LATEST POSTS

• Client Success: Halama Wires, Draws Away at Churchill
  November 5, 2020
  HALAMA (f, 2, Pioneerof the Nile–Milania, by Bernardini) Halama (f, 3, Pioneerof the Nile–Milania, by Bernardini) set the pace early, was off the rail into the lane then drew away under jockey Tyler Gaffalione. She was geared down to the […]
• OPTIMAL Maidens: Nyquist Firster Keeps to Task, Pays $10.00 to Win
  November 2, 2020
  MINUTE WALTZ (f, 2, Nyquist–Is It Safe, by Yes It’s True) Minute Waltz (Nyquist), with a sharp debut score on Saturday, began to repay her $425,000 price tag at Keeneland September. Racing midpack six wide off a blazing first quarter in :21.34, the […]
• OPTIMAL Maidens: Summer Front Firster Gets Geared-Down Win
  October 29, 2020
  CAMP HOPE (c, 2, Summer Front–Praising, by Pulpit) Camp Hope (Summer Front), overlooked at 10-1 for his debut, raced forwardly placed four-wide into the first turn as a pair of longshots slugged it out through moderate opening splits. Eagerly […]
• Client Success: Competitive Edge Filly Wires Laurel Maidens
  October 23, 2020
  PAGO QUERIDO (f, 3, Competitive Edge–Lefreakcestchic, by Bellamy Road) PAGO QUERIDO (f, 3, Competitive Edge–Lefreakcestchic, by Bellamy Road) became the newest winner for Competitive Edge on Thursday with a Maiden Special Weight victory […]
• Case Study: Two High-End Stallions to Mitigate Risk
  October 15, 2020
  Two High-End Stallions to Mitigate Risk The commercial market is infatuated with elevated stud fees and sales averages of stallions. If it were just that easy to “breed the best to the best”, the average to little guy wouldn’t have […]
• Client Success: Spanish Kingdom Holds Keeneland Blue Bloods At Bay
  October 8, 2020
  SPANISH KINGDOM SPANISH KINGDOM (g, 3, Animal Kingdom–Mis Vizcaya {MSP}, by Successful Appeal), a winner in an 8 1/2-furlong Churchill allowance in May, was fifth–beaten a length–in the July 12 GIII Transylvania S. before finishing […]
• OPTIMAL Mating Analysis: Amanzi Yimpilo Beats The Boys For BC Berth
  September 30, 2020
  AMANZI YIMPILO (IRE) (by No Nay Never – Honourably (Ire), by Galileo (IRE)) AMANZI YIMPILO (IRE) (f, 2, by No Nay Never – Honourably (Ire), by Galileo (IRE)) punched her Breeders’ Cup ticket by winning the $102,000 Speakeasy Stakes […]
• OPTIMAL Mating Purchase: Hard Spun – Hanalei Hailey, by Malibu Moon
  September 23, 2020
    KEESEP20 – Hip 1389 – Hard Spun – Hanalei Hailey, by Malibu Moon https://vimeo.com/456656574 Clark Shepherd (Shepherd Equine Advisers), bloodstock agent for Wayne Sanders & Larry Hirsch, purchased this Hard Spun colt at […]
• OPTIMAL Mating Purchase: Goldencents – Appealing Cat, by Successful Appeal
  September 23, 2020
  KEESEP20 – Hip 1255 – Goldencents / Appealing Cat, by Successful Appeal https://youtu.be/ktjvSbs9pB4 Clark Shepherd (Shepherd Equine Advisers), bloodstock agent for Wayne Sanders & Larry Hirsch, purchased this Goldencents colt at the […]
• Client Success: Hard Spun Filly Comes From Far Off The Pace
  September 10, 2020
  SUMMER IN SARATOGA (f, 4, Hard Spun–Love Theway Youare {GISW, $372,990}, by Arch) SUMMER IN SARATOGA (f, 4, Hard Spun–Love Theway Youare {GISW, $372,990}, by Arch) raced far off of the pace three wide and swung five wide turning for […]
• Client Success: NY-Bred Congrats Colt Prevails At Saratoga
  September 6, 2020
