Bangalore |  Mysore |  Mumbai |  Pune |  Hyderabad |  Kolkata |  Delhi  
Indian Classics |  Profiles  |  Fixtures |  Video |  Archives |  Public Pulse |  In & Around |  Specials |  International |  Home  
Loading....
in   
 
News    Send comment   Send E-mail   Print the page

Over production hits breeders hard

  February 8 , 2013
   

The annual sale of two year olds, the only one of its kind conducted by Royal Western India Turf Club at Pune during the week after the Indian Derby is run on the first Sunday of February was not kind to breeders this year following drastic fall in demand.

In the earlier decades, auction sales were also conducted by Bangalore Turf Club which then owned the Kunigal Stud Farm and also Madras Race Club but owning to logistical reasons, the sales are now restricted to the one held at Pune because it saves on costs and provides the right ambience. This year, over production of horses hit the breeders hard as the prices of horses dipped beyond expectation. Quite a few horses were left unsold. The breeders had to resort to desperate measures of giving away their horses on contingency and at prices that will become unviable for them to breed.

Following the private sales held over the last four days, less than 100 horses came to the auction ring held on Friday evening. About 23 horses were bought by bidders at prices as low as Rs 10,000! The average was a paltry Rs 44,000. The highest price went to a two year old by Oath out of Tribal Fantasy at Rs 1, 25,000. Ten horses were bought in.
  
  One of the horses at the auction sale at Pune on Friday

The breeders had faced a similar crunch situation way back in the 90s but the last decade had been a big boon to the breeders as it became a sellers` market. The influx of pregnant mares from abroad and the fact that many stud farms had expanded in a big way was the reason why good horses also went unsold. The demand for got abroad horses (foals out of pregnant horses bought from Goffs, Tattersall and Keeneland breeding stock stale) had gone up to an all-time high following the remarkable success achieved by these horses. Every one of the got abroad two year olds which came to the sales was lapped up with great enthusiasm. The existing turf clubs can accommodate only about 1000 new entrants due to space constraints. Next year the situation is going to be worse with the reported population of yearlings touching close to 2000 mark.

The bigger stud farms rarely used to bring horses to the auction ring but this year, there was significant number from these stud farms to sell. The big stud farms enjoy the privilege of selling their entire crop sold long before they turn two year old at the farm itself but this year, the landscape has surely changed. With these horses available at lesser prices than what was par in the previous years, they were the first to be picked up. The Hazara Stud Farm which has been enjoying unprecedented success did not have any horse at the Pune sales. The Sohna Stud Farm too did not have any horse coming to the sales.

One of the breeders said that the situation was indeed distressing and had reached alarming proportions. The next year does not hold any hope as the horses available for sale will be much bigger. Usually, about 400 horses were entered for the annual sale but only half that number physically arrived. This year, about 400 horses were physically present.

The restrictions on the number of two year olds that a trainer can have introduced by turf clubs like BTC and HRC due to space constraints has been a dampener. It was common to hear from trainers that they would have bought more if they were not restricted by the quota imposed on them by their clubs. RWITC too has introduced restriction but the situation is much better. The trainers also have the option of exchanging their horse midway through the season by re-locating those in training in stud farms and bringing in fresh horses.

There has been a marginal drop in the number of pregnant mares that came to India last year. Since no new two-year olds, other than those bred at Tamil Nadu can enter Madras Race Club, the situation will remain grim next year as well till such time there is rationalisation between demand and supply.

 
 
  Post your comments   E-mail   Print
Total Comments : 1
Posted by Ravi Gowande on ( February 9 , 2013 )
All over world India is considered as a major market for all kinds of
goods. population of Middle income group is huge which is being targeted by MNC firms in big way.
Except horse racing.
In India racing is restricted to, few big income groups only. Turf clubs is monopoly of few people. Best solution for such conditions is to bring in investors from middle income group. Syndicates, Small owners should be encouraged by Breeders, turf Clubs.
Ravi Gowande
Pedigreestar
 
Top
   
'


Live Results - Delhi, March 28 2024
 
Disclaimer: The views expressed in Reviews and Analysis depict the personal perspective of the authors only. The website does not subscribe to or endorse any of the same and is not responsible for adverse consequences. Every effort is made to provide accurate information, we are not responsible for any discrepancies that are beyond our control.
© 2008 Racing Pulse. All Rights Reserved. A Racingpulse Holdings Venture