tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2599312760559393858.post7606805029302742740..comments2009-02-25T20:25:30.811-05:00Thoroughbred Timeshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07505501317110881454noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2599312760559393858.post-56993037976855100982009-02-25T19:08:00.000-05:002009-02-25T19:08:00.000-05:00It is fair to say all breeding stock sales (with the possible exception of FT November) had serious problems this last selling season. It is also naive to believe that only regional sales will be affected by the new economy. One only has to look at the percentage of foals and/or yearlings that are sold for a profit in Kentucky to realize this is going to be a problem everywhere.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2599312760559393858.post-53827148060536396782008-12-17T10:08:00.000-05:002008-12-17T10:08:00.000-05:00Mandy- the regional sales had a really rough year in '08, particulatrly the breeding stock sales. There's little or no demand for low-end breeding stock, and several of those sales will disappear from the calendar in 2009.<BR/><BR/>The regional yearling sales will struggle with the bad economy, but I think the breeding and sales industries in California, Florida, New York, and the Midlantic can weather this storm. I'd like to see a few more of the regional breeders put their good horses in their regional sale instead of shipping to Kentucky.<BR/><BR/>Buyers will find quality horses whatever sale they are in, and more often than not the big fish in a small pond strategy seems to work out.Pete Denkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06989887522791571581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2599312760559393858.post-68573485219731494902008-12-16T23:21:00.000-05:002008-12-16T23:21:00.000-05:00Patrick- A good incentive program can have a positive, sometimes dramatic impact on a state's racing and breeding industries.<BR/><BR/>Look at how Louisiana and Pennsylvania are growing under the opportunities their statebred programs are presenting.<BR/><BR/>New York has an excellent statebred program and a viable commercial market for New York-bred horses. (I could do with a few less NY-bred races when I'm playing Saratoga)<BR/><BR/>Likewise, a weak or non-existent incentive program can put a state at a competitive disadvantage.<BR/><BR/>In the case of Illinois, purses have been stagnant for years, and the breeding industry is emaciated.<BR/><BR/>But honestly, the Illinois-bred purses, stakes program, and bonuses for winning in open company are pretty good. If you breed a decent Illinois-bred horse, you can do ok.<BR/><BR/>When I look at the Illinois program, I see decent earning opportunties and the ability to breed to out-of-state (Kentucky) sires and drop the foals in Illinois.<BR/><BR/>The Illinois model does not provide much incentive to create a breeding industry, but it does give some hope for the bottom line of owners who breed (or buy) a decent Illinois-bred.<BR/><BR/>The goal should be to breed a horse that can win in open company, but statebred purses are a good fall-back.Pete Denkhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06989887522791571581noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2599312760559393858.post-74898425148697761852008-12-16T20:55:00.000-05:002008-12-16T20:55:00.000-05:00is it fair to say, in this climate, states like illinois which have terrible owner/breeder incentives to begin with will suffer greater than others?Patrickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03382013051514930939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2599312760559393858.post-25584299026954396632008-12-16T10:01:00.000-05:002008-12-16T10:01:00.000-05:00It sounds like everyone is having a tough time of it lately. If major Kentucky auctions are having problems, I can only imagine it is worse for the more regional outfits. Do you think there is anything they can do, or is it a wait it out kind of situation?Mandynoreply@blogger.com