  SMITE (c, 3, Congrats–Double Dinghy Day, by Forestry) SMITE (c, 3, Congrats–Double Dinghy Day, by Forestry) was hustled from the start, contested the past and vied inside on the turn. He was asked near the quarter-pole and responded well […]
• Case Study: A Look At Upstart’s Quick Start
  September 2, 2020
  A Look At Upstart’s Quick Start Every year it’s a mad rush to breed to the first-year stallions. Some do it because they were great racehorses; some do it because they have great physicals; some do it because he may be by a […]
• Client Success: Homebred Animal Kingdom Mare Draws Off at PID
  August 22, 2020
  IRONY OF REALITY (m, 5, Animal Kingdom–Battle Bridge, by Arch) IRONY OF REALITY (m, 5, Animal Kingdom–Battle Bridge, by Arch) was allowed to settle early then looped up two to three wide through the second turn. She made a steady gain […]
• Case Study: Bernardini’s Brilliance As Broodmare Sire
  August 19, 2020
  Case Study: Bernardini’s Excellence As Broodmare Sire Anyone who follows race results on a daily basis has likely taken notice of the rise of Bernardini as a must-have broodmare sire. I have always been a fan of the Darley stallion as a […]
• Client Success: Homebred Tapizar Gelding Hand Ridden After Long Layoff
  August 15, 2020
  TOP LINE GROWTH (g, 4, Tapizar–Orinoquia {SW & G1SP, $210,042}, by Whywhywhy) TOP LINE GROWTH (g, 4, Tapizar–Orinoquia {SW & G1SP, $210,042}, by Whywhywhy), coming off a great 2019 campaign winning the Iowa Derby and finishing […]
• Client Success: In-Utero American Pharoah Purchase Finally Breaks Through
  August 2, 2020
  IMA PHAROAH (c, 3, American Pharoah–Im a Dixie Girl, by Dixie Union) IMA PHAROAH (c, 3, American Pharoah–Im a Dixie Girl {MSW & GSP, $167,320}, by Dixie Union) finished second in his first four starts but finally broke through in […]
• Client Success: American Pharoah Homebred Proves Best Coming Off Turf
  August 1, 2020
  BEACON OF TRUTH (f, 3, American Pharoah–Awesome Elle, by Awesome Again) BEACON OF TRUTH (f, 3, American Pharoah–Awesome Elle, by Awesome Again) bobbled slightly at the break but quickly recovered to track the leader. She made a bid to […]
• Client Success: Homebred Tonalist Filly Goes Clear at the Wire
  July 31, 2020
  ONE LAST TRIAL (f, 3, Tonalist–Thisdanseistaken, by Gators N Bears) ONE LAST TRIAL (f, 3, Tonalist–Thisdanseistaken {SP, $258,910}, by Gators N Bears) rated close up while towards the inside, angled out and was under pressure heading […]
• Why Are Some Stallions More Consistent Than Others?
  July 30, 2020
  Why Are Some Stallions More Consistent Than Others? Some stallions seem to consistently produce good racehorses and other stallions are very sporadic. But, even the worst stallions sometimes have a stakes winner or two in time. Why is that? I have […]
• Are Female Families Really That Important?
  July 22, 2020
  Female Families Numbers Explained To allow this topic to come full circle, please forgive the initial history and science lessons. I promise that I will eventually get to something practical and/or useful! The Family Numbers commonly used to […]
• OPTIMAL Mating Analysis: Candy Ride Colt May Be Aptly Named
  July 15, 2020
  Therideofalifetime (c, 2, Candy Ride (ARG) – Cosmic Evolution, by Proud Citizen) THERIDEOFALIFETIME (c, 2, Candy Ride (Arg) – Cosmic Evolution (SW & GSP, $164,810), by Proud Citizen) looks aptly named if he again runs anywhere close […]
• Client Success: Alpha Filly Overcomes Erratic Stretch Run
  July 5, 2020
