tighten their catalogue as opposed to Tatts Ire who increased theirs by 75 odd or points to vendors reserving more realistically and taking a hit I’m unsure.  Maybe a bit of both?

Anyone in attendance?

I think the likes of Due Diligence and Gutaifan are in for a tough time. All the press is doom and gloom creating a self fulfilling prophecy. Horses are cheap at the moment and offer great value. That should be the message. In fairness G and DD were always chancey.