Let's Talk Money: Price of a Top Hunter

[Silk]

[QUOTE=McGurk;7015771]
The price I heard bandied about for Rumba was 700K; I have absolutely no idea if that’s true or not, but that was the rumor when he was first sold, I kinda doubt that it was higher. That horse is the very definition of Ammy friendly. Given the rest of the prices in hunter land, I don’t think that was outrageous for a top of the line, multiple Derby winner that also can do the Children’s and look happy doing it.

I don’t doubt that there’s been a 7 figure hunter, I just don’t have the insider information to know who it was.

I also think that the previous poster’s comment about the cost of campaigning was spot on. People who are outraged by the cost of a good hunter with legit A mileage need to understand exactly what it costs to give a horse that mileage. Can you recoup that cost on most horses? No, that’s why hunters are not an investment. If you get a Rumba or a Jersey Boy or an Invincible, yes, trainers try to recoup the cost of producing THAT HORSE and the previous 5 that didn’t finish up that well.[/QUOTE]

i heard 1 million. I have nothing to back it up other than the tweet from the rider - lol. But seriously, I dont know for sure, but I would say its not an unheard of price.

[lrp1106]

[QUOTE=Silk;7017062]
i heard 1 million. I have nothing to back it up other than the tweet from the rider - lol. But seriously, I dont know for sure, but I would say its not an unheard of price.[/QUOTE]

Tweet from the rider divulging the price? Kla$$y.

[Freebird_s_Elf]

As a corollary to the present discussion, let’s say you buy a horse for mid to high 6 figures, are the commissions still 10-20%? Or is there a sliding scale as you go into the stratospheric price ranges?

Let’s continue and say that you purchase a gelding. Since it cannot be used for breeding and the hunters don’t offer significant prize money, could it still be insured for the full purchase prize against loss of use or death?

[xMarengox]

If a person can afford a 1 million buck horse, it says a lot about them that riding it around after paying that much for it makes them feel more like that million bucks than helping other people or animals with that money.

[RugBug]

[QUOTE=xMarengox;7017208]
If a person can afford a 1 million buck horse, it says a lot about them that riding it around after paying that much for it makes them feel more like that million bucks than helping other people or animals with that money.[/QUOTE]

How do those judgey pants fit? :rolleyes:

Honestly, you have no idea how much any person is giving to charity, rich or poor.

[woodhillsmanhattan]

[QUOTE=BLBGP;7016703]
Curious where you’re finding the 3-figure working hunter/derby horse. ;)[/QUOTE]

hahaha! durnittt! I am not even editing it. Too funny!

[chunky_munky]

Frankly, those that pay that much for horses are usually people that are also very philanthropic with their wealth. Don’t judge too quickly.

[Silk]

[QUOTE=lrp1106;7017101]
Tweet from the rider divulging the price? Kla$$y.[/QUOTE]

not the pro rider, certainly actually, the new owner. again, I saw the tweet but do not know for absolute certainty that it was authentic. i should not have said anything, but it was NOT the pro rider or anyone associated with him.

[Silk]

[QUOTE=chunky munky;7017539]
Frankly, those that pay that much for horses are usually people that are also very philanthropic with their wealth. Don’t judge too quickly.[/QUOTE]
many times, yes. Big benefactors of the horse world and rescue orgs.

[McGurk]

maybe the million was after the commissions were added on?

[Cannonball]

[QUOTE=chunky munky;7017539]
Frankly, those that pay that much for horses are usually people that are also very philanthropic with their wealth. Don’t judge too quickly.[/QUOTE]

Agreed. It’s hard to understand that some people have enough money to have 3 or 4 millions dollars in horses and spend 1 million a year showing them. And then still have enough to give 10 million to charities and have 4 or 5 houses all over the world. Sure you can argue that if they spent less on horses they could give more to charity. And maybe that’s what YOU would do. But it’s hard to get frustrated at someone for spending $300,000 on a horse when that same person gave $25,000 to the University Hospital that we all use when our horse needs it. And is also funding Colic research so we can find it causes in our horses.

[findeight]

[QUOTE=Silk;7017610]
not the pro rider, certainly actually, the new owner. again, I saw the tweet but do not know for absolute certainty that it was authentic. i should not have said anything, but it was NOT the pro rider or anyone associated with him.[/QUOTE]

Dont worry Silk. That cat was out if the bag long ago. I heard 1m from several off line, real live sources way back. Most figured somewhere between 800 and 1m even before he sold given he was the “hot horse” at the time. We will never know for sure, of course but it’s not outlandish.

[danceronice]

[QUOTE=TrakHack;7016821]
Ok, so if we remove “hunter” from the qualification - make it jumping, dressage, reining, whatever - does that change things for many people[/QUOTE]

If I had the money to drop, yes, I’d pay six figures for a good TB (either a broodmare prospect or a yearling or 2yo in training.) Even there I’d be ready if necessary to drop the racehorse in class and maybe lose it for a claim tag, or not get what I want out of the broodmare. And I’d expect in general to pay a lot less as I know you can get good animals from the sales for a lot less than a quarter-million. No way would I pay even half that for something I was going to ride myself or just put in a show ring and then spend the price tag ten times over to campaign them.

