EQUIX has advised horsemen since 1984, and we still work with some of our first customers. Our OptiMatch® breeding program was immediately popular and added a new dimension to the art of planning matings.
One of our first clients was Franklin Groves's North Ridge Farm, which earned an Eclipse Award as Outstanding Breeder in 1989. EQUIX also assisted in planning the matings that produced 1992 Kentucy Derby winner Lil E. Tee and 1991 Breeders' Cup Turf winner and Champion Miss Alleged.
EQUIX served as an advisor to Eugene Melnyk and his Winding Oaks Farm from 1998 through his dispersal in July 2014 and helped select and identify many of his most successful racehorses: G1SWs Speightstown, Flower Alley, Harmony Lodge, Bishop Court Hill, and Pool Land; G2SWs Strong Hope, Indian Vale, and Harlington; and countless other stakes winners.
When his operations developed into a breed-to-race program, EQUIX provided OptiMatch® data for the Winding Oaks mares. Melnyk color bearers include Sovereign Award winners Sealy Hill, Marchfield, Roxy Gap, and Leigh Court; GSWs Bridgetown, James Street, Sterwins, Gemswick Park; SWs Barracks Road, Carem Crescent, Clement Rock, and many others.
After the dispersal, the Winding Oaks success story continued with more racehorses from the Melnyk breeding program racing around the country, including G1SWs Wavell Avenue, Bullards Alley, and Lukes Alley. GSWs include Hillaby, Belle Hill, Glenville Gardens and Karibu Gardens.
Mr. Melnyk ranked among the top five leading owners and breeders in North America for several years. He was honored with a Sovereign Award for Leading Owner and Leading Breeder in Canada in 2009. He also was honored as Outstanding Owner of the Year in 2005 by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association and was a finalist for an Eclipse Award as Leading Owner that same year.
EQUIX clients we have worked with and selected horses for over the years include:
William L. Clifton, Jr. campaigned G1SWs Tizway ($1.3-million earner), Behrens ($4.5-million earner), Will's Way ($954k earner), plus other Graded earners Prioritize, Our Way, Empressof the Nile, Kitty in a Tizzy, Hostess, Solitaire, Pleasant Breeze ($1.2-million earner), Fortuitous, Transcendental, Magical Illusion, Legislator, Hot and Spicy, Ok by Me, Nevermore, and many more. Using OptiMatch®, Mr. Clifton bred GSWs Rhythm Band ($1.3-million earner) and Willy o'the Valley and GSP winners Senor Fizz and Musical. Will's Way was also bred by EQUIX client Robert Quinichett using OptiMatch®.
Tizway
Selections for Jim and Susan Hill include Sovereign Award winner Solid Appeal, G1SW Grand Arch ($1.8-million earner), GSWs Phantom Currency, Go Blue or Go Home, Sharp Sensation, Tizahit, Canadian classic winner Miami Deco, MSW Lead Guitar, SW Lemon Splendor, GSP Way Early, Holiday Stone, and Monty's Best, MSP City Trooper and Platinum Exchange.
Solid Appeal
Ilium Stables LLC campaigns MGSW Anarchist, an earner of over $460k to date. The son of Distorted Humor was a 75k Keeneland September yearling selection. Illium scored early with one of their first two yearling purchases. Jezebel’s Kitten, a 40k Kee Sept yearling selection, won the $500k Juvenile Fillies S. at KY Downs in her 2nd start. She retired with earnings of over $427k.
Ryan Zabrowski’s RyZan Sun Racing’s Mission of Joy was a 32k FT Oct yearling selection. The Kitten’s Joy filly is a MGSW on the turf with earnings over $308k to date.
Praetorian Guard was selected for Mark Conway at the OBS June 2yo sale. The 25k Speightster gelding is currently a multiple stakes-placed earner of over $142k.
Selections at the 2YO sales for Robert Bartels include GSW Shadowbdancing ($1-million earner), MSW Bluesbdancing, and SP Phaniebdancing and Readybdancing. Using Optimatch, Mr. Bartels bred MSW/GSP Babybluesbdancing.
Silverton Hill's G1 Blue Grass Stakes winner Dominican and GSP Sedgefield made an entry in the 2007 Kentucky Derby. Both were 2YO sales selections, as was GSP winner St. Joe.
