Fasig Tipton Spa Open Sale

[sumitas]

there probably should be tests for steroids in horses at auction. until then, hopefully the buyers will come to recognize those they can trust. trust meaning, no drugs for the young horses and disclosure of corrective surgery.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by sumitas

there probably should be tests for steroids in horses at auction. until then, hopefully the buyers will come to recognize those they can trust. trust meaning, no drugs for the young horses and disclosure of corrective surgery.

I sure hope that would work. It's already plenty expensive to bring one to the sales, so a bit more for testing that the consigner has to absorb cuts into the margin, especially if the sale doesn't attract buyers and there are a lot of buy backs (RNA). A good reputation is worth preserving, but it seems that the breeders, unless they're putting out market sires, are going to take it on the chin again.
As far as "corrective surgery", there's another huge expense that the breeder might not be able to recover. It should be disclosed before the sale, and I've seen some that didn't have any surgery that ran like hell anyway.
Storm Cat's come to mind.
To sum it up...I'd say no steroids for young horses. Disclosure of corrective surgery. Despite those good intentions, there will be "cheaters", as in most other things.

[sumitas]

the devil is in the details. but it seems this would be an expense the sellers would have to incur. the small breeders would be hurt the most as far as any additional expense. i suppose, what is there to stop a breeder now from testing their foals prior to the sale, and presenting a certified drug free test result for the buyers ? even that can be manipulated however. i guess we'll have to waith for the day that horses are tested at the sale and results are fairly immediate.

[Downthestretch55]

Originally Posted by sumitas

the devil is in the details. but it seems this would be an expense the sellers would have to incur. the small breeders would be hurt the most as far as any additional expense. i suppose, what is there to stop a breeder now from testing their foals prior to the sale, and presenting a certified drug free test result for the buyers ?

A certified drug free test result would be the way to go. I don't know what the labs would charge, or how long you'd have to wait for the results.
Remember, you're looking at a minimum of two months just to get into the catalogue.
If this is what needs to be done to restore confidence to the buyers, I guess it's a pill we'll all have to swallow.

[sumitas]

yup dts, this is a work in progress. maybe a clause in the contract stating if the drug test comes back positive (the buyer pays) the sale is void...

[Downthestretch55]

Sumitas,
As I type this, I'm looking at the consignment contract for the New York Breeders Fall Mixed sale (Sun and Mon, Oct 15,16). Item 6 is pretty clear about misrepresentation and fraud.
It might be worth your while to get a copy of the standard terms for consignment.
NY Breeders
376 Broadway Suite 111
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866