Wygod CA dispersal

[docjocoy]

The Wygods are dispersing their CA breeding stock, moving their 4 stallions, and selling River Edge Farm. The article is on the Bloodhorse website. Quite a sad day for CA breeders.

[fastappy]

Wow, that's devasting for California. We've lost so many farms and this was the most prominent farm of late. Very bad news for California breeders, Sales Companies, and Tracks (we only got a couple left).

Meanwhile the tracks can't even fill their cards.

[Derby2004]

Just joining the wagon train out of California. Looks like the northeast is the new California

[fastappy]

Just joining the wagon train out of California. Looks like the northeast is the new California

True, .... very true. It'll just be me and a few others out here racing at the fairs!

[louis finochio]

Bring back Rex Ellsworth, & Khaled, it's been too many years since we have had quality stallion & mares in Calif. Unusual Heat is getting along in years, will he have a son too replace him?

[fastappy]

Bring back Rex Ellsworth, & Khaled, it's been too many years since we have had quality stallion & mares in Calif. Unusual Heat is getting along in years, will he have a son too replace him?

If only it were that simple Louis. Actually River Edge is probably the only farm was actually turning a profit (they bred 70 mares to Dixie Chatter alone) with their stallions (& no deals). What stallion owner (I'm one) who at this juncture would want to bring a new stallion into this state, Cal-Bred Awards aside, many are not getting sufficient books.

Any other ideas?

[zinn21]

I guess the State is going to throw Ca. racing under the bus. River Edge closing is serious loss. Not only do they breed large numbers but they provided many quality horses.

[Nancy T]

Didn't Rex Ellsworth walk away and leave his animals to die of starvation? including Iron Reward.

[Diane]

I wonder how much of this move is because Ca is so darn hard on business owners, ranchers and farmers. Water is a big issue. Electricity co's are allowed to rob customers blind. Irrigating pastures even if you have your own water costs a small fortune to run the pumps. You are penalized like crazy. My 5 acres + house, the electricity costs are 16k per year. My water is relatively shallow for so cal and we have water. Rivers Edge in Buellton, the costs must be phenomenal to keep that many acres irrigated. There's just no reason to stay in Ca.

[winds]

You hate to hear of things like this. It sounds like California racing and breeding is in dire straits, that's a shame. I hope it doesn't happen here in PA in the future.

winds

[TJ]

Bring back Rex Ellsworth, & Khaled, it's been too many years since we have had quality stallion & mares in Calif. Unusual Heat is getting along in years, will he have a son too replace him?

Louis, what are you saying? The horses had quality and class....but Ellsworth certainly didn't. He needs to be remembered for what he was, not for what his horses did for him. Read the 3 page story in Sports Illustrated below: TJ

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/ ... /index.htm

[Sysonby]

I wonder how much of this move is because Ca is so darn hard on business owners, ranchers and farmers. Water is a big issue. Electricity co's are allowed to rob customers blind. Irrigating pastures even if you have your own water costs a small fortune to run the pumps. You are penalized like crazy. My 5 acres + house, the electricity costs are 16k per year. My water is relatively shallow for so cal and we have water. Rivers Edge in Buellton, the costs must be phenomenal to keep that many acres irrigated. There's just no reason to stay in Ca.

But it costs a ton more to breed in Kentucky and it doesn't sound like the Wygods are opening another farm. As a boarder, I pay about $18 a day for a mare in California. Same mare at a farm in Kentucky is $27 a day. Where the Wygods are boarding is at least $40 a day.

I think they are getting older and they are downsizing.

[Sysonby]

Bring back Rex Ellsworth, & Khaled, it's been too many years since we have had quality stallion & mares in Calif. Unusual Heat is getting along in years, will he have a son too replace him?

If only it were that simple Louis. Actually River Edge is probably the only farm was actually turning a profit (they bred 70 mares to Dixie Chatter alone) with their stallions (& no deals). What stallion owner (I'm one) who at this juncture would want to bring a new stallion into this state, Cal-Bred Awards aside, many are not getting sufficient books.

Any other ideas?

It wouldn't shock me if Legacy or Harris etc welcome the stallions with open arms. The broodmares on the other hand may have a tough go of it.

Throwing 50 on the market at this junction is an interesting proposition especially after so many dispersals in recent years in the state. The big breeders (Golden Eagle, River Edge, Cardiff) are mostly gone and you need a lot of the little guys to fill their shoes. I wouldn't want to be selling a mare in California this year. I'm not even that thrilled about selling a yearling.

[fastappy]

You're correct, it will be difficult to sell a yearling if they dump 60 at the October sale, unless you have a Kentucky bred, or an exceptional yearling. I have a Benchmark weanling, and she just became a breed to race filly, because the market will be flooded.

For those in the position to purchase and still wanting to remain in the game, there should be some real bargains on the horses.

[bdw0617]

i don't think every sale or disposal is a sign of a negative economy.

they are a little long in the tooth, and maybe don't have anyone to pass all this on to. something's gotta give.