I offer my expertise as a bloodstock agent, sales consultant, and pedigree analyst to assist in breeding or purchasing superior thoroughbred racehorses through sound pedigree principles, horsemanship, and consistent implementation of well-designed plans. Check out the resources I offer below and sign up for my newsletter!
The #1 Breeding & Buying Mistake That’s Costing You Winners
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Hey there! I have seen it too many times. A breeder spends a fortune on stud fees, convinced that a high price means high success. A buyer walks into the auction ring, dazzled by a glossy catalog page, and drops six figures on a yearling. Then, two years later, that "future champion" can’t even break its maiden. Sound familiar? I know because I made the same mistakes. For years, I trusted the industry’s so-called “wisdom.” Nick ratings. Sales trends. High-dollar stallions. I assumed that if a pedigree looked good, the horse would be good. I was wrong. The truth? Winners aren’t found in price tags or sales catalogs—they’re found in pedigrees. Pedigree analysis, when done correctly, can predict success before a horse is even bred or bought. Just ask Stipulate’s owner. Recently, this filly delivered a gutsy performance to break her maiden at Oaklawn Park. I identified and purchased her using my OPTIMAL Mating Sales Selection strategy. She wasn’t the “hottest” name in the ring, but her pedigree balance, genetic strength, and racing potential were undeniable. Now, she’s proving her worth where it counts—on the track. 👉 Read about Stipulate’s win here: Stipulate Breaks Through with Determined Victory at Oaklawn​ It’s time to stop guessing. In my latest article, I break down: If you’re serious about making smarter Thoroughbred investments, this is a must-read. 👉 Read the full article here: The Breeding & Buying Mistake Costing You Winners—Fix It Now​ Don’t let another bad decision set you back. Your next winner starts with the right choice—before they ever step on the track. Best, |
Hi! I'm Clark Shepherd.
I offer my expertise as a bloodstock agent, sales consultant, and pedigree analyst to assist in breeding or purchasing superior thoroughbred racehorses through sound pedigree principles, horsemanship, and consistent implementation of well-designed plans. Check out the resources I offer below and sign up for my newsletter!
Hey!Most breeders want the same thing: Foals with the class, soundness and scope to compete. But year after year, the results fall short. Why? Because most breeding plans start in the wrong place: with stallion ads, sales averages or a nick rating that looks good on paper. That approach leads to overcrowded outcomes: average foals in a saturated market. If you want to breed better racehorses, you need a smarter starting point. Start with your mare. She’s not just part of the equation, she...
Buying a yearling shouldn't feel like a shot in the dark. You’ve done the work. You’ve studied catalogs. But picking the right horse still feels like guessing. It doesn’t have to. I’ve just released my OPTIMAL Mating Sales Selections for the Fasig-Tipton July Sale. These picks are based on full seven-generation pedigree analysis using proven, practical strategies that have helped produce multiple graded stakes winners, including a Kentucky Derby champion. Here’s what you get: • Pedigree-based...
Hi! You’ve heard it before: “Don’t use that stallion. He’s not popular right now.” But what if he’s exactly what your mare needs? Too many breeders pass on a strong mating because they’re worried the market won’t like it. They chase what's selling today and lose out on what could win tomorrow. In my latest post, I walk through why stallion selection should never start with trends. It should start with pedigree logic, physical balance and what actually makes a better racehorse. You’ll learn:...