Following on from previous thread re cost of ex racer - Token Gesture??

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MentalPonyGirl

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I posted this the other day....

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=528907

So have actually viewed said horse and to be fair he is a nice chap ticks all the boxes. Did have a sacroiliac injury 18 months ago but returned to racing and none the worse for wear for it and is not affected by it and has no uneveness or anything from it.Everything else for a horse that last raced 4 weeks ago is all in working order.

So asked trainer how much and they said well can't let him go for nothing but a token gesture will suffice as want him to go to a home for life. So when asked well what would be your token gesture, nothing was coming forward.

So today's question is.... what is a token gesture? 12 Duck eggs and a bottle of wine? Or what??As don't want to insult this trainer as they were very lovely and obviously do care about this horses's future but from going from wanting a 5 figure sum last week to a token gesture where do you go from here??
 
Funnily enough, we've had a similar conversation yesterday with the person who is giving the horse to us. We've agreed on a nominal sum of £1 so that money has changed hands, and we are giving a £500 donation to one of the ex-racehorse retraining centres in his name.

Hope that helps. Good luck and can't wait to see photos! I'll show you mine if you show me yours :D
 
I viewed an ex racer a few weeks ago, owned by a very wealthy man. I asked the stable girl how much he'd be looking to receive for the horse (out of interest as I wasn't going to have him) and she said the man would like a donation to one of his charities Macmillan nurses or Cancer research of about £1000 sadly the horse was not worth that much however if it was its a nice idea!
 
MentalPonyGirl said:
I posted this the other day....

http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=528907

So have actually viewed said horse and to be fair he is a nice chap ticks all the boxes. Did have a sacroiliac injury 18 months ago but returned to racing and none the worse for wear for it and is not affected by it and has no uneveness or anything from it.Everything else for a horse that last raced 4 weeks ago is all in working order.

So asked trainer how much and they said well can't let him go for nothing but a token gesture will suffice as want him to go to a home for life. So when asked well what would be your token gesture, nothing was coming forward.

So today's question is.... what is a token gesture? 12 Duck eggs and a bottle of wine? Or what??As don't want to insult this trainer as they were very lovely and obviously do care about this horses's future but from going from wanting a 5 figure sum last week to a token gesture where do you go from here??
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I would ask them what figure were they were thinking of ?


sx
 
I hate when people put you in this situation but if he's a nice natured horse he has a value it sounds that they are happy for him to go to a nice home away from racing so I would have a go at getting them to say but would offer between £500 and £1000 .
Hope you get to sorted.
 
swellhillcottage said:
I would ask them what figure were they were thinking of ?


sx
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Tried that bit and asked it many times and in many ways but nope they are not coming forward with a price just this "token gesture" phrase!! I'd rather they said a price and can either negotiate or walk away.

swellhillcottage said:
I agree
sx
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Ah yes I agree also but once you know the ins and outs it has become clear why they said the 5 figure sum at the start.
 
Race horse people can be a bit delusional about what their cast offs are worth as riding horses, especially owners rather than trainers.

I know you said there is an explanation but it is still bad business. I'm more interested in the sacroiliac history, to be honest.

If you love the horse, offer what you think he's worth, as a green horse with a prior injury, depending on its visible potential. They will either take it or they won't. I suspect they are doing it the way they are so you will offer above market.
 
TarrSteps said:
Race horse people can be a bit delusional about what their cast offs are worth as riding horses, especially owners rather than trainers.
I suspect they are doing it the way they are so you will offer above market.
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No fear of me offering above the market as my pockets are always tightly sewn up:)
I've spoken to the vet who treated the injury and know the ins and outs of it and its one of those things could be a future factor or not. Pays yer money takes a chance with horses!!
 
I have never ever paid for any of mine at all! I think I have now had 7 or 8 in the last few years.
One that I just got rid of recently that ran in the National and won the John Smiths national was a freebie to (and had no injuries).
The two most recent were also freebies. One needed some time off but is no back and fighting fit. The other the owners paid huge cash for and have now given him away and I have never had conditions put on them re no racing. This may well be because I have worked in NH racing for some time and if I don't know the people directly we always have connections of some sorts...
Token gestures in racing terms usually mean a few hundred quid in my experience (ie one weeks training money) With negotiation this can be changed. Don't forget to mention the fact that each day that goes past costs more and more cash! Good Luck!
 
Aleka81 said:
Token gestures in racing terms usually mean a few hundred quid in my experience (ie one weeks training money) With negotiation this can be changed. Don't forget to mention the fact that each day that goes past costs more and more cash! Good Luck!
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Thank you much appreciated.I was thinking along the same lines as yourself!!
 
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