October 18-19, 2014
Lexington, Ky.
TOBA held yet another successful educational event on the weekend of October 18-19 in Lexington, Ky. Thirty-three established and prospective owners and breeders attended the Pedigree & Conformation Clinic. Seven participants were local college students who leveraged the educational opportunities that the event provided.
The clinic opened with remarks by Chauncey Morris, executive director of the Kentucky Thoroughbred Association/Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders. Dr. Robert Hunt of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute then gave a presentation on conformation which laid the foundation of knowledge for the rest of the weekend. “Dr. Hunt provided a wealth of information from a vet’s perspective on conformations that could create soundness issues,” said Corinna Wildermuth, clinic participant from Georgia.
Meg Levy and Suzanne Smallwood evaluate conformation of a yearling at Fasig-Tipton
The clinic participants spent a chilly Saturday morning at Fasig-Tipton learning from Reed Ringler about North America’s oldest Thoroughbred auction company and evaluating conformation of sale yearlings. Consignors Carl McEntee of Darby Dan Farm and Meg Levy of Bluewater Sales evaluated conformation alongside agents Peter Bradley of Bradley Thoroughbreds and Suzanne Smallwood of Equix.
The remainder of the day was spent at Keeneland with a private lunch in the Eclipse Room and an afternoon of racing. The clinic participants had the opportunity to network with each other and share experiences within the Thoroughbred industry.
Sunday morning opened with discussions on pedigree theories and research, led by Ian Tapp of The Blood-Horse MarketWatch and Byron Rogers of Performance Genetics. Susan Martin of The Jockey Club introduced Equineline.com’s products that aid owners and breeders in pedigree management.
Majestic Warrior stands at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud
The rest of Sunday was spent at Coolmore’s Ashford Stud with pedigree discussions and conformation evaluations of mares, stallions (including Giant’s Causeway, Majestic Warrior and Scat Daddy) and foals. Speakers at Ashford Stud included Scott Calder, Bob Davis and Brian Tormey. Katherine Young, a clinic participant hailing from Minnesota, said: “There is no better way to network with current members of the Thoroughbred industry and to get a behind the scenes look at what it takes to make a great Thoroughbred racehorse. I plan on attending a TOBA clinic every year!”
TOBA’s seminar and clinic program, sponsored by The Blood-Horse,, is open to anyone with an interest to learn more about a variety of aspects of the Thoroughbred industry. Topics include pedigree and conformation, breeding, and Thoroughbred ownership. Click here to learn more and register for an upcoming clinic.