  CHARLOTTE WEBLEY (f, 3, Alpha – Girl Show, by Wild Rush) CHARLOTTE WEBLEY (f, 3, Alpha–Girl Show, by Wild Rush), bet down to 0.45-1 favoritism, quickley established control and was rated showing the way from the two path on a loosely […]
• Client Success: Ghostzapper Filly Prevails Under Well-Timed Ride
  July 4, 2020
  PUCA PENNY (f, 4, Ghostzapper–Coppermine, by Unbridled’s Song) PUCA PENNY (f, 4, Ghostzapper–Coppermine, by Unbridled’s Song) entered into the gate as the even-odds favorite. She advanced inside into the far turn and remained […]
• FTISPR20 Recap: OPTIMAL Mating Selections Prove Profitable
  July 1, 2020
  Sales Recap The two-day auction at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium produced numbers on par with last year’s record sale, emboldening the spirits of those involved in the business of buying and selling juvenile racing prospects. From […]
• Client Success: Slow Fractions Can’t Stop Homebred Uncle Mo Colt
  June 27, 2020
  PLOT THE DOTS (c, 3, Uncle Mo–Lady of Gold, by Medaglia d’Oro) PLOT THE DOTS (c, 3, Uncle Mo–Lady of Gold {GSP-Can, GSP-USA, $254,598}, by Medaglia d’Oro) got a 79 Beyer when second last out in an eight-furlong allowance May […]
• Client Success: Violence Filly Ridden Out While Much The Best
  June 26, 2020
  Lastchanceforlove LASTCHANCEFORLOVE (f, 3, Violence–Awe Hush, by Awesome Again), a sharp front-running debut winner at Fair Grounds Feb. 21, showed speed and tired to finish a well-beaten eighth in her first try versus winners at Gulfstream […]
• Client Success: Hard Spun Filly Slaloms Her Way Home For CD Win
  June 23, 2020
  SUMMER IN SARATOGA SUMMER IN SARATOGA (f, 4, Hard Spun–Love Theway Youare {GISW, $372,990}, by Arch) split a field of 13 in the Dec. 28 Pago Hop S. at the Fair Grounds and most recently reported home first in a Feb. 13 allowance in the Big […]
• OBSJUN20 Recap: Did the OPTIMAL Mating Short Lists Help?
  June 17, 2020
  Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Two-Year-Olds in Training Sale I love the process of analyzing pedigrees, inspecting horses, replaying breeze videos, evaluating vet exams, performing cardio scans and putting all that together to establish an […]
• OPTIMAL Mating Analysis: WV-Homebred Tops $774K Lifetime Earnings
  June 3, 2020
  Anna’s Bandit ANNA’S BANDIT (6, m, Great Notion – Onearmedbandit, by No Armistice) settled off the pace, battled in the two path and then angled out early on the backstretch. She made a bid four wide between foes near the […]
• Client Success: $16K Purchase Kicks Clear of Blue Bloods in Salty CD Allowance
  June 1, 2020
  SPANISH KINGDOM SPANISH KINGDOM (g, 3, Animal Kingdom–Ms. Vizcaya, by Successful Appeal) stalked the pace three wide throughout most of the race. He inched forward around the far turn to make a three wide bid for the lead turning for home. The […]
• OPTIMAL Mating Analysis: Smooth Like Strait wins War Chant Stakes
  May 26, 2020
  Smooth Like Strait Smooth Like Strait returned to his winning ways while racing for the first time outside of Southern California. As the skies were opening up on Saturday at Churchill Downs, he comfortably won the inaugural $100,000 War Chant […]
• OPTIMAL Mating Analysis: Tonalist’s Shape Wins Hollywood Wildcat Stakes
  May 19, 2020
  Tonalist’s Shape Tonalist’s Shape returned back to her winning ways with a dominating 3 3/4-length win in the $75,000 Hollywood Wildcat Stakes at Gulfstream Park in Hallandale Beach, FL. The win proved that she could successfully […]
• How Can a Bloodstock Agent Help You?
