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"There are a number of contributing
factors in deciding which horses are selected for Diamond
Thoroughbreds. Amongst a vast range of considerations
there are the basics - pedigree, type and price.
Pedigree covers
more than the printed word on a catalogue page. It involves
how particular pedigrees react to work - too little
or too much, under what circumstances different pedigrees
earn their race record and the arenas in which they
race. It involves the opportunities they are provided
with or denied and how weather patterns affect form.
As a trainer I must collect this information on a daily
basis and use it through the yearling sale selection
process as contributing factors in the purchase of any
horse.
Type is more
difficult to put on paper. The mechanics look after
themselves. Horses must be built to be able to do the
job that is required. They must also move in a
way that suggests an economy of movement that creates
speed with a minimum of effort. Faults are allowable
- a fact of life really, but faults of particular types
in particular pedigrees may not be allowable, or conversely
may be of little consequence. Thirty plus years of selecting
and purchasing thoroughbreds has given me the experience
to 'get it right'.
Price is always
open to interpretation. The buyer who sees the potential
in an animal will always pay more than the man blinded
(saved) by the faults. One buyer's sale topper is another
mans over priced dud. Top prices are paid for 'talking
horses', those that you hear about whenever you stop
for a chat. My view has always been to stop when I can't
see a reasonable way out. It has helped me produce a
record where my average purchase price is around half
of the average earnings of the yearlings I have purchased.
Once the horse(s) have been selected the hard work begins
in another light. Getting to understand each horse's individual
quirks and traits, getting to peak levels of fitness, understanding
their minds / personalities, getting them to the point
where they not only can win but WANT to win.
Avoiding injuries
is another aspect of the game. The workload, routines
and training programs are vitally important. One horse's
regular training routine may not suit another at all.
At Randwick there are a number of viable alternatives,
including laps of the pool or hill work to help each
horse reach peak fitness without jeopardising soundness.
 As
important a step as any described before is the placement
of horses. The selection of appropriate races will determine
the potential returns to syndicate members. It involves
the assessment of each horse's ability and level of
'racecraft', then placing them in a race that they can
win.
This combination of skills gives
everyone the best opportunity of seeing their horse
pass the winning post first, which is the ultimate thrill. |
