It is now one week after Big Brown's stunning victory in the Kentucky Derby. The story of his ownership has been well publicized. He was originally bought in the Keeneland 2-year-old sales for $190,000 by Paul Pompa Jr. in April 2007. After his first race, a 11 1/4 lengths win in a 1 1/16m MSW at Saratoga on the turf, 75% of the ownership was sold to IEAH Stable for a estimated $3.5 million. Shortly before the Derby, there was rumoured that Big Brown was offered in the range of $20million but was turned down. A stud deal for Big Brown after his retirement is expected to be announced prior to the Preakness, and a value of close to $50 million has been estimated.
This is a Cinderella's story. Big Brown outran his pedigree, and more is yet to come. After all, he has only run 4 times in his career. But if he indeed win the Triple Crown, he is likely to be retired after the Belmont too.
Just in this particular weekend between the Derby and the Preakness in which there was not any major Grade 1 races, let me walk through some of the examples of the risk in racehorse ownership.
Casino Drive, a 3-year-old colt by Mineshaft, out of Better Than Honour, by Deputy Minister, was sold for $950,000 in September 2006 to Japanese interest. His first race was a 1800m race on the dirt at Kyoto this February, and won by 8 length. He flied from Japan to New York, and yesterday, he won the Grade 2 Peter Pan Stakes at Belmont, en route to the Belmont Stakes four weeks from now, and is considered the biggest threat to Big Brown (if he wins the Preakness and going to the Belmont).
Indy's Windy, a 4-year-old filly by A. P. Indy, out of Banshee Winds, by Known Fact, is a half-sister to champion Banshee Breeze. She was sold for $1.1 million in the 2005 Keeneland September Yearling Sales. She raced for the 7th time in her career in the 5th race at Churchill Downs on Sunday, a mile MSW on the turf. She was dead last in a field of 9. Total earning to-date is $31,585.
Unbridled's Heart, owned by the Darley Stable, is a 3-year-old colt by Unbridled's Song, out of Wild Heart Dancing, by Farma Way, was a $1 million yearling out of the 2006 Keeneland September. Even with such a precocious pedigree, he missed his entire 2-year-old season and the classic races, and debut in a 1 1/16m MSW at Belmont on Sunday. Under Javier Castellano, he led wire-to-wire and won the race in 1:42.12. He Beyer Speed Figure is 100, go enough for the Preakness!
Dollar Mountain, a 3-year-old colt by Forestry, out of Formal Tango, by Dynaformer, was sold for $530,000 in the 2006 Keeneland September Yearling Sales. She raced in the 5th at Hollywood on Sunday, a 6f MSW on the turf. She was unplaced and still winless in 3 starts. It will take a while for his owner to re-capture some of the original purchase price.
Then we have something like this ....
Very Professional, a 10-year-old gelding whose sire, Lordhyexecutioner had a stud fee of $1,000, ran for the 93rd time in the 11th race at Woodbine on Sunday, a $12,500 claiming race at 6f. He was unplaced. His lifetime record was 18 wins, 11 second and 12 third from 93 starts with total earning of $578,213. As recent as last year, when he was 9, he ran 17 times with 5 wins and 1 second for a total money won of $62,898. At one point, he won 4 races in a row from $9,500 to $11,500 tag between 6f to 7f. I will never complain if I was lucky to own such a horse!
My List, a 4-year-old filly by Banker's Gold, out of Enduring Charm, by Batonnier, was sold for a mere $1,200 in the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October 2005 Yearling Sales. At that time, Banker's Gold stud fee was $3,500, so the originally owner was selling her at a loss. On Sunday, My List won her third consecutive stakes race in the Grade 3 The Hendrie Stakes at Woodbine at 6 1/2 furlongs. Her previous stake wins were the Bessarbian Stakes last November and the Whimsical Stakes last month, both at Woodbine. Her current earning has just surpassed half a million dollar. This is not bad for considering the original investment of only $1,200!
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