Zenyatta

Queen of Racing

Ask The Experts

Ask The Experts #19

Fillies in the paddock at Lane's End. Photo by Kyle Acebo.
Fillies in the paddock at Lane’s End. Photo by Kyle Acebo.

Q:

Sales have always fascinated me but I don’t have a full understanding of all the mechanics of them. How is it chosen which yearlings will be sent to auction and what sales they will be sent to?

Brooke Coleman

Versailles, KY

A: Determining if a yearling will go to public auction depends on a number of factors, beginning with the initial interests of the breeder. Some clients breed to race, some breed specifically to sell, and some do a little bit of both.

Sale nominations are submitted to the auction companies by May 1st of their yearling year; this is when it is determined who will be kept to race and who will be pointed towards a sale. This decision is generally made by the owner in conjunction with the advice given by our managerial and sales staff here at Lane’s End.

Various sales are held throughout the summer and fall; some are “select”, meaning nominated yearlings must be accepted by the sale companies upon inspection, and other sales are open, or acceptable for all types of yearlings. Determining which sale to nominate a yearling to prior to the May 1st deadline depends on a few important factors:

1) Physical
Yearlings are very similar to teenagers—they can go through awkward stages as they grow and develop, so it is important to select a sale that corresponds well with a horse’s maturity level. Our public sales and managerial staff inspect yearlings every two-three weeks through the Spring months. Notations are made on the horse’s conformation, condition, stride, and even demeanor. Maintaining notes on their physical development allows us to judge how each horse matures and determine the most appropriate sale for them.

2) Vetting
When all yearlings at Lane’s End are between 10-11 months of age, a set of survey x-rays (36 views) is taken to help us determine if any joints need special attention or surgery based on radiographic findings. For sale yearlings, survey x-rays also allow us to establish a suitable exercise program for each yearling entering the sale prep routine on June 1st.
We are mindful of survey x-rays at sale nomination time because radiographic findings can affect how commercial a yearling will be at a sale. Another set of x-rays are taken within 21 days of the auction date and provided for veterinarians to review on behalf of potential buyers.

3) Pedigree
The strength of a yearling’s pedigree also affects which sale we nominate it to. For example, a horse by a proven sire out of a stakes winner/producer will appeal to buyers at select sale venues. Alternatively, a horse with an unproven family will probably be best-suited for a larger, open sale venue where there are more potential buyers present, some of whom may not have steep pedigree requirements.

Lane’s End typically consigns yearlings at the following sales:

July 15: Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Select Yearling Sale
A one-day select sale best suited for a physically forward yearling with few (if any) significant radiographic findings. Because it is a select sale, all yearlings must be accepted in a conformation inspection performed by the sale company. Physicals and X-Rays are very important here as this is the first summer yearling sale and buyers are not pressed to purchase a horse that doesn’t meet their exact requirements. Minimum bid required: $10,000
2012 # Catalogued: 283
Average sale price: $81,291
Median sale price: $60,000

August 5-6: Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale
A select sale taking place over two evening sessions, held in conjunction with the prestigious race meet in Saratoga Springs, NY. Physical, pedigree, and vetting are all extremely important at this sale as it is concentrated with some of the best yearlings to be found all year. Minimum bid required: $10,000
2012 # Catalogued: 162
Average sale price: $299,065
Median sale price: $225,000

August 10-11: Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York – Bred Yearlings
A two-day sale for New York-Bred yearlings only. Athletic-looking individuals sell well here as the sale is well-attended by trainers and end-users looking to race in the lucrative state-bred program. Minimum bid required: $5,000
2012 # Catalogued: 223
Average sale price: $62,551
Median sale price: $50,000

September 9-20: Keeneland September Yearling Sale
This is the largest yearling sale in the world and it is suitable for yearlings of all types… a one-stop shop for buyers! 11-12 sale sessions are typically catalogued within 6 sale books. Horses catalog primarily by pedigree with the best pedigree + physical combinations selling in Books 1-2. Keeneland September attract thousands of international and domestic owners, trainers, and bloodstock agents. Minimum bid required: $1,000
2012 # Catalogued: 3,604
Average sale price: $87,354
Median sale price: $45,000

October 21-23: Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Fall Yearling Sale
A three-day sale acceptable for all yearling types, especially late bloomers! This sale is also a good option for yearlings that may have been injured or experienced a physical setback over the summer months. Minimum bid required: $1,000
# Catalogued: 1,254
Average sale price: $26,127
Median sale price: $12,750

Our Expert

allaire

Allaire Ryan

Sales, Lane’s End

Allaire was born and raised in Lexington, KY. She developed an early interest in Thoroughbreds by attending the sales after school with her father, a bloodstock agent, and growing up she gained sales experience working for various farms and consignors. She works with clients old and new to develop Lane’s End’s public sale consignments of yearlings and breeding stock.

