This November investors in Phoenix Thoroughbreds can expect a big cash injection into their innovative equine investment fund when the group sells one of their leading horses at auction.
Investors in the fund, the brainchild of Dubai based businessman Amer Abdulaziz Salman, can be confident in the knowledge that the decision to sell the unbeaten horse Dream Tree, will generate a healthy seven figure sum and significantly contribute towards the projected 8% annual return on investment.
Phoenix Thoroughbreds enjoy plenty of success on the racecourse, however with the business model geared more towards breeding, when the time is right, they sell their horses in order to maximise cash flow whilst at the same time minimise the risks to their clients . Although the horse could continue to race and pick up some more prize money the highly experienced managers of the fund feel that selling her now, for a career as a broodmare, will raise revenue that dwarf’s what she could win while racing.
“It is with mixed emotions that we are selling her, but Phoenix has to maintain a focused vision for the fund,” said Tom Ludt, head of Equine operations for the fund. “We see her as an exceptional filly worth a lot to a long-term breeder, and we have to consider managing the fund, so we thought it was best to sell her this year.”
There are sound reasons behind the optimism of raising significant funds with Dream Tree’s sale. Her top class pedigree will attract plenty of interest from breeders while her performances on the track have seen success at the highest level and career earnings of over $500,000. The filly will have one more racing engagement before she is sold when she will line up at the prestigious Breeders’ Cup meeting at Churchill Downs.
“We are really excited about running Dream Tree in the Breeders’ Cup,” said Ludt, “she showed her class last month at Saratoga (with a win in a top race), coming off a seven month layoff and just accelerating down the lane like she did.”
They are not the only reasons to feel optimistic about her sales price. Last year at the Keeneland November Breeding stock sale, where the filly will be offered, eight horses were sold for in excess of $1million, with the top lot fetching $6million.
