BloodHorse.com

Few classic crops have been maligned more than the class of 2011. Well, perhaps it is time for the critics to re-evaluate their position. The truth is, there have been few classic crops recently that have accomplished more over the next two years. It should be noted that we are differentiating classic crop from 3-year-old crop. Every year, we ...

(Originally published in the December 1, 2012 issue of The Blood-Horse magazine. Feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions at the bottom of the column.)  By Eric Mitchell - @BH_EMitchell on Twitter A common refrain heard among Thoroughbred mare owners at this time of the year is that stud fees are too high.This ...

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- We form attachments writing about racehorses, as much as some of us try to deny it. Admiration of the Thoroughbred is, after all, part of why turf writers do what we do. The best and worst parts of our job revolve around the campaigns of these runners and our coverage of them. We get to know the horses and the people who ...

Greetings from St. Petersburg, Florida, where after one huge meal and two entertaining NFL games, I am ready to tackle the weekend cards. Aqueduct Race 7, Friday Maiden 2yo fillies    5.5f    dirt My eyes will be on first-time starter 1 Lady Banks. This Successfil Appeal filly made a positive ...

(Originally published in the November 24, 2012 issue of The Blood-Horse magazine. Feel free to share your own thoughts and opinions at the bottom of the column.)  By Eric Mitchell - @BH_EMitchell on Twitter Kentucky's Thoroughbred industry will get another bite at the casino apple this year, but it is unlikely to get more than a ...

(By Avalyn Hunter)Generally speaking, the auction picture in 2012 has been rosier than in 2011, with most sales reporting increases in average and median prices. Keeneland November suffered big drops to both figures, but when the Edward P. Evans and Saud bin Khaled dispersals of 2011--which grossed more than $72.7 million between them--are ...

New Vocations, which I have highlighted several times in the past on this blog, has received some exciting results from its 2012 Breeders' Cup Pledge, with more than 17 owners or partnership groups and five trainers committing a portion of their horses' Breeders' Cup earnings to the non-profit organization's mission to rehabilitate, retrain, and ...

(By Lizz Kunz) A large crowd generated buzz Nov. 5 at Fasig-Tipton before the start of the Lexington company’s elite sale, anticipating the appearance of Havre de Grace. She was slated to be the second Horse of the Year ever available for purchase at public auction— and fans, members of the press, and industry professionals eagerly gathered ...

Evaluating young sires is one of my favorite studies, both for my bloodstock work with Thomas Herding Technique (THT) and my handicapping.  Recognizing trends early is a path to value. The earlier you make an accurate read, the better. As evidence mounts, the public gradually catches on. One of this year's more ...