But then I will never have the skills to get even half my money’s worth on a top show horse and don’t get kicks paying someone else to ride, so it would be a much bigger waste of money for me to own one!

[BAC]

[QUOTE=xMarengox;7017208]
If a person can afford a 1 million buck horse, it says a lot about them that riding it around after paying that much for it makes them feel more like that million bucks than helping other people or animals with that money.[/QUOTE]

Those people contribute more each year to charitable organizations than you will during a lifetime, don’t be so judgemental. Most of you complaining about how much other people spend THEIR money have no comprehension of the degree of wealth involved, it can be not just tens of millions but even hundreds of millions. Whether its earned or inherited its theirs to spend as they please and we should be glad they spend some of it on the horse industry.

[Rel6]

@TrakHack;7016821

Ok, so if we remove “hunter” from the qualification - make it jumping, dressage, reining, whatever - does that change things for many people?

Yes, definitely. I know a junior who recently purchased a complete string of (assumedly) high priced imported jumpers. And I’m not just talking about 3 or 4 of them. While it seems excessive, if I had that money I would do the same exact thing.

ETA: The new owner of Rumba would have been, at the time, a 12 or 13 girl. So can we not slam minors for a misguided tweet a the price of her new horse?

[HunterMolly]

[QUOTE=Freebird’s Elf;7017195]
As a corollary to the present discussion, let’s say you buy a horse for mid to high 6 figures, are the commissions still 10-20%? Or is there a sliding scale as you go into the stratospheric price?[/QUOTE]

At my barn it is 15% commission for any horse under 6 figures and 10% for any price over 6 figures. Not that I have ever gotten to use the 10% rule, but some have. LOL

[Rel6]

[QUOTE=Freebird’s Elf;7017195]
As a corollary to the present discussion, let’s say you buy a horse for mid to high 6 figures, are the commissions still 10-20%? Or is there a sliding scale as you go into the stratospheric price ranges?[/QUOTE]

According to the Heritage invoice from the other thread, one of the ponies sold for 260k still netted the trainers a 15% commission. Not sure about something higher though.

[jody_jaffe]

I’m not judging, just disagreeing.

Some are philanthropic (and some that are philanthropic are because it helps them out tax wise, but lets not get into a discussion about altruism), but I wouldn’t say usually unless I saw all their tax returns. I think the uber generous Paul Newmans of the world are not the rule.

To me this discussion is a sad reminder of where our sport has gone and supports the notion that Richest Rider Wins.

[QUOTE=chunky munky;7017539]
Frankly, those that pay that much for horses are usually people that are also very philanthropic with their wealth. Don’t judge too quickly.[/QUOTE]

[Cannonball]

[QUOTE=jody jaffe;7019578]
I’m not judging, just disagreeing.

Some are philanthropic (and some that are philanthropic are because it helps them out tax wise, but lets not get into a discussion about altruism), but I wouldn’t say usually unless I saw all their tax returns. I think the uber generous Paul Newmans of the world are not the rule.

To me this discussion is a sad reminder of where our sport has gone and supports the notion that Richest Rider Wins.[/QUOTE]

Pathetic comments.

Research a little about Dr. Betsee Parker’ generosity. Or about Tori Colvin who is one of the best riders in the country and not near the wealthiest. Or explain the success of Maddy Darst who’s mother is a very successful trainer but not near “the richest”. Or the girl who’s family purchased a pony prospect with $30,000 which was most of their savings; They trained it for 2 years and took it to Pony Finals and won; Then leased it out to recoup some of their expenses. Or the girl who started catch riding and earner a trip to Devon on her catch ride. Or the girl who won at pony finals on a catch ride. Or the family who sold their successful Junior Hunter when the daughter went to college and gave the money to Colic research. The examples go on and on.

But go ahead and keep believing “the richest rider wins”. It might be a convenient excuse.

Also research your hero Paul Newman who was very generous. But he was also an auto racing enthusiast who owned and raced cars. Auto racing is one of the few sports that is more expensive than horses. Just think of the difference he could have made if he had not raced cars and given that amount of money to charity.:no:

Yes our sport is expensive but the assumptions that only the rich win and most of these rich families are not generous are just fantasies you’ve created.:yes:

As a side note if you own a home and 2 cars you are considered part of the wealthiest 5% of people on the planet.

[EAY]

@Cannonball;7019752

Pathetic comments.

Also research your hero Paul Newman who was very generous. But he was also an auto racing enthusiast who owned and raced cars. Auto racing is one of the few sports that is more expensive than horses. Just think of the difference he could have made if he had not raced cars and given that amount of money to charity.:no:

And his daughter had some pretty nice horses when she showed as a junior.:winkgrin: