With the increase in popularity of the Thoroughbred division, as well as the TB Makeover, finding good (and inexpensive) Thoroughbreds coming off the track has been a challenge of late. Most horses that are posted on Facebook are snapped up within hours, and frankly, I can’t take the risk of buying something off the internet without so much as an in-person jog. So I am attending the Fasig-Tipton Mid-Atlantic Mix Sale today. I don’t know if I’ll find anything that will work for my needs or tastes, but it’s worth it to study some conformation, as well as make some contacts for the future. I sliced and diced the catalog into various lists of horses of varying ages, experience and breeding (looking for bloodlines with jumping aptitude), to come up with a short list of around 5-7 horses that I’d like to see up close.
I’m meeting my sister, Kim, and her husband at the sale. Kim’s interests are a bit different than mine, since she doesn’t have plans to do the Makeover, and she’s a student of racing and an avid fan. In fact, it’s her dream to some day own a racehorse of her own. She’s also writing a novel that is based on racing, so she’s also collecting research.
The weather isn’t too brisk and the sun is shining. What better way to spend an afternoon than viewing the gorgeous, athletic participants in the Sport of Kings?
Wish us luck! Will post photos in my next entry!
