Hammer Time - All Comments

re: Giving Thanks Early

T.J. — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:12:59 GMT

LJ Texas,

I know that there is a policy in place to take back Silver Charm if his Japanese owners no longer want him. Hopefully more folks will follow suit.

re: Giving Thanks Early

MonicaV — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 20:36:42 GMT

I know how you feel about our great horses going overseas. The fate of Ferdinand still makes me cry. Kentucky Derby winner and HOY sent to a slaughterhouse because they felt he was not producing the way he should. There was such an outcry over here that I do believe that in the sales contracts to overseas entities, that it is written in the contract that if the horse does not meet expectations then the seller will pay for the horse to be returned to the States. No one ever wants to see that happen again. I think Exceller was slaughtered for steak. Unbelievable.

re: Giving Thanks Early

LJ Texas — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 13:29:44 GMT

Have to agree with L, my thoughts exactly when i saw the article that Azeri had been sold to another 'that' country. Wondered myself if she would meet the same fate as Ferdinand, but then i thought surely not. Rules and Stipulations should be strictly enforced that we get our stallions and mares back to this country if the unspeakable would ever be an option to snuff out the life of an American Thoroughbred Horse. Period.

re: Giving Thanks Early

Gabriel Leme — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:45:27 GMT

I agree it is very difficult to remember what happened to Ferdinand in Japan. The thought of the same thing happening to other horses, including champions, is daunting.

However, what can we do when it comes to auctions? Can anybody explain what was going through the minds of Azeri's owners? In January she was bought back for US$ 4.4 million and now was sold for US$ 2.25 million. Her first colt Take Control was bought back for US$ 7.7 million and in September was sold for US$ 1.9 million. Can somebody explain this?

It is just the way the market responds.

Japan has a thriving thoroughbred industry, one of the biggest and richest in the world. I am positive that Azeri's future sons and daughters will be given every chance to develop into their full potential in the hands of Shunsuke Yoshida's Northern Farm in Japan.

re: Giving Thanks Early

Somethingroyal — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:09:17 GMT

I stunned when I read Azeri had sold to Japan. What on earth were her sellers thinking about other than $$$$$$.

re: Giving Thanks Early

Lori M. — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:08:50 GMT

Dear L,

I too mourn the loss of the beloved Azeri.... I just happened to catch your comment, and you are the first person I have come across to talk of her sale and that it hurt that she is now overseas. The BH article is right here next to my computer, and I'm looking at her lovely face. In 2008, I was fortunate enough to be at the sale where she and Island Fashion (my other fave mare) were being prepared for the ring. I was able to "spend the day" with them - sheer happiness...contrasted with the tears when read the Keeneland posted results that day..that Island Fashion had sold to Japan...to the same person who now owns Azeri.

Goodbye queen Azeri, who left her crown to Zenyatta before she proudly left the US. May the Yoshidas take good care of her. But still, we have our many tears...will miss her so- will never see her again. Altho your comment brought new tears, I thank you for talking of her, and for loving her as I do. May she live in peace and health, and Island Fashion too,

-Lori Morton, Cleve OH

re: Giving Thanks Early

Steve — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:01:45 GMT

Have to agree with L. I'll add that your comment "their monetary value helps bring people into the game" leads me to believe that you're not looking at the big picture. Regardless of how many new owners the auctions may bring in, when there aren't enough fans left to support racing then you won't have a game at all.

And you really should learn more about horse racing history. Some of our greatest Thoroughbreds were bred and/or raced as a hobby by their owners. This 'race to breed' instead of 'breed to race' mentality is killing the game.

re: Giving Thanks Early

FourCats — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:55:46 GMT

"While some racing fans mourn the selling of a superstar to a foreign shopper they need to remember that a successful auction business helps keep the racing game viable."

I also disagree with this. I have nothing against foreign buyers but when so many of our top horses leave the U.S., it undercuts the quality of our racing. Is it any wonder that foreign horses (many of which are descendents of U.S. stars that went abroad) are winning more and more of our Breeders Cup races?

re: Giving Thanks Early

Steve Zorn — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:48:43 GMT

I think the reassurance is, as yet, unfounded. For the people who are getting out of the breeding business and giving their mares away -- and there are lots of them -- Keeneland figures are meaningless. And lots more of us knew the market was so bad that we just didn't try. For example, I gave away a multiple-stakes-placed City Zip mare just off the race track after earning $150,000, rather than take a chance on the sales, just so she'd be assured of a good home. I suspect a lot of folks did that with maiden or barren mares this year.

