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!
Why “Good-Looking” Horses Keep Losing: The Cost of Ignoring Pedigree Structure
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Hello! Every sale, the same mistake repeats. A flashy colt enters the ring. Clean throat. Big walk. Everyone’s watching. “He just looks like a runner,” someone whispers. But a year later? They’re wondering what went wrong. Here’s the truth: looks don’t tell you the whole story. That’s why we don’t start with appearance. We start with pedigree structure, then conformation and then price. And that approach just delivered again last week. Twice. Bosun, a recent Fair Grounds winner, was a sales purchase selected through our OPTIMAL Matings system. Full 7-generation analysis. Balanced duplication. Reinforced female family. His catalog page wasn't obvious—but the pedigree structure backed him. Great physical, too! Read more: Bosun Dominates Turf Debut with Powerful Fair Grounds Win!​ Three day later, St. Armand’s Key picked up his second win of the meet at Fair Grounds, only 2/5 of a second off the course record. He isn't an OPTIMAL Mating—but he was selected using our strict physical evaluation standards. No shortcuts. No surface-level guesses. Just the right type for the right program. Read more: St. Armands Key Shines Again with Gritty Fair Grounds Win​ Different sources. Same result: disciplined selection. No hype. No surprises. If you’ve ever spent six figures on a horse that didn’t deliver, this article is for you: 👉 Pedigree Over Pretty: What Really Makes a Winner​ Inside, you’ll learn:
This isn’t about luck. It’s about removing guesswork—before the hammer drops. Clark Shepherd |
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 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...
Hey there! As an analytical, results-driven breeder or investor, you value precision over hype. Yet, the racing industry often traps us in outdated myths and emotional decisions, leading to frustration and costly mistakes. At Shepherd Equine Advisers, we understand your frustration. That's why we developed OPTIMAL Matings, a scientific, structured approach that eliminates guesswork, maximizes genetic potential and ensures strategic success. With OPTIMAL Matings, you'll: Replace guesswork with...
Hello! Breeding or buying a winner isn’t about luck. Too many breeders and buyers waste money chasing trends, relying on outdated theories or hoping for a miracle. The result? Expensive horses that never reach their potential. Imagine investing six or seven figures in a horse, only to watch it underperform or break down due to poor pedigree planning. It happens every year, and the worst part? It’s completely avoidable. The world’s best breeders and bloodstock investors don’t guess. They...