racehorses off the track

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zelli

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Ok, what would be the maximum you would pay for a horse straight off the track?

Dealt with them millions of times, but never actually brought one... and theres one advertised that looks nice, but more than I would have wanted to pay, so just want a few opinions really!
 
For me it would depend on why the horse has finished it's racing career. Injury/ too slow etc etc.
I managed to get one a couple of years ago that had sentimental owners, they wanted him to finish his career on a high and before he got broken so that he could go on to do something else. I got the horse and for my time a substantial contribution to a charity I was involved with at the time!!
Now that is my kind of deal!!
 
Depends on how nice the horse is.
Anything from £300 up to £10,000 for a serious quality, unblemished animal that moves and has good balance. Horses of that price would probably be good enough to stay in racing hence why they would be more pricey.
 
Totally depends on what you want to do with it. Are you looking for a "happy hacker" - in which case you'd get one free if you asked the right trainers, or if you're looking to get a mare suitable to breed from - that would depend on her bloodline, or are you looking for something with excellent conformation and action to compete with? No definite answer but we've been given freebies through to paying thousands of pounds for ours.
 
Im really just looking for a project that I would keep for about a year and then sell on. Its supposedly sound with no blemishis, and it says he was successfull on the flat... but that pretty much all so alot of questions would need to be asked. Hes a grand...
 
I've just bought a 7 yr old NH horse straight out of training and he cost £2k. He is an exceptional mover who jumps like a stag so I feel he is worth it. I'm sure, however, the first time I take him hunting I will be on this forum asking "why on earth did I buy that arsical horse?". We may keep him or hunt him for a season and sell him on.
 
I have noticed with the replies so far that the majority are saying little money for them. They are unfortunately in a throw away society if they are unsuccessful and at £500 the majority of the time would simply be sent for meat.
I have had at least 6 of these horses in the last couple of years and have paid anywhere between £1200 and £2k for them. They have all been successfully schooled on and now have nice new jobs and are worth as much money as the next horse. There seems to be a definate stigma attached to them but I find it is usually with the people who have had little time spent with them. I also have Welsh x TB who is sharper in company than the ex racer I have.
If people would start to give them a chance and the majority of people on here are horse lovers then surely more of these animals who have had it tough so far would end up with a better future?
I am not saying that they are everybodies cup of tea but cannot understand why most are valueing them at less than meat value. These horses have been out and about at race meetings and are generally good in traffic and have had to learn alot from a young age so I sometimes feel that they almost have an advantage over some other horses that at 3 or 4 have seen nothing.
I do agree that alot finish their careers with health/unsoundness issues but that is no suprise when they are backed and worked hard at such an early age.
This is my "ex racer straight off the track" he raced 6 weeks ago, he schools nicely, is popping a course of x poles with a nice attitude and my novicy hubby hacks him out in any traffic.
Sorry if I sound like I am preaching but come on people, give these horses a chance, they are most rewarding.
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Thank you Hollyf I find that really helpful. Having never brought one myself I really have no clue what the going price is, to me £1000 for a 6 year old is cheap, but because so many people don't value x racers it seemed expensive. Having worked with them before, I find it very rewarding, and am interested in possibly making it as a bit of a hobby, as i completly agree with you that they need a second chance in life, and this is one of the first ones that I have found near me.

Just out of interest, how much have you sold yours on for in the past?
 
Depends. I have never done it for a profit, I have done it more as I feel sorry for them and I have the time, my own facilities and money to do it but I have always doubled my money minimum. This may sound alot but considering I give them the full MOT when they arrive as I have found they all need Chiro treatment, worm, shoe, saddle fit, teeth and good food/grass then this soon adds up. If I was looking to make money out of it then I could have probably done so but I would have had to keep them for less time but I have allowed them all plenty of time for reschooling/resettling and I have been very picky about where they went to as I wanted to make sure they were to have a good future which touch wood they all have.
If I wasnt so soft I could probably make money out of it but I have turned away buyers who I didnt think were right.
I look at it this way, if they are good and safe in traffic and to hack - any horse is worth minimum of £2k surely so thats your bottom price if they dont make anything else which I havent had one yet that didnt go on to be an allrounder which then are surely worth £3.5k minimum:)
 
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