World Record paid for horse at Auction

[Zoz]

I’m inclined to side with the likes of Bellewstown on this one.

Obviously there is the proven fact that this horse has an engine under the saddle but as already said here, asking a two year old to do that kind of work this young will no doubt leave a mark.

There was the whole discussion about changing the distances of classic races not long ago because so many horses were bred to be faster but the fact that Coolmore’s own top stallions now are Sadler’s Wells, Montjeu and Giant’s Causeway – ie sires capable of throwing horses who can properly stay classic distances – speaks volumes.

If the horse is truly that fast then there is no chance of it staying classic distances and little chance of it siring classic horses – provided it becomes worthy of standing at stud to a decent book anyway. Add to that the fact that Forestry, whilst obviously a good young sire, is hardly one of the top sires in the world…the horse would have a lot to prove.

I personally think it’s crazy to pay so much for a horse who would have such a limited appeal on breeding, and even then that’s reliant on him living up to now massive expectations. <br>

[bellewstown]

The dam won a maiden from 11 starts.  This horse is the second produce, the previous foal a colt and unraced as yet.  Total waste of money.

[Aidan]

Surely the whole "rush of blood to the head" is a bit too easy and simplistic and indeed greatly underestimates the Coolmore operation. Time and time again last year we saw them withdraw from battles with Godolphin for horses with much more seemingly going for them. Horses by the likes of Kingmambo and Storm Cat etc.

So while we all guess (and thats all it is) the reasons behind the purchase and label it a total waste of money is it not at all impossible that some of the shrewdest men in the business saw something in this colt that they could not bare to let slip? Like I said already Coolmore have on numerous occasions pulled out of such battles so simply putting it all down to ego doesn’t wash.

[bellewstown]

Robert Sangster is reported to have said ‘this is getting a bit silly’ as the bidding escalated for the horse that would turn out to be Seattle Dancer.  How right he was, it ultimately cost him his share in Coolmore.  <br>The lure of buying the top lot and making the headlines is very strong, even (or perhaps especially) for these people.<br>Anyone who has ever bought horses at a ‘buzzing’ sale will tell you how easy it is to lose the run of yourself.  The Coolmore boys love the drama as much as anyone.  <br>Talking of sale toppers here is an interesting and true story.  A good few years ago when Vincent O Brien was coming to the end of his training days (there were only a few horses left in the yard, Classic thoroughbreds had collapsed, Vincent was already old) a colt was consigned to Goffs by Pat O’ Kelly.  It was out of that famous mare Flame of Tara whose early foals included Salsibal and Marju.  The horse was a well made good sized, correct type and widely tipped to top the sale.<br>Lots of people couldn’t warm to him however, he had no great use of himself while walking and he wasn’t the raciest most athletic type.  To look at him standing however he couldn’t be faulted on conformation.<br>Rumour had it that Vincent was going to buy him and that Pat O Kelly would retain a share (opinion was divided on whether Coolmore already owned half of him through a foal share arrangement, he was by Sadlers Wells).<br>Billy McDonald had been found somewhere and was brought up to do the bidding for luck and old times sake.<br>Anyway the horse was knocked down to Billy at 1.4 million pounds after a typically dramatic piece of bidding theatre.<br>The horse was brought to the lunging ring to be wind tested and Vincent went down to have a look.  After two circuits of the ring Vincent stormed off the viewing stairs with a face like thunder.  He knew he had trained his last decent horse.  The colt lunged (as he subsequently ran) with an exaggerated scratchy action and no noticable shoulder action.  The writing was on the wall ten minutes after the hammer fell.  

[Venusian]

So this would have been Song of Tara?

[bellewstown]

Venusian,<br>Yes indeed, Song of Tara it was:)

[pengamon]

Todd Pletcher is to train the Forestry colt.

[Author]

Posts