zoon
Well-Known Member
I am after a cheap project and my search so far has been fruitless. I am thinking of going to Ascot sales - has anyone been and bought from there? What was it like and how was the horse?
Anyone bought from Ascot sales?
- Thread starter zoon
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TheMule
Well-Known Member
Probably better to contact trainers direct.
I went last year to get a cheap project (up to £600) and came away empty handed- the nice stuff went for more and the not so nice stuff wasn't worth having.
It was a fab day out though and I really enjoyed viewing so many horses in one place and making comparisons, it does really get your eye working
I went last year to get a cheap project (up to £600) and came away empty handed- the nice stuff went for more and the not so nice stuff wasn't worth having.
It was a fab day out though and I really enjoyed viewing so many horses in one place and making comparisons, it does really get your eye working
zoon
Well-Known Member
Might go just for the experience then - how does it work? Never been to a racehorse sale before
Luci07
Well-Known Member
Been a few times and bought twice. I got the catalogue first and spent time searching for possibles - took out the really well bred ones/ones who had already got a reasonable race record under their belt. In my case I also wanted unraced. I then had a "shortlist" to see before I got there. I also took out horses that had VAT added and worked out just what a guinea means in terms of pound notes (!)
On the day all the horses are in boxes (numbered), all quite well presented. You find the ones you want to look at, chat to the grooms and see them being run up. You take a chance as at the TB sales, you don't get a chance to ride. I did however find that talking to the lads/lasses gave me a lot of info. I also ruled out anything I couldn't see trot up properly because it had old or loose racing plates on.
Then you go to bid - horses are brought into a ring and walked round and you bid. You do need to be clear when bidding - there is none of this "cough and your bid is accepted"!!. I never started the bidding and also had a very VERY!! firm idea of what I would go to.
Once sucessful I paid for the vet on site to give the horse the once over. There is a warranty but I can't for the life of me remember the terms. Its not like a normal warranty but related to lameness so worth asking someone with a better memory than me.
I had arranged that I could get the cash I needed out from my bank on the day - no idea about credit cards etc. I also had the lorry ready to come out if I was sucessful.
Bought twice myself personally. Really fun day out and quite a shock to start with nothing then be home with one! Worth doing your homework beforehand though to save time on the day. You can also sort of work out when "your" horse will be going through the lots. Enjoy!!
should also say that the cheaper horses were the older ones who had raced/pointed. More money was being asked for the unraced ones..
On the day all the horses are in boxes (numbered), all quite well presented. You find the ones you want to look at, chat to the grooms and see them being run up. You take a chance as at the TB sales, you don't get a chance to ride. I did however find that talking to the lads/lasses gave me a lot of info. I also ruled out anything I couldn't see trot up properly because it had old or loose racing plates on.
Then you go to bid - horses are brought into a ring and walked round and you bid. You do need to be clear when bidding - there is none of this "cough and your bid is accepted"!!. I never started the bidding and also had a very VERY!! firm idea of what I would go to.
Once sucessful I paid for the vet on site to give the horse the once over. There is a warranty but I can't for the life of me remember the terms. Its not like a normal warranty but related to lameness so worth asking someone with a better memory than me.
I had arranged that I could get the cash I needed out from my bank on the day - no idea about credit cards etc. I also had the lorry ready to come out if I was sucessful.
Bought twice myself personally. Really fun day out and quite a shock to start with nothing then be home with one! Worth doing your homework beforehand though to save time on the day. You can also sort of work out when "your" horse will be going through the lots. Enjoy!!
should also say that the cheaper horses were the older ones who had raced/pointed. More money was being asked for the unraced ones..
zoon
Well-Known Member
What sort of price would I be looking to spend? I want something sound, but would consider something that had raced as long as it retired sound. Obviously would prefer an unraced one as blank canvas, but I'm leaving my options open
joeanne
Well-Known Member
The last sale I attended they were sold as stood per clause 9....no warrenty given.
Worth going to though, have bought from there in the past.
Worth going to though, have bought from there in the past.
zoon
Well-Known Member
Was having a look at the catalogue and was very confused about all the clauses. Anyone got an idiot guide to the catalogue?
Luci07
Well-Known Member
As they are on quite frequently, I would go and do a dummy reccy first to get an idea of prices/timings/what you can expect to see there. It has been a long time since I went but then older bigger horses who had raced were anything between £900-£1200 and the young unraced ones were anything between £1500-£2500 but it is a while ago!. I would definately query the warranty status as well - would be a real shame if thats gone.
Hexx
Well-Known Member
I've been a couple of times - it was quite interesting, there were a few going for £600 ish - but that was a few years ago.
I was quite surprised to see a couple of police horses there as I thought they went through Reading Market. I bought a 5-year old ex-police horse from Reading a few years ago as a project, he was an absolute star! I wish I could have kept him, but he was bought to sell on and make a bit of money - which he did. If I had time/money, I would get another one.
I was quite surprised to see a couple of police horses there as I thought they went through Reading Market. I bought a 5-year old ex-police horse from Reading a few years ago as a project, he was an absolute star! I wish I could have kept him, but he was bought to sell on and make a bit of money - which he did. If I had time/money, I would get another one.