If you look back over the years, many top mares like the mother of Barbaro (who I was lucky enough to spend time around at Mill Ridge Farm) can be nondescript – definitely not the Marilyn Monroe types! These mares are what I call incubators, great additions when you concentrate only on racing. But when you’re driven by the commercial market, you should be more aware of looks and correctness, too. About these factors, I consider myself very lucky to advise top breeders like Austin Paul, David Anderson of Anderson Farms and Greg Goodman of Mt. Brilliant Farm. These top breeders have had families for generations and each year try to supplement their programs with new blood. indeed, I assisted Greg with the matings of Derby runner-up Nehro, and Monmouth Oaks winner Cassatt.

The mare is the factory and the quarterback and the foundation of any farm. She is pivotal to your success if are a top breeder and commercial seller. There is little wiggle room for mistakes. That’s why I specifically look for broodmares from Taproot families because genetics is a major source of talent. This combined with good physicals are the key. I also try to insist on a recognized broodmare sire or sire line. How close you can get to the “root” depends on your financial capacities. When analyzing families, you want to feed into upwardly evolving families rather than ones who may be diluting themselves.

My advice has stood Boris Schwartzman of Haras Barlovento in great stead. Boris is the leading breeder in Peru. He has accumulated a top class broodmare band from a small allocated budget, by tracing to great female families.

When at Nicoma Bloodstock, I was lucky enough to sit alongside side Headley Bell, working on all the matings. Rainbow View, champion two year old filly in England in 2008, as well as group winners Lucarno, Street Sense and Monba were the result. Through observing Headley, and absorbing everything he taught me, I have come to appreciate pedigree patterns and the blending of various elements within a pedigree. Talk about a good teacher – Raymi Coya, the first foal I ever bred, became a Group 3 winner for my partner Bob Anderson and I.

I usually formulate partnerships between friends, or bring together like-minded people that I think will enjoy each other’s company. Mainly, it’s an informal arrangement, and I will draw up a partnership agreement so that people know the terms and get out clauses and what not. Some of my partnerships are directed through a trainer. For example, I bought Dr. Zic for a partnership under trainer Joan Scott’s banner. Similarly, Willcox Inn and Ground Transport were bought for a partnership of clients and friends of Mike Stidham. Another partnership example is one organized by a good friend of mine, Ali Fyfe. Ali is a life-long racing fan who can be seen every year at Saratoga with his pals at the same table wearing a cross between Braveheart and The Great Gatsby! Fun, fun, fun!

If you have specific queries, please don’t hesitate to call me or my associates. It is a great business to be in, with opportunities to hit the long ball if you get the foundation firmly in place so you can take advantage of the opportunities when they arise.