Good Morning,
I’m hearing from MY TEAM that ‘working the sale’ requires a great deal of effort, hard work, concentration, and energy! They get up very early each morning and leave for the sales grounds. By that time, David and his crew have already gone over ALL of the horses to be offered that day and come up with the ‘short list’ which Dottie, John and The Moss’ review. All aspects of the individuals are evaluated: conformation, size, pedigree, walk, and other physical qualities! Monitoring the horse’s overall temperament is also a part of this process.
Each horse on this list is inspected. If they make this ‘cut’, the veterinarian then examines the horse and his / her xrays in the repository. The VET also scopes the horse’s throat to be sure “all parts are working well’ for good breathing to take place. A good throat is essential for a race horse!
Once a horse passes all of these steps, the decision is made as to the fair market value of the horse. As many of you may know, at an auction people can get caught up in the bidding. MY TEAM tries to be very careful not to do this. They thoroughly appraise each horse before the bidding begins and really try to stay within those limits while bidding.
If all goes well and the hammer falls while a particular HIP they are bidding on is in the ring, they sign the ticket and he or she is now a part of the racing stable!
Attending a sale as this one, is really a fun process…but truthfully a great deal of hard work. Every moment of every day while there is totally consumed with the SALE. It is all about planning for the future and getting the RIGHT HORSE for the program!
As you can see, BABY REAGAN is resting up for all of the company and activity this week. I think she wants to stay up a bit late on Monday night to see my relative, HIP # 147 sell! I do too!
By the way, HRTV is carrying the first few sessions live on their programming schedule. Otherwise, the internet is the best way to follow the events.
HMMM! This baby thing is rather interesting to ME! Reagan was born on March 7th, 2011. That is about the time MY BABY is due in 2012! I just didn’t realize human babies are so small! They told ME my baby will weigh about 125 pounds or so when he/she is born.) This becoming a MOM is really a fascinating process! I’m learning!
Enjoy the week, the racing, and the sales! Dottie is attending them this week and also spending time visiting with ME! When she returns home, we will update you on all of the action. She also promises that MY JOHN will take some terrific photos of ME to share with all of you!
With Love,
Hugs to All~(To my dear fan who made the Z BLANKET as a thank you….THANK YOU! It is absolutely priceless!)
Z
Louise Castello
@Susan in TN: I don’t know you at all, but I so enjoy reading everyone’s posts. I, too, am in tears for your sweet Tiny. My heart hurts for you. So very sorry for your loss.
signofthetimes
@Marty R
Remember Zenny telling us HER JOHN used a measuring tape to measure her everyday before and after training to see if she was gaining or losing weight or maintaining. Weight is very important for fitness in horses like in humans. They even have heart monitors for equine athletes; like human athletes wear during training.
signofthetimes
Dear Susan,
So sorry for your sudden loss. It is so difficult to lose a pet, but when it is so suddenly and when they are so healthy one minute.
So glad that you had a Tiny to help you recover from your accident and you were able to rescue him to provide joy for so many people. Now I know why you are so good with horses at the rescue; your riding experience. Thought and prayers are with you.
signofthetimes
HAPPY BIRTHDAY INGRID
signofthetimes
The story of Cigar’s infertility:
Wikipedia
“Retirement
Cigar was retired to stud at the end of the 1996 racing season by celebrity Bill Cosby. Ceremonies took place during the National Horse Show at Madison Square Garden to honor the horse.
Paulson sold 75% of Cigar to Coolmore Stud and Michael Tabor, and this equated to a value of $25 million for him. He was taken to stand at the Ashford Stud, the American division of Coolmore Stud and began his coverings there in February. Cigar proved infertile as a stallion after twenty of his thirty-six mares returned negative pregnancy tests.[10]”
signofthetimes
Z fans:
Zenny was a “bargain price”; but her cost in training, races, physical and psychological maintenance etc.. was multi-millions. Maybe even more that she made.
Curlin was also only $57,000 at the September Yearling sale.
Trina Nagele
@JAG —-Thanks for the link to the petition to stop the shipment of horses to be slaughtered for human consumption.
Delrene
Dear Susan in Tenn. Your story was so moving and we all feel your loss. Pets are wonderful companions and healers. A daily joy to be part of our lives although never for long enough . Of course you will miss Tiny forever but know that he loved you every minute of his life as you saved him as much as he saved you. I had a St. Bernard as a child named Panda Bear and she was the sweetest big slobbery girl you could ever want to have around. She was my best friend. I hope each day is a bit easier.
Take care.
