. . . Vague about reason, but stallions to stay in the state.
http://www.paulickreport.com/news/bloodstock/lanes-end-texas-close-stallions-stay-state-valor-farm/
I saw this earlier today and had a few thoughts:
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The reason is probably the state of Texas horse racing on top of what everyone else in the business is experiencing. Too much uncertainty, especially in TX.
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I swear this is not the first time they’ve announced/threatened closing the Texas branch. My memory is fuzzy, but I’ve always had the impression it was more a vestige of Farish’s Texas pride and never particularly viable or financially sound.
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I looked at some of their mares being dispersed at the TX mixed sale and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of their pages (not so much their produce records). One out of a stakes winning daughter of Up the Flagpole, a couple Kingmambos, and an AP Indy… It’ll be interesting to see what they bring.
[QUOTE=Texarkana;8763705]
I saw this earlier today and had a few thoughts:
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The reason is probably the state of Texas horse racing on top of what everyone else in the business is experiencing. Too much uncertainty, especially in TX.
-
I swear this is not the first time they’ve announced/threatened closing the Texas branch. My memory is fuzzy, but I’ve always had the impression it was more a vestige of Farish’s Texas pride and never particularly viable or financially sound.
-
I looked at some of their mares being dispersed at the TX mixed sale and I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of their pages (not so much their produce records). One out of a stakes winning daughter of Up the Flagpole, a couple Kingmambos, and an AP Indy… It’ll be interesting to see what they bring.[/QUOTE]
No doubt about it. The debate in TX about horse racing’s future has been lively for many years. I recall a thread on another website that lasted into the hundreds of pages before it fizzled abruptly a few years back. Forty seven percent of all matings occur annually in KY. Doesn’t leave much room for optimism on the part of the 49 other states.
As usual, all your points are well taken.
Only 47%? Is that for just Texas?
2016 has been a rough year for Texas horse racing. The state and the racing commission have been fighting a war over historical racing terminals. Right now there is only funding through 2017 with nothing but question marks in the future. I find it hard to believe the state would let the entire industry go kaput, but funding could be lean in the future.
No, 47% is a nationwide figure. Actually it is dated from 5 years ago. Would not be surprised to see it currently over 50%.
This JC charts shows the most recent state-by-state breakdown (2014) of the U.S. TB foal crop. 36.4% of foals were born in Kentucky. 2.7% were born in Texas.
To be clear, I was not addressing in what state foaling and the following JC registration occurs. The 47% referred to mares nationwide mated to stallions standing in KY.
Accorinding to the KY state fact book, 48.8% of North American mares were mated in Kentucky in 2015…
http://www.jockeyclub.com/factbook/StateFactBook/Kentucky.pdf (page 4)
I’m just surprised the number is that low…
[QUOTE=Texarkana;8764951]
Accorinding to the KY state fact book, 48.8% of North American mares were mated in Kentucky in 2015…
http://www.jockeyclub.com/factbook/StateFactBook/Kentucky.pdf (page 4)
I’m just surprised the number is that low…[/QUOTE]
Considering the state of the national industry, I am somewhat surprised also. My data came from an article not the JC.
FYI, Valor Farm has been on the market for a while for $18 million (I think) for a
while. Beautiful place, pass it often on trips to shopping in that area.
The shame of it all is that as TX succumbs or struggles to fend off failure, like AL, ND, VA, MA, CT, NH, RI, VT, ME, WV, PA, NY etc, the industry gasps heavier for life. All the states listed have solid histories in the sport. The future of racing is not just KY, though to watch TV, the ill informed would think so. KY is probably the one sector of the game that is sucking the life’s air out of this famed sport.
Can’t blame Will Faris for making a business decision, but shouldn’t be surprised either.
Came across this. A reminder that greatness was once TX too.
http://americanracehorse.com/texas-bred-stymie-added-to-hoofprints-walk-of-fame-at-saratoga/
Why do you say that about Kentucky?
Virginia and Maryland’s issues were signs to me of trouble. I almost think everyone trying to get a piece of the pie has added to the failure (NY included) - the pie is spread too thin. Together with rural and agricultural disfavor generally among today’s generation.
I don’t think it has very much to do with “todays generation”. Todays generation may be very disconnected from where their food comes from but I believe that todays generation has shown great interest in knowing their foods and local agriculture.
You can partially blame land values and developments for threatening the industry. If the economy turns around and developments start going crazy again, its never going to get better for agricultural land use.
Thoroughbred racing is a sport for the wealthier hobbyist. You look at those in the industry, its a hobby for the elite. Always has been, always will be, for those owning, breeding, and buying the horses in this sport.
Claiming tracks are failing; look at Suffolk Downs. Once a nice place in its hey day; its fallen into disrepair and isn’t exactly people’s cup of tea for going out on a Friday night. Look at Saratoga. There is a reason their summer meets are so successful both for the patrons that attend and those who train there every year.
I blame the industry in its entirety. Breeding too many mediocre/subpar horses who end up in the slums and flooding the market with too much to make it “special”. Add in to the lower ranking tracks falling to the wayside, local threats of other casinos which are like “mini cities” among many. many other things that are too numerous to list.
MA has a steep history with Suffolk downs but CT doesn’t have much racing history to offer.
It won’t be long before another special version of this, inspired by KY, hits the toy and game store shelves. Actually, I am surprised Newmarket got marketed first. With BREXIT, you will be able to roll the dice, bargain for half the price, bankrupt your opponents, and only move once. With the KY version, no one born or residing outside KY will be allowed to play.
Odd Ky is the behemoth of the breeding shed but has a sickly racing product at best to offer all those foals. Except for Keeneland and Churchill in May, not much to attract compared to Fl, Ca and NY. Ironic the PTB in Ky politics stubbornly refuse help for struggling tracks.
[QUOTE=findeight;8766234]
Odd Ky is the behemoth of the breeding shed but has a sickly racing product at best to offer all those foals. Except for Keeneland and Churchill in May, not much to attract compared to Fl, Ca and NY. Ironic the PTB in Ky politics stubbornly refuse help for struggling tracks.[/QUOTE]
Very good observation. This was written back in 2011.
http://www.kentucky.com/opinion/editorials/article44082012.html
Somewhat disingenuous, but interesting. If KY stallions are covering nearly 50% of all mares then ask yourself what state is benefitting the most from the national and international market? What state controls the sales? What are the chances of any other state standing a quality stallion? There is a better chance KY sends a quality stallion to Australia than to another state. Why would a mare owner ship to breed to $5K stallion in KY? Because KY stands the most attractive and actively marketed stallions. CA, MD, FL, NY aren’t even close. Never have been.
What about Malibu Moon? Once in MD, but now KY. There are plenty of mares in the Mid-Atlantic. Money talks. KY is not interested in expanding the national industry’s breeding sector. Shrinking supply and availability increases demand to KY.
For all the complaints about KY politics, if the KY major studs wanted something done or not done their money would be influential. Does it appear that KY race tracks are running on manure fumes? Hardly.
Too bad for TX. And WV, VA, MD, CA, FL, LA, PA, NY, etc.
