WTF People. How can they auction this mare?

[bugsynskeeter1]

That can happen with private sales also.

[Texarkana]

@Aussie_2020

I appreciate your response. I understand this is a high end auction, but there are several horses I’ve heard of that were sold for big money, no one heard from them for quite awhile and then it’s discovered they came to a bad end. The horses I’m thinking of are thoroughbreds, but I imagine the same could happen to any expensive horse. Spiraling down and falling through the cracks has happened to KY Derby winners.

But it (generally) doesn’t happen in the pattern of auction directly to the home that gives them the bad end.

It (generally) is a situation where horse is bought for a lot of money, then the horse loses its value for whatever reason and it is rehomed with significantly less value. Then the cycle of “falling through the cracks” begins.

Sure, there are exceptions to everything.

The only way to truly keep your horses safe is to a) keep them forever, and b) make sure you outlive them. But neither of those are realistic for everyone. The next best thing is to make sure they have value. This mare is still valuable and is being sold through the appropriate venue to attract buyers. Yes, there’s a small chance she could end up with some head who pumps a few foals and embryos out of her and dumps her. But the same thing could happen if you sell her private party to vetted connections, too. How many times do we hear stories about people who thought they found the “perfect” home for a horse only for it to go awry?

Bottom line, a lot of money is going to be offered for her, which increases the likelihood she will be purchased by someone who values her and will take care of her accordingly. Is it a promise nothing bad will ever happen? No. But they could send her to my farm to live out her days as a pet… then I could be struck by lightning and someone sends all my horses to the local auction out of spite. Ya know?

[nutmeg]

Y’all are mistaking me for someone who is unfamiliar with sporthorse auctions. Here’s my challenge: Come up with an auction listing for any horse with a comparable record. Don’t say Tobalio, he was a fire sale for … reasons. I have stood by quietly while the 46 or so foals out of Funky Music (bless her) were auctioned off one by one. I am keeping it zipped about the second wave of Heartbreakers since that cutie with the dodgy tendon was resurrected through ICSI. But this one just hits me where I live. She is extended family. I am somewhat surprised that Hof Thormalen does not seem to have breeding rights as they repossessed her entire mother line in a timely manner. And lastly there are specific places I would hate for her to go to that are prolific bidders at these gigs.

[DMK]

I’m just confused as to why you think a high end auction is inherently more risky than any other option? Lifetime owner is no guarantee of a humane ethical end, private sale is certainly no guarantee. There are no guarantees. Shit happens even to those who have the best intentions, it’s foolish to pretend otherwise.

[nutmeg]

A nice private sale would guarantee that she did not disappear into the bowels of Gestüt Lewitz or off the radar into China or if her owner happened to have a vindictive ex-husband, to the UAE. I want green fields, carefully chosen field companions, sentient caretakers, and future mates selected with knowledge not some sales algorithm. It’s not that hard. I am sure there is more to the story than we know for her to be in this situation.

[Texarkana]

Fair enough. I think we all want that for all horses.

[JB]

@Aussie_2020

I understand this is a high end auction, but there are several horses I’ve heard of that were sold for big money, no one heard from them for quite awhile and then it’s discovered they came to a bad end.

But what makes you feel this auction is worse than a private sale? Do you know how many nice WBs who were only ever sold privately, have ended up in rescue condition? True rescue, emaciated, uncared for.

@nutmeg

A nice private sale would guarantee that she did not disappear into the bowels of Gestüt Lewitz or off the radar into China or if her owner happened to have a vindictive ex-husband, to the UAE.

It doesn’t guarantee that. There’s nothing that says a “nice private sale” with the best intentions, wouldn’t have to end up selling her and she disappears into the “bowels” of somewhere.

[nutmeg]

I respectfully disagree. There is plenty to say that a negotiated sale between acquaintances would be safer than dispersal to the highest bidder. When discretion can be applied to her future destination it reduces the chance of her vanishing off the show jumping radar, which is pretty damn strong. If some bitcoin-rich money launderer goes for her at auction, they have to accept it.

[Texarkana]

Even a sale between acquaintances can go wrong, though.

One of my favorite racehorses was sold, private party, to an extremely wealthy breeder known for doing right by her horses. But when she passed away, he ended up being sold private party again, to South Korea. I haven’t received a single update. He could be totally fine. Or he could be knackered. It sucks. And here it seemed like that wasn’t going to be his fate, but that’s the horse world for you. There are no guarantees.

[Rumorhasit93]

@RavtoadOH

Why are you so convinced this horse will end up in a bad place via auction vs a private sale? There is a risk with selling a horse in general, no matter what the case. Many of these horses sell at higher prices via auction vs through private sale.

Just want to throw it out there that sales price does not guarantee a good home. Just look at Palloubet…

[Nikki]

She sold for $136K. The HH Azur foal sold for 88K!

[DMK]

@nutmeg

A nice private sale would guarantee that she did not disappear

But… How? A PRIVATE sale? It’s almost like the definition says you wouldn’t know where the horse went if both parties to the sale were uninterested in what you want. I think you desperately need to believe that’s the perfect solution, but I do not see how the facts support it one percentile more than a high end auction.

[RavtoadOH]

I did not state sales price guarantees a good home. It can help, but there are countless horses that have ended up in terrible situations when sold with a massive price tag. I stated that there is a risk with selling a horse regardless.

[Rumorhasit93]

Absolutely. And then I realized a bunch of people already said that after I caught up. Sorry to pile on!

[K_VanOlst]

@nutmeg

I want green fields, carefully chosen field companions, sentient caretakers, and future mates selected with knowledge not some sales algorithm. It’s not that hard. I am sure there is more to the story than we know for her to be in this situation.

…then buy the horse? Otherwise, it’s really none of your business how she sells, whether through private sale or auction.

[nutmeg]

Thank you for your kind advice.

[Willesdon]

The problem is that any horse can end up in dire conditions, regardless of the means of sale. But then, we humans can also end up in dire circumstances through one bad decision, a single twist of fate.

[Texarkana]

@Nikki

She sold for $136K. The HH Azur foal sold for 88K!

So who did she sell to?

[anonevent]

I regret to rob you of such a comforting belief, but this is not a “guarantee” by any stretch.

These auctions are not the “slaughter pipeline” auctions that you’re imagining.

[nutmeg]

I believe I stated upthread that I am well familiar with Euro sporthorse auctions so a slaughterhouse is not on the list of concerns.

At the auction after the bidding, champagne was bought to Tom Lemmens of Old Lodge Stud in the UK… but was he the seller or buyer? So puzzling. If she stays there that would be AWESOME. They have sponsored a few of the Whitakers.