Doreen
Sending well wishes to Awesome Again for an uneventful but speedy recovery: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65022/awesome-again-recovering-from-colic-surgery
Doreen
Susan in TN – so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing Tiny with us. You two obviously were meant for each other. Take solace in that he’s now in heaven and that he’ll be there to greet you one day. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take care.
Vicki B.
@Susan in TN – Thanks for letting us know exactly why and how much Tiny meant to you, it was not too much at all. You and he found each other at just the right time, when you both were clearly needing each other. I thought @Marshall said it well, and wisely.
Vicki B.
@Rosemary McCauley – like your redneck joke, a transmission is not the only thing to be found in that tub!
signofthetimes
@Terry Crow
Love today’s joke.
Patricia
Oh Susan,
Even though I don’t know you, through this site and your postings, I really do.
I just wanted to share with you a painting I have.
It’s of Peter standing in front of the pearly gates of Heaven. Stretched out in a long line are people patiently waiting to see if they are going to be allowed entrance. BUT, off to the side is a doggy door with dogs and cats joyusly bounding into Heaven. I’m pretty sure I just saw Tiny gallop through!!
Blessings…
Patricia
Thru… It’s late
=)
Kari Bussell
@Laura J- thank you for info- I am still shocked that any would sell for that price.
@Susan in Tn- Friend, my heart breaks for you..I wish I could hug the hurt away for you. It sounds like we share very similar neck/brain injuries mine was due to wreck in 1996. MY beloved Rambo ( rescue- half rottie/half golden lost to bone cancer) got me through it. His personality was so much like you described your beloved Tiny’s it is eerie…Your words moved me to sobs…Losing a family member like your Tiny changes you forever. We never stop missing them…May God wrap his arms around you and comfort you until you meet again.. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to ease your pain. I am one of “Chester’s” friends…on FB you can reach me there…
@Linda in NJ- your story re:9/11- can’t get it out of my mind. God Bless You!
@Terry Crow- My Great-Uncle was one of Lee’s Generals. He was both Governor & US Senator of Georgia. There is a statue of him on his war horse in Atlanta…He also did some very awful (we will not mention here) stuff. I have his sword (General Lee had engraved) and other items(photos, parts of uniform, buttons) of his I inherited…due to the unmentionable things he did…My husband & daughter don’t want them… They are quite valuable and a part of our nation’s history. I was going to give them to a local museum , but they were very snobbish towards me..They had no idea why I was there-LOL. You have given me so much joy and laughter with your jokes, country lyrics, and your: you “Might” be a redneck if’s….I want to leave them to you….I have been wondering what to do with them for weeks….when I read how much of a history buff you are…I just KNEW they are to go to you…This is NOT a joke…His name is John Brown Gordon….I’ll throw in Union buttons that belonged to the other side of my family…Please contact me… you can reach me on FB or YT…or if you prefer(LOL- your choice giver of laughter & joy)…I have authentic signed Elvis everything ( as well as Count Basie,Duke Elington, Chet Atkins, Oak Ridge Boys,Dylan, U2, JDS-Stamps & more) He came to my Grandparents home for Christmas before I was born(home movies never seen by anyone,but family)….My Grandfather ( one of founders of Sesac) wrote and/or owned copyright to several songs he recorded….Most important of all I will include one of Zenny’s 2010 BCC posters(not signed) & program(signed in my presence by Jerry & Ann Moss-Mr. Shirreffs & Our Dottie)…You are a true blessing.You have blessed me with rolling laughter, giggles & joy, the value of that is immeasurable. Please receive my attempt to repay you. Nothing heals like laughter & joy.
@Dawn C- Your beautiful words continue to move me….and Yes!…I do feel the love & I will be forever grateful.
@signothetimes- thank you for links & info.
Zenyatta- I Love you with a passion & I will be eternally grateful to Dottie & ALL the Angels. YOU fill my heart with JOY beyond belief. I pray many times daily you ALL are rewarded with All the JOY I have been blessed with because of YOU!
@KG-Love & Joy to you.
@CH-12th & beyond.
@Trina N- Just wanted to say you Love You!
@Sharon in Seattle & LouAnn Cigel- Peace-Healing- Love & Joy to you!
@DJ- Lisa g- Katheryn Cogswell-DMCQ- miss you!
Question: What is the highest price ever paid & who was the horse? I could ask endless questions.
Kari Bussell
For Susan in Tn- this has brought me great comfort in times of grief.
