Given we are in the midst of the sales season I thought it timely to reflect on some of the methods used by non-trainers/syndicators/bloodstock agents to market their skills in selecting future racehorses (and thereby attract clients to their business in the same instance).

You have the more traditional pedigree analysts who research the mysterious science of genes/traits and trends. There are also biomechanics, conformation and gait experts, 'dosage' experts ... and all manner of others. We profile just a few global examples that we came across:

Cecil Seaman & Co are a company of 'thoroughbred analysts'. Based in the US, the company offers biomechanical and genetic dominance tree assessment. Cecil's 'measuring' techniques have produced 89 G1 winners. One would have to say that Cecil and his endless string of tape measures which are a common sight at Keeneland in September would therefore appear to be a successful combination.



Another US company that specializes in biomechanics is Equix Biomechanics. EQUIX claims to have defined the science of biomechanics. Their solutions are said to provide owners, breeders, and stallion syndication managers with the analysis they need to make informed racing and breeding decisions. They have an impressive Success Stories page.

Werk is a US company specializing in pedigree research and analysis, providing information products and services to owners and breeders at all levels of participation in the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industries. WTC advises clients as to broodmare matings, stallion bookings, and racing and breeding stock purchases. In slightly more than ten years, WTC has become the most widely recognized and successful pedigree research firm in the world. In 2004 there were 150 maiden winners, 29 Stakes Winners (9 of them graded, including 3 G1 winners), and 43 stakes-placed winners (15 of them graded, including 5 G1-placed winners) who were bred on the recommendations Werk made through their Broodmare Compatibility Analysis and personal consultation. The company's greatest success story is the 1998 Kentucky Derby winner REAL QUIET.

Patrick Brain heads Brain International. The company assists breeders to race and breed more successful horses. The company uses the Brain Pedigree Analysis system which is the product of 30 years of research and uses state-of-the-art computer programs with which to analyse pedigrees. The computer extrapolates a mare's pedigree to twelve generations, identifying the genetic strengths in her pedigree. The company provides a number of services including broodmare analysis (presenting the breeder with a list of the top 30 stallions rated in order of compatibility with the mare. A shortlist of 5 stallions is selected from this list including factors other than "compatibility", and reasons are given for each of the 5 selections in order of preference); they assist in the identification of 'superior' broodmares for sale; and also assist in identifying yearlings with a compatible rating. In Australia the representative for Brain is Louis Mihalyka from Laurel Oak bloodstock.

On the Thoroughbred Village site you'll find everything you ever wanted to know about yearling sale dosages. 'Dosage' is a mathematical estimate of the distance at which a horse is likely to perform at its best (many believe it can also predict a horse's stakes winning potential). According to the site, dosage has been around for almost 100 years, and has been used by many people throughout the world to gain insight into thoroughbred racing prowess. It analyses the strengths in a thoroughbred pedigree, based upon the location of certain outstanding sires in the family. These preeminent sires are known as "Chefs". Links to other Dosage-related sites are included on the Thoroughbred Village site and include:

Dosage News: said to be an excellent introduction to dosage from a regional expert.

Progold Thoroughbreds: Dosage analysis and mating plans.

Take 2's web site: Historical analysis of dosage patterns.

Jack's Chatter: New Zealand perspective.

International sites in the Dosage field include:

Chef-de-Race: The definitive international dosage site.

Thoroughbred Champions: Great tutorial and links.

Away from dosages but still on pedigrees, another Australian company that has had considerable success is Jane Henning's Pedigree Dynamics. According to the website, the Pedigree Dynamics Analysis System combines breeding methods and observations. Desirable linebreeding and inbreeding and the formation of other dynamic patterns of genetic dominance are featured, however, consideration is also given to conformation, ability, constitution and the elimination of undesirable characteristics in a mating. Other issues important to the client such as commerciality, desired average winning distance, stud location and service fee are also considered. A feature of all reports is the easy to read Pedigree Dynamics Grading System that quantifies the potential level of genetic compatibility between the parents in a hypothetical or existing pedigree. The company's system has produced a number of stakes performers. The company is also an authorised agent of Tesio Power, the internationally acclaimed thoroughbred bloodline computer programme.



Another Australian company is V12 Pedigrees that is owned and run by successful greyhound [yes, you read that correctly] owner/breeder Darren Leeson.

Another newcomer is Just Genes Thoroughbred Consultancy that specializes in pedigree research and analysis, providing information products and services to owners and breeders at all levels of participation in the Thoroughbred racing and breeding industries. JustGenes reportedly advises clients in relation to broodmare matings, stallion bookings, and racing and breeding stock purchases.