Good Morning,
Here is the activity from last evening in Saratoga. The view above is from the Art Gallery Walk…which goes around to The Buyers’ Lounge. Many potential bidders have assigned seats located right around the sales ring. You may use these seats during the auction or bid from wherever you would like.
The sales area is open to everyone. Any fan may attend a sale and observe what is happening from various areas in the sales pavilion. It is really quite a fascinating process to watch. There are so many facets to our industry that all work together to make it such an interesting and challenging business.
This Saratoga Yearling Sale is conducted in the evening…so people ‘dress’ for the occasion. At this point in a sale, your ‘homework’ is basically completed as far as deciding on the horses you’d like to bid upon during the session. You have reviewed the pedigrees to see how the individuals would fit into your racing and breeding programs. The physical examinations of the horses have been completed by the prospective buyers and their teams.
Another important step is to have your veterinarian examine your prospective purchases IN DEPTH to be sure the physical condition of each yearling you are interested in meets your satisfaction. He or she will check and double-check the horse’s throat (for breathing purposes), basic conformation, and x-rays.
If the yearling passes all of the requirements you may have for purchase, you then need to ‘mentally appraise’ the horse. In other words, how much do you feel this horse is really worth in today’s market….and most importantly…how much are YOU willing to spend to own this colt or filly? This step is truly very important. You want to be sure you have really decided in your own mind how much this horse is worth TO YOU!
Then…let the BIDDING BEGIN!
Last night’s auction was very active. People really want to purchase and own good horses. They look to the future and the hope of running in BIG RACES! That is the driving force behind our industry. Obviously, a high purchase price does NOT guarantee success…but it must be considered. After all, LOOK AT ME! That is what helps to make this sport so much FUN!
At this time, I’d like to send a HIGH HOOF to my dear BERNIE. His yearlings sold for very substantial prices. Hip #1 was an “OUT”….which means she was withdrawn from the sale before it started. This may happen for a number of reasons.
Then the action really began. BERNIE had a colt sell for $750,000…and fillies sell for $950,000 and $600,000…to name a few.
The ‘sales topper’…which means the highest price horse sold during the entire session….was a Medaglia d’ Oro colt who is a half brother to the Kentucky Derby winner, SUPER SAVER. This yearling is named Superfection! His winning bid…….$1,200,000. WOW!
The Saratoga Yearling Sale continues this evening! HOOVES CROSSED that everything goes well for all of the horses and the participants.
With Love,
Hugs to All~
Z
Judy
Tell Bernie we will not tolerate any of that fooling around with other women. (LOL)
Take care of yourself
DJ
Good luck tomorrow to the Moss’ and Shirreffs at Del Mar R-6, #6 Valeria. Go Talamo and Valeria!
Lisa g
@JB: Regarding Dahoud, Michelle left her phone in her room, did not get my text regarding the picks…thank goodness. Dahoud and the other two I picked…glad I did not bet either. hahaha…Thanks for the imput, I looked quick on Dahoud and thought he looked pretty good, I was wrong, or he was just having a bad day. Thanks again…Hugs to YOU, Lisa g
Lisa g
@All Dumplings…so like tomorrow…SHH..do I have an E mail? I am behind on my E mails to…Lisa g
Allen
Just as you said Z, a high bid doesn’t guarantee sucess on the track. Just look at what Jerry,Ann, and John got for $60,000, the greatest horse to ever step on a race track. Queen Z you always say you are one lucky horse, but Team Z and all your fans are the ones that are really blessed. Because we are the ones that got to watch you race and perform. Z you are number one and will always be number one. Have a great day Queen Z.
Quarterhossgal
I’ve gone to the FS site but have not been able to view Live Auction. I get the list of yearlings for sale but when I click on Live Auction I don’t get a response. Would love to see some of the Bernardini yearling’s for sale!
Hope you’re enjoying all the activity Queen Z. Can’t imagine what a foal of yours might bring!
Sharyn
Quite an event and so enjoyed seeing all those beautiful yearlings. Bernie’s “kids” seem to be in high demand! Only the best for all of those horses on and off the track!
