TBS Zero Year Old Auction

[Jon Xett]

So, I finally got my first Steward-bred in an auction ... and got to name him, to boot!

EDIT: He has a twin, but I got outbid for him.

Way to go Dan! I like the clever name and a Turf Route type to boot! Can't wait to here about the supersonic Freak in your future articles. jX

[Jon Xett]

I usually go by names...lame, I know.

Named Steward bred are a whole other level of complexity. In a way I liked non-named foals as it removed my angst trying to figure out if the name was code for 'way cool horse, please buy me'. But no named horses made for a frantic end of auction for me because as I got out bid, I had to remember the sire or dam name to sort then to click then to bid. With named horses it seemed easier to sort and bid back. jX

[Dan Kauffman]

Can't wait to here about the supersonic Freak in your future articles. jX

Yeah, unfortunately, probably not anytime soon. My life is a flaming disaster right now. (OK, it's not that bad. Wonderful wife. Incredible 4-year-old son. Really craptastic work situation. But I'll stop the derail here.)

[Laura Ferguson]

The only letdown with the foal auction is we have to wait forever to gallop. The other auctions provide more instant gratification.

As for strategy, having lived through the days where the auction would lock up with three minutes to go, I always make sure I have bids in at least 15 minutes out, usually much further than that. As for strategy, it sort of depends on (i) the state of my bankroll, and (ii) how much I want a particular horse. If I really want one or two horses, I bid fairly early, so that other players know they're going to need to go high or make a plan B. I don't want to snipe at the end, so that the other bidder has no change to react and come up with an alternative. I remember when I was a poorer player, it helped to know who the richest players were gunning for, so I could cross them off my list.

If I don't have a strong preference or my bankroll is on the lower end of its range, then I tend to bid later and scatter around, trying to find value. Again, though, I'll have my main bids in before that 15 minute mark, although I may have one or two backup bids queued up in case I get outbid on one or more of those picks.

I would take a different approach if my bankroll was smaller. I'll add that the three horse limit makes me more likely to go higher on the ones I really want. Everyone plays the game differently, but to me, the point of my bankroll is to let me buy horses - the real value in the game to me is the horses themselves, not my SIM cash balance.

[Mr. Lord Rich]

- the real value in the game to me is the horses themselves, not my SIM cash balance.

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Andrew James]

Can we gallop our foal purchases

[Andrew James]

Pretty please

[Nick Gilmore]

Laura, I’ve always admired the way you go after what you want regardless the cost! I agree the horses themselves are the higher value.

In the old system of auctions, it was the greatest adrenaline rush at the end to see what you got, if any! With proxy bidding I put down what I’m willing to pay and left it at that. So I wasn’t around for the end of tonight’s auction. To my surprise, I got this one on an underbid of $1 million. Last time I looked he was somewhere around $1.8 million. Does anybody have an idea what his high bid was? Mmm and no I won’t be pinhooking, sorry.

[Rochelle Bos]

- the real value in the game to me is the horses themselves, not my SIM cash balance.

100%! I rarely ever have a huge balance, I saved money for the yearling auctions but then turned around and bought a 2yo instead. Then BAM two more auctions so I frantically had to come up with some cash quick

All the money I earn goes back into my barn, whether it’s leasing mares, breedings, or buying horses. As soon as I get some cash I’m on the prowl (Although I still kinda suck at it, but every mistake I learn something else to watch out for!)

[Tim Matthews]

Laura, I’ve always admired the way you go after what you want regardless the cost! I agree the horses themselves are the higher value.

In the old system of auctions, it was the greatest adrenaline rush at the end to see what you got, if any! With proxy bidding I put down what I’m willing to pay and left it at that. So I wasn’t around for the end of tonight’s auction. To my surprise, I got this one on an underbid of $1 million. Last time I looked he was somewhere around $1.8 million. Does anybody have an idea what his high bid was? Mmm and no I won’t be pinhooking, sorry.

Trastavere had it at 1.8 and i wanted the underbid!! lol

[Nick Gilmore]

Sorry Tim. You jumped the price up and I figured I had no shot, but I am very happy to get him.

[Tim Matthews]

Sorry Tim. You jumped the price up and I figured I had no shot, but I am very happy to get him.

Oh no problem, I'm pleased with my lot. I think you got a steal, best of luck!

[Kaine Saracen]

As for strategy, having lived through the days where the auction would lock up with three minutes to go, I always make sure I have bids in at least 15 minutes out, usually much further than that. As for strategy, it sort of depends on (i) the state of my bankroll, and (ii) how much I want a particular horse. If I really want one or two horses, I bid fairly early, so that other players know they're going to need to go high or make a plan B. I don't want to snipe at the end, so that the other bidder has no change to react and come up with an alternative. I remember when I was a poorer player, it helped to know who the richest players were gunning for, so I could cross them off my list.

And here I was thinking your strategy was... Oh I like those, just drop $15m on each and walk away.

If I don't have a strong preference or my bankroll is on the lower end of its range, then I tend to bid later and scatter around, trying to find value. Again, though, I'll have my main bids in before that 15 minute mark, although I may have one or two backup bids queued up in case I get outbid on one or more of those picks.

As one that earned $42m racing last season, I assume your lower end is $50m?

the real value in the game to me is the horses themselves, not my SIM cash balance.

I'd agree, only it takes Sim cash or ***kissing to get those better horses. Trash is a dime a dozen and still over priced.


Sorry, couldn't resist

[Anne Conradt]

The end range balance should be somewhere close to zero, if the strategy is the horses are far more important than the SIMCash balance.

Given that, Laura could bid a lot more more than 15 mill and walk away.

The only exception would be if auctions were coming back to back to back, like these three are this week and next.

Then she would set her end range a bit higher, in order to have money for the next two auctions.

[Polk Buffalo]

Interesting subject.
I dont have enough money to win two foals..
1. I enter a few very early bids to be able to follow the best foals on my "my bids" list.
2, I bid more or less randomly just to get a feel for it. They might end up being underbids (but this is just not going to happen)...
3. At the end there are so many people going for the cheapest horses, They are all blue and will end up having last second bids.
4. I pick a horse just above this "blue field" and keep my fingers crossed.
5. I pick another horse above the "blue field" and place a bid at the last second. Two things can happen. 5a. I cant afford it..which hopefully means that I got horse 4. 5b Someone made a last second bid on my first pick, I still have a chance to get this substitute pick...

How do I pick a horse at 4.? Well, if I find something else than Dirt Router I go for that. Otherwise I guess a cool name will do...