American Pharoah is good business after Crown
By Mike Payne
When American Pharoah crossed the finish line to capture the 2015 Belmont Stakes on Saturday, the cheers of the 90-thousand plus who had just witnessed history were deafening. Yet one could still almost hear the ring of a cash register among the euphoria.
American Pharoah is good business.
Just hours after the historic win in which American Pharoah became just the 12th horse in history to capture racing’s Triple Crown, Pharoah-related memorabilia littered eBay. Countless uncashed $2 parimutuel Win tickets purchased and printed at Belmont Park could be purchased for prices ranging from $10 (a good deal) to $100 (seriously?). And lots of people had the same idea before the event, making the uncashed Win tickets among the easiest pieces of memorabilia to secure days after the race and likely weeks ahead.
Some enterprising individuals offered “package deals” that included a program from the 2015 Belmont along with a $2 Win ticket. Those seemed to sell in the $40-$50 range, with some moving at lower bids and others at slightly higher.
It’s all about timing.
One of the more difficult collectibles to come out of the Belmont were ticket stubs from the race, specifically stubs that didn’t look as if they had been crammed in a pocket and twisted throughout the afternoon. Mint-condition stubs have been easy sellers in the $50-$60 range, and presumably those are headed into private collections.
The value of jockey Victor Espinoza’s signature has increased since he became the fourth living Triple Crown jockey. The 43-year-old has signed an exclusive athlete agreement with Steiner Sports that will include a collectibles line as well as a series of fan experiences with Espinoza and special guests.
Among Steiner’s products will be the “Victor Espinoza and American Pharoah Collection” that will include: Signed photos from all three Triple Crown races, several collages, racetrack dirt from Belmont Park as well as replica whips and horseshoes all in a shadowbox presentation.
Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert also has the drawn the interest of collectors. Baffert’s autograph card in 2015 Panini Americana has been a steady seller in the $25 range.
