I have to say I found it disheartening to read the experts’ remarks about the Beholder colt. It was all about what an exciting stallion prospect he is. Maybe we should find out if he can run first? I know, it’s all about the sales ring and a quick turnaround these days.
I will say one positive thing for Zedan: he runs his horses. Many would have retired Country Grammer after 2022.
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I think that is why he is a stallion “prospect”, because he’s a yearling. He has a stallion’s pedigree so if he can run it will be exciting.
That colt is likely more valuable today than he ever will be. He might end up being a grade 1 winner and go to stud with a good stud fee but I wouldnt bet on it.
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Nor would I. I understand that he has great potential, but 3M plus for a yearling is quite the investment in “potential”.
And now some “experts” are chiming in with comments that he has a club foot (left front–I am not knowledgeable to be able to comment); that his knees are bad (ditto, I can’t tell) and that he has a quarter-crack (how would they know?). Good thing the colt can’t read.
He’s probably running Country Grammer because he has little stud value. He would likely end up overseas, or regional at best.
I hate to harp on “the old days”, but horsemen used to say they were anticipating a well-bred prospect’s career on the track. Tacitly implied was an exciting start at stud, because that’s the logical course of events should expectations be met or surpassed and the horse achieve lofty heights as a runner.
@Maythehorsebewithme - I know you probably know this, but the experts I mentioned were the people quoted in the trade publications who were interviewed at the sale. Not the Facebook bloodstock geniuses, one of whom suggested recently that Beholder be bred to Into Mischief. 
I know what you mean, but I wonder how many 3.2M dollar yearlings were being sold back in the day.
They are probably hoping for a lucrative stallion career however, Zedan has money to burn and wants to win the Kentucky Derby. He didn’t strike me as someone as interested in breeding as he is in buying.
You might be surprised. I wish I could find a list of Northern Dancer’s yearling prices. Oddly the most expensive yearling ever was a half brother to Seattle Slew, by Nijinsky II, sold for a bit over 13 million. Northern Dancer himself had a 10 million dollar yearling, I think several at around 5 million, and lots between 1 and 5 million. In 1984 he had 12 yearlings sell for an average of over 3 million.
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I am surprised! Thanks for the information.
Would you hazard a guess as to whether the pricey yearlings of yesteryear were bought with breeding in mind, or for their racing potential? I would guess both, pretty much like today.
I think the more things change, the more they stay the same. The thing about Northern Dancer was his sons were spectacularly successful as sires, whether they were good runners or not, so even at those prices, they had value as stallions somewhere if they werent stakes winners.
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Thanks. I thought the consideration of breeding value must be somewhat involved in very high dollar purchases, though I get the impression that Zedan isn’t very interested in breeding his own horses. That is unlike al Maktoum who also aspires to a derby win, but has enormous resources invested into breeding his own.
Seattle Dancer was a Group 3 winner and Gr.1 placed, and he was an OK though inconsistent sire. He did sire KY Oaks winner Pike Place Dancer.
The first 8-figure yearling was by Northern Dancer; his name was Snaafi Dancer and he was, I think, purchased by one of the Maktoums for $10 million. He turned out to be so slow in his works that the connections decided to avoid the embarrassment of racing him and sent him off to stud at some remote location. The final reminder that pedigree and conformation are no guarantee of anything came when he proved to be sterile.
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Some people’s enthusiasm and/or discontent about modern TB breeding often seems to exceed their knowledge.
At least people care somewhat, however, agreed that anyone who actually gives a damn should take a good look at available pedigree information of modern TB horses before complaining about them.
That is a history of the Keeneland July Sale, which used to be the boutique premier yearling sale. That sale isnt held anymore, and I believe it morphed into the Keeneland Sept. Sale.
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I did not see the Beholder colt in person but I have seen several videos and photos of him outside the barn. My one complaint about him isn’t his feet; He looks to have decent feet from my eyes and I am sure he is overseen regularly by a great farrier to curb any known issues
My one complaint is how long in the front pasterns he is. If you can find a photo of him stood up square in the front, it is very obvious
But these guys are yearlings and they all have a lot of growing to do. Time will tell. I think he’s very handsome and exciting but I wouldn’t want my 4 million walking around on 4 legs like an accident waiting to happen.
Thanks for posting these!
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