Richter Scale
Moderators: Roguelet, hpkingjr, WaveMaster
Richter Scale
Did anyone notice how nice the one sold. I really liked him as a horse and a stallion, unfortunaely I did not breed to him as I am an inbreeder, not an out-crosser. As I remember him as a race horse, he always had bad feet, but never bad legs. Once they got him right, he was a missle. He always had a lot of ability. I think breeding him to a mare with good feet can produce a good winner.
I had a mare Trophy's Dream by Compliance out of Trophy Girl that I bred to him in 2004 but she unfortunately did not get in foal. I have heard a lot of nice things about him though.
Virtue shall be bound into the hair of thy forelock... I have given thee the power of flight without wings.
- The Koran
- The Koran
Joe,
I wouldn't hold much faith in that sale... remember, at these sales, things are not always what they appear. I cannot say more... Let's just say there was some manipulation of data... and that there was some chuckling going on among those who are usually in the know.
Also... the two complete head-scratchers... this Richter Scale and the $170,000 Devil His Due, were both consigned by the same person... whose other two entries brought $2500 and $12000. Hmmm......
Richter Scale was a speed demon and many of his foals seem to possess similar qualities. Unfortunately, he hasn't gotten a tremendous book of mares, and even his best foals have not been "truly" well received at the sales.
His Keeneland sale was fairly solid... although not spectacular... looks like the market thought they were worth about 2x his fee... with a couple a little better. What impressed me is that while he didn't have any "big" hits... he didn't have any big losers either. That type of consistency tells me that while the market may not be excited by him, he produces pretty consistent foals with very few major flaws.
I liked some of his foals and think they will be pretty productive. Right now, I believe he might be a good fit into the "breed to race" program.
I wouldn't hold much faith in that sale... remember, at these sales, things are not always what they appear. I cannot say more... Let's just say there was some manipulation of data... and that there was some chuckling going on among those who are usually in the know.
Also... the two complete head-scratchers... this Richter Scale and the $170,000 Devil His Due, were both consigned by the same person... whose other two entries brought $2500 and $12000. Hmmm......
Richter Scale was a speed demon and many of his foals seem to possess similar qualities. Unfortunately, he hasn't gotten a tremendous book of mares, and even his best foals have not been "truly" well received at the sales.
His Keeneland sale was fairly solid... although not spectacular... looks like the market thought they were worth about 2x his fee... with a couple a little better. What impressed me is that while he didn't have any "big" hits... he didn't have any big losers either. That type of consistency tells me that while the market may not be excited by him, he produces pretty consistent foals with very few major flaws.
I liked some of his foals and think they will be pretty productive. Right now, I believe he might be a good fit into the "breed to race" program.
I had the richter scale vetted (he is a beautiful horse) and my vet failed him on xrays. Bad chip fracture of left hind ankle in a bad spot (inoperable). Chuckled to myself when I saw who bought it and for what price.
I also bid on the Devil his Due(up to $120000). Thought I was overpaying at that level.He is a nice horse but that consigners horses looked so good that it was eerie.
I also bid on the Devil his Due(up to $120000). Thought I was overpaying at that level.He is a nice horse but that consigners horses looked so good that it was eerie.
Many years ago, I bought Rcihter Scale's dam at Sunland Park, NM, for $1500, based only on the fact that her half sister had produced Best Pal. She only barely survived the trip to KY because her joints were so painful. I foolishly sold her the next year in KY, only to have her return to California and produce Richter Scale to the cover of Habitony (Best Pal's sire). His stud fee was only $2500 at the time.
If only we could see the future like Dan Rather.
If only we could see the future like Dan Rather.
err... Michael... for once I have to say... what were you thinking!?!
You bought a mare because of what her half sister produced, then you didn't follow the successful pattern laid out infront of you? If it works... use it. Of course, 90% of all breeders probably would have done the same thing you did.
I am uncertain whether it be our egos telling us we can do better, our rational and methodical nature telling us something is an exception rather than the rule, or our financial focus telling us that breeding to a stallion such as Habitony is probably not going to be profitable, but something tends to lead us away from the obvious. Of course, the market often will refuse to recognize the accomplishments of a magical mating with a "lesser" stallion. I have seen it time and again where such a mating produced a stakes winner, was repeated, and the market overlooked and otherwise refused to reward the breeder. Go figure.
