In other news
Oct 3rd, 2007 by Bert
I’m still reeling over the Winker news - apart from anything else it was only a gentle piece of work today. I really believe he was a virtual certainty in the Middle Park - Pete certainly thought so and the only threat looked to be Sir Gerry - he would have been a very short price. Reading the Betfair forum I see the conspiracy theorists are out in force. Ho hum.
… and the day began so well with a winner at Warwick - Lord Peter Flint winning a maiden at the third time of asking. I agree with the Racing Post write up - he won well enough but in workmanlike fashion - but given that he is really a 3yo type who wants further I think it was a big run. He’s an eye catching horse and looks to have a lot of scope - I’d expect him to sell well, possibly to the US, and he may not run in our colours again.
No sooner has the Warwick race finished when the phone rings - Tom Goff is ringside at the Goffs Million sale in Ireland, and a yearling filly we have been eying up is in the ring. I’m in the process of buying a farm and I’m planning to keep a few broodmares - Tom is keeping an eye out for the right horses. I’ve never paid top end for a racehorse before, but we’ve decided to look for at least one really top class animal to get the operation going - Lot 304, by Rock of Gibraltar out of Spirit of Tara (a full sister to Salsabil) looks like the right stuff on breeding, and she has caught Tom’s eye.
The bidding starts quietly at 100k euro and creeps up. At 250k it slows and Tom comes in with his first bid - I tell him he can go to 600k. There appears to be only one other bidder - it goes to 620k in no time and he asks if I wanted to go 650k. I agree, and they come straight back with 700k - he asks me for 750k. I umm and aah - I ask him what he thinks. “She really is a lovely filly…” I go 750k - they come back with 800k.
“Oh well, maybe next time” I say. Suddenly Tom pipes up “I’ve gone 850!”. I’m slightly taken aback… “damn - they’ve gone 900″. “I think that’s enough” I say. We have a little post mortem chat and I head back to my desk. I’m sad we didn’t get the filly but I’m amused that Tom bid 100k euro over my top bid without my permission. I decide that I’m completely cool with it. It’s a bit like a jockey not riding to instruction - he builds his own leeway into the orders, which is completely acceptable in a good working relationship.
I ring Tom back to tell him that I’ve come up with a great name for the filly - Teia Tephi, who was “the Queen of Tara and Gibraltar”. I ask him to email me the buyers details so I can send on my congratulations and suggest the name. I ring Jeremy to regale him with my stories of the day. “Hang on” he says, “that’s Pete on the other line - I wonder what he wants…”
Major Eazy runs tomorrow and he might go well after his break. Let’s hope so.
8 Responses to “In other news”
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Bert
Sorry to hear about Winker too, you don’t seem to be having much fun with your stable lately.
You know, I was actually going to take your advice just this once & have a Flutter. ;=)
It doesn’t surprise me that Tom went £60k ish over your price, and I can understand why you are cool with it. I reckon it’s down to at least 3 of ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
Business: He thought she would make the money back. {And he would probably bet you that too ;=)}
Perspective: He made a judgment call that would be the equivalent of my mate or business partner bidding £60 over the odds on a Trotters Independent Trading Van.
Mutual Ambition / Addiction: Enough Said!
Friendship: He knew how much you wanted it (and him too!), hence it would have been cool, even if he had won the auction, but the horse was pants. {Even though you would have jibed him every time you met forever more!}
Charity: Better you waste it on horses, than waste it on THE horses.
;=)
SLCG
PS How about “Scrufy Looking Computer Geek” for a horse name? Do you think Betfair (or others) would be able to fit it in the selcections description, or would it be forever known as “SLGC” ?
Congrats re Major Eazy!
Major easy great result had a £50 double on him and classic legend at Nottingham get on Austintatiuos tomorrow! Keep well Bertie Boy!
Good luck with building a stud empire Bert - you are living the dream!
Well done with the Kyllachy filly today Bert…hopefully she gets your operation off on the right foot. Buying into the Pivotal line is a good move imo..all the best.
Hiya Andrew Black,this is Patrick.I really think we can do some serious business.I am the Trustee of a Memorial Trust and the Story behind this Trust is truly amazing,remarkable and TRUE.The Memorial is established in the Memory of a Amazing-woman….She was so AMAZING we named a Horse after her..Andrew the Mare is called Glory Oatway and she is carrying the next WINKER WATSON due January 2008..God Willing…..We at the Trust are Humble-not -well-off-Folks,that needs Grace and Favour in order to keep this Memorial Alive and constantly Producing for the Future. Andrew we are offering you the opportunity to Invest in the New Winker Watson..By visiting our website..gloryoatway.com you will see for yourself what we are trying to achieve at the Trust….
Andrew check us out and do Reply..Neg..or Pos…
Sincerely
Patrick Russell
Trustee Glory Oatway Memorial Trust
SLCG - unfortunately horse names are limited to 18 letters so it wouldn’t be allowed. Other than that it’s an excellent name…
James - I’m impressed. With the double that is - not so much with the tip, although it ran pretty well.
Michael, Andy - thankyou.
Patrick - good luck with your trust but I’m afraid it’s not for me.
Dear Bert,just to let you know that,Glory Oatway gave Birth to a Colt Foal by Piccolo on the 23rd of Jan.2008..Congratulations are in order I should say!!..Bert I strongly believe our Path should meet,after all We share the same interest,only difference is,you have more Money than Us at the Trust…Bert I predict that the Colt We Bred is WINKER WATSON or BETTER…Support Glory Oatway Memorial Trust Bert..God Bless!!!!!!!