Buying Racehorses from Top Sales Companies Can Boost a Stable’s Profitability

When it comes to buying top quality bloodstock one has to remember that these purchases are investments, whether they are yearlings one has targeted for pinhooking shortly afterwards or for racing in one's own stable. Buying horses from a top quality sales company gives one a better chance to invest money in an animal that has been well bred and cared for by a top stud farm. There are some sales companies in Ireland for example, that for many years have offered horses of the highest quality. Whether one wishes to acquire horses in Ireland or elsewhere, dealing with the best sales agencies can help one select animals from a distinctive group of individuals.

The best sales agencies provide buyers with several sales per year. Each sale usually specializes in one type of horse, from weanlings, yearlings, two year olds, horses of racing age and broodmares. Usually these sales are seasonal in nature and held on approximately the same dates each year. Breeders build their calendars around the dates of these sales as they will get their horses ready to go through the sales ring and they depend on the sales for an important part of their income. Quality sales agencies also offer state-of-the-art facilities that act as a showcase for each horse for sale. They also provide luxurious spaces for buyers to peruse the horses. This benefits sellers as well since buyers who are comfortable and well cared for are likely to spend more time at the sales.

Nothing is more convincing to potential buyers at a sale than a list of famous sales graduates. Over the years the top sales companies sell horses from notable breeders, and they list their well-known sales graduates on their websites. Within these lists of sales graduates it’s important to note stakes winners and especially graded stakes winners. Depending on the type of horse one wishes to buy, a buyer can note if a sales company sells a preponderance of horses that win on turf, dirt or synthetic tracks. Another trend buyers can watch for is the listing of any horses sold by the agency that captured Grade 1 or classic races within the last 10 years. It may be more difficult to weigh sales graduates that come from eras before that time.

Many buyers prefer to use agents to purchase racehorses for them. This is a good idea as the agents will know which sales agencies will offer the quality bloodstock that their clients want. The agents also know how to bid at auction, which is a special skill. Ideally the agent will take the buyer’s request to buy either a particular horse or one from a certain sire line or family and go into the sale and represent the buyer.

Ultimately buying racehorses at auction can be a rewarding experience as it can result in the purchase of many useful horses, and sometimes future champions, who occasionally are sold for relatively inexpensive sums. It is important to become familiar with the best sales agencies and their event calendars before considering purchasing horses. The top sales agencies offer all of the amenities and customer service to make it easier for buyers and sellers to do business.

John Henderson offers his expertise on horse sales taken from his years working for several horse breeders in Ireland.