Hey! Breeding and buying Thoroughbreds shouldn’t feel like a shot in the dark. You study pedigrees. You check the nick. You get advice from all directions and still feel unsure. That’s exactly why I wrote this: A clear, practical guide to using pedigree the right way. Whether you're breeding, buying or pinhooking. Inside, you’ll learn: How to use inbreeding and outcrossing with purpose Why female families are your hidden advantage What to actually look for in a 7-generation review And how to...
6 days ago • 1 min read
Hello! You’ve seen it. A yearling steps into the ring. Carries itself well. Big-name pedigree. Seems like a sure thing. The bidding climbs. Buyer feels confident. Months later… nothing. No starts. Just invoices. What went wrong? The warning signs were there but most people don’t know where to look. In my latest post, I break down the most common mistake investors make when buying yearlings and how to avoid it. You’ll learn: Why a strong first impression can lead to a weak return Which parts...
13 days ago • 1 min read
Hey there! The Triple Crown was never meant to be convenient. Three races. Five weeks. No margin for error. It’s not supposed to suit every horse. It’s supposed to expose the ones who can’t take the heat. But more and more, we hear calls to make the test easier. Spread the races out. Give horses more rest. Here’s the truth: The problem isn’t the schedule.It’s the kind of horses we’re breeding. This new article lays it out clearly: why the challenge matters, where the system is slipping and...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hey Reader, If you're posting content but still feel invisible… If you’re working hard but still not getting leads… If your marketing feels like a treadmill: constant motion, no traction. You’re not alone. And you’re not broken. You’re just writing content for the wrong audience. The truth? Google’s not the main gatekeeper anymore. AI tools like ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini now decide who shows up as the answer your next client sees. If your content isn’t written for them, you stay hidden. 👉...
about 2 months ago • 1 min read
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...
3 months ago • 1 min read
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...
4 months ago • 1 min read
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...
4 months ago • 1 min read
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...
5 months ago • 1 min read
Hello! Have you ever walked into an auction or analyzed a pedigree chart and thought, “I have no idea what to do next”? You’re not alone. The world of thoroughbred investments can feel overwhelming. Pedigrees, market trends, race stats. Without the right guidance, it’s easy to feel like you’re flying blind. But here’s the truth: success isn’t about guessing or hoping for luck. It’s about using the right tools to make confident, informed decisions. In my latest blog, “Transform Investments:...
5 months ago • 1 min read