Tough Times - by Dan Liebman

re: Tough Times - by Dan Liebman

CelticMist — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:09:52 GMT

It's now over and the average was down 39% - probably more if you remove the horses of racing age figures, never mind counting the rna's and no bids. How many stud fees have been reduced 39%?

re: Tough Times - by Dan Liebman

Freespirit — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:58:03 GMT

Yeah, there were lots of outs - and Keeneland still went in and took their fair share - averaged out the horses of the day and sent the owners a bill for their 5% commission. So, it was a pretty price to pay to "out" your horse.

re: Tough Times - by Dan Liebman

I K — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 10:18:39 GMT

Probably the biggest threat to Racing is Casino's now also sharing the shrinking Gambling and entertainment buck in a dwindeling Economy.Indiana is expanding both, though at a limited rate,pulling from Kentucky that has no Casinos and neighboring Ohio that is Casinoless and Ohio has little Racing Industry as such.The local Harness Horse Farmer is deceased and His relatives are out of work.The Wal-Mart boom lifestyle and McD not Steakhouses is in full swing.The World wide recessions have knocked the Big Players and non players out in Breeding,Oil Money is leary of the future and those that have it cut back on toys,the true Horsepeople plod along and cutthroat competition for the buck almighty prevails.

re: Tough Times - by Dan Liebman

Alex JH — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 21:32:12 GMT

bosshoss,

MILLIONS? That kind of rhetoric is what makes it difficult for anyone to take racing, rescue etc seriously.

re: Tough Times - by Dan Liebman

Old Gray Mare — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 00:34:44 GMT

Builders still build though foreclosures rise and prices fall. The breeders still breed though stud fees drop and FT prices plummet.

Empty houses don't have empty bellies. I can mow the lawn of the vacant house next to me but who will float teeth or trim hooves for free.

re: Tough Times - by Dan Liebman

R. Lees — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 16:41:09 GMT

At the end of the day with stud fee reductions and the current hardships facing breeders and horsemen in the industry it seems patently absurd that "consignors" and "sales companies" are not offering to reduce their hefty commission base from say 5% to 3% they take none of the risk and are the first to stick their hand out for a hefty remuneration for two days work! Definitely unjustified anytime - but especially in this economic environment!

re: Tough Times - by Dan Liebman

Boxwood — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 22:48:02 GMT

Too much breeding equals too many horses... who is caring for all of those that now are finished racing? And who is paying the bill? There are many good small rescues bursting at the seams today trying to find good homes for healthy TB's (that are well deserving) that have been saved from the killers..and are very WELL bred I might add.. Add the bad economy to this and it is not pretty. Wish more horse/farm owners like myself would step up and volunteer for a few hours a week..it is everyone's problem!!

re: Tough Times - by Dan Liebman

twtman — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 13:48:30 GMT

Sure wish I knew what BELLWETHER thinks Maryland Jockey Club and Suffolk Downs did after they stepped up to the plate.

re: Tough Times - by Dan Liebman

bosshoss — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 03:34:20 GMT

Millions of horses are being abandoned, neglected and starved everyday, yet we continue to breed. Not all of these animals are grade or "muts". A great deal of them are well bred and papered. And it's not just horses, PLEASE think before you breed more. The system is overloaded and rescues are FULL and financially unable to take anymore in. If you have a rescue in your area, please consider supporting them.

Thanks You!

re: Tough Times - by Dan Liebman

rdw — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:25:58 GMT

Standard economics do not apply to thoroughbred horse racing. Wall Street and Kee. Sales do not go hand in hand. The thoroughbred market has been so overdue for a major correction and it simply has failed to occur. Until now! Out of whack state bred programs such as Indiana and PA have distorted the market. Churchill Downs is not helping anything dropping purses like they are.

re: Tough Times - by Dan Liebman

Bellwether — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 06:21:06 GMT

new player in the game, if you race them like we do...you have to find them a (GOOD we hope) home when they can't pay their way anymore...can't just throw them away like a paper cup...Maryland Jockey Club(Laurel Park) & Suffolk Downs have STEPPED UP TO THE PLATE....how about CDI & the rest of THE HORSE LOVERS???...our first race Horse Mr. Squeaky should have never been sold as a race Horse...but i was green & they threw it to me!!!...told the guy i was new @ the game but he socked it to me anyway!!!...kinda like going to the corner AUTO DEALERSHIP in Amercia if you are green...CHANGE BABY CHANGE...Long Live The King!!!

re: Tough Times - by Dan Liebman

STEVE STONE — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 03:30:59 GMT

Hello Dan...There was an point in time when not only the racing industry was impervious to the economic meltdowns and Wall Streets gyrations as well as the overall gaming industry..however it should be no surprise to anyway that the thoroughbred industry is reeling..in every aspect to not only the country's catharsis but the global economy as well as its all interconnected..That always wasn't the case..however foreign markets are as vital to our economy today as we are to them...Its simply an trickle down effect and the breeding industry is no different...Irrespective of how deep ones pockets are...in such uncertain times...people are behaving rather cautiously..and rightfully so..no one is spending w/reckless abandon..The gleaming Borgota Casino Hotel in Atlantic City just jettisoned off 400 employees resultant in plummeting gaming business..The Pinnacle Hotel and Casino...is holding in abeyance in Atlantic City breaking ground for its new billion dollar casino hotel until the economic landscape rebounds...Las Vegas is also suffering appreciably.....So why should the racing and breeding industry be any different?...All we can hope for now is that w/an new Washington administration assuming the reins in late January..people will have renewed confidence..hopefully sooner...and we all can start to prosper again...and as you noted..thoroughbred breeders are an hardy group..lets all hope that everyone else is also...only time will tell...Thank you always Dan for another impactful op-ed piece and for your kind window.. Best regards always..Steve Stone..East Hanover..new Jersey

re: Tough Times - by Dan Liebman

UCLinden — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 23:18:35 GMT

Plus , in addition , what effect will President Elect Obama's tax plan have ( those making $250,000 and up ) ?