Chelsea Flower wrote:Westover I am confused by your post. The yearling did not sell and did not have a reserve. I'm guessing that is your spin on no bid. Shocked? How could you not know going into the ring that your yearling would not sell? Consignors know before the horse goes to the ring how much action the horse has had, vetting, looks, etc. Most consignors will make a late scratch to save their clients a little bit of money. I noticed on one of your other posts that you are trying to get rid of the mare. I'm sorry but horses that don't even get a bid are train wrecks and a waste of everyone's time and money.Most people are knowledgeable enough to scratch the horse from the sale. Incidentally, having a brother as "one of the best looking pony horses at Woodbine" does not equal a profitable sale. I'm not trying to be rude but your post makes absolutely no sense.
You're confused by Westover; I'm confused by your post. During the whole second week of this current Keeneland sale, there have been many yearlings heading up to the sales with with low or no reserve. Perhaps some are trainwrecks, but many are not. In this market, breeders are needing to move stock along whether it's cost-effective for them or not.
And while consignors know how much action their horses have had, they are also knowledgeable enough to understand that a good looking yearling can pick up bidders and buyers in the back walking ring. These last days many buyers aren't even bothering to walk back to the barns.
I would venture to say that the number of people who know before their horse goes into the ring whether or not it will sell is miniscule--at every level, high and low.
FYI, scratching a horse from the sale once it's on the grounds at Keeneland saves the seller no money at all--which is why most of them go through the ring.