  May 4, 2020
  What Do Bloodstock Agents Do? Bloodstock agents are equine professionals who buy and sell thoroughbred horses on behalf of their clients in exchange for a commission. Bloodstock agents can specialize in racing stock, breeding stock, or a combination […]
• Spanish Kingdom Breaks Maiden On Turf At Fair Grounds
  March 22, 2020
  Bloodstock agent Clark Shepherd reports that SPANISH KINGDOM (g, 3, Animal Kingdom–Ms. Vizcaya, by Successful Appeal) broke awkwardly and was off slow while spotting the leaders several lengths.  He was keen under restraint while three wide on […]
• Fast Anna Filly Goes Two For Two At Oaklawn
  March 9, 2020
  Bloodstock agent Clark Shepherd reports that LEXI ON THE MOVE (f, 3, Fast Anna–Invalida, by Street Cry {Ire}) took a track-and-trip event restricted to fillies who had previously sold at auction for $60,000 or less by daylight here Feb. 15, […]
• El Supremo Holds On To Break Maiden At Fair Grounds
  March 1, 2020
  Bloodstock agent Clark Shepherd reports that EL SUPREMO (c, 3, Super Saver–My Gi Gi, by E Dubai) settled on the inside, moved closer late on the backstretch and shifted three wide nearing the five-sixteenths marker. He was roused while six […]
• Lastchanceforlove Never Looks Back in Debut At Fair Grounds
  February 22, 2020
  Bloodstock agent Clark Shepherd reports that LASTCHANCEFORLOVE (f, 3, Violence–Awe Hush, by Awesome Again), sent off at 3-1 in this unveiling, broke on top and never looked back, graduating by 2 1/2 lengths. Freedom Passage (Verrazano) was the […]
• Lexi On The Move Makes Her Debut A Winning One
  February 16, 2020
  Bloodstock agent Clark Shepherd reports that LEXI ON THE MOVE (f, 3, Fast Anna–Invalida, by Street Cry {Ire}) was 4-1 to make her debut a winning one and delivered. Not far off a :21.99 and :45.56 opening pace, Lexi On the Move tipped to the […]
• Hard Spun Filly Prevails Under Strong Urging at Fair Grounds
  February 14, 2020
  Bloodstock agent Clark Shepherd reports that SUMMER IN SARATOGA (f, 4, Hard Spun–Love Theway Youare {GISW, $372,990}, by Arch) brushed with a foe early, went three wide on the first turn and settled on the outside. The Hard Spun filly went […]
• Bronx Rumble Powers Home By 8 In 2nd Start at Tampa Bay
  February 13, 2020
  Bloodstock agent Clark Shepherd reports that Bronx Rumble (c, 3, Chitu–Rumble Seat, by Mr. Greeley) pulled his way to terms prompting a rival’s pace racing to the backstretch. He took over racing into the far turn, forged clear into a […]
• Maclean’s Music Gelding Gets Two Wins In A Row
  November 23, 2019
  Bloodstock agent Clark Shepherd reports that BAOZUN (g, 2, Maclean’s Music–Ron’s Lady, by Elhayq (IRE)) attended the pace along the inside and angled out leaving the turn. He wore down the leaders and edged clear late to win by one […]
• Halama Breaks Maiden in Debut at Churchill Downs
  November 10, 2019
  Bloodstock agent Clark Shepherd reports that HALAMA (f, 2, Pioneerof the Nile–Milania, by Bernardini) outslugged her two chief rivals in the market to open her account at first asking Saturday at Churchill. Drawn widest of the seven remaining […]
• Black Kat Taps Breaks Maiden By 7+ In The Slop At Churchill Downs
  November 8, 2019
  Bloodstock agent Clark Shepherd reports that BLACK KAT TAPS (f, 2, Tapiture – Black Ocean, by Ocean Terrace) broke a bit slow from the gate, chase the pace early and was off the rail into the lane and then drew off under a brisk drive to win […]
• Street Sense Filly Breaks Maiden In Second Lifetime Start
  October 25, 2019
  Bloodstock agent Clark Shepherd reports that COMPLETE SENSE (f, 2, Street Sense–Frivolity {GSP, $274,072}, by Corinthian), a distant sixth trying the turf in her career debut at Indiana Sept. 3, was given a 9-1 chance for her dirt bow. Pinched […]
• Summer In Saratoga Inches Clear To Win At Keeneland
  October 20, 2019
  Bloodstock agent Clark Shepherd reports that SUMMER IN SARATOGA (f, 3, Hard Spun–Love Theway Youare {GISW, $372,990}, by Arch), a $200,000 KEESEP yearling, made a pair of starts for Chad Brown this season, finishing fourth at Gulfstream Jan. […]
• Thea’s Theme Breaks Maiden in Debut at Saratoga
  August 8, 2019
  Bloodstock agent Clark Shepherd reports that THEA’S THEME (f, 2, Bayern–One More {GSP, $162,884}, by Holy Bull) became trainer Jeremiah Englehart’s second winner of the day at the Spa and eighth 2-year-old winner this year when she […]
• Bloodstock Agent Clark Shepherd Launches Shepherd Equine Advisers
  January 6, 2018
  Longtime thoroughbred bloodstock agent & sales adviser Clark Shepherd has launched Shepherd Equine Advisers, a new full-service Thoroughbred portfolio management company. From his time on the breeding side as a pedigree analyst to his most […]