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Weblog: A newcomer's take on the breeding world
Can a bloodstock sale enhance your race day?
THE racing headlines following Cheltenham's Festival Trials Day on Saturday were rightly dominated by Big Buck's outstanding 15th consecutive victory. The atmosphere at Cheltenham was, as ever, enough to make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. However, I believe this experience can be further enhanced if you also attend a bloodstock auction.
Can a race day experience at Cheltenham beenhanced by attending a bloodstock auction?
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)On Saturday the Brightwells National Hunt Sale, starting at 5pm, offered such an opportunity. I think more needs to be doneto encourage people to attend these auctions as they allow the barriers to be broken down between the racing industry and the public.
Too often at race meetings the owners, trainers and jockeys seem removed in their own impenetrable bubble. Bloodstock auctions suddenly allow you to be in the heart of the racing world. Involvement in the industry no longer appears to be so elusive but instead something attainable which you can easily become apart of.
On Saturday evening there were horses selling for as little as
£10,000. If more young people were encouraged to attend auctions they would understand that racehorse ownership is not an entirely unattainable target in the future. Of course, on top of this, there are the inevitable running costs, but it removes the misconception that any form of ownership is only attainable by the likes of Michael Owen. If this interest is sparked now it will lead to greater involvement in the industry at a later stage.
In order to put my theory to the test I took a friend, Barnaby Dobson, who only goes to the races a couple of times a year with friends and has no equestrian knowledge. Although initially he found the procedures a little confusing the buzz in the auction room was enough to captivate him.
Reflecting back on the experience he said: "Any auction is always an exciting environment and it was nice to be able to see the horses up close and for longer.
"It makes you feel like you could be involved in racing. You could just put your hand up and suddenly you could become part of it all. I had never really considered this aspect or racing and I had no idea about what horses cost.
"I think I am now more enthusiastic about racing and would be keen to go back and see if my knowledge has improved."
I think most people would feel the same way if they took up the
opportunities on offer. Unfortunately, at the moment, attending an auction just does not seem to be on most people's radar.
I do appreciate that the sales ring is a place of business but I think more needs to be done to publicise sales to a broader audience. This way the veil can be lifted between the public and the industry and it will encourage fresh buyers into the sport.
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