I was just checking in to see if anyone attended the sale and had any thoughts. I wasn't able to attend. The results appear to be down across the board, which is somehwat troubling (particularly for someone just getting back in the breeding business like me). Is this indicative of the quality of yearlings offerred, status of CA racing generally, or maybe tied to other economic factors, such as the big downturn in housing here. Maybe CA is turning into more of a breed-to-race climate than breed-to-sell.
Pav
Barretts/CTBA Yearling Sale
Moderators: Roguelet, WaveMaster, madelyn
Well, I think there's a basic problem with the California breeding industry: namely, the idea seems to be to breed non-commercial mares to non-commercial stallions and then - and this is my favorite part - put the resulting foals in commercial venues with high expectations and even higher reserves. The thinking is "I really don't want [like] this yearling but I sure don't want to take a loss so I need to get all my money back plus a profit." It's an interesting business plan. Surprisingly, it seldom works. Odd, you know, because it would seem that a $2500 mare bred to a $2500 stallion would produce a $20,000 yearling.
So, if you want to be a commercial breeder in California, my advice is to buy a quality mare and try to produce quality foals. (This approach will make you stand out from the crowd.) More than likely, you'll have to find the two or three quality stallions who are in California or breed in Kentucky and bring mares to foal in California. And perhaps the key to breeding on a successful commercial level is . . . try to sell a horse that someone (including you) would actually want to own.
So, if you want to be a commercial breeder in California, my advice is to buy a quality mare and try to produce quality foals. (This approach will make you stand out from the crowd.) More than likely, you'll have to find the two or three quality stallions who are in California or breed in Kentucky and bring mares to foal in California. And perhaps the key to breeding on a successful commercial level is . . . try to sell a horse that someone (including you) would actually want to own.
Couldn't attend and attempted to view online via their website but the site was a disaster that day. Tech problems; site timed out over and over etc.
Yes there were uncommercial offerings. Archer your post is spot on. I also think there is much uncertainty in California racing and IMO the economics are way out of sink to attract or sustain or grow the ownership end. Therefore auction sales suffer.
The upcoming Barrett's October Mixed Sale ought to be an interesting venue. Golden Eagle major reduction consignment; well over 600 lots. That's mucho horses for a weak buyer base.
Yes there were uncommercial offerings. Archer your post is spot on. I also think there is much uncertainty in California racing and IMO the economics are way out of sink to attract or sustain or grow the ownership end. Therefore auction sales suffer.
The upcoming Barrett's October Mixed Sale ought to be an interesting venue. Golden Eagle major reduction consignment; well over 600 lots. That's mucho horses for a weak buyer base.