Owning Horses - What Would Make You Buy (Or Return)?

...no I did not confuse the properties myself.... I was recently asked by a non local investment concern about PE and the racecourse that was for sale....and the question arose.... was Arlington not already sold?.... is it now another asset with no value..:huh: .... and I know very well that racing was moved to Fairview and that it is a thriving training and racing centre and vital to betting pools and will not and should not be sold out of hand.....but thinking laterally on the subject ....should MOD be spread very thin and fail to recoup enough through sales of certain non key disposable assets and not want to pump more than their fair share into the PHUM hole ....they may then be required to seek out investment partners....to share or take over certain racecourse operations..but not to close them down.....

Horse Ownership - The Way We Were........

I bought my first horse in partnership with a friend at a dispersal auction in 1978 when I was 26 years of age and earning R300 pm. It was a 5 yr old gelding by Nobody x Never Heard Of Her. (Not really the breeding but you get the idea).

What is remarkable today is that he ran 2nd for us in a 'B' Division 1200m first time out and earned R800. Training fees were R110 pm at that time. That pretty much sums up ownership then vs now. A lot of fun and excitement at a very modest nett cost.

Good morning Garrick, like many I am most definitely on my last horse but its been an experience.

I think remembering the happy times helps.

My first winner was Mucho Hombre, I remember his first race over 1000mt.
The trainer says rather play it on the tote ( it was coupled on the tote with Creator) Robert Maroun was trainer ( Buddies dad).
So at least I had a winning bet, Mucho was beaten 25 L over the sprint.
He eventually won over 2540 mt after leading by 25L at the bend he held on by a short head from the money on fav under the hands of Steve Zabilski?

Then there was Breathless, bought for 2 grand as it was lot 29, my lucky number.
George ( Zoro) has always been my partner in racing.
First race at the Vaal, we were so enthusiastic that when it hit the post we went and led it into the winners box.
I don’t think the connections of the actual winner (Rooting Tooting ) were very happy.
It’s second run, we hired a fancy bus and filled it with friends and family and went to the big T, a day we will never forget as she won the last race under the hands of Alan Fleet.
The party did not end that night and when I bought the Sunday Times to read a half page article from Francois Wolfaart “A Scot and a Greek get lucky”.
Not like these days where racing gets a postage stamp slot for results.

Anyway plenty stories and other runners over the years and the high of a winner tends to take away the pain and financial loss of the many losers.

My last few years have not been kind.
Had a lovely baby from Noble Tune and one of my favourite horses Miss Diana who did us proud as a racehorse and tried breeding.
Breeding is not for faint hearted.
The baby just dropped down dead one day.
The second baby was Noble Diana showed promise at the stables but nothing on the track and cost plenty over the 3 years.
At the same time we had Humble Tune a good looking colt with Candice Dawson due to run shortly.
Also when were paying for above 2 , Miss D was in foal and during birth we lost her and the baby with complications on a tragic night.

I don’t want to say how much the last few years cost us in Rand value but unless you get a decent horse it’s a bloody hard game these days.

I almost added a song at the end of this daily dribble .
It would have been YESTERDAY by the Beatles.

......long story short we await the bigger picture.....but not easy for MOD to try balance intended stakes increases to keep the last of the drastically depleted middle market enthused so that they can try feed the remaining pony mills.....as every month there are now online sales with a very low clearance rates.....I would like to try remain positive but the whole PHUM saga has drastically blunted my passion and it is going to take some time to try restore local racing to some form of normality.....and then who knows who may be an owner of even a small little pony mill...

Nicely put Dave. Hopefully Humble Tune will do us proud.

Sent from my SM-N960F using Tapatalk

A winning Lotto ticket worth FU Money but more importantly a lobotomy and divorce - Without these three things I could never be fooled into owning again

PHUMELELA-RACING ASSOCIATION MEDIA RELEASE

SUBJECT: Highveld stakes revised for October and November

DATE: Thursday 10 September 2020

RELEASED BY: Phumelela and The Racing Association


Phumelela and the Racing Association are implementing three tiers of prize money for minor races on the Highveld in October and November.


Instead of all minor races carrying the same R76,000 stake as has been the case since the resumption of racing post the COVID-19 lockdown, the following will apply from 1 October to 30 November:


Tier 1: R85,000. Applies to Pinnacle Stakes, A and B Division Handicaps, Conditions Plates, Progress Plates and Allowance Plates.


Tier 2: R77,500. Applies to Middle Stakes, C and D Division Handicaps, Higher Division of Divided Handicaps, Open Three-Year-Old Handicaps and Graduation Plates.


Tier 3: R70,000. Applies to Maiden and Maiden Juvenile Plates, E Division Handicaps and below, Lower Division of Divided Handicaps and Classified Stakes.


Three levels of prize money will recognise and reward merit with higher stakes for better-class races.


In the same vein, stakes for Listed and Non-Black-Type races will also be increased slightly in October and November. Listed events will go from R85,000 to R95,000 and Non-Black Type from R80,000 to R90,000. These increases will keep them at a higher level than the revised minor-race stakes.


The current single-level prize money for minor races in the Western Cape (R46,000) and Eastern Cape (R40,000) will remain in place for October and November.
......................................................................................................................................

