Hats Off to Vinery's Great Initiative for Breeders

While buying an in-foal mare can provide a short cut to producing a racing or sales prospect, the frustration for buyers comes if the mare does not produce a live foal or otherwise fulfil the criteria laid down by the stallion's farm to qualify for a free return.

Despite the fact that the price of purchase of an in-foal mare very much factors in the value of the unborn foal, new owners have no recourse for claiming the free return provided to the original owner.

Hopefully, a move by Peter Orton of Vinery yesterday may lead the way to a general change to that frustrating  policy.

He announced the introduction of a Transferable Free Return for all 2010 coverings.

“In a further commitment to breeders we have announced that all Vinery stallions will carry a transferable free return if a mare fails to deliver a live foal (conditions apply),” said Peter Orton. “This allows the free return to carry over to the new owner when a mare is sold, providing a very attractive benefit to breeders both selling and purchasing mares in foal to Vinery stallions."

Hats off to Vinery on this move and the additional value it provides for breeders large and small.