Entries Tagged 'Horse Racing' ↓

The 4th day of the Keeneland Sales saw the YTY Gross drop, as did average price. Overall the Median price is up 25% YTY.

Last year’s Day Four had two horses that combined for over $2million in sales. It wasn’t like that was going to happen again this year. The top horse for the day was around $500K.

Wednesday saw a decline YTY. Moving into Book 2 means a drop in quality, they say. The “best” horses usually go in the first two days which this year had double digit increases in total receipts and gross. It’s possible that the buyers were just worn out from all that bidding.

The not-sold numbers were in the same area as last year — about 20% — however on Wednesday it was about 3 points hire, and about 2 points . Seems the market is feeling the pinch of the psychological

The sky rocketing prices of the top horses, while headline grabbing, are not where the vast majority of horse races are at. The astronomical prices were driving unrealistic expectations, which hurts the industry. Median price going up means prices are rising across the board.

Even better is that horse racing may be returning to China (mainland). This is huge, as the Chinese love to gamble

Mainland China authorities are reportedly paving the way for the reintroduction of horse racing with legal betting, with the city of Wuhan to host a test run after the Beijing Olympics.

Yes, no doubt it’s a show piece for the Olympics, but it’s a start. It’s tough for the Chinese to ignore racing as Sha Tin is racing daily in Hong Kong.

Unfortunately the NY State Governor Eliot Spitzer is ignoring his failure last year to reach an agreement on the franchise. Spitzer is hell bent on racing taxes, and fees on anything and everything. Sadly liberals like Spitzer think that businesses are an endless supply of money. Typical of clueless government employees and elected officials. They just don’t get it.

Overall though horse racing looks like it is due for another great year. It’s post time.

Tags: eliot spitzer, horse racing, sha tin, keeneland, kentucky derby, belmont stakes, del mar, hollywood park

Eric Guillot (rep Southern Equine Stables) purchased Irish Cherry

Irish Cherry is a 14 year old Mare with foal (to Ghostzapper) for $2.7 Million at Keenland.

That is huge. Irish Cherry is the dam of Spun Sugar and Daaher, both Stakes Winners. Needless to say there are “great expectations” for Irish Cherry.

“The plan is for me is to win the Kentucky Derby with that Ghostzapper baby and syndicate it for $75 million,” the ebullient trainer said. “That’s the plan.”

Well OK, I can understand that. Clearly someone thought this out. It remains to be see what they do with the Mare. At 14, she is a bit long in the tooth. This also points out that the birth of the foal is not guaranteed. Could be a $2.7 Million bust. We will see in 2010.

She does not have a great pedigree, but her offspring are rocking the tracks. This foal will have two full brothers (Spun Sugar and Daaher). Both of which are Grade 1 winners.

One commentator said that the horse could have gone for $4 Million, if the “big money” had been there. Odd sentiment. If they were not there, then you have to ask why?

The Keenland sale goes until Saturday. You can see live coverage here.

Tags: keeneland, irish cherry, horse sale, kentucky derby, kentucky