It's fair to say that any first crop sire is unproven as we still need to see them solidify that success for a few years. I don't think they bought her expecting her to make her purchase price back, so we'll just have to wait and see how she develops as a 3 year old. If she wins big races, then the $$$ will have been worth it. Others must have been bidding on SB for the price to be jacked up that high, so I assume again that most people think dirt won't be a problem. I'm not going to argue that her damside is weak pedigree wise - clearly it is.

LOL - I shouldn't have laughed, but that's funny.

I thought it was high also, but if anyone is gonna get taken by buying something to high, is it wrong of me to be glad its IEAH???:D I also saw that a half sister to Curlin is selling Hip 128, in foal to Smart Strike, should be interesting to see what she brings.

i don't know that they assume she can handle dirt, i certainly wouldn't assume it since she's only been on AWT. now, since the bc is on pro-ride again this year, maybe they're just hoping to win there in a year. either way, they've spent quite a lot of money to risk that a horse by two precocious runners will prove not to be.

by the same token, she has the top filly championship sewn up-so she has residual value.

The problem I would have is that IEAH is supposedly in the business of making money for their clients and at this price I just think that is a longshot. Sheikh Mo can pay 100 million for a horse it makes more sense because he wont be looking to sell her or out of her. You have to be an extreme optimist to think she will ever be worth more than she is today.

I couldn't say if she was a total bust that she would be in the sale next year. However, unless they and the filly were completely embarrassed throughout the year, they can in fact breed her out for many years. Breed to race, sell, foal share, syndicate, I don't know. I am not saying the economics are sound, but fillies and mares like this will always sell for more than the economically sound number -- even in the worst of possible markets.

Eric

If Stardom Bound needs to do anything next year to justify this purchase price, then they may be fighting an uphill battle if she follows the path of some of these recent 2YO filly champions: Folklore, Sweet Catomine, Halfbridled, Storm Flag Flying, Tempera, Caressing, and Countess Diana.

I guess I knew that no other trainer really had a shot - SB is a big deal and DD is IEAH'S guy. I'm sure DD will do a good job with the filly, but I think it's sad that his big mouth is going to make people root against Stardom Bound. He turned me off of Big Brown, I know that.

Don't worry -- the horse doesn't know that people are rooting against her, and Dutrow probably doesn't know how you feel. More importantly, I would think he probably won't care.

Eric

I guess you can't assume anything in this world, but let's say I'd be surprised if she didn't handle dirt. There were questions about Zenyatta, too, until she won the Apple Blossom. No, lol, I'm not saying SB is Zenyatta, just that not all questions are answered in the negative. Racehorses are always a bit of an unknown, but IEAH thinks she's worth the risk. There's a quote in the link below about that :

http://auctions.bloodhorse.com/article/47873.htm

It's interesting that Iavarone said in the Bloodhorse story that they are going to be bringing in some celebrities on this deal. Does that suggest that she's going to be IEAH's Derby horse? I wouldn't expect them to get "celebrity" partners for an Oaks/Alabama filly.

Excellent point. In certain cases, it's not about justifying, not at all. Storm Flag Flying would be a perfect example there. Even in this case though, I don't think it's about justifying. They can breed her out for many years. Sure, complete roll of the dice, but a good looking filly, first few years, etc. That's the name of the breeding game.

So, do you think they breed to race or do they sell?

Eric

No, the horse doesn't know and lol, DD certainly doesn't care (I admire that attitude, in a way). For me though, it is kind of sad. SB is a likeable filly and fun to watch for many people - I hope they can see past the trainer. Me? I'm going to have to grit my teeth and/or bite on a bullet .........but I'm still glad she's staying here...AND on the East Coast.

I was kind of upset that she's going to IEAH and Dutrow, and not because I'm not fans of either of them. I just was hoping she would stay out west, and if she develops run in the Santa Anita Derby VS. the boys, and then possibly the Kentucky Derby. I know it's a long shot, but with Vineyard Haven and Midshipman off to Dubai, she could make some noise against what has so far been a very mediocre group of 2-year colts.

The price is entirely too high as breeding stock especially in this market with her pedigree.

Hard to say, with Big Brown part of the equation now, but it seems as if they buy to race, and then cash out when the mares are at the end of their racing careers. For example, they are selling Ariege later in this sale.

Agreed. I think it can go many ways. They have a unique business model and I think it is very organic as well. Who knows.

Eric

would that be bullshit?

Too high for you. Not them, and just a tad too high for Stronach (the underbidder). Who knows that they have in mind. I have no idea who might be advising them, or what consultants they use. Maybe they plan on selling multi-million dollar yearlings one after the other.

In today's marketplace, the #'s are certainly not what they once were as far as market value. But like I said, the so called special ones will still go off the charts.

Eric

Perhaps yes.

Eric