You bought a mare because of what her half sister produced, then you didn't follow the successful pattern laid out infront of you? If it works... use it. Of course, 90% of all breeders probably would have done the same thing you did.
I am uncertain whether it be our egos telling us we can do better, our rational and methodical nature telling us something is an exception rather than the rule, or our financial focus telling us that breeding to a stallion such as Habitony is probably not going to be profitable, but something tends to lead us away from the obvious. Of course, the market often will refuse to recognize the accomplishments of a magical mating with a "lesser" stallion. I have seen it time and again where such a mating produced a stakes winner, was repeated, and the market overlooked and otherwise refused to reward the breeder. Go figure.
KAL,
At the time I was thinking "I can hardly wait for this sale to end!" I had sold 4 or 5 mares with big stud fees in them and was losing $ on all but one of them. I'm ashamed to tell you the mares I've also sold which have gone on to make me look like an idiot for moving them on. But, on the whole, I'm glad I've sold every horse I have, because the bad ones that got away still outnumber the good ones, like Richter Scale's dam.
It's always smart to remember that most horse investments lose money; its only the rare one which results in black ink. As the years progress, I have become pickier and pickier about the ones I keep because, like most people, I've learned best what I've learned through the costliest lessons!
At the time I was thinking "I can hardly wait for this sale to end!" I had sold 4 or 5 mares with big stud fees in them and was losing $ on all but one of them. I'm ashamed to tell you the mares I've also sold which have gone on to make me look like an idiot for moving them on. But, on the whole, I'm glad I've sold every horse I have, because the bad ones that got away still outnumber the good ones, like Richter Scale's dam.
It's always smart to remember that most horse investments lose money; its only the rare one which results in black ink. As the years progress, I have become pickier and pickier about the ones I keep because, like most people, I've learned best what I've learned through the costliest lessons!
Michael,
No... my reference to "What were you thinking?" Had nothing to do with selling her... heck, I believe in culling, and get teased about culling before I even by them...
What I was referring to was that you didn't send her to Habitony... using Best Pal as a template. However, like I said... most breeders would have probably done the same.
In reference to ones who got away... I was either the immediate underbidder or one before that for Bendita at Diane Perkins dispersal. At $4500, I would have bought her... but, since I was on an extremely limited budget (wife was ticked that I was already 3 horses over limit), and there was a much, much, younger filly (carrying her first foal) which I thought would provide a more commercial "looking" foal... I let Bendita go. I remarked to my friend that whoever got her probably got a steal... then happily proceeded to have another drink on Mrs. Perkins, and buy the younger mare I wanted.
Well... Bendita may now be 19 and my filly 7, but she is also the dam of two of the best turf horses in the U.S., while my mare's first foal was a virtual giveaway, her brothers (who were supposed to help pedigree) both broke down, and the strong connections which controlled other parts of her family, sold them. Thanks! Well... at least I have a young mare...
but, I sure would have liked to have had Bendita in the band... I imagine her foals will sell a little better than mine!
No... my reference to "What were you thinking?" Had nothing to do with selling her... heck, I believe in culling, and get teased about culling before I even by them...
What I was referring to was that you didn't send her to Habitony... using Best Pal as a template. However, like I said... most breeders would have probably done the same.
In reference to ones who got away... I was either the immediate underbidder or one before that for Bendita at Diane Perkins dispersal. At $4500, I would have bought her... but, since I was on an extremely limited budget (wife was ticked that I was already 3 horses over limit), and there was a much, much, younger filly (carrying her first foal) which I thought would provide a more commercial "looking" foal... I let Bendita go. I remarked to my friend that whoever got her probably got a steal... then happily proceeded to have another drink on Mrs. Perkins, and buy the younger mare I wanted.
Well... Bendita may now be 19 and my filly 7, but she is also the dam of two of the best turf horses in the U.S., while my mare's first foal was a virtual giveaway, her brothers (who were supposed to help pedigree) both broke down, and the strong connections which controlled other parts of her family, sold them. Thanks! Well... at least I have a young mare...
but, I sure would have liked to have had Bendita in the band... I imagine her foals will sell a little better than mine!
Allright, one of Bendita's stars is Better Talk Now. Who's the other one?
