Ex racing TBs

[stormox]

Am I behind the times? It wasnt so long ago 3yr old failed or unraced TBs were 1k or less. Now the re- homing charities are asking upwards of £2850..... and I have messaged a couple of private ones at over 3k.
Older (retired) but unschooled racers of 8- 15 are a similar price.
If 16.2+ you can add up to 1k on these prices.
I know horse prices are high, but at the end of the day a TB is always a TB, and many have soundnes problems, eat more than your average horse and aren't everybodies ride.
Is someone taking advantage here or are the current prices realistic?

 

[Gamebird]

I think it's a major step forwards. Giving these horses a significant value is a step towards safeguarding them.

 

[stormox]

I think it's a major step forwards. Giving these horses a significant value is a step towards safeguarding them.

As long as prices keep high I agree, but after every boom comes bust and I can see a lot being sold for peanuts again before too long.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

Why should a tb be worth less than a warmblood or sports horse that seems to have just as many problems if not more?

Why should they be cheap just because they have been in training or raced?

They have seen a lot more of life and are generally much easier to deal with than most other horses. No not everyone can ride them but not everyone can ride highly strung warmblood.

They have a value and I am glad times have caught up with that!

 

[Auslander]

a TB is always a TB, and many have soundnes problems, eat more than your average horse and aren't everybodies ride.

Why do you think this? I've always found TB's to be tough, sound and sane (as long as they aren't over fed and underworked!). Sharper than your average bear, true, but in a nice, keen way.

I have a 4yr old in at the moment. She's a little cracker, who hacks alone without looking at anything, ignores other horses fooling around, accepts new things without getting her knickers in a twist, and is civilised to handle - because she's seen a fair bit of life already, and she's been exclusively brought up by professionals, so she's never learned that she can be a monster.

She reminds me very much of most of the ex racehorses that I've known in the past!

 

[stormox]

Why do you think this? I've always found TB's to be tough, sound and sane (as long as they aren't over fed and underworked!). Sharper than your average bear, true, but in a nice, keen way.

Actually, I dont think that personally. I have had ex-racers since the 1970's. But the truth is they are bred purely for speed, not soundness or temperament which has been detrimental to the robustness of some. I also like rheir flight response, so much easier to deal with than a cobs fight!! (Touch a TB with a whip it'l go forwards, whack a cob it is more likely to plant or kick out).

 

[ycbm]

I think things have just returned to the early 90s because other horses aren't being bred and they are valued again. When I was buying at auction direct from training then, the prices I remember paying for 3 and 4 year olds were £1100 £1200 £1500 £950 £2100 (he was special) and all the others were around that price. I used to sell them at about £2500 (£3200 for the special one) after training them to do RC. To get today's values after inflation, double those.
.

 

[Wishfilly]

Actually, I dont think that personally. I have had ex-racers since the 1970's. But the truth is they are bred purely for speed, not soundness or temperament which has been detrimental to the robustness of some. I also like rheir flight response, so much easier to deal with than a cobs fight!! (Touch a TB with a whip it'l go forwards, whack a cob it is more likely to plant or kick out).

FWIW, I don't think modern warmbloods are bred for soundness and temperament either (a lot are bred for flexibility or "movement"), if you're comparing like with like. And at least the 8yos who have raced have done something with their lives- whereas you can equally see 10yo sport horses "with potential" for £10k now.

I think it's good that TBs/ex-racers are becoming more popular and having more of a value, as hopefully it means more will find good homes after leaving training.

 

[maya2008]

I agree that if you want a horse and don’t have a fortune to spend, a TB is a good bet, and prices have simply risen in line with other horse prices.

TBs tend to be cheaper because they are often hard keepers and can be expensive to maintain. They are also not bred for the job - they’re bred to race, not jump or do dressage. As a result, they tend to be successful only up to a point before they either reach the limit of their talent or they break down physically. There are always exceptions to this, and at RC level they make loyal, capable horses. I won’t buy another though - our vet knew me by my first name when my TB was young (and at one point recognised my voice on the phone ?!).

 

[The Irish Draft 2022]

A lot more people want Tb nowadays so the demand is there . I don’t think horse prices are going drop i actually think they are going to get more expensive I think the uk will have the USA horse prices in the future.

 

[humblepie]

For competing ex racehorses always been good but now with addition of RoR competitions so many options for them. I was given mine but to buy a non ex racehorse of the same quality even in need of schooling would I’m sure have been 6-8k. Not that I’d have been looking non TB anyway.

 

[poiuytrewq]

I think that’s slightly offensive actually!
You can still get a freebie if you ask around but those are probably the ones you *may get issues with or may be a little older.

 

[Elf On A Shelf]

I think that’s slightly offensive actually!
You can still get a freebie if you ask around but those are probably the ones you *may get issues with or may be a little older.

We do still loan some out. Mostly older, injured or quirky horses. Most of ours are sold though. Some of our owners won't sell them regardless of age as they want to guarantee them for life.

We get dozens of people every month asking for free horses and most of these people I wouldn't give a rocking horse to! We actually had one ask if he could have a horse on loan for the summer to do the common riding with then hand it back before winter as he would have no use for it. Absolutely effing well not!

 

[SibeliusMB]

Me, waiting for all the Thoroughbred haters to discover the "Warmblood Spook" ?

 

[Squeak]

Sometimes I’m glad that people still don’t realise how amazing thoroughbreds are as it means that I’ll hopefully be able to keep having them.

 

[brighteyes]

I have no idea why these beautiful creatures (Tbs) have such a bad rap. I've got a wonderful ex-hurdler who has transitioned brilliantly to civvy street. There were a few 'interesting things' I had to sit through but once we'd got the communication lines established he's been nothing but a joy to have and behold. I consider myself extremely fortunate to have been entrusted with him by someone who cared enough to take him out of the chain. They deserve a secure future as much as the next horse.

 

[Squidge_94]

It's about time the prices increased for thoroughbreds! Sick of seeing them ending up either passed pillar to post or in awful clueless homes because they were cheap! They are a great breed and are still so underestimated by many.

 

[I'm Dun]

Mine cost me 3.5k. His ad wasnt great I don't think, mainly as his owner wasn't bothered about selling. Hes 16.1hh, 7yrs old, very correct and moves well, sane and easy and would go round a BE100 with a bit of schooling, but he had 2 sarcoids and crap feet. I think he was a bargain!