Robert and Lawana Low raced and/or bred G1SW Capote Belle and G1 Kentucky Derby placed Steppenwolfer, along with the GSWs Posse, Real Cozzy, and Green Fee. Other SWs include Agent di Nozzo, Zapper Belle, and Ha Ha Tonka.
EQUIX’s OptiMatch® has enhanced the programs of commercial breeders
and breed-to-race operations for many years.
and breed-to-race operations for many years.
OptiMatch® client results at these recent Keeneland September sales.
| 2023 |
|---|
| Highest American Pharoah filly at $525,000 |
| Co-highest Tapit colt at $600,000 |
| 2nd highest Justify colt at $625,000 |
| Co-3rd highest Authentic colt at $700,000 |
| Co-3rd highest Nyquist filly at $435,000 |
| Co-2nd highest Gun Runner filly at $550,000 |
| 2nd highest Mendelssohn colt at $150,000 |
| Highest Catalina Cruiser colt at $180,000 |
| 4th highest Nyquist colt at $400,000 |
| 3rd highest Maximum Security colt at $180,000 |
| Highest First Samurai colt at $95,000 |
| 4th highest Maclean’s Music colt at $230,000 |
| 2022 |
|---|
| Highest Liam’s Map colt at $625,000 |
| Highest Kantharos filly/colt at $570,000 |
| Highest Dialed In colt at $400,000 |
| Highest Frosted filly/colt at $175,000 |
| 3rd highest Curlin colt at $1.1-million |
| 2nd highest City of Light colt at $1-million |
| Highest Runhappy filly/colt at $350,000 |
| 3rd highest Nyquist colt at $290,000 |
| 4th highest Omaha Beach filly at $300,000 |
| Highest Classic Empire filly at $190,000 |
| 2nd highest Mendelssohn filly at $220,000 |
| 3rd highest Good Magic filly at $140,000 |
| Highest Divisidero colt at $85,000 |
| 2021 |
|---|
| Highest American Pharoah filly at $1.4-million |
| Highest Nyquist colt at $700,000 |
| 2nd highest Twirling Candy colt at $300,000 |
| 2nd highest Good Magic colt at $575,000 |
| 2nd highest Violence colt at $550,000 |
| Highest Dialed In colt at $190,000 |
| 2nd highest Cairo Prince colt at $110,000 |
| 2020 |
|---|
| Highest American Pharoah filly at $1.2-million |
| Highest Gun Runner filly at $750,000 |
| 2ndHighest Gun Runner filly at $300,000 |
| 2nd highest First Samurai filly at $240,000 |
| 2nd highest Blame colt at $130,000 |
| 4th highest Uncle Mo colt at $650,000 |
| 4th highest Practical Joke colt at $260,000 |
Bonner Young of Bonner Farm bred and raced G1SW Bit of Whimsy, along with G1SWs Miss Josh and Royal Mountain Inn, G2SW Caroline Thomas, G3SWs Highland Crystal and Highland Springs, and other graded performers. MSW/G1SP Highland Sky ($784k-earner), SW/GSP Highland Glory, SW My Sweet Girl, GSP Sky Blazer, and GSP Kulin Rock have also carried her colors.
Bit of Whimsy
Monticule, breeder of Champion Big Brown, also bred MG1SW Annals of Time, GSWs Signalman, Adventist, Archaggelos, Prussian, Joe Vann, and Dijeerr; SWs Xy Speed, Isn't He Clever, Sharp Writer, Glenwood Canyon, Queen of the Creek, Arch Traveler, Sky's Goldmaker; GSP Amalfi Princess, MSP Divine Dutchess, and others. Monticule also sold a $9-million yearling by Danzig using OptiMatch®.
Red Oak Stables has enjoyed a very successful breed-to-race program for many years.
Their Ocala, Florida, based farm and training center has produced dozens of black-type earners that have also become
proven producers of stakes horses and, more recently, two of their top colts have entered the stallion ranks.
Leading their program is Mind Control, a MG1SW son of Stay Thirsty with over $2-million in earnings; and Unbridled Mo,
another G1SW and millionaire who is now part of their broodmare band. Other notable Red Oak runners include: GSW Unbridled Essence; MSW/G1SP and
$870k-earner Bal Harbour; MSW King for a Day; SWs It Can Be Done, Casino Transaction, Feel That Fire, Ima Jersey Girl;
G1SP Goddess of Fire;
and SP runners Unbridled Daddy, Psychic Ability, Powerfully Built, and many more.
