Thanks for all the advice and I will use it when grilling the trainer. I was worried it wouldn’t stay 3miles. This Irish source he insists is reliable and he’s been using them for many years be it in the ptp field very successfully. The other problem being horses are very overpriced at the moment. If you go to the sales you are being outbid for average horses and commission on top.
On an aside, if anyone said to me that this is a "Cheltenham horse" or anything like that, I would run an absolute mile. Personally, I have been involved long enough with ownership/knowing other owners, to know that its hard enough to get a horse to a racecourse, let alone get one that is good enough to run at a top meeting. Funnily yesterday I was talking to a chap I know from a previous syndicate, who had gone into a different one with Fergal. They've been going a year and not had a run yet, the horse is nicely bred but it hasn't gone to plan. As for the sales - https://www.tattersallscheltenham.c...ecember-sale/4DCGI/Sale/CDE21/Main/Statistics - That was sold at Cheltenham, by the same sire and with probably similar levels of form from its mares maiden at the same course. From my experience, I know horses that have gone for similar money and had good careers at Fergals (Blue Sans being one), and they are very knowledgeable about Irish point form.
Nass I respect everything you guys say. That’s why I’m here asking these questions and taking on your advice. How longs this forum been going? You guys and girls have a wealth of knowledge. Having had horses for years I know how hard it is to get them to any competition. That being said it sound good but as you say not at that money. My next question. How much?
Honestly I wouldn't be looking to buy it. What I would be doing is finding someone who has an Irish P2P log in (or buying yourself one) and watching the races back and looking at their write ups on the horse.
There is quality in the pedigree though. The dam of Top of the List is a half-sister to a 4 time Grade 2 winner (Watson Lake). I also note that the dam has produced one foal who has made it to the racecourse, thus far - the mare Ava Rose (born 2015). She was a winner at Thurles back in '20. Another interesting fact is that Top of the List went through the Goffs sales ring back in '19 and fetched €30,000. His 1 year younger half-brother made €34,000, at the same venue, in 2020.
Ok, let me ask you this. Do you think he is worth more or less than he was back in 2019 as an unraced young horse?
Very good and very interesting question. You have surpassed yourself with that one, old boy. He's a winner in the Pointing field (which is a huge plus) but he hasn't done anything away from that sphere (shades of huge unknown, therefore). I guess the answer is all about potential and your view on it re Top of the List. I realise I'm sitting on the fence somewhat re an answer so will jump orrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrf PDQ. No, I wouldn't go to €30,000 but could see why others would if they had strong opinions re the horse. You would have to say though that his market value wouldn't, surely, be hugely short of this sum. The above mentioned Watson Lake, by the way, won £335,000 in prizemoney.
Btw. I have seen the video and you’re right they only jumped six fences but jumped them well eased down on the snaff to the second by five lengths. These are the trainers words not mine. He is capable of winning a race at Stratford that he targets and has been successful and then goes on to Cheltenham for the hunter chase meeting. This is providing he comes over and wins a couple of restricted points first off. Of course there’s loads of ifs and buts, that’s horse racing for you, it’s all about opinions.
Now that is very different than the foxhunters. The hunter chase meeting has some modest races, and as you say if he can win a couple of restricted points and qualify then that is a fair target.
Let’s just say you win a race at the hunter chase meeting. Surely the next progression would be the fox hunters?
Not necessarily, given the Hunter evening has races from 2 miles all the way up to 4 miles + . If you were targetting one of the shorter races, then to stay the 3m2+ trip in a Foxhunters would be asking something special. Also, would you be targetting a race 11 month later?
Found this to be a very interesting thread. My thanks to Floridaspearl and Nassau. I wish you both the best of luck with your various ownership endeavours. Being abroad for so long in my working career, I had little time to participate in racehorse ownership, although once was awful close to owning a standard-bred trotter. A naming problem for the horse with my better half soon put the kybosh on that. Remember, the trainer/breeder was a trifle p****d-off with the both of us! Don't blame him!
Well, Nass, I just don't know because the youngster was unnamed when we chickened-out on buying it. Yes, I certainly should have tried to find-out what name the eventual owner had chosen I think the missus did not want me to get into ownership or part-ownerships of racehorses, and the ridiculous name for the poor animal which she put-up was just not on. I was just not in town long enough, at any one time, to pursue the matter vigorously. Oh well, marital stress and all that, but we got over it!
Latest update. Snow leopard was due to run at Charing last week but suffered an injury whilst schooling a couple of days before. Leading up to it he has been working really well. We’ve taken the decision to send him to Newmarket for a scan to get to the bottom of it. Unfortunately there’s a titanium shortage so the scan is on hold . None of the other purchases came off for one reason or another. A horse has come on the radar in Ireland called sum it up a 7 yr old gelding by fame and glory with an Irish rating of 83. I’m interested to know what our esteemed members think? No prices have been quoted yet.
