Beach Dandy (USA)
Bl. Gelded 16.3 Hands
Vital Stats Runs 7 1st 6 2nd 0 3rd 0
Win % 85
Breeder – Langley Farms
Trainer – Joshua Stables
Sired – Beachcomber *Current List Fee $1
Mare – Living Dandy* Deactivated
Managed to meet up with Joshua Stables who as kindly agreed to answer few questions on behalf of the SRF. Joshua firstly congratulations! Everyone is talking about Beach Dandy and talks about the *impossible/ TC.
For $17 he could have been be the Best Buy in HRP history!
Q1 Like to know more. So what made you decide to target him in the auction please Josh?
Maybe I had been drinking? In all seriousness a lot has been made about how cheaply I purchased Beach Dandy, but at the time it was a bit of reach. The workouts weren’t great and he was big for a 2yo at over 16 hands which might have meant he didn’t have a lot of potential for growth.
I did like his conformation though and he had a lot of distance in his pedigree as shabby as it might have seamed on the surface. A lot of other beachcomber stock was sold that day and none of it has turned out so far, so maybe I got lucky. I remember being very impressed with the first work after the geld.
He certainly is a big boy! (1281 lbs) Re pedigree I get it. I know Steel Ball In there/ Rhythm back end for speed/ and Norma Jean I love though it didn’t leap out of the page when I looked. Lot bloodlines I don’t know.
Q2 when did you know horse had talent?
I had a feeling when he posted a sub 1:12 breeze after his first race that I might have something. I even posted about it in the forums at the time, but I honestly didn’t know he was special until he emerged from the pack in the BC Juvenile. I have had a lot of horses get smothered against the rail in big fields and never challenge so watching him muscle his way out of that traffic impressed me a lot.
Q3 Why did you decide to geld him?
You mean do I regret it? You have to remember that, at the time, there wasn’t anything particularly impressive about his pedigree. Sure, I liked the pure steel influence on his mares side, but his sire was a $1 flyer that hadn’t produced so much as a dollar in earnings. Also he seemed to need gelding considering how inconsistent his works had been and I believe he benefited from it greatly. That being said, do I wish I could breed him? Ask Estero Farms about Pretty Ferro. I’m sure you’ll get the same answer.
True and good points. Makes sense and certainly seemed to turn his fortunes around, and yours 🙂
Q4 I have been asking a few players recently about the TC? And can it be done. Most laughed at me then your horse suddenly turns the odds. Do you think he has chance at doing it?
Wow that’s tough. I never thought anyone would be asking me about my chances to win the Kentucky derby, never mind the triple crown. I have always said it cannot be done, but if he wins the derby I’m sure gonna try!
Q5 Cash right now? How much would you sell the horse for?
There isn’t a number. We sell and buy stock to try and build value in or barns and continue to build a stable capable of producing that one beautiful horse that can carry us to glory. However, once you think you have the horse what is the point in selling? So that you can breed more or buy more for next year? I haven’t had a derby runner since Fuji Ninja took the inaugural race back in 2004. I finished last that day and I haven’t been back since. There it’s no guarantee I will ever have a prospect this good again.
I did try get a cash figure 🙂
Q6 You moaned about draw entered new race and it went perfect. Talk us through the race I missed it.
Yeah I have had some interesting luck with my prep entries over the last month. I was not thrilled when it extended to Beach Dandy, however qualifying in the 50 point races does have its advantages. I have made my feelings known about the drawbacks of wide draws in the past. He may be the type of horse that could overcome it, but I wasn’t taking any chances in his first try at 9 furlongs.
Q6 Jockey Instructions- is he versatile ?
It may not be the time for me to start revealing my race strategy. There are too many stables thinking up the best ways to make him uncomfortable without my help. Let’s just say I am fairly confident he can win under duress and he will surely find himself challenged in new ways during the TC races so I’m sure we will find out if I am right.
Q7 Does his weight worry you at all? He looks like he has huge appetite!
Yeah, you can say it, he’s fat. At first I tried everything to train it off and keep him fit. But he would just gain it back and more by the time he was ready to train again.
I was concerned about a horse that heavy being able to carry that extra weight over distance, but after his last race some of those fears have been alleviated. The horse seems to be the exception to every rule, so why not that one as well?
Q8 if u win the TC will u fly me to USA and take me for beer?
No sir I would not. If I won it almost every dime would go back into the game. Paying out that kind of bonus might be a little painful for the site if it were to be pulled out all at once. Also the taxes on those winnings would be insane anyway.
There are a lot of cool things I could do in game with that kind of money though. I could have the breeding program I always dreamed of, I could purchase the type of prospects that really get me excited, and I could sponsor events and races that would be fun for the whole community. The only exception would be the $500 I would withdraw to take my wife out for a really nice dinner to apologize for all the time I have spent here training.
Well I appreciate your honesty and worth asking. Defo take the wife out! Sounds good Josh.
I would like to wish you the very best of luck with him and look forward to catching up with you both more, as the season progresses.
Can it be done? What would you value Beach Dandy right now at? Love to hear your thoughts.
Off to meet Our Athletes later today for another interview exclusive with the SRF.
Stay tuned!
Categories: STAKES ARTICLES