Enjoy your day………
suew
Zenny, Your Bernie has proven to be a great “father”. He has some excellent bloodlines. But YOU, my dear, were the sale of the century. Simply put, you are priceless! Your foal will be closely watched and great expectations will follow him/her during the early years. I have no doubt you will prove to be a great mom and one who offers outstanding qualities to her offspring. Thanks to Sarah for providing such great info ad photos to us. It’s such a treat to read here…lessons are learned on a daily basis because of your team.
LauraJ
@Debbie, you may be closer than you think. There are TB auctions in various locations around the country. The big sales companies are Keeneland, Fasig-Tipton, Ocala Breeders’ Sales (OBS), and Barretts. Among them they have sales in Kentucky, Florida, New York, Maryland, and Texas. In addition, various state and provincial breeders’ associations hold sales. Some sales concentrate on yearlings, some on 2-year-olds in training, some on breeding stock, and some are mixed sales.
tony
Zenny, the day you were purchased for a mere $60,000 was historical. Bernie has good offspring, for sure, but you will provide valuable foals which will enhance the racing industry. Of this we are certain.
LauraJ
@Debbie, forgot to add California (Barretts is based in CA). :-)
Carolyn Caswell-Brown
Wow Z – Your hubby & his “gals on and off the track” were Hot – Hot – Hot this weekend with the Saratoga Sales, two big wins & maybe the best two year old filly racing in Dreamcaster. Bet a date with him will really be “spendy” next year thanks in part to YOU!
@ JAG – Superfection was the horse named in Win Star Farms “you pick-the-name” fan contest! How cool that he went sales topper so far??
@ JB Thanks for the update on Pluck. Glad to hear he is doing O.K. Loved him as a two year old & now there seems to be an answer to his poor performances this year. Looking forward to his return. Do you possibly have any info or links as to the whereabouts of the brilliant undefeated English filly White Moonstone. Was looking forward to seeing her run at Ascot but she was a no show & if it was announced why, I missed it. I believe she last won in April/May of this year. Many thanks for any help here.
Peace & Love
Stella Bagwell
Dearest Queen,
I wonder if you remember what it was like when you went to auction? And if you were looking out at all those buyers and wondering why they didn’t recognize a Queen standing right in front of them?
I’ve been to horse auctions down through the years, only on a much lower scale. They’re so much fun, but I do have trouble controlling myself. I want my husband to buy nearly everything that walks into the ring. :)
Your Bernie has really been making a name for himself as a stallion–you must be so proud. Wink. Wink.
Hope the rest of your day is lovely, dear girl, and that you and TT have a relaxing evening in the barn.
Hugs and kisses,
Stel
Lisa g
@Dumlings: Does Mary Johnson know the new website?
The Kennedys in San Diego
While we have never attended an auction at Saratoga or Keeneland, we have gone to auctions at Barrett’s at the LA Fair Grounds, Del Mar and Vessels. Exciting and another learning experience in the Thoroughbred Industry. Fascinating.
Trina Nagele
Wow! On Dottie’s birthday, August 10, John will have two fillies running at Del Mar in Race 6, 4:35 PM—Valeria for the Mosses with Joe Talamo up, and Bobine for Blue Vista Inc. with Mike Smith up! Maiden special weight, one and one sixteenth miles on the turf. Good luck to all!
@Brenda S—Those are beautiful words of comfort you passed along for Debbie G’s friend.
Susan A.
I sure do love hearing about Saratoga; was there two weeks ago…
Susan, M.A. :)
;)
Terry Crow
@Kennedys in San Diego-Regarding Bernie–Well said. @Happy Harriet-Another great post. @Abigail in Montreal-If it is possible for a giant like Winston Churchill to be underrated, he is. @Judy Berube-Zenyatta is the queen, but you are at least a princess on this site. Since a new thread has been started, another joke–A man buys a pet parrot and brings him home. But, the parrot starts insulting him and gets really nasty, so the man picks up the parrot and tosses him into the freezer to teach him a lesson. He hears the bird squawking for a few minutes, but all of a sudden the parrot is silent. The man opens the freezer door, the parrot walks out, looks up at him and says “I apologize for offending you and I humbly ask your forgiveness.” The man says, “Well, thank you. I forgive you.” The parrot then says “If you don’t mind my asking, what did the chicken do?”
