Finding an OTTB in CA?

[EmilyF]

Hi all, looking for resources/advice on where to find TBs in California. I’m looking for a project to retrain either in dressage or jumping (depending on the horses talent) - I’ve retrained a couple of racehorses before so this isn’t my first rodeo - but in England I would go to the auctions in Newmarket to buy them. Here in CA you seem to need to be connected in some way to the trainers.

I’m looking to buy, not interested at all in adoptions so that rules out several of the rehoming charities. I have been keeping my eye on the CANTER listings but they don’t have anything that piques my interest at the moment. Anyone have any connections or suggestions of who else to contact? Should I just head over to Golden Gate Fields?

[Training_Cupid]

Hi Emily! I recommend you contact Ellen Jackson at Victory Rose Thoroughbreds: http://www.victoryrose.com/ She normally has a few nice horses transitioning out of racing careers, and they are at a farm in Vacaville instead of the track so you have the opportunity to get on them. Most of them she bred and trained herself. I got my 3 y/o from her and he has a lovely temperament and great ground manners. Feel free to PM me if you want more info.

CANTER will also likely have more listings coming up now that the fair season is over and with winter coming.

[Training_Cupid]

Also to add, probably not worth your while going to GGF if you don’t know anyone there. They won’t let you in without credentials. I believe the biggest thoroughbred auction in northern CA is in August so you just missed it.

[EmilyF]

Thanks, I have a feeling I’ve driven past their place before - I’ll give her a call. Just out of curiosity, where is the TB auction? I’ve never heard of one locally before.

[arbiter]

Is Thoroughbred Friends (near Davis) still going?

[PeteyPie]

This is kind of odd sounding, and maybe a little wacky but I love this horse and think you should check him out:
http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=7404251&registry=T

He was claimed from a friend of mine and I love his pedigree:
http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=7404251

I’ll bet if you were to call or send a note to Jerry Hollendorfer’s barn that you are interested in retraining this horse for a new job, Hollendorfer would be amenable. I say that not because I know Jerry Hollendorfer or his partners, but because the horse is nearing the end of his career and trainers do like to see a horse end up well. I realize that this might be a little far-fetched, but don’t you love that pedigree?

You can see from his career that he has been sound and athletic, although who knows at this point? A vet exam would be in order.

[foggybok]

[QUOTE=arbiter;7765491]
Is Thoroughbred Friends (near Davis) still going?[/QUOTE]

here’s his site. It would be well worth contacting him. He does have connections with trainers.

http://www.tbfriends.com/index.php

[Training_Cupid]

[QUOTE=EmilyF;7765277]
Thanks, I have a feeling I’ve driven past their place before - I’ll give her a call. Just out of curiosity, where is the TB auction? I’ve never heard of one locally before.[/QUOTE]

Pleasanton. Here’s the catalog from this year’s sale: http://www.ctba.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/NoCal-SalesResults-2014.pdf

I used to volunteer with CANTER, though unfortunately have not been able to do so in the last few years. In my experience Hollendorfer was one of the more ellusive trainers.

Good luck and report back if you find one! Which side of the bay are you on?

[Jarrn]

CANTER has some nice looking horses too

[clint]

Here is the CANTER link: http://www.canterusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&layout=blog&id=34&Itemid=53 There are both trainer listings for sale and CANTER rescues available for adoption. It covers Northern and Southern California.

[clint]

I fell in love with this mare when she first came onto the CANTER listings. I think you should go get her: http://www.canterusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10401:ithadtobeyou&catid=41:n-cal-trainer-listings&Itemid=61

[EmilyF]

She is a cutie for sure!! I emailed the CANTER people a few days ago and haven’t heard anything back yet. I’m also struggling to get hold of Joe at TB friends, I’ve left a few messages…

Clint, I’m assuming you are Jane? We met the other day - with the loose horse on Morgan territory.

[clint]

When I was looking at a CANTER horse awhile ago, I contacted the trainer directly. I don’t know about Joe; he quit his blog a few years ago.

Yes, I’m Jane. The loose horse with the happy ending.

[RockstarPony]

Try texting Joe - he might take a while but he usually responds eventually. I work near his place & I know he still has a bunch of horses.

Nicole Weakley-Olsen gallops at GGF & always has a few projects at her place in Vacaville, I’m sure she could find you a couple nice ones. The trainers at GGF know her & if she knows the horse she can tell you a little bit about their history and what their personality is like; she’s a great person to help bridge the gap between their racing life and where they go next. http://www.retiredracehorsetraining.org/sources-all/3771-classic-farm-ottbs

[La_Gringa]

There is a really nice horse right now on the California Listings…Marley (Three Little Birds) I’m not sure if he is still available… but he’s nice

[Flypony]

[QUOTE=PeteyPie;7765506]
This is kind of odd sounding, and maybe a little wacky but I love this horse and think you should check him out:
http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=7404251&registry=T

He was claimed from a friend of mine and I love his pedigree:
http://www.equineline.com/Free-5X-Pedigree.cfm?page_state=ORDER_AND_CONFIRM&reference_number=7404251

I’ll bet if you were to call or send a note to Jerry Hollendorfer’s barn that you are interested in retraining this horse for a new job, Hollendorfer would be amenable. I say that not because I know Jerry Hollendorfer or his partners, but because the horse is nearing the end of his career and trainers do like to see a horse end up well. I realize that this might be a little far-fetched, but don’t you love that pedigree?

You can see from his career that he has been sound and athletic, although who knows at this point? A vet exam would be in order.[/QUOTE]
Do not phone Jerry and ask for this horse, he is running for 14k no where near the bottom at GGF. And if you ask to vet him as well, you’ll be run off with a pitchfork.

[FalseImpression]

[QUOTE=EmilyF;7767943]
She is a cutie for sure!! I emailed the CANTER people a few days ago and haven’t heard anything back yet. I’m also struggling to get hold of Joe at TB friends, I’ve left a few messages…

Clint, I’m assuming you are Jane? We met the other day - with the loose horse on Morgan territory.[/QUOTE]

I think he is often on Twitter… may be even easier to get him that way. I gave up following him when he started Twitter…

[PeteyPie]

[QUOTE=Flypony;7768494]
Do not phone Jerry and ask for this horse, he is running for 14k no where near the bottom at GGF. And if you ask to vet him as well, you’ll be run off with a pitchfork.[/QUOTE]

Well then, she could send a note. I don’t think OP is interested, though. But if the note expressed interest in buying this horse I still think the trainer might consider it; the horse hasn’t done better than one 2nd place finish in the past twelve months and he has only earned $2,145 this year. He’s not earning his keep and he’s nine years old. I am sure the trainer will be dropping this gelding down in claims pretty soon in hopes of dumping him. That’s just business.

[Flypony]

[QUOTE=PeteyPie;7768674]
Well then, she could send a note. I don’t think OP is interested, though. But if the note expressed interest in buying this horse I still think the trainer might consider it; the horse hasn’t done better than one 2nd place finish in the past twelve months and he has only earned $2,145 this year. He’s not earning his keep and he’s nine years old. I am sure the trainer will be dropping this gelding down in claims pretty soon in hopes of dumping him. That’s just business.[/QUOTE]
He’s got conditions as long as that man can win a race… you wont get the horse. That’s just horse racing.

[digihorse]

There is a SUPER nice horse on Canter in N.Cal right now. MatthewL. I’d check him out in a heartbeat.
http://www.canterusa.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10738:matthew-l&catid=41:n-cal-trainer-listings&Itemid=61