Buying OTTB's

I'm looking to buy an OTTB for my next project horse. I've looked at the CANTER listings and nothing seemed to catch my eye so I figured I'd try looking at the tracks. Does anyone have any experience buying from Pimlico (in Maryland)? I read that one of the best times to try to buy a horse from a trainer at the track is towards the end of their time there when they're getting ready to move. Is that true? I don't have experience buying from the track so any info is greatly appreciated. Also does anyone know if there is a way to get the contact info from the trainers that are at Pimlico? I'd rather get in touch with them first and find out what they have before I drive 6 hours with a trailer only to find out they have nothing that fits what I'm looking for haha.

If you do buy straight from the track, know that you're going to have less of a chance of getting the whole truth about the horse. Places like CANTER and LOPE take the horses in and really get a feel for what the animal is like most of the time, before offering them for adoption- while trainers just want the horse out of there. I'd take someone who was very experienced with OTTBs with you, and if at all possible, get a good PPE done on the animal before you even think about buying it.

I would do a search for OTTB's in your area first. Also, you might contact local breeders of TBs. If they have a horse that isn't making them money, they may consider selling it. It may be a fine animal, just not race worthy.

Do you know any of the trainers at barns near you? It's likely they have contacts for people that buy them off the track (or take them for free) to resell after a few weeks or months.

Check out this blog called The Morning Feed (www.themorningfeed.com). They feature OTTBs and OTSTBs from places like CANTER, LOPE, New Vocations, Old Friends, Friends of Ferdinand, etc. They have shown some pretty phenominal horses on there in the past for outrageously cheap adoption fees. (My recent fav being Wasabi Cat, posted a few days ago.)

Cheers,
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Have you tried New Vocations New Vocations Racehorse Adoption Program ? We have 3 OTTB's and 1 OTSTB from them. Great place to work with, reasonable adoption fees and application process. There is also Makers Mark Secretariat Center http://www.thoroughbredadoption.com/...enter-c59.html