Shame on this Fasig-Tipton consignor

[CA Michael]

Next month's Fasig-Tipton Kentucky sale catalog contains a dozen or so aged mares from a consignor known as FAYETTE FARM. Most of these grand dames were top shelf mares in their heyday but in recent years have fallen on harder times. Grade 1 stakes winners, producers and otherwise wonderful ladies up to age 26 are being sent to market as barren mares whose productive years have probably come and gone.

What's to become of these old gals? No doubt they will sell for peanuts, perhaps to live out their lives in the kinds of homes cheap horses usually end up in.

Shame on FAYETTE FARM (whoever that is), and on FASIG-TIPTON for accepting its consignment.

Hip
152 Galunpe (IRE) 1983 b.m by He Loves Me--Semantic
164 Heaven’s Nook 1984 b.m by Great Above--Nook
188 Laday 1982 b.m by Lyphard--Sale Day
205 Mepache 1981 b.m by Iron Constitution--Nowmepache
249 Proud Encore 1986 b.m by Tri Jet--Forest Murmurs
271 Setting 1983 b.m by Exclusive Native--Round Pearl
298 Syrian Summer 1984 b.m by Damascus--Special Warmth
305 Tis Michelle 1985 gr.m by Native Charger--Noble Royalty
307 Topicount 1985 ch.m by Private Account--Hot Topic
323 Victorian Village 1985 ch.m by L’Emigrant--Sir Ivor’s Sorrow
332 Alydariel 1983 ch.m by Alydar--Crimson Saint
355 Bye the Bye 1984 dkb/b.m by Balzac--Near Bye Lady

[Skipitgirl]

How sad. My mare is 23 and gave me 10 lovely foals. I would never send her away after that. She is my Matriarch!

[Marli]

I couldn't agree more- SHAME, SHAME-SHAME!

The most decent act they could do for these aged mares would be to just euthanize them. Unless good, solid loving homes could be secured for them it doesn't take a rocket scientist to imagine what may happen to them. Disgusting.

I just don't understand why breeders, that have owned mares that have produced for them for so long, and brought earnings to their farms, can so easily discard them when they're no longer productive. Just terrible. I know it's a business and these types of decisions are guided by money, but for god's sake it's time to take a couple hundred dollars and do what's right and in the best interest of the horse(s).

Complete list of offerings for this consignor. Just take a look at the PRODUCE RECORDS on these older mares-

http://www.fasigtipton.com/catalogs/2007/0211/FAYETTEFARMS.pdf

As for Fasig-Tipton, I do know that a three years ago another incidence like this occurred, and there was a minimum of 1k as a means to avoid any being purchased that would go to kill. Only problem is that regardless of the 1k minimum, it didn't prevent a few phone calls from being made after the mares 'no saled'. Within an hours time the no-saled mares were picked up from the shedrow and toted off.

[BJ]

I couldn't agree more- SHAME, SHAME-SHAME!

The most decent act they could do for these aged mares would be to just euthanize them. Unless good, solid loving homes could be secured for them it doesn't take a rocket scientist to imagine what may happen to them. Disgusting.

I just don't understand why breeders, that have owned mares that have produced for them for so long, and brought earnings to their farms, can so easily discard them when they're no longer productive. Just terrible. I know it's a business and these types of decisions are guided by money, but for god's sake it's time to take a couple hundred dollars and do what's right and in the best interest of the horse(s).

Where is the Jockey Club, the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, the upper crust of Thoroughbred Racing to allow this to happen?

THIS is the #1 thing that gives racing a bad name.

You will never convince me this is not the TRUE face of breeders of race horses, UNLESS the TB Associations that perpetuate the facade of romanticism about breeding, step up and get these mares a decent future or humanely euthanize them.

Come to think of it...where the heck is the CLASS of Keenland here? Why aren't they working to get these mares some help?

But BE WARNED...people that would put these aged mares (elegant ladies of racing) in a Keenland sale, might just as easily pull them from the sale and dump them in the nearest feedlot auction, if they are forced to pull them. On the other hand, maybe they are HOPING for someone to step up and give them a good future.

