Monday Markets: Feb 17 2025

This stunning glossy dapple grey Running Foal was definitely one of my picks of the week. I love the nearly full body spots and of course the nearly perfect blue ribbon sticker. It was no surprise at all to see so many bidders on this vintage beauty.

I was also watching this one, which is on the other end of the spotting and color range. This one has a USA stamp so he's from later in the run, which is typical for these more solid grey examples. He ended with no bids! He was relisted though if you or I want to buy him this week instead, haha.

And also in rare Running Foal news, this florentine was up for sale. Florentine is the last one I need and I was definitely tempted, but I'm also super picky when it comes to the quality of the gold on these and this one was a little bit dull/brown, which is very typical of vintage florentines. Otherwise he was in decent shape and still had some great pinking. At least from what we could see - the seller neglected to include a full body shot of the left side. I would expect a shiny and mint one to go over $1000

I guess it's foal week, because these two gorgeous chalky CAFs also came up for sale. The black one is, in my experience, quite rare. The chestnut is much more common as far as chalkies go and you certainly see that reflected here in the price difference. A lot more people out there still looking for the black one.

In other chalky foals, I was surprised this bay PAF only made it up to $61 - the condition isn't the best but they are hard to find and it is a very desirable mold. I know reserve not met can discourage a lot of people. I also saw this foal listed on Facebook for $250 so I'm guessing that was the reserve. I'd have expected something in the middle, more around $150.

This gorgeous and very Best Customs Contest prize Stablemate, Williamette, from 2023 sold for a best offer of $1275. People are often asking about the value on these around Breyerfest time if they're looking to offer on one from one of the winners, and although it ranges with popularity it seems most of them have landed in that $1200-$1500 range (Breton being the notable exception, who is more like $3000+)

This fighting stallion also caused quite a stir this week in hobby circles. This one is a buyer beware lesson. It is my opinion, and that of a number of other vintage experts, that he is either an outright fake or so heavily restored that it is basically a custom. He also has what looks like a repaired ear that was also not mentioned in the description.

Here is a photo of my authentic wedgewood so you can see the differences, which are subtle but numerous. The giveaways for me are the solid blue color - there is no body shading at all and vintage wedgewoods will typically have at least some. Also the edge of the blue on the face and legs is too stark and too low an edge. The edge on the mane and tail also just don't look quite right. This is not what you normally see on the vintage pieces either. Wedgewood fighting stallions (and mustangs) also have solid blue ears and a blue forehead, as you can see on mine. The ebay model has pink inner ears and white all the way up. And finally, the color also looks a little bit off to me, but that could just be the photos - that you never know, with white balance and whatnot.

Amazon Prime prices on new models are still at their low for the year this week and the bargain of the day is Mojave at $38.75

But, then again, he's still hanging around at Tractor Supply stores, so if you have a local store you may be able to find him 50% off at $24.99 - that is about as cheap as you can ever get any new traditional Breyers and Fireheart being a very popular new mold, that is definitely a buy even as a body.