The Kennedys in San Diego
Barrettts sales dates. Two-year-olds in training particularly fun.
http://www.barretts.com/SalesCalendar/index.asp
EK
Got my first 3 horses from one of those all breed auctions back when my state had a slaughterhouse over 20 years ago. One was emaciated,one very thin and the third had been sold to the kill buyer and was on her trailer but she had not paid for him yet. I made a deal with her and he went on the trailer I hired with the other 2 to my place. I always thought that the horses should sell first. If you got a horse or horses then you would buy what you needed for them. With horses selling last not knowing if you would get one you either had to buy things for more at the feed store or wait for the next monthly auction. It was the best place to buy all kinds of horse items for the lowest prices and anybody who wanted to could go in the ring and sell their new or used horse items.
The Kennedys in San Diego
Should have mentioned that Barretts is located at the Fairplex, Pomona, CA.
Lisa g
Ms. Zenyatta, Sweet Dreams, love you so …..Lisa g
The Kennedys in San Diego
We will be rooting for Gio Ponti — a friend of Zenyatta.
http://www.drf.com/news/arlington-million-cape-blanco-slight-favorite-over-gio-ponti
Celeste
Thank you for sharing more interesting information about the auction processes. I forgot to watch the auction last night, but I enjoyed reading about some of the results this morning. Also, when I went to the Fasig-Tipton site and open up the auction pages, as you scroll down the page you can click on one of the fillies or colts and watch its walking video. I enjoyed that little feature, too. I’ve got my eye on a couple that just stood out for me so I’m hoping I might remember to watch the auction tonight, but won’t count on it – ha! Thank you all for sharing! Thank you Zenyatta and Dottie for this wonderful site!
Someone has a birthday coming up!!! Woohoo!!
Sharon Call
@Terry Crow. OK, you got me on that one, I didn’t see it coming. The parrot got off easy, but the chicken not so much.
@All. I just heard on the Atlanta news last night that there has been an advisory board appointed to look into parimutual betting in GA. The board is comprised of 3 politicians and 3 civilians. The whole idea is to make legal what is now being done under the table. If it is approved, there will be track(s) in GA which, in turn, will generate jobs, farms, etc. The track(s) will be state run and a portion of the proceeds will go to the Hope scholarship. Let’s keep our HOOVES CROSSED. It will be the closest I’ll ever get to seeing a live horse race. GA needs all of the job-building enterprises we can get, just as all states do. I hope that somewhere along the way, this will be put to a popular vote. I think it would make it through.
#1 New England Fan
Thank you, Madame Queen and Dottie for teaching me so much about your world. I enjoy this site for many reasons, one of which how much I learn here.
I’d love to watch the F-T auction tonight, but can’t because the sound on my computer blew out yesterday. Can’t imagine watching an auction without being able to hear anything….whine, whine.
@ Lisa g — love the way you think. Can you imagine the results of a Zenyatta-Frankel match!!!
In the meantime, BERNIE is hot and handsome. It goes without saying that YOUR foals will be literally priceless. I am happy to hear that Mr. and Mrs. Moss are keeping your first, at least. That means he/she will have the best owners, and we can only hope he/she is sent to JOHN for training.
Happy Tuesday to all in Z-land. And high hooves to both Dottie and Mike who celebrate their birthday tomorrow, hopefully with wins!
Counting the days until 8/19 when I go to Saratoga…
Annie B in MA
Jan
Zenyatta,
First time I have seen TB auction. That was pretty amazing. Bernie’s such a stud muffin :) His offspring look strong and are lookers. Bernie and your baby will probably look like a perfect Shiloe Jolie Pitt. :)
Thanks all for updates on Moe and Pluck, Good to hear they are doing well. Love that Gio Ponti. Keep cool Big Mama.
Diana.A
thanks for the information!love you girl
Jan
p.s. How is your lil sis E doing?
signofthetimes
Dear Zenny,
Thanks for the great update on the Fastig Tipton Saratoga Sale.
I must say Bernie does exude talent and looks. Love your “Dad’s”children. One of his fillies (Street Cry by AP Indy Mare I think AP Interest) went for over, $500,000. It is so true don’t always judge a book by its cover. No only you, but Sunday Silence (did not sell for $30,000 twice; Champion and HOY) and many more. Hope you had a relaxing nutritious day and
of course cool. Will definately watch tonight.
XXXXXXOOOOOO