Seriously...the leaders of this industry need to step up and show some class and proper example here. This is disgusting.

Good God...even from a business sense, can't they take these mares as a write off? Good old Uncle Sam also perpetuates the cold and ugly side of this business. Yep..that's OUR government, punish people for doing right and working hard and reward 'em for being cold-hearted or lazy. And we wonder why everything is so cattywampus(sp)

[BJ]

BTW...Thank you Michael, for bringing this to light! Any others?

[Sysonby]

Ok am I missing something? Does putting them in the sale automatically mean that they will get bad homes? Couldn't Fayette Farm make a phone call now to send them down the road without the public admonishments not to mention the FT fees?

If these people have run out of money (and that's what it sounds like) what would you have them do? Get rid of them more quietly?

[BJ]

Ok am I missing something? Does putting them in the sale automatically mean that they will get bad homes? Couldn't Fayette Farm make a phone call now to send them down the road without the public admonishments not to mention the FT fees?

If these people have run out of money (and that's what it sounds like) what would you have them do? Get rid of them more quietly?

Call "Old Friends", "Our Mim's Retirement Haven" http://www.ourmims.org/, and any number of quality places that will take these mares and give them a dignified retirement.

I absolutely empathize with ANYONE who has to give up their horses due to lack of funds to continue to support them. But putting them in the Keenland Sale, AND paying the fees...does that seem like a sensible solution to "running out of money" and/or trying to find these mares a decent future?

I mean, logically speaking...and your question SURELY evokes logical thought...do you think the mare's have a good future going through the Keenland Sale, UNLESS it was a call for help and those that CAN, work to provide that help?

Also, Sysonby...this "mentality" that it is okay to dump old, barren broodmares into a public sale, hoping to get some money for them, from some person not bright enough to see the high risk of buying them, and then leaving the ultimate decision to try to find them a retirement or just dump them in the nearest feedlot TO SOMEONE ELSE...really bothers me.

WHEN will this industry take it upon THEMSELVES to address the IRRESPONSIBILITY and dishonesty in that for all of these horses?

How can anyone feel sorry for a person or entity, who shows so little responsibility, as a human being, to provide the best options for an OPTIONLESS ANIMAL? I'm speaking GENERALLY...not specifically as to these people or this situation...wanted to clarify that.

[CA Michael]

I discovered through a bit of research that all these mares belong to the GAINES-GENTRY partnership in Lexington. Their farm, part of the old George Widener place on Iron Works Pike, sits directly across from Spendthrift Farm. The sons of John Gaines (Gainesway) and Tom Gentry ( a KY legend) purchased each of these mares in the last decade and have sold yearlings from most of them.

I'd be very surprised if their decision to sell these mares is a result of a financial setback. Most likely they don't want the overhead of carrying them in retirement.

Interested in calling GAINES-GENTRY ? Try 859 231-1501

[madelyn]

Hold on here... this is just about the most STUPID business decision this outfit could make. It is $400 to put each mare in the catalog PLUS $350 when she goes through the ring, REGARDLESS of outcome (RNA $0)... WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?? Then there is sales prep, halter, etc. They could euthanize them for a couple of hundred a head and avoid all the bad press, not to mention how publicly embarrassing it will be to see these old gals getting no bids...

The only explanation I can come up with is F-T was hurting SO BAD for horses for this sale. I know because I'm taking five to it, and they left the catalog open until after the deadline had passed to get the reg. papers and stuff in to them! So they're in the mode right now of waiving penalties. So maybe they made these guys a deal on the catalog fees.

[Sysonby]

Also, Sysonby...this "mentality" that it is okay to dump old, barren broodmares into a public sale, hoping to get some money for them, by some person not bright enough to see the high risk of doing so, and then leaving the ultimate decision to try to find them a retirement or just dump them in the nearest feedlot TO SOMEONE ELSE...really bothers me.