Reader Interactions

1,118 Comments

  1. / Reply

    Thank you LE and staff for another educational Q&A session. Pretty soon we’ll all be know-it-alls, ha, ha, NOT.

    Happy new year and blessings to all for a safe and healthy new year. Hope all who are sick get better, all who are sad get happy, and all who are lonely find a friend.

    Kisses to my girl Zenny, and dear EARnie, and my guy Indy. Hugs to all.

  3. / Reply

    To everyone at LE who takes such great care of our beloved Z as well as Z12 and keeps us in the loop, to the Mosses’ for all their love for Z & Z12 and for always thinking of us, to Barn 55 and to all my fellow “Dumplings’ – a very healthy and joyful 2013 NEW YEAR!!!

  4. / Reply

    What a wonderful way for Trainer John Shirreffs to finish the year ….taking the last two races on the card, on the last day of Santa Anita racing in 2012.

    Race 8, Winner, Stanwyck, Trainer John Shirreffs

    Race 9, Winner, Omega Star, Trainer John Shirreffs

    • / Reply

      Congratulations to STANWYCK, 1st by 1 1/4 lengths for the Mosses and John Shirreffs with Garret Gomez up. Commentators: “She conquered the turf with ease.” “A solid performance.” “An explosive win” at a mile and an eighth. “Very impressive today!”
      High hoof, Stanwyck!

    • / Reply

      Especially Horses
      Like thinkers–happens a lot on this Blog
      Just posted a similar comment late afternoon on New Year’s Day.
      Sorry about the repost.
      Hugs, Keta

  5. / Reply

    What a great question (again) and a thorough, informative answer. I’m ready for my exam, now. ;-)
    To all the Z’sters, LE personnel, the amazing Mosses and all of Team Z…a very Happy New Year. I was so afraid we would lose touch with Zenny after she shipped to Ky. Was I ever wrong! Her “retirement” has been wonderful for all of us fans who want to remain close to our Queen and her family. This site has been a blessing in many ways. It’s a constant source of comfort, information and love.

    • / Reply

      Dear Suew: Great post – had the same feeling too. I don’t think (and I’ve said this before) that you folk realise just how truly lucky and blessed you are to have owners like Mr and Mrs Moss, and a class outfit like Lane’s End to allow the Zenyatta journey to continue. It just wouldn’t happen in Australia – broodmares just gradually (and sometimes not so gradually) disappear from sight. And you are so right about the contributors to the site – just wonderful people! Hugs, KathyR.

  6. / Reply

    Happy New Year, Zenny, 12Z, the Mosses, LE and Team Z in Ca. You are amazing.
    Thanks for keeping this site updated … it’s a great place to learn everything about our equine friends and share a common bond with The Queen.

    • / Reply

      Especially Horses / So Cal
      You can hear the pain in Bob Baffert’s words.
      I am so glad that he decided to speak out–there has been very unfair
      speculation about the reason for the death of this horse.
      RIP Tweebster.
      Hugs, Keta

      • / Reply

        Wow – sorry to hear about Tweebster….I’m sure BB must be devastated. This was the 2nd tragic accident in the past few days over wet track – sometimes I wonder why not just cancel the races rather than taking such risks although some horses don’t mind running in the slosh.

    • / Reply

      I am so sorry to hear of the loss of this handsome, gallant Tapit son. RIP Tweebster. Condolences to all his connections.

    • / Reply

      Thanks for this link. How sad to lose this beautiful boy — gone too soon. RIP Tweebster.
      Condolences to his connections.

  10. / Reply

    To Zenny and all connections, as well as to all the fine people on this site:

    HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!! May 2013 bring good health, happiness, prosperity, peace and safety! All the Best, always.
    Cheers and goodnight!

  11. / Reply

    We remember Judy’s Russ and our beloved Kari today as we look forward to a new year.
    They were a big part of the Z fan family and are missed. To everyone who loves our Queen and her 12Z…Happy New Year, may you experience an abundance of blessings today and everyday.

