How much attention do buyers pay to cosmetic flaws, such as a big nasty scar on a hip or shoulder that resulted from general baby horse roughhousing? I.e., unsightly but highly unlikely to impact performance?
I’ve yet to see a yearling in this sale with a big nasty scar, but Saratoga is one of the very high end sales. Buyers at this level tend to be picky. 
I remember reading that Zenyatta had a skin condition, which may have contributed to her relatively low price at auction.
LaurieB would be the person to answer your question since she is in the business has attended many sales. Keeneland September is huge. I don’t if know a cosmetic issue would be enough to bump a yearling from book 1 or 2 but Laurie would know.
Some cosmetic flaws aren’t a big deal. But I wouldn’t send a horse with a big nasty scar to a yearling sale and expect it to bring a good price–not when it will be compared to 4,000+ other, unblemished, yearlings (at KeeSep, for example). A small scar in a place that obviously wouldn’t affect performance wouldn’t bother me.
Consider whether most people would pay a lot of money for a show hunter with a big nasty scar. Maybe…if the horse had already proven it was great at the job it needed to perform. But people who shop for yearlings are buying potential. So first impressions matter a lot.
1 Like
It’s not uncommon to skip yearling sales and wait for under tack sales (2 year old in training) if the horse has an unsightly blemish… where at least the horse can prove itself. Yearling sales prep is a pretty intense business.
2 Likes
American Pharaoh RNA’d at Saratoga, although technically he is listed as “sold” since his owner bought him. How do you factor in those situations?
Liam’s Map has very nice ones so far.
AP colt out of JZ Warrior RNA at 800k
AP/ Life at Ten filly is lovely.
MDO/La Verdad filly RNa at 775k
Curlin/Minnie Macy. Gorgeous!
What does RNA stand for? :o
1 Like
Reserve Not Achieved
Every time I watch the sales I am reminded of people who complain about today’s thoroughbreds and their conformation. They are obviously not paying attention to what is being produced…
2 Likes
I’m sure you saw that AP 1 mil colt?
Yes I did. Magnier bought him.
I’ve stopped commenting because there are so many really nice horses and I’m sure my babbling on about them is not doing anything for anyone. 
She’s a tank! $1.2M
Verrazano has some lovely ones.
The half-sister to Classic Empire went to John Oxley. Sticking with that family! I hope she’s a little more, um, even-tempered than her brother, lol.
LaurieB she’s lovely!
Shriek foal hammered down at $325,000.
1 Like
