Ex-racehorses...?

[sfward]

Ok so how/where to people actually find ex-racehorses on the cheap to bring on? I've heard of people picking them up straight off the track for a few hundred quid - do you have to ring round trainers and/or go through word of mouth or is there a more organised way of finding them eg. sales? If so, which sales?
I'm interested as have thought about it myself but they seem difficult to find?

 

[Bounty]

I just bought one direct from the breeder via sallyf.
My previous ones have come either direct from the trainer's after he advertised, or via a dealer yard.

Doncaster sales are the cheapest for off the track ex racers, but you can get them pretty cheap at more generalised auctions like Malvern as well.

 

[soundjob]

You can go to Ex-racehorse rehabilitation centres, and some can go on to be evented and hunted etc.

I think they loan them out with a view to sell.

 

[sfward]

Ah that's interesting, thanks. I've never seen any advertised with trainers - do they use the usual sites or do they advertise on their own websites?
Doncaster is quite local for me too, is it quite easy to get hold of their catalogues do you know?

 

[Christmas Crumpet]

I've just bought one straight from the trainer. He was £2k which is slightly more expensive I think than he would be from the sales. However, if you buy them from the trainer then you can try them, find out all history etc. The usual reason they go to the sales is because they aren't any good but unfortunately you can end up with something completely nutty.

 

[amandathepanda]

I got given my ex-racer. There was an advert in H&H about 3 years ago for free to good home, ex race horse. 150 people phoned up about him in a day and a half. When I rang up I gave the usual common sense answers but somehow got on to a short list of 5 people. I was second on the list! The guy that was ahead of me (prefered because he lived 1 mile from D'Accord's owner instead of 150 miles like i do) went to see D'Accord at his racing yard. He wouldn't get on him despite claiming to be an experienced rider. Admittedely D'Accord had been out of work for a year at this point. I arrived, liked the look of D'Accord and was asked if I wanted to get on him. Me being slightly mad, i put the tack on him that i had taken with me and stuck him on the lunge in the round pen they had. D'Accord went mad as you would expect, bucking until he fell over but I just sent him on until he settled. Then I got on him and was promptly given a horse which has won at Goodwood, Windsor, Lingfield & Wolverhampton to name a few places! D'Accord was a flat horse but he has got a fab jump and we have loads of fun going on fun rides & doing cross country comps. He won't reschool to do dressage as no matter how patient I am, he just hates it and much prefers galloping or jumping - but really this is what I wanted him for anyway.

Sorry, this little story doesn't really help you find one but it does show that if you are patient and in the right place at the right time, you can get a very nice horse without spending loads of money.

 

[mandk]

[ QUOTE ]
Ok so how/where to people actually find ex-racehorses on the cheap to bring on? I've heard of people picking them up straight off the track for a few hundred quid - do you have to ring round trainers and/or go through word of mouth or is there a more organised way of finding them eg. sales? If so, which sales?
I'm interested as have thought about it myself but they seem difficult to find?

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue"> I would say the best way is to go to Race horse rehabilitation centres......... as there are some trainers/owners you would want to stay clear of.

We are very very lucky and have contacts with a great trainer, we currently have 2 of his ex racers (5 and 6 yrs old) and he gives them to us for free.

Where abouts in the country are you?

</font>

 

[sfward]

I'm up in York - vaguely close or not...??! I'm just exploring options for another horse to keep mine company, would be turned away for a few months then brought on as a project next year...

 

[Kenzo]

You could try the ex racer club, they have a few advertised that need re-homing, however they expect them to go to good long term homes, not just projects/profit making.
If you are buying to bring on and sell for example (which I'm not knocking at all) then I'd definitely try Doncaster Blood Stock Sales, they range from £800 to £1000's depending on breeding/race record/Injury etc.
They also have vets on site, so if you see a horse you fancy then you can pay to have it vetted there before it goes through the sale which I'd strongly recommend.
Training ex race horses can be very expensive due to racing injuries etc and very time consuming, you also need to have a lot of experience if you going to do the horse justice, at the same time it is very rewarding and its a good to know that these horses have a another chance in life once they have finished there racing career.
Beware of some trainers, just like dealers with gladly palm a problem horse onto you, however not all. Buyer Beware!!

 

[nikkiportia]

http://www.heroscharity.org/rehoming.php

 

[faerie666]

[ QUOTE ]
I just bought one direct from the breeder via sallyf.
My previous ones have come either direct from the trainer's after he advertised, or via a dealer yard.

Doncaster sales are the cheapest for off the track ex racers, but you can get them pretty cheap at more generalised auctions like Malvern as well.

[/ QUOTE ]

Ascot sales are much cheaper than Doncaster.

 

[mandk]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm up in York - vaguely close or not...??! I'm just exploring options for another horse to keep mine company, would be turned away for a few months then brought on as a project next year...

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue"> I think you are a fair distance away (?3hrs?). We are about 20mins from New Market. Are you looking for a project to sell on? And what extactly are you looking for?

</font>

 

[sfward]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'm up in York - vaguely close or not...??! I'm just exploring options for another horse to keep mine company, would be turned away for a few months then brought on as a project next year...

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="blue"> I think you are a fair distance away (?3hrs?). We are about 20mins from New Market. Are you looking for a project to sell on? And what extactly are you looking for?

</font>

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes probably to sell on, though may keep if it worked out. I'm pregnant at the moment (due in September) hence the turning away with a view to starting properly next year. I need another horse to keep mine company as she would be alone otherwise, and if I'm going to end up buying something would be good to have something which could eventually do a job. Would probably prefer a mare purely because I don't like keeping a mare and a gelding together ideally, and would need to be under £1,000 really, otherwise I'm not fussy!!

 

[cellie]

Ad Trader always have a site for rehoming ex racers.Not sure what part of the country its in.Make sure you have it vetted you know about the problems I have had with Ollie he was ex sprinter.They have a fantastic nature .

 

[volatis]

Ascot is cheaper than Doncaster. I've found some lovely horses between the £1 and 2k mark but they have all needed careful bringing on, and time. Had one that turned out to be mad as a hatter bless her, but also had some real fun with some of my boys!
Go in with your eyes totally open as what is said in the catalogue or by the stable lads is not always very truthful so you need to have your wits about you and some experience.

 

[Nudibranch]

I'd recommend it definitely - mine was a lovely horse, sharp but amazing in the heaviest traffic and a really gentle mare. She came from Doncaster. Unfortunately she developed arthritis early (age 13) due to excessive wear and tear as a youngster, and then narcolepsy. So my only warning would be to get a thorough vetting. YO also has an ex racer who came from Doncaster sales via a trainer in Blaydon (Newcastle) who apparently lets them go for 2K and under...

Good luck!