  12. / Reply

    Dear Keta:
    The Standish Handicap has just been run and won: Placings – Adamantium, 4g, (Elusive City (US) – Della Mimosa (NZ)), trained by Danny O’Brien, with Craig “Froggy” Newitt in the saddle, 2nd Catapulted, 7g (Catbird – Siren Miss) from the Mark Kavanagh stable, ridden by Michael Rodd, and third, in a photo with Good Ba Ba, Goldstone 5g (Shamardal (US) – Lady Camille) trained by Bart Cummings and ridden by Peter Mertens. I think Rick Hore-Lacy will be quite pleased with that as a first race in the country.

    • / Reply

      Thanks, Kathy! I think that jockey Craig “Froggy” Newitt will catch our Anne from Paramount’s eye! Ribbet, Anne? Er, that is to say, right, Anne?

    • / Reply

      Kathy R
      Thanks for the update.
      With Andrew (Hoss) on vacation, I am glad to have the back-up.
      Froggy–love the name.
      Hugs, Keta

  13. / Reply

    The candles still burn on Kari’s site in her honor, and with prayers for the family and other loved ones she left behind. http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=kari
    If you are new to the site, click on any unlit candle and then continue through the five steps needed to keep your candle lit–it will then stay lit for 48 hours. Thank you for joining in this tribute our dear departed Kari.

      • / Reply

        Yes, we thank God for the blessing of Kari’s daughter Ashton. Ashton does her mom proud as she carries on making those beautiful youtube videos.

  14. / Reply

    I know LE does not answer questions in the blog but I just have to express my concern on this one point.

    “When all yearlings at Lane’s End are between 10-11 months of age, a set of survey x-rays (36 views) is taken to help us determine if any joints need special attention or surgery based on radiographic findings.”

    If a horse requires surgery in order to correct it’s ‘natural’ conformation and make it viable on the track, why, WHY WHY perform that surgery and continue the cycle of that horses’ natural conformation (which resulted in the need for surgery in the first place) in the gene pool????

    Why not point that horse towards a different career where surgery is not required and look very closely at the sire and dam lines that produced the weak conformation in the first place and NOT BREED THEM AGAIN!

    • / Reply

      Many useful race horses are never bred. Once you get out of stakes company, most males, for instance, are geldings. Nor are all females bred. Surgery to correct flaws such as offset knees not only gives the young horse a better chance to earn his keep on the track, but enhances his future prospects as a sport horse or even a pleasure horse. Surgery can not only improve the horse’s biomechanics, but help him remain sound and comfortable whatever he is doing,

    • / Reply

      Great comment, Zenyen,

      In general deformities are not necessarily genetic, they just happen as a
      part of nature. All humans with joint and bone deformities don’t always get them from their parents or from the human gene pool.

      Unfortunately with horses, without 4 good legs they will not be able to
      “work” at all. Spending a life in the pasture from a young age is not the
      life a horse would be happy leading. The owner’s of these horses “who
      may need correction or surgery” will decide if they will be sold, raced or
      move onto another career on the advice of a veterinarian.

  15. / Reply

    Happy New Year to the Zen Family!!! There is soooo much to look forward to this year. Pacing will begin at the end of Feb.. :)

  16. / Reply

    A new day and a new year wow. Z we are older today. Just think Prince is officially 1 today. That is something! I am off to paint another section of my house. I miss my buddy so much but God always send me a new kitty. God’s kitties are the best. I hope this is a great year for all of you that love horses especially the Queen and the royal family. A great year for all Zensters and our families / friends. off to paint love you all

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue, we will all look forward to hearing about which new kitty God sends to you. I know it will be a very fortunate kitty to have you for a mom!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sue,

      Just saw your post on the last blog about Mr. Bubbles. So sorry to hear of
      his passing. You are right God’s kitties are the best, I have one and he
      is so very special and real love bug. So much so my greyhound used
      to growl and snap and him. It was too funny.

      Hope you have a great 2013 !!!!

    • / Reply

      Dear Sheena,

      Happy New Year, we are having a Wales Day. Grey, cloudy, cold and raining all day,
      lots of mud. Hear the racing was cancelled, hope they were able to rearrange
      them.

  18. / Reply

    Happy New Year Everyone!

    Thanks for the great info,Allaire.
    Kyle,great photo of the fillies! Look at those hind ends! They are precious. I want the little lady on the left,she is talking to the camera!

    2013…and we’re off! Hope it is a wonderful year for all.
    Always love,don’t wait till the finish line……

  19. / Reply

    Can someone explain the difference between “average” price and “median” price in the Sales results?

