Kentucky-Breds at a Disadvantage at Sales

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: Kentucky-Breds at a Disadvantage at Sales

NJTrotter — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:53:44 GMT

I agree with Devolution. State breeding programs are doing nothing to enhance the breed on a whole. Breeding mediocre mares to mediocre stallions ( those standing in the particular State ) brings mediocre foals which in turn become mediocre race horses. The money can be used elsewhere, perhaps to enhance the purse structure for the overnights. Increase the purse for state OWNED horses like we do in Jersey for the Standardbreds. Extra money is added to the normal purse for races restricted to horses owned by New Jersey residents.

re: Kentucky-Breds at a Disadvantage at Sales

Greg R. — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 14:50:15 GMT

When you compare quality of stallions and stud fee, Ky has also lost the game, Look at Lydgate, Eugene's Third Son, Private Vow, all really top class race horses, for a song, then get 22% breeders awards! Ky has shot themselves in the foot as breeders have become smarter, will not accept a 5, 10 or $25,000 stud fee on a horse that woulda coulda shouda.. then get raped by every service provider in the state. Double the board, Double the vet charges, Double the farriers. You send a mare there next thing you know without your consent they float teeth, trim ( or at least charge you) for trims every 3 weeks.

re: Kentucky-Breds at a Disadvantage at Sales

Kyracingsupporter — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:18:32 GMT

Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund supplements purse money to all Ky. breds that win races in Kentucky. At tracks such as Keeneland that have strong purses, this can be a generous supplement. However, there are many more races run at other tracks that do not have good purse money to begin with. There is no problem as I see it with our Breeders' Fund or the KTDF. The problem is that our purse money is suffering at the hands of the politicians with agendas in the Kentucky legislature who won't allow tracks in Ky. to be competitive in purse money. Kentucky still has the best stallions and the best mares; I will not be sending any mares to a stallion in Louisiana because the incentive is not strong enough and too restrictive. We are breeding today for 3 or 4 years in the future, and I am cautiously optimistic that Kentucky will pass the slots bill before that. If that happens, then where is my incentive now? And with all due respect Mr. Eastham, are your comments beneficial to the promotion of the Ky. breds you will be selling next week or next year? Sounds like an excuse to me to say "Buyers don't want Kentucky breds". After the sale is appropriate for excuses, not before.

re: Kentucky-Breds at a Disadvantage at Sales

onechaser — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:47:19 GMT

Also, Dont be fooled into thinking this is a cheep option to market your foals. It cost a lot of money to send your mare to Kentucky to breed, then send them to Louisiana or Pa to foal. That is not a logistically sound idea. Between mare care,vetting..health cert and vanning you already have more in the foal than can be "in most cases" obtained at the sales.

re: Kentucky-Breds at a Disadvantage at Sales

sceptre — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 21:59:58 GMT

I'm a native Pennsylvanian, been a breeder for nearly 50 yrs., own a PA stallion, and have bred in PA, NY and KY. Kentucky fails to promote properly its advantages. Its land (for gestation, and rearing of foals) is superior, its horsemen collectively have no peer in this country, and the vast majority of the better stallions are in close proximity. The results are readily apparent to those with any knowledge-KY-bred foals/yearlings are generally physically superior to those bred elsewhere. I wish it were otherwise, but it isn't.

re: Kentucky-Breds at a Disadvantage at Sales

Devolution — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:55:38 GMT

State bred programs are the antithesis of everything a good breeding program is supposed to be. Instead of providing incentives to breed the best animals in the country, these programs create incentives to arrange the most mediocre matings as long as it occurs in a preferred locale. Instead of strengthening competition for racing thoroughbreds in America, state bred programs dilute competition by digging a myriad of small ponds so that guppies have someplace they can be the Big Fish.

re: Kentucky-Breds at a Disadvantage at Sales

wooley85 — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:40:57 GMT

You assidously FAIL to mention the lucrative state bred awards in NY or PA. Bloodhorse...just another shill for KY breeders. A sham. Nop credibility.