selection process

[Simengineer]

Does anyone know what are the criteria for getting into a select session at Keeneland? Is there a physical inspection done?

[Morningside]

pedigree and physical inspection.

[Simengineer]

Any speculations as to what constitutes a select pedigree and conformation?

With first year stallions and unraced broodmares it's not simply a matter of proven production. There is obviously more black type on the catalog page of something in the first book as opposed to the last book, but what distinguishes the first book from the second?

I understand that the books are closed months in advance of the sale, and with yearlings they change quite rapidly. That makes it understandable how you can get a bad vetting in the select portion. But does a representative from Keeneland actually come to the farm and inspect the foal?

[Morningside]

yeah, keeneland inspectors usually go visit the farms a couple times before they determine placements. you can request to be in book 1 or book 2, but it's up to keeneland to make the final call.
as far as difference between book 1 and book 2 - think about it - if you have a really nice silver deputy, you dont really want him in book 1, otherwise he'll just be lost among all the storm cats, ap indys and distorted humors...

[Simengineer]

Thanks Morningside,

I feel I have a much better understanding now.

[LB]

Most of the big consignors have been doing this for so long that they know which book their yearlings belong in. They can also generally anticpate what sorts of changes the yearlings will go through before sales time. So they send a letter to Keeneland telling them who they have and where they want them. Then the Keeneland team comes and has a look.

Placement is made on a combination of physical and pedigree. In general, it's better to be too far back in the sale--and be a stand-out--than it is to be too far forward, when buyers are only looking for hgher quality horses.

[KMO_racing]

I also believe be the big fish in a little pond, brings you better results. I do believe a good horse will sell wheather it is hip #1 in the middle or the last horse in the sale. Buyers will seek & find a gem.

[merse]

I do believe a good horse will sell wheather it is hip #1 in the middle or the last horse in the sale. Buyers will seek & find a gem.

I don't agree with you. I think that the later in a sale a horse is placed, the fewer buyers are available and also fewer lookers. As a buyer with limited resources, I have bought horses that were ranked lower on my overall "buy" list because they were placed earlier in the sale than a horse I liked better. It was simply a matter of "grabbing this one while I can" and not wanting to risk waiting and being outbid on the horse I preferred. I missed out on a Quiet American mare a couple years ago because I thought she would go above my budget but, in the end, I could have had her...Monday morning quarterbacking at its best.