buying a horse from the sales

madhector

madhector

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anyone got any advice about buying from a sale? im looking for a TB, thought it might be a place to look, where would be best? im based in suffolk, how do i find out about the horses in the sale? never done anything like this before so please help! was going to try and get an ex racer from my local NH yard but dont think it going to happen
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so think the sales may be the best way forward, please advice needed! thanks
 
best sales to look for a TB are doncaster and ascot. some are racers, some are young and have never raced. never been to the sales, and i'd be wary in buying a horse from any sales unless i had a very good eye and probably a vet with me. guess i don't trust my own judgement lol
i pm'd u about a different forum, definetely go on there and have a look also post for information. they're a great bunch and u won't find a better source for info on ex racers.
i have an ex racer not going to say how much i paid but it wasn't much. tho he had to be retired from racing due to his dodgy tendons. so who knows just how much work he will be able to handle.
good luck in your search
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The Horses in Training sales at Newmarket are a good place to look. Where I used to work we had two horses in training at a time and each year one was sold through these sales. As most of the bidders are looking for racehorses, the less sucessful ones tend to go pretty cheaply. One of ours sold for £1500 guineas as he was a crap racehorse but apparently he is a great dressage/rc horse.
 
At the lower end of the market I wouldnt buy from the sales without help. I bought with a friend who was a dealer and one horse we looked at seemed perfect, when she spoke to the vendor, whom she knew, we were warned not to touch it. Its a minefield.
At the top end, I have bought from the Equlibra sales, you get a reputable vendor, a 5 stage vetting incl x-rays and a fairly good choice.
 
I have thought about this too, so would be quite interested in peoples response. Only thing is make sure you take someone knowledgable with you- two pairs of eyes are better than one!
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You need to be carefull buying from sales as there are alot of dodgy sellers out there.Make sure you take a good look at the horses and read the catalogue descriptions carefully as some of them are not warrantied in any way which means you have no come back.Also be aware of the age of the horse as many people put them in the sales stating them as far younger or older than they are.Take someone with you and if they state the horse has done this and that ask if they have proof.I do go to the sales regularly for normal riding horses(not racehorses) and have brought a couple of very good horses from there but I have also seen others go through which have been far from described.One was supposedly a kids first pony which was a rearer,another warrantied as quiet to ride had a brain disorder and had to be put to sleep and another which was a good all rounder proved too much for his young rider even though she was experienced and ended up being sold to an adult wanting a pony for themselves.
 
Why don't you go to the Thoroughbred Rehabilitation Centre and get a TB from there? It only costs a donation of £350 and you can return it if you have been matched up wrongly.

The TB sales at the moment are through the prices are through the roof!
 
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