Look at the APR at an ordinary mare named Rajab's Treasure, whose best progeny were by an ordinary stallion named Winrightt. See how she did with Seattle Slew, Blushing John, and Rahy. Nothing to sneeze at, but not the same quality at all.
Look at the APR at an ordinary mare named Rajab's Treasure, whose best progeny were by an ordinary stallion named Winrightt. See how she did with Seattle Slew, Blushing John, and Rahy. Nothing to sneeze at, but not the same quality at all.
Rocking H
Henthorn, B.A. Way. Also a Perkins breeding (Lasting Approval).
Michael, no... too young for Seattle Slew. Friend called after the Breeders Cup and "reminded" me of my decision to pass on the "older mare".
However, I can assure everyone that Better Talk Now's final furlong was powered primarily by my "enthusiasm" from here in Missouri. I am so glad no one else was here, as I pretty much went nuts when they turned for home. I wasn't even that "into it" when we had horses on the track.
The reason I was rooting for someone elses horse out of a mare someone else owns? Simple... his win, his and his dam's success, gave me a real shot in the arm that my research and evaluation techniques have some merit. I was close to owning THAT mare... and while I chose not to pursue her in favor of another, she was one of 5 in that sale in which I was interested, and one of only 3 which I felt I could afford. I guess you take your victories where you can get them... and for a few minutes on Saturday, Better Talk Now and Bendita made me feel pretty smart, even though I wasn't quite smart enough to have bought her. Also, it reinforced something else... Mrs. Perkins stock was of much better quality than it often showed on track or in the sales ring. Now that others own the mares and fillies, I think you will see more and more of those Wimborne pedigrees show up in the winners circle (and eventually for decent money in the sales ring.)
Interestingly, the mare I purchased instead of Bendita, has a 1/2 sister who I now own also. Her sire is Talkin' Man... and he was a major reason she fell so cheap. I bread this Talkin' Man mare to More Than Ready... just as they did with Bendita (which, ironically, was one of the stallions I liked for her when I was considering buying her). Interesting world...
Michael, no... too young for Seattle Slew. Friend called after the Breeders Cup and "reminded" me of my decision to pass on the "older mare".
However, I can assure everyone that Better Talk Now's final furlong was powered primarily by my "enthusiasm" from here in Missouri. I am so glad no one else was here, as I pretty much went nuts when they turned for home. I wasn't even that "into it" when we had horses on the track.
The reason I was rooting for someone elses horse out of a mare someone else owns? Simple... his win, his and his dam's success, gave me a real shot in the arm that my research and evaluation techniques have some merit. I was close to owning THAT mare... and while I chose not to pursue her in favor of another, she was one of 5 in that sale in which I was interested, and one of only 3 which I felt I could afford. I guess you take your victories where you can get them... and for a few minutes on Saturday, Better Talk Now and Bendita made me feel pretty smart, even though I wasn't quite smart enough to have bought her. Also, it reinforced something else... Mrs. Perkins stock was of much better quality than it often showed on track or in the sales ring. Now that others own the mares and fillies, I think you will see more and more of those Wimborne pedigrees show up in the winners circle (and eventually for decent money in the sales ring.)
Interestingly, the mare I purchased instead of Bendita, has a 1/2 sister who I now own also. Her sire is Talkin' Man... and he was a major reason she fell so cheap. I bread this Talkin' Man mare to More Than Ready... just as they did with Bendita (which, ironically, was one of the stallions I liked for her when I was considering buying her). Interesting world...
KAL, too young for Slew? I didn't think you were such a puppy!
It is nice to see your research methods validated. Makes it seem worth the while after doing so much homework. I like to keep my conformation scores of young horses, then check back on them in a few years. Of course, the first Keeneland ylng sale I attended (1971) produced Mr. Prospector, who I rated low because of his forelegs. He wasn't the last the big mistake I made, either. Remembering my foibles keeps my ego in check when I think I know too much!
It is nice to see your research methods validated. Makes it seem worth the while after doing so much homework. I like to keep my conformation scores of young horses, then check back on them in a few years. Of course, the first Keeneland ylng sale I attended (1971) produced Mr. Prospector, who I rated low because of his forelegs. He wasn't the last the big mistake I made, either. Remembering my foibles keeps my ego in check when I think I know too much!