Shepherd Equine Advisers
@OPTIMAL_Matings
Most breeders and owners face uncertainty. OPTIMAL Matings gives you clear, tailored guidance to make confident choices and build a winning program.
The Triple Crown isn’t supposed to be convenient. It’s a stress test. Three races, five weeks, different tracks. If you want to build legends, not just entries, you don’t change the test. You raise horses that can pass it.
The fastest way to better horses? Stop guessing. Start planning. This is the most practical pedigree strategy you'll read all year: bloodstock-agent-ky.com/pedigree-strat…
Some breed by guesswork. Others by groundwork. Breeders, here's how to build something real: bloodstock-agent-ky.com/how-breeders-c…
Sales catalogs are supposed to protect buyers. They do the opposite. Every page is packed with data: blacktype, earnings, stakes wins, hot sires. So buyers feel informed. Confident. Strategic. But here’s what no one tells you: The catalog isn’t designed to help you make good…
Not all breeding failures come from bad mares or weak stallions. Here are 3 pedigree flaws I see far too often: — Overloaded traits (no balance) — Weak maternal reinforcement — Ignored physical matchups It’s not luck. It’s fixable.
Not every big name means better. Not every price tag means promise. Not every “good” pedigree means ROI. Ever learned that the hard way?
I asked a client for a testimonial after his stakes winner crossed the line. He didn’t talk about luck. He said this: “Clark understands how pedigrees perform, not just how they sell. This horse wasn’t a fluke. It’s what happens when strategy replaces fashion.” That stuck with…
He didn’t have a popular pedigree. He had a planned one. No shortcuts, just structure. No guessing, just strategy. The Kentucky Derby proved the difference.
Nicking gives you a letter. Strategy gives you a reason. Forget the grade, start spotting patterns: balance, depth, reinforcement. What’s the worst “nick” advice you’ve gotten?
Speed up top. Stamina underneath. Patience in the middle. No wonder she broke through. bloodstock-agent-ky.com/artistic-succe…
Congratulations to all the connections on Split Success. @TheIntlEquine and Epona Racing. Great stalking ride by @jaimetorresjcky for trainer @mjsharp75_joe. What a way to close out the past week, which included two wins and a stakes placing for @TheIntlEquine runners.…
Design drives results. Results follow patterns. Patterns that come from 7 core breeding principles.
Smart Strike gave the engine. Storm Cat, the torque. Colonel John, the stretch. Strong State's win was no accident, here's why: bloodstock-agent-ky.com/strong-state-d…
