Buying an ex. successful racehorse

RachelFerd

RachelFerd

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a horse that I'm going to see on a second viewing is an ex racehorse - this in itself isn't a problem - within my budget, most potential eventers are ex racehorses. However - unlike most, he didn't fail in terms of being too slow, and actually won in the region of £75K flatracing. His career stopped due to an owner/trainer disagreement re. starting the horse jump racing.

Would you still consider this horse, despite the fact that he has had the intensive work of around 44 races in the past 3 years (he is a 6/7 year old now)

On the plus side - he is very chilled out, very friendly, no vices and has a beautiful basculed bold jump.

When I looked him up on Racing Post website the quotes section revealed that he has at some point in the past suffered from 'sore shins' - are there likely to be any long term effects from this?
 
nope, "sore shins" shouldn't have any long term effects. My ex-racer mare had them and she passed a 5 stage vetting now worries.

If you look on www.exracersclub.com you will see lots of peeps have horses that ran loads of races. I think a new member's horse ran 120 x and he's now out winning in show classes.

I would definitely still consider this horse if he's ticking all your boxes and he's come out of racing with no previous injuries.

I'm sure you'll get loads of advice from peeps experienced with ex-racers on here too.

Good luck and let us know how you get on
 
I'm with Shiraz on this one!! Good luck!!!
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I can't think that "sore shins" during his racing days will have any lasting effect. If you're happy with every thing else about him, I certainly wouldn't worry about that.
 
that was my initial thought too - at least he's a trier. Even though his current owners say they have never actually found 5th gear, it is most definitely there somewhere!

His legs are not entirely clean - a bit windgally, and while I appreciate that might well mean nothing, I would definitely be getting him fully vet checked.

He is out of a sire called Mujadil - ring a bell with anyone?

got a few more to see over the weekend anyway - one of those tomorrow is a particularly likely prospect any rate. This mare is a too slow point to pointer - from Nijinsky lines.
 
It is a risk taking on one with that much mileage, 44 races is a lot.
Did he start racing at 2 or 3?
Sore shins wouldnt bother me, I'm assuming he wasnt pin fired for it (not that that would bother me either but it would some people!)
 
he started racing at 2yrs 6 months. It does worry me the fact that he has been worked so young.

In contrast, the other mare has just turned 5, ran 3 times at point to points (and came last) as a 4yo. Hunted well though apparently.
 
Tricky one but I wouldn't necessarily let the "mileage" put me off. If he passes a 5 stage then he has a fair chance, and any new horse is a gamble anyway. My ex racer hadn't raced much at all and was still retired with arthritis at 13. So you never know! I'd go for it, if he's honest and with a good personality then he's worth a shot.
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My sister's ex racehorse had 33 starts with about £60k winnings. He came to us straight from the track at the end of 2006, and was 2nd at HOYS in 2007. It took a year to get him to settle down, and he seems a much more relaxed horse this season. Clean limbed and superb movement - if yours passes the vet, then go for it.
 
Im so proud of mine even though she never won a race or even came close so it would be amazing to own a horse as good as him, don't have a clue about sore shins though
 
If you like it and it passes a vetting I wouldn't be too concerned to be honest. I don't see the problem with it. I horse with no mileage on it can injure itself etc etc, horses are horses aren't they! Our ex racehorse was taken on by a lady after he broke down in his NH career, was 'fixed' and re raced but was pulled up and they obviously decided that was that for him. He has had his tendons fired, they are bowed yet he cross countried and all sorts with her, he's been sound since we saved him (she was going to have him put down due to lack of anywhere to keep him) aged 19 and is now 24.

just go for what you head tells you to!
 
Honestly, I think you're worrying too much. Or, dare I suggest it, are you looking for an excuse not to proceed? You could pay vast sums for a horse with impeccable legs, perfect confirmation, everything, it passes a five star vetting .... and it breaks down in a week. You just don't know. Mujadil is an American-bred horse who won about 10 Group and Listed races over here and is sire of many good horses, including Kingsgate Native, a Group winner last year. Lucky you to have such an opportunity!!
 
I would possibly get him x rayed to see if his bones/joints have held up to it, particularly with those starts and bv full vetting
 
My ride/loan hoss raced from a 2 year old, with 45 starts, 11 wins (nine of them handicaps, equalling the 20th century record for Flat handicaps won in a season
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famous haha)

He is 16 now, still plays horseball at a good level (has played for GB) hasnt had a days lameness since I have known him (touch wood
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).

Wouldn't put me off!
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