By J.N. Campbell
With a nod to 80s video game nostalgia, the chiptune of another bid signifies that the Fasig-Tipton Digital Sale is in full swing.
Active through next Tuesday, Aug. 29 at 1 p.m. (ET), Taylor Made Sales is making its presence felt as an agent for 37 of the 127 offerings available. Mark Taylor, President and CEO of Taylor Made, has clearly embraced the potential of the platform.
“We believe digital sales will become more prevalent in the future, but are already a useful part of the market,” Taylor said. “Timing is important for sellers and the digital option gives them more opportunities to sell at the appropriate time.”
One way to look at the commercial market is to think of the digital opportunities as diversifying the sales business model.
“The traditional sales will always be the backbone of the market. I believe the digital sales are a nice complement. They also are nice for racehorses which can be sold right out of their stalls on the track and therefore are allowed to stay on their training schedule.”
According to Taylor, certain horses suit a digital sale when compared to a traditional live sale.
“We are trying to stick with quality with everything we do,” Taylor said. “Digital sales work for most types of horses, but I would be less likely to put a yearling on the site than any other type at this point. Horses with current updates that really increase value allow the owner to strike while the iron is hot.”
In the current climate, a wide-range of Taylor's clients approach him about utilizing this online model. He said his response depends on the situation.
“It is a combination of both. Sometimes we identify horses which the timing seems perfect and we encourage our clients to participate,” he said. “Other times the customer knows their own program best and wants to generate cash and they will call us.”
The current draft of Taylor Made offerings include a number of opportunities which the CEO thinks will be inviting to a broad cross section of bidders.
DJ Stable has 10 horses out of their listings and Taylor explains that all are ready to run. “They have a great program and have a track record of selling horses that still have run left in them. The timing is excellent for DJ as they prepare for the heart of the yearling market to reload.”
Also up is 4-year-old filly Into Happiness (Into Mischief) (hip 8), who has won three straight including a pair of races at Saratoga. “Mark Hennig loves this filly and thinks she has more improvement left,” Taylor said.
Hip 13 is New York-bred Mischief Joke (Practical Joke), a 2-year-old who just ran second at Saratoga in a $88,000 maiden special weight and MSP Alternate Rock (Alternation) (hip 146) is a 3-year-old filly that Taylor says still has conditions available.
Another option is GSP In Due Time (Not This Time) (hip 71), who is entered as a stallion prospect. “He's very good looking and could fit any regional market,” Taylor said.
When asked if Taylor Made Sales would consider offering more stock the digital way in the future, he said, “I am not convinced our volume will go up dramatically. We want to focus on quality, but the digital market is going to expand over time.”
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