Purchasing an ex racer?

SophieLouBee

SophieLouBee

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I am thinking of purchasing an ex-racer when this horrid weather subsides.

I have bought at auction, but never bloodstock sales.
Was also considering from a rehoming organisation/from a training/rest yard.

Would like to know your experiences in buying (and the love story that followed:D). Any useful info appreciated!
 
Are you planning on buying one to keep or to sell on?

Thoroughbreds (especially ex racers) will be going very cheap at the moment as there isn't really a market for them.
 
I rehomed mine from the NRC in Doncaster, they regularly rehome horses they no longer need. I never wanted a thoroughbred but wouldn't swap mine for the world and highly recommend ex racers now, as soon as you learn how to understand them they're a joy! Try the bloodstock sales, also ring round the local race yards
 
I have had a few. 2 from Doncaster sales, 1 direct from the trainer, 1 from someone local who had bought from sales to P2P and 1 bred to race that never made the track.

I love going to the sales but you are taking more of a gamble doing it that way. One I got had a patched up tendon injury which showed as soon as he was out in the field so needed a year off right away - not the best start!! The 2 I got from the sales were ultimately the best and most talented of the lot and the best looking in the terms of what I go for. They were also the most highly strung though and very hard work to start with. Took a long time to settle.

I did think about going into it as a sideline - retraining and selling on but became rather attached to them and that was the end of that :rolleyes: I kept 3 till their dying day and the other 2 went on to super homes where we kept in touch.

I started buying mine 20 years ago - so long before it was fashionable and there weren't all these rehoming schemes around. The ones I bought were not bargain basement either - from £650-£1500 as back then the really cheap ones tended to be for a reason.

My suggestion would be buy direct from the trainer if you can. They generally will tell you the truth about the horse if it is one they like and want to see go to a nice home.

I had so much fun with mine. They all SJd to a decent level with my best one well capable of going clear round 1.30m (possibly higher I chickened out after that ;)) Once you have had a good TB it is hard to change. I have just bought my first non TB in 20 years and there are still things I miss!
 
It's lovely to here good things.
Most people I talk too wouldn't touch a tb with a barge pole.
I used to have that mentality, but I bought a 15.1 tbxarab from the sales, and although she is tempremental and moody at times, she is the smartest horse I've ever met and she can be such a sweetie, plus she is a lamb to ride!

She is too small for me, so I'd be looking for 16.1 upwards.

I used to ride for a trainer quite locally to me, he had some decent horses there so I might try him.

I've seen one on the darley website called patrick who I think is stunning!
But the waiting list is quite long I hear?

I know quite alot of people who say for event horses they'd rather have a good tb than anything else!

I'd like to go to a bloodstock sale for the experience, even if I didn't buy!

How much are the rehoming fees for the rescue centres these days?

vicijp will get back to you later :)
 
I have 2 - one direct from trainer and one through a friend.
They are both fab - very different but incredibly versatile.
Great natures and have seen done most things - both great in heavy traffic.
They're 6 & 7 now and more mature than my 17.3hh 17yo Hanoverian!
Definately alot of time and effort - but you do get that special bond!
 
another livery at the yard bought an ex-racer earlier this year. I believe she went to a yard and had her pick of them all. Her boy has a fantastic temperament but she hasnt done alot of work with him yet so he is still abit lively.
I am in the West Mids so i can ask her where she went if you want?
 
SophieLouBee said:
I am thinking of purchasing an ex-racer when this horrid weather subsides.

I have bought at auction, but never bloodstock sales.
Was also considering from a rehoming organisation/from a training/rest yard.

Would like to know your experiences in buying (and the love story that followed:D). Any useful info appreciated!
Click to expand...

I have had a couple of ex-racehorses and as with previous posts I too would not normally have anything to do with them. However, I now live in Hong Kong and almost ALL the riding school, competition and privately owned horses are ex Hong Kong Jockey club.
Remarkably they come in all sorts of shapes and sizes from lolloping 17.2hh to sharp polo pony type dinky 15hh. I'd say that they have a whole spectrum of horses so suit all levels and disciplines and it’s best to find something which will grow with you. Mine are great hacks, lovely cross country and couldn’t’ be more different from each other!
 
They're great, if you are experienced enough that you can iron out a few issues then I would go for the sales- Ascot is on 2nd January and the minimum bid is a paltry £400! I've been very lucky both times I bought from Ascot, I got a super eventer type (already retrained) for £450 as a sell on although he's been here nearly a year as he's so great. No major issues with him. Then a 6yo ex flat gelding for £800 who has no issues at all (unless you count being extremely stupid and having stupid WHITE legs an issue). He is also super and is now jumping well and working in an outline (was before snow stopped play anyway) and didn't even need retraining.

The other mare came from a friend who gave her to me for the princely sum of £20 after getting her free from her trainer. She's had some time off and will need some careful bringing back into work as she can be sharp but no major reschooling issues.

All in all- go for it!!
 
I have 3 ex-racers and I absolutely adore them! 2 came directly from their breeder after they'd finished their racing career. The other was in need of a lot of help when I got her - she's a real doll now though :)
 
I have two - both directly from the trainer. One is now aged 20 and a real character who will be with me til his dying day. The other is an 8 year old mare who has had endless health problems since I bought her last year (nothing to do with racing or being a TB though!). I love them both dearly and would never buy anything else. PM me if you want any more info.
 
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