    • / Reply

      hi bobbie…..in math an “average” would be to take all the money spent and divide by the number of horses sold… and a “median” would be if the high price and low price were put on a line…the median would be half way in between…
      I do not know if this carries over in TB sales…..but for some reason this sticks in my mind….hopefully those who know better will help us out here…

      • / Reply

        Correct as to “average,” which is more technically called the “mean.” As to the “median,” I believe you are getting confused with the “range,” which is the difference between the highest number and the lowest and doesn’t involve any division, IIRC.

      • / Reply

        Carol,

        The definition of Average is correct along with the Median, it is the
        middled price or score between the high and low score or price. The range is only the high and low score, with no additional calculation. You are absolutely
        right – math principles apply the same to no matter what you are
        calculating.

        Great job, the importance of each number is different. The average price
        is what a person buying can pay on the average for a horse. The median price
        used more as a statistical number to give people the idea of what the middle number is that one can pay.

      • / Reply

        Dictionary definitions:
        Av·er·age

        Noun
        The result obtained by adding several quantities together and then dividing this total by the number of quantities; the mean.

        • Dictionary Definition:

          Median

          The middle number (in a sorted list of numbers) between high and low
          numbers.

          To find the Median, place the numbers you are given in value order and find the middle number.

          Example: find the Median of {13, 23, 11, 16, 15, 10, 26}.

          Put them in order: {10, 11, 13, 15, 16, 23, 26}

          The middle number is 15, so the median is 15.

      • / Reply

        Dear Carol and Bobbie,

        There is also a mode price or mathematical
        calculation that one can also use. Not published
        but would help to determine the most frequent
        number of prices. Ex: Listed all of the cost of horses
        in the sale; 30 sold for $100,000; 50 sold for $250,000,
        These would be the bimodal prices or two most
        frequently spent amount of money for horses in the
        sale. The mode would give one the idea of how much
        they spent for a horse in relationship to the most
        frequent price spent. Just another idea !!!!

    • / Reply

      The median means there are as many above that point as below. If the median sale price is $60,000, the number of horses that sold for more than $60,000 is equal to the number who sold for less.

    • / Reply

      Thanks everybody for your responses! I THINK I understand how they calculate the median price now, ha!

  20. / Reply

    Thanks for the interesting info on yearling sales. I really enjoy the Q&A.
    Wishing all a very Happy New Year. How is Mama Z & 12Z doing!

  21. / Reply

    A very Happy New Year Z Dumplings!! New Year HUGS for you all! Great day of racing yesterday – John having two wins and seeing David Ingordo at the track was an added bonus for Barn 55 fans!

    ♥♥♥இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—…இڿڰۣ-ڰۣ—
    .*♥*…║║║║╔╗╔╗*♥*
    ..*♥*.╠╣║║║╗╚╗…..**
    *♥*….║║╚╝╚╝╚╝……..

    • / Reply

      Dear Karen G,

      Great update, so glad it was a great day.
      Guess David was visiting “MOM” for the holiday.
      Hope they had a great one.

      Great wins to John Shirreffs and a wonderful 2013
      to him and Dottie, Team Z, and The Mosses.

  23. / Reply

    @Karen Gogue–hugs back to you!

    Loved seeing all the gorgeous horses in the Rose Parade, with fond memories of our trip for the “05 event. Such fun!
    Loved the last horse group, made up of all rescues. They were beautiful.

    • / Reply

      We loved the horses too,Barbara.
      Our hometown HS band attended the parade in years past. Was up to my eyeballs w/ fruit boxes! We were very proud of them.
      Kudos to all in the parade! Kudos to the Rose Parade organizers for keeping the horses a huge part of it.

  24. / Reply

    Thank you for the cute cards, Dawn and Trina.
    Great question, Brooke. I’ve always wondered about that myself.
    RIP, Tweebster. It’s heartbreaking when such a young horse meets such a tragic end. Poor Bob Baffert. It seems like he just keeps having bad luck. I hope this year is happier for him.
    To all my fellow Dumplings, Happy New Year! I hope every one of you have a safe, happy, blessed New Year.

