Tattersalls/Bloodstock Sales - Unsold

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Whoopit

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For some reason, I feel like I'm going to be asking a really stupid question!

I have two ex-racehorses, bought directly from the trainer straight off the track and as you do, you truffle about on the internet for any background you can find (in my case, not much to truffle for as they were both bought as 2yr olds). And then you get nosy and look up past sales prices of youngsters with the same sire and grandsires. . Or maybe that's just me cos i'm incredibly bored.

So, the horses that show up on Tattersalls (and other bloodstock auctions) sales results as Unsold - what happens to them? Does the selling yard just keep them or wait for someone to approach them with an offer?
 
They generally go straight into training. Some horses also go through the sales ring purely to qualify for sales races.
 
No, your not alone - I do this too! I was amazed at the huge variety of prices they make at Tattersalls. My new mare reached 5000 as a yearling but didnt sell.
 
It does depend though. I've agreed to privately pay x for a yearling if it goes to sales, usually part 3 with minimum bid of £800, perfectly nice horse but breeding has become unfashionable etc etc. They will then put a reserve on so if horse doesn't make that it comes home. Typically the two I've arranged that on have made £9,000 and £11,000!! Also owner may have changed their mind and put a higher reserve on and possibly put into training them self, the blood line may be getting hot and they want to hold onto it. If it goes through the sales its eligible for certain races as well so its sometimes desire able that it doesn't sell.
 
My three have made $270,000 in the states (trust me you would be seriously upset with this as a racehorse :D) £12,000 ish through tattersalls and £7,000 over in ireland - the best out the lot was the cheapest :)
 
Whoopit said:
So, the horses that show up on Tattersalls (and other bloodstock auctions) sales results as Unsold - what happens to them? Does the selling yard just keep them or wait for someone to approach them with an offer?
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I bought a 3rd old filly at Ascot Sales outside of the ring when she didn't sell. I paid cash straight to the stable lad, they gave me her passport and that was that!

In my experience lots of them get sold outside of the ring and go down as 'Unsold' - I know of lots of people who've bought TBs who've not met their reserve.
 
My yards last unsold is having a well deserved holiday back at the yard in the field to await owners decision. (Hoping he will come back into training!)
 
I had work experience at the newmarket equine hospital and when I went round the yards with one of the vets, I fell in love with one of the 2 year old TB's that was in training, a gelding so can't even be used for breeding. I have thought about him since then, I just wondered, what does happen to them if they are not fast enough, do they get sold, given away or shot? Do you think its worth emailing the yard and letting them know that I would be interested in him if he didn't make it as a race horse or when he retired?
Sorry for hijacking your post OP, I just really wanted to know :)
 
Pingpongpony, I'd enquire at the yard and see if you can get a message left for an owner. The worst they can say is no. I'm aiming for a lovely 5 yr old jump racer, super event type, lots of power. Typically he then won his NH flat race so owner looking forwards to am long jump career :-(.
 
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