Not Mine:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v9ytUtEjqdw
Karen Gogue
Patrica
Are you the one who posted about driving to Loma Rica Ranch and speaking to Noor to be patient, that it wouldn’t be long? and you’d never go there again after Noor was moved to Old Friends? Post of Sept. 6 If so, please see Noor’s FB page – Noor In Memory Of A Champion A message there for you…..Thank You
Karen Gogue
Kari
You don’t know how much love and joy you’ve given me!
LauraJ
@Kari Bussell, the highest price paid for a Thoroughbred at auction is $16 million, for a colt named The Green Monkey (Forestry-Magical Masquerade, by Unbridled). This occurred at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton Florida sale of 2-year-olds in training. Why? He ran a furlong in 9 4/5 seconds. (Race pace is 12 seconds/furlong–sustained over several furlongs, of course.) A bidding war between Arab and Irish interests forced the price up. Unfortunately, he was not a success. He raced three times, finishing third in his debut and then fourth twice. He had suffered some injuries as a 2-year-old and didn’t recover his form, so it was decided to retire him to stud. He stands in Florida for $5000.
ENSIGN
@ Kari Bussell,
.
To add to LauraJ’s post, the most expensive yearling sold was Seattle Dancer at the 1985 Keeneland July Sale. A son of Nijinsky out of Seattle Slew’s dam, he brought $13.1 million. The July sale was always the big, boutique sale until it was merged into the Sept sale several years back and the 1st two sessions more or less make up those books now.
.
A hello! to all the regular crew btw :-)Good to see you here.
LauraJ
@Kari (continued): a couple of other expensive horses sold at auction include the broodmare Better Than Honour, who sold for $14 million at the 2008 Fasig Tipton November Sale. She was Hip #188, the last horse of the sale and the star of the show. She had a special spread in the print catalog and her own introductory music video. Better Than Honour is the dam of Belmont winners Jazil and Rags to Riches, Peter Pan (G2) winner Casino Drive, and Breeders Cup Marathon winner Man of Iron, among others.
–
Snaafi Dancer (Northern Dancer-My Bupers, by Bumers), foaled 1982, was the first yearling to sell for over $10 million. His price was $10.2 million. He was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed primarily for his future value as a Northern Dancer-line stallion. He never raced and was nearly sterile, siring only four foals. He is retired and living in Florida. Snaafi Dancer’s price was eventually exceeded. A horse named Seattle Dancer (Nijinsky II-My Charmer, by Poker) sold for $13.1 million at Keeneland’s 1985 September sale. He was a G2 winner in Ireland and had a decent career at stud in the U.S, Ireland, Japan, and Germany. He was the half-brother of Seattle Slew. He died in 2007 of a heart attack.
–
here’s a slide show:
http://www.cnbc.com/id/39456431/Most_Expensive_Thoroughbreds?slide=1
LauraJ
Ooops, didn’t see Ensign’s post. Hi Ensign!
Alexandra Bowdoin
To Susan in TN, I am so sorry for your loss! It is very difficult to loose a pet be that a dog, cat or horse etc…At least he did not suffer. I have a cat with a tumor on her liver who is doing quite well with the prednisone and the Science Diet ID prescription food. She was diagnosed 9 months ago and is doing fine right now…it will be a very sad day when I loose her. I have another cat and I wonder how she will be when my Tessie is gone? They have lived together for 12 years now!! You will have your memories of Tiny and lots of pictures to look at when you need to talk to him.
Marty R
@signofthetimes-No, I had forgotten about Zenyatta being measured before and after training. Thanks for jogging the gray matter under the gray hair. And, thanks for the information about the heart monitors.
Marty R
@SusaninTn.- I’m so sorry for the loss of your gentle giant, Tiny. What wonderful friends you were and such joy you two shared with yourselves and others. Blessings to you and your family.
Debbie
Hmmm…around March 7th???? I can’t wait!! Take care of yourself Queen Z and baby to be. :)
Especially Horses
@signofthetimes: Based on Wikipedia do I understand this correctly….Cigar was bred to 36 mares, 20 returned negative pregnancy tests….so does that mean 16 got in foal? Does Cigar have some off-spring?
LauraJ
@Especially Horses, no, Cigar has no offspring. Unfortunately, he is completely infertile. The terms of stallion infertility insurance policies specify that a certain percentage (generally 60%) of mares bred be shown not to be in foal. That’s probably why 20 of the 36 were tested. When they were shown not to be pregnant, the terms were met and the policy paid. I read somewhere that Cigar has malformed sperm with low or no motility.
–
The late George Washingtom was also infertile, but he managed to sire one foal, a filly named Date With Destiny. She looks to be a pretty good racehorse.
Eveline
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/65032/zenyatta-highlight-of-ms-society-fundraiser an other chance to see Zenny!