...and so it begins.....the strategic carrots being sparingly doled out to coincide with the delayed TBA/BSA 2yr old sales....a very nice touch indeed....but what is the bigger plan going forward...and what of PE/WC where is the PE incentive to receive and race the growing numbers of less competitive racing runners being offered on the online sales platforms ..:huh:.....guess its baby steps for now and one day at a time.....:S

Muhtiman wrote: PHUMELELA-RACING ASSOCIATION MEDIA RELEASE

SUBJECT: Highveld stakes revised for October and November

DATE: Thursday 10 September 2020

RELEASED BY: Phumelela and The Racing Association

But they have had months to formulate their master plan, the RA team, they were the ones behind saving racing. In fact years this plan has been going fo since 2018 mid year, is the above the “plan”?


Phumelela and the Racing Association are implementing three tiers of prize money for minor races on the Highveld in October and November.


Instead of all minor races carrying the same R76,000 stake as has been the case since the resumption of racing post the COVID-19 lockdown, the following will apply from 1 October to 30 November:


Tier 1: R85,000. Applies to Pinnacle Stakes, A and B Division Handicaps, Conditions Plates, Progress Plates and Allowance Plates.


Tier 2: R77,500. Applies to Middle Stakes, C and D Division Handicaps, Higher Division of Divided Handicaps, Open Three-Year-Old Handicaps and Graduation Plates.


Tier 3: R70,000. Applies to Maiden and Maiden Juvenile Plates, E Division Handicaps and below, Lower Division of Divided Handicaps and Classified Stakes.


Three levels of prize money will recognise and reward merit with higher stakes for better-class races.


In the same vein, stakes for Listed and Non-Black-Type races will also be increased slightly in October and November. Listed events will go from R85,000 to R95,000 and Non-Black Type from R80,000 to R90,000. These increases will keep them at a higher level than the revised minor-race stakes.


The current single-level prize money for minor races in the Western Cape (R46,000) and Eastern Cape (R40,000) will remain in place for October and November.
......................................................................................................................................

...and so it begins.....the strategic carrots being sparingly doled out to coincide with the delayed TBA/BSA 2yr old sales....a very nice touch indeed....but what is the bigger plan going forward...and what of PE/WC where is the PE incentive to receive and race the growing numbers of less competitive racing runners being offered on the online sales platforms ..:huh:.....guess its baby steps for now and one day at a time.....:S

.......vasbyt John.....there may be light at the end of this very long tunnel.....and no it cant be that oncoming train as the Phum gravy express eventually derailed ....just hope they can afford to fix the engine and buy some new streamlined passenger cars.....

Zietsman Oosthuizen wrote:

Muhtiman wrote: one would hope that a cheaper hard knocker may eventually start earning in PE.....but what of the future of PE racing....I believe that this Phum asset is on the MOD for sale list.....:huh:

Is this now another conspiracy theory coming out of some stupid fool's arse?????? .... ffs .... because even the guys of MOD doesnt know about it.... so who is the source proclaiming this nonsense??????
Please put a name to who spreading this kak!!!!
I moved to PE on one of the Directors of MOD's advice and he aint no bullshitter

....it seems that there has been a bit of a cover up ever since the move from Arlington as very little provision was made for the grooms and accommodation.....wonder who are the bullshitters now......I feel like a right tit for telling potential investors that everything was hunky dory down there.....:blush:

Garrick, you "know" me, we have spent much time over the years engaging in conversation over our common passion, the HORSE. You have a more "cynical" outlook on racing than me (what we all enjoy about you). I'm a more wear my heart on my sleeve kind of person.
After this whole embarrassing disgrace in PE my wife, who "hates" racing/gambling, dare I say the people, but loves the animal has said to me for the first time in 35 years, its time to call it a day. "They are all in it for the money and what they can get out of you" "They feel nothing for the HORSE." This has made me sit back and take stock of everything about my passion and especially my relationships/friendships in racing with people I respect, care about, admire and trust. People like yourself, Hedley and many others all with one thing in common now days, not the HORSE, but to get out of racing. She has a point.
How the allure of owning a HORSE has changed in 35 years? I grew up with HORSES and racing (46 years ago) and have loved every minute of being involved but not so much of late. Times have changed and so have the people/priorities. The whole industry is on its head 180 degrees upside down:
1. The shareholders/management
2. The jockey
3. The groom
4. The vets/feed companies
5. The trainers
6. The punter
7. The owner
8. The HORSE

All those earning a living out of this industry are a priority above the product.....the HORSE.

Why would anyone in their right mind get involved in racing if you are perceived as a means to an end. MONEY! In 30 odd years owners have become donors to a charity called horseracing.

Well said Neigh and yes the charity you refer to all ending up with those who deserve none. I too have been involved in this game for a very long time as an owner a punter and even in the employ of the once Jockey Club. Its nothing like it was and its truly sad to see where priorities are . Hopefully (and I see it as a small hope only) the MOD team will be able to salvage and turn it around but I fear they have a massive task and I'm not sure they will succeed but I honestly hope they do. As for owning a horse again never ever as things stand and even punting on our local product is losing my interest.