  25. / Reply

    HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Thanks for the lovely e-cards Dawn and Trina. Very nice. :)
    Wishing everyone in the Zenyatta Nation a safe and most wonderful 2013!
    RIP dear Tweebster! Thinking of you dear Kari! Special thanks to everyone out
    there for all the news and stories!
    Peace, Love & Blessings,
    Kathy from SoCal xoxo

  26. / Reply

    Well, Redneck friends, I thought I’d seen ever’thang. I was shoppin, and saw the Outhouse Calendar someone else mentioned buying a lot of, a coupla weeks back. It is actually nice, architecturally-speaking, altho I knew I wouldn’t want to look at them all year long. Then I saw a “Toilets of the World 2013” wall calendar. Really. Not as bad as I feared, but it does go beyond the pale. I kinda still can’t believe it, and for sure, I am not gettin’ one. No sirree bob.

    No, the “Painted Hands”, “Paper Paintings”, or “Unlikely Friendships” are more likely candidates.

    Happy New Year, all!

  27. / Reply

    Maragh Out At Least Two Weeks With Hairline Fracture
    By Ashley Herriman | January 1, 2013 NYRA Aqueduct News
    Jockey Rajiv Maragh will be sidelined at least two weeks after sustaining a hairline fracture of the T3 vertebrae in his upper back in a spill at Aqueduct Racetrack on New Year’s Eve, according to his agent, Matt Muzikar.
    Maragh was unseated after finishing fourth in Monday’s second race at Aqueduct. The winner of that race, Squeal, stumbled and fell after the wire and Maragh fell as his mount, Lady of Gold, tried to avoid Squeal. Lady of Gold appeared uninjured in the incident. Squeal got up, ran loose, and sustained a chest laceration as she attempted to jump the rail from the inner track to the main.
    After spending Monday night at North Shore University Hospital, Maragh is expected to be released later Tuesday.
    “The doctors want to reevaluate him again in two weeks,” said Muzikar.
    http://www.nyra.com/aqueduct/stories/Jan012013b.shtml#.UONZb8oi0kU.twitter

  28. / Reply

    Santa Anita News December 31, 2012
    STANWYCK, HALF SISTER TO DERBY WINNER GIACOMO, IMPRESSIVE IN SANTA ANITA ALLOWANCE FEATURE,
    ARCADIA, Calif. (Dec. 31, 2012)—In her first lifetime try on turf, Stanwyck, a 3-year-old half sister to 2005 Kentucky Derby winner Giacomo, was an impressive first-condition allowance winner under Garrett Gomez Monday at Santa Anita, defeating 10 other fillies and mares by 1 ¼ lengths while covering 1 1/8 miles on a “good” turf in 1:48.16.

    “We have been wanting to try her on the turf and we thought this was a good opportunity,” said Dottie Ingordo Shirreffs, wife of winning trainer John Shirreffs and racing manager for owner/breeders Ann and Jerry Moss. “We always wanted to try her family on the turf as well…but when they’re running and winning so well on the dirt, you hate to try something new. We thought this would be the time to try the turf, early in her career and it looks favorable that we’ll keep her there.”

    Dispatched as the 5-2 favorite Stanwyck sat mid-pack behind fractions of 23.36, 47.41, 1:11.51 and 1:35.67.
    Although she hugged the temporary rail (set at 15 feet from the permanent barrier) into and around the far turn, Gomez didn’t intend to have his mount positioned quite that way.
    “She’s so big and I really didn’t want to be inside with her,” said Gomez, who turns 41 on New Year’s Day. “A horse came to my hip as we went to the far turn, so I wasn’t able to get out. It worked out though, because Gutierrez (Mario, rider of eventual fourth-place finisher Ghost of a Chance) went through an opening and I was able to follow him.”
    http://www.santaanita.com/press/press-releases

  29. / Reply

    Happy New Year to John Shirreffs!
    What a great end to 2012 at Santa Anita
    winning the final 2 races of the year there.
    Race 8 Stanwyck winner
    Race 9 Omega Star winner
    All the best in 2013-good health, winners, & safe rides!

  30. / Reply

    Dear Zenny Fans, Dumplings and All,

    New Years Prayer

    Thank you Lord for giving us
    The brand new year ahead
    Help us live this year with
    hope, joy and enlightenment.

    Give us the gentle wisdom,
    That we might help a friend or animal,
    Give us the strength and courage
    So a shoulder we might lend to all.

    The year ahead is open
    Help us fill it with good things
    Each new day filled with joy
    And the happiness it brings

    Please give the leaders of our world
    A courage born of peace
    That they might lead us gently
    And all the fighting cease.

    Please give to all upon this earth
    A heart that’s filled with love
    A gentle happy way to live
    With your blessings from above.

    HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL AND TO ALL A WONDERFUL, SAFE AND HAPPY 2013

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