Market Gamble - by Dan Liebman

re: Market Gamble - by Dan Liebman

Another Tired Racing Fan — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:33:36 GMT

C Bea has it right.

Make the Derby, Triple Crown and BC eligible for horses sired by 5-year-olds and up. That will take the value out of 4-year-old sires.

There is absolutely NO reason not do do this but GREED of the BIG BREEDERS. The tracks (CD, Pim, Bel) could do this on their own but they haven't the guts to stand up to the wealthy breeders.

re: Market Gamble - by Dan Liebman

C Bea — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 23:11:16 GMT

Could it be time to change a few rules of the game? The fact is the business model between the horsemen, distribution partners (ADW/OTB) and the tracks is out of whack. We're breeding more and more for the commercial market than the racetrack (undermining the soundness and value of our breed) and we're losing fans due a less exciting and less marketable product.

How about modifying when a horse can be retired to the breeding shed? Horses must be at least 4 (I could be okay with 5) in order to be bred.

If this were the case it would ease the pressure on early 2 year old racing which may keep some horses more sound (don't get me wrong I'm not against running a horse at 2 just not early in the year). We would have more 3 and 4 year old rivalries since these horses would only have value at that age as race horses. And we would positively impact field size as there would be more available "racing" stock.

By establishing a "retirement" age requirement, a simple rule change, we could positively impact a number of areas of need in our Industry.

re: Market Gamble - by Dan Liebman

Blood-Horse Staff — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 21:09:48 GMT

The story about Sam Thompson's death can be found here.

re: Market Gamble - by Dan Liebman

Coco Fernandez - Farrier, Owner — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 06:11:55 GMT

Hey Dan, I'm a bit disappointed with the blood-horse news media right now.I wrote to you because I didn't know where else to go.

Barbaro ! Eight bells ! big news !

Our own Jockey Sam Thompson Jr. Got critical injured dec.20 in Los Alamitos race track and died yesterday on x-mas day. Not a word on him in this web ! Why ????????

re: Market Gamble - by Dan Liebman

STEVE STONE — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 19:05:25 GMT

Hello Dan..Another insightful and compelleing op-ed piece as always..As you have discussed here in previously authored columns..thoroughbred breeding is unquestionably an major business..however no different than other businesses..however with disimilar dynamics to an extent. And like any other business..the way breeders and owners conduct their breeding business today is diametrically different than the way it was conducted years ago..even an year ago or so..The playing field has changed as has the business model. Again this is true in all businesses..You now have overproduction..excess of product and an diminishing number of end-users to acquire the product...Major problem..Toyota just announced that after 70 years of being in the auto business they are faced with an major economic crisis..the most acute in their august history...no market for their cars..It has dried up...What to do when them now?..They will be rachetting down their overall 2009 production lines appreciably. The thoroughbred breeding business is no different. Obviously no one could have foreseen this meltdown coming..and if they did..even to this extent ...and as you noted..thoroughbred breeders have two common vital components....an love for the horse and being optimistic in nature...both essential ingredients..however in todays marketplace you now have to weave in being prudent and realistic in your overall business plan in order to succeed..The new year will dawn shortly with an plethora of vexing complexities confronting both owners and breeders alike..as well as the industry itself as an whole..2009 will undoubtedly be the most challenging one in the sports/business long and colorful history..Hopefully prudent industry leaders in every aspect of the game will emerge with an sensible and judicious blueprint for its future..Thank you always for your kind window and an happy and healty and successful New Year to everyone..Best wishes always..Steve Stone..East Hanover..New Jersey...

re: Market Gamble - by Dan Liebman

KYTBREDS — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 01:12:41 GMT

Having been involved in the Thoroughbred industry for some 30 years, I remember when we bred a horse to race. Then, somewhere along the way, we began to breed for the commercial market. As soon as a horse showed he could run a little, he was yanked from the entry box and entered into the Breeding Shed Stakes(G1). Racing became little more than a marketing tool for stallions and the sales. The John Henrys, Foregos and Kelsos were nowhere to be found. There were no more racing heroes- little to keep the fans' interest. The last rivalry in racing was Sunday Silence & Easy Goer and that was 20 years ago. There's been little to keep the fans interested in the sport. The industry needed this wake up call as a reminder why those of us who truly love the sport suffer for it- because we love horseracing. We needs our four-legged heroes on the oval, not en mass in the breeding shed. Isn't racing what it's supposed to be all about anyway?

re: Market Gamble - by Dan Liebman

NEVERKICKYOURDOG — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 18:25:24 GMT

FOR THE MOST PART, I AGREE WITH YOUR BASIC PREMISE BUT I HAVE TO TAKE ISSUE WITH YOUR USING THE WORD "ULTIMATE."

IN NORTH AMERICA, RACING IS DEPENDENT ON PURSES...PURSES DEPENDENT ON HANDLE...HANDLE DEPENDENT UPON CHURN...CHURN DEPENDENT UPON CASHING TICKETS.

IN ADDITION TO ATTRACTING NEW FANS AND PLAYERS...AND KEEPING THEM...KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AND KNOWLEDGE LEADS TO PASSION FOR RACING.

THERE ARE ALOT OF INFORMATIVE SOURCES,e.g., THE BLOODHORSE, BUT ONE WILL HAVE TO LEARN TO READ THE DAILY RACING FORM TO REALLY LEARN AND LOVE THE GAME. THE "SHEETS" ARE MEANINGLESS.