I don't know what the situation is either with these mares but aren't you assuming someone else (besides yourself) will step up and take care of them? Do you know that Our Mims or Old Friends could actually accept the expense of a bunch of mares? Maybe this option has already been tried--I don't know, do you? Logically however, I'll bet that there's a reason beyond just the Snidely Whiplash twirling the moustache reason that you're implying. Maybe these people are just crumbs...but there are so many of these mares at the same time I wonder if there is a sudden cashflow problem.

Since you are so good at challenges and CAPITALIZING to demonstrate your OUTRAGE, why don't YOU put your money where your keyboard is and buy one of these mares? They are for sale you know and you can then donate the mare to the rescue of your choice.

[BJ]

Hold on here... this is just about the most STUPID business decision this outfit could make. It is $400 to put each mare in the catalog PLUS $350 when she goes through the ring, REGARDLESS of outcome (RNA $0)... WHAT ARE THEY THINKING?? Then there is sales prep, halter, etc. They could euthanize them for a couple of hundred a head and avoid all the bad press, not to mention how publicly embarrassing it will be to see these old gals getting no bids...

The only explanation I can come up with is F-T was hurting SO BAD for horses for this sale. I know because I'm taking five to it, and they left the catalog open until after the deadline had passed to get the reg. papers and stuff in to them! So they're in the mode right now of waiving penalties. So maybe they made these guys a deal on the catalog fees.

Maybe they (the sellers) are looking for the PAPER proof for a TAX write off! Remember the mare who the Bankruptcy Court thought might still be VALUABLE?????

This business is all about $$$. And I wouldn't have a problem with that IF we were buying and selling WIDGETS. But these are living, breathing animals that give so much to society, let alone the industry that takes so little responsibility for them!

[BJ]

Also, Sysonby...this "mentality" that it is okay to dump old, barren broodmares into a public sale, hoping to get some money for them, by some person not bright enough to see the high risk of doing so, and then leaving the ultimate decision to try to find them a retirement or just dump them in the nearest feedlot TO SOMEONE ELSE...really bothers me.

I don't know what the situation is either with these mares but aren't you assuming someone else (besides yourself) will step up and take care of them? Do you know that Our Mims or Old Friends could actually accept the expense of a bunch of mares? Maybe this option has already been tried--I don't know, do you? Logically however, I'll bet that there's a reason beyond just the Snidely Whiplash twirling the moustache reason that you're implying. Maybe these people are just crumbs...but there are so many of these mares at the same time I wonder if there is a sudden cashflow problem.

Since you are so good at challenges and CAPITALIZING to demonstrate your OUTRAGE, why don't YOU put your money where your keyboard is and buy one of these mares? They are for sale you know and you can then donate the mare to the rescue of your choice.

Sysonby,

I have put my money where my keyboard is MANY, MANY TIMES. If I had it...I WOULD! That is a fact provable 10 X over, with a lot less in my bank account than those who stand quietly by or put them in the sales. Thank you!

Maybe you could take up a collection from the industry leaders at the next CTBA Hall of Fame Awards and the Eclipse Awards. Bet there is no LACKING of funds in that group.

[BJ]

Since you are so good at challenges and CAPITALIZING to demonstrate your OUTRAGE, why don't YOU put your money where your keyboard is and buy one of these mares? They are for sale you know and you can then donate the mare to the rescue of your choice.

You call it demonstrating my outrage. I call it demonstrating the lack of humanity and reverence for the animal everyone seeks to exploit for $$$ and egotisical gain. Sorry that bothers you.

[madelyn]

Oh well. I will be at the sale, anyone who wants one of these ladies I'd be happy to represent you.

By the way, CA Michael beat me to the punch. I'd looked at the catalog and was just about to point out that Fayette Farm is JUST the agent, not the consignor.

[tammysinnett]

Oh Madelyn I so wish that I could have one....she would be spoiled rotten and she could tell our babies all the stories she told hers to make them great racers. My husband would absolutely divorce me.....so I have to pass......urrrrrrr