What was the reasoning in moving this sale so close to Barrett's? Won't this hurt the lesser Nor CA sale?
Doesn't make much sense to some of us. Anyone have any insights?
Why is CTBA Nor CA sale a Week Before Barrett's?
Moderators: Roguelet, WaveMaster, madelyn
Unfortunately, the whole state of flux in Northern California has turned into a stack of tumbling dominoes.
With one or both tracks -- Golden Gate and Bay Meadows -- originally scheduled to install their synthetic surfaces this summer/early fall, there was going to be a shortage of stalls for horses in the area. So CTBA rescheduled their Northern California sale to better accommodate the temporarily homeless horses. Now that it looks like the Bay Meadows project will be put on hold, that track can now take the overflow of horses from Golden Gate. But the sale has already been planned, so CTBA is stuck with the new date!
The shenanigans of this Yee person have had some major repercussions in more ways than one.
With one or both tracks -- Golden Gate and Bay Meadows -- originally scheduled to install their synthetic surfaces this summer/early fall, there was going to be a shortage of stalls for horses in the area. So CTBA rescheduled their Northern California sale to better accommodate the temporarily homeless horses. Now that it looks like the Bay Meadows project will be put on hold, that track can now take the overflow of horses from Golden Gate. But the sale has already been planned, so CTBA is stuck with the new date!
The shenanigans of this Yee person have had some major repercussions in more ways than one.
Re: s
tbrace wrote:Very helpful, Sierra,
Thanks for the insights. Too bad. Most people will not go to Nor Cal, I am afraid.
You're welcome!
I hope the sale's attendance doesn't suffer too much. They have had some really good graduates in its short existence -- major stakes winners such as Leesider and Bai and Bai, for example.
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CA Michael
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There will always be a demand in California for the cream of the crop, especially those Cal bred yearlings which were conceived in KY. But, if you examine the economics of our yearling sales, it doesn't bode well for the majority of breeders. There are 50% fewer owners and trainers today than 20 years ago, and more of them find it more rewarding to catch a cheap flight to Kentucky in September for their buying. Arizona and Texas buyers have all but disappeared; New Mexicans want their own state-breds. Although the dollar is very weak, few foreigners pass through Pomona, and regular buyers seem to appear less often on sale result sheets. God knows the pinhookers will be there, but they are the buyers competing for the cream.
The Pleasanton sale will likely be hit hard this year because of Mr. Liebau and his friends. I've spoken with a lot of owners who simply won't run horses at Bay Meadows unless the track is fixed. They won't be buying much since they don't know where they are likely to run in 2008 and beyond.
Although I am normally optimistic about these things, I believe California is looking at a tough year. If the Governor signs Sen. Florez' bill to raise purses by about $40 million the outlook will improve. We can only hope that there's some good breaking news before the yearling sales begin.
The Pleasanton sale will likely be hit hard this year because of Mr. Liebau and his friends. I've spoken with a lot of owners who simply won't run horses at Bay Meadows unless the track is fixed. They won't be buying much since they don't know where they are likely to run in 2008 and beyond.
Although I am normally optimistic about these things, I believe California is looking at a tough year. If the Governor signs Sen. Florez' bill to raise purses by about $40 million the outlook will improve. We can only hope that there's some good breaking news before the yearling sales begin.
Convictions without Courage are worthless