THT Racing: This is not your father’s partnership

Maybe not to the extent of great American pioneers like Albert Einstein, Henry Ford or the Wright Brothers, but my money is on Kerry Thomas, who I believe will revolutionize the thought process of breeding and purchasing thoroughbred race horses, and is poised to start a racing partnership much different from all others.
                                                   "The only way to change the direction of the future is to

                                                   redirect the thought processes that manage the direction..." 
                                                                                                                  - Kerry M. Thomas

Kerry M. Thomas, the founder of Thomas Herding Technique (THT) and author of Horse Profiling: The Secret to Motivating Equine Athletes is recognized by many around the world as a pioneering researcher and service provider in the field of Equine Athletic Psychology. Upon meeting Kerry and listening to him explain that it is the Emotional (not Physical) Conformation of a horse that governs the herd dynamics (think in terms of a race), one cannot help but sense this gentleman is a diamond in the rough, ready to revolutionize how yearlings and 2-year-olds at auction are valued for those seeking the next Secretariat, Seattle Slew or Citation.

It’s been 33 years since thoroughbreds Triple Crown has been captured. For at least the past quarter century, breeders and owners have been fixated by SPEED instead of STAMINA. The latter is the key to breeding a runner who can get the classic distance (10f) and beyond. Enter Kerry Thomas and the THT, the only organization who possess the ability to look into the heart and mind of a thoroughbred. With apologizes to Simon Cowell, I refer to as “The X-Factor”. Thomas can answer the question no other bloodstock agent can, “How far can this horse run?”

Throughout 2013, Peter Denk, Director of Equine Services at THT, who covered 2-year-old sales (2005-2010) for Thoroughbred Times, absorbing valuable insight from a vast number of buyers, sellers and sales officials will accompany Kerry at yearling and 2-year-old in training sales across North America. While the vast majority of buyers inspect the breeding, physical traits, and time trials, Kerry will perform his craft by “reading” the heart and mind of the thoroughbreds, to determine their distance aptitude (aka ability to run the Derby distance). They’ll purchase those who fit the Emotional Conformation Profile for investors of the THT partnership.

”It isn’t the value written on the horse’s paperwork that sets them apart, but rather the value found within their character…”
                      - Kerry M. Thomas 

                                                                                                                      Photo courtesy: Steve Barger

From a breeding standpoint, this year THT will breed to its first mare, Gave Away Power who Kerry personally spotted as a yearling (2009) in a field and pointed out to the owner, “This is the one. She is very special”. She went on to be stakes placed as a 2-year-old, was later injured and dropped in class and lost via the claiming ranks. An injury ended her racing career in July 2011. Kerry tracked her down on a farm in New Jersey and privately purchased her. Her pedigree is far from being stellar, but her Emotional Conformation and Behavioral Genetics are outstanding. 

In 2011 from a catalog of 300 yearlings, Mr. Thomas published a short list (posted on the Paulick Report) of those who best fit the THT Emotional Conformation Profile. Here’s what Thomas noted about the yearling he ranked #1 among all fillies in the sale…

“Our top rated filly of the sale was hip 294, by Successful Appeal, out of the Housebuster mare House of Soviet’s. Donver Stable/Cory Wagner bought hip 294 for $110,000 from Mulholland Farm, agent. We thought this filly had a great mind. She demonstrated the presence and focus of a high level racemare."

This past Saturday (Jan. 12^th) that filly, now named Lady Banks won the $75,000 Ruthless Stakes at Aqueduct. Two days later The Daily Racing Form reported her connections are setting the Kentucky Oaks as a long-term goal.

Pretty amazing that Kerry's #1 pick in the sale has so far turned out to be #1 on the track.

Still not convinced that THT is a racing partnership that has a formula for success? Then read the 2011 and 2012 Kentucky Confidential posts based on Kerry Thomas’ analysis of the Kentucky Derby contenders. Note that each was posted one week prior to the Run for the Roses.

For all those who bought into Hansen, The Factor, and any other past Derby contenders bred for SPEED, you will be a tough nut to crack, because that’s what all of the partnerships are buying. But for those with an open mind, do not resist change and welcome “thinking outside the box”, I suggest you look into THT partnerships, as they put a premium on mental fitness and the classic mentality.

For more information, feel free to contact Peter Denk at peterdenk@yahoo.com.