Yes, the market will be healthier with 25,000 foals in 2011 rather than 35,000 in 2008, but there's still plenty of pain to go around.

re: Giving Thanks Early

anna w — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 22:39:17 GMT

theres a big difference between what happened to ferdinand and azeri. is that ferdinard was sold to a stud farm who only cared about money while azeri like island fashion and bushfire went to the guy who had stood sunday silence till he died from a heart attack in 2002 and the same farm that stands war emblem and deep impact.

re: Giving Thanks Early

Mon, 16 Nov 2009 19:03:13 GMT

"While some racing fans mourn the selling of a superstar to a foreign shopper they need to remember that a successful auction business helps keep the racing game viable."

I'm afraid I have to disagree with this and in fact, I feel just the opposite, that it's an attitude like this that shows the dark underbelly of racing.

Azeri is a HOY winner, her name is mentioned up in another blog on 'Fantasy Fillies'.

We talk a lot about how the retiring of our 'superstars' hurts racing, because fans can't invest in a horse long enough to be drawn in but now we're going to say it's okay to ship that same superstar off to another country, where her progeny will run well out of the American racing fan's eye?

We fuss about how 'superstars' are retired too soon becaus of their value in the breeding shed, yet now turn around and say it's okay to sell them off anywhere in the world, so long as the money is good?

I'm sorry but that attitude is kinda confusing to me and as someone who saw Azeri run, loved her on the track and look forward to seeing her offspring run, I was gutted when I heard of her sale.

And I'm sorry but I will never forget Ferdinand and his fate in Japan. As Azeri was sold at auction, what reassurance do we have that if she proves to be a breeding dude she won't meet the same fate?

Another HOY at slaughter but hey, we got the money. Yeah, that's a good way to get fans to invest in horses.

re: Kentucky-Breds at a Disadvantage at Sales

rachelforpresident — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 22:50:40 GMT

this "news article" also fails to mention that Legacy Bloodstock is the major consignor at the Louisiana and Texas sales. of course Mr. Eastman would say this... it's in his best interest... interesting journalism

re: Kentucky-Breds at a Disadvantage at Sales

Alfred Nuckols — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 04:15:38 GMT

I have never seen a badly conformed state-bred outsell a well conformed Kentucky-bred with a comparable pedigree. So, I think a well conformed horse with few repository defects and a good scope grade will sell well, regardless of where it is foaled. A good Kentucky-bred is still eligible for KTDF funds if one is racing and eligible for KBIF funds if one is selling (even though these are not significant unless your foal stays in Kentucky).

I am not a big supporter of mediocrity which is what your regional state-bred programs promote. However, I can understand why those that support these programs do so because not everyone can afford to race horses at Keeneland, Saratoga and Del Mar.

All of these programs, Kentucky included, have a place in the present structure of racing as it exists in North America. Let's just hope we can keep enough owners interested to support our industry, regardless of where they are racing or breeding.

re: Kentucky-Breds at a Disadvantage at Sales

Fortyniner — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:50:44 GMT

The state-bred programs are a valuable asset in diversifying racing stock. While I agree it's extremely unlikely the next "Indiana horse of the year" will improve the breed, a state-bred program offers excellent purses to help defray costs for breeders and owners who do want to try to hit the home run and stay in the game. I want to have open stakes quality horses and breed the best possible horse, but while waiting for that dream to hit the ground, we're also wanting to have some fun racing and trying to make a little money.

And, as to Kyracingsupporter's comments, maybe I am unclear on the KTDF fund, but I thought the supplement for KTDF was only available on Maiden Special Weight and allowance race purses (not all races won by KY-breds at KY tracks) which make up far less than 1/2 of the total races at tracks in Kentucky. It also directly affects field sizes for those races, since any out of state horse is competing for a fraction of the money. When field size is lower, so is handle, etc, etc.....State-bred programs that offer resticted races (e.g., IN-bred only), still offer open races and furthermore, many states pay a breeders award regardless of what track/state the horse wins a race at.

re: Juvenile Name Game

bea — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:36:53 GMT

When are they foing to name rags to riches foal? please when it is will someone publish it