Mind Control
John and Susan Moore have enjoyed a tremendous few years campaigning Princess Grace, who earned over $1.4-million in North America and was sold for $1.7-million to continue her career racing in Australia. As an OptiMatch client, they also bred a half-brother to Princess Grace -- Catnip (by Kitten’s Joy) is a GSW/G1SP-earner of $369k to date. Also racing in their colors is Sir Lancelot (by Goldencents), a SW with earnings of $169k.
Betz Thoroughbreds, a leading consignor and producer of high quality yearlings, bred Eclipse Award winner Echo Zulu and other G1SWs Yaupon, Echo Town, Hoppertunity and Executiveprivilege. Other notable runners include GSWs Curly Jack, Man of Promise, Magic Star, J Boys Echo, and High Ridge Road; MSW Another Miracle; SWs Good Like Magic, One Step Ahead, Into Trouble, and Red Lodge; GSP School Dance, Golden Domer, Calf Moon Bay, and Unbridled Outlaw; and MSP Fannie and Freddie, Honey Pants, and many others.
| Year | Betz Thoroughbreds at recent Keeneland September Yearling Sales |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2nd Highest Consignor Gross Sales ($3,077,000), 15 or fewer sold |
| 2023 | 4th Highest Consignor by Average Price ($256,417), 12 or more sold |
| 2022 | 3rd Highest Consignor Gross Sales ($4,395,000), 20 or fewer sold |
| 2022 | 3rd Highest Consignor by Average Price ($274,688), 16 or more sold |
| 2021 | 3rd Highest Consignor Gross Sales ($4,880,000), 20 or fewer sold |
| 2021 | 3rd Highest Consignor by Average Price ($287,000), 17 or more sold |
| 2020 | 4th Highest Consignor Gross Sales ($2,136,000), 10 or fewer sold |
| 2020 | 4th Highest Consignor by Average Price ($213,000), 10 or more sold |
| 2019 | 3rd Highest Consignor by Average Price ($225,000), 15 or more sold |
| 2019 | 4th Highest Consignor Gross Sales ($4,050,000), 20 or fewer sold |
| 2018 | 2nd Highest Consignor by Average Price ($263,947), 15 or more sold |
| 2018 | Highest Consignor Gross Sales ($5,015,000), 20 or fewer sold |
Echo Zulu
Hoppertunity
Echo Town
Hinkle Farms is a perennial leading consignor at Keeneland September. In the last few years, the farm enhanced its mare roster and added EQUIX OptiMatch data to their mating selection criteria.
Hinkle Farms's more recent stakes performers include GSW/G1SP Ginobili ($570k-earner), Draft Pick ($542k-earner), GSW Shivaji ($2.1m-earner in Japan), GSW Current ($532k-earner); SW/G1SP Tarabi; SWs New Boss, Orbolution, Aug Lutes, and Rail Hugger. Other Hinkle graduates include GSP Daydreaming Boy; and SP Wexx, Gunnison, and many others.
| Year | Hinkle Farms at recent Keeneland September Yearling Sales |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 2nd Highest Consignor Gross Sales ($5,001,000), 20 or fewer sold |
| 2023 | 2nd Highest Consignor by Average Price ($250,050), 20 or more sold |
| 2022 | 2nd Highest Consignor Gross Sales ($4,550,000), 20 or fewer sold |
| 2022 | 4th Highest Consignor by Average Price ($227,500), 20 or more sold |
| 2020 | 4th Leading Consignor Gross Sales ($3,350,000), 22 or fewer sold |
| 2019 | Highest Consignor by Average Price ($405,125), 15 or more sold |
| 2019 | 2nd Highest Consignor Gross Sales ($6,482,000), 20 or fewer sold |
| 2018 | 6th Highest Consignor by Average Price ($208,406), 15 or more sold |
| 2018 | 3rd Highest Consignor Gross Sales ($3,334,000), 20 or fewer sold |
| 2017 | 3rd Highest Consignor by Average Price ($243,056), 13 or more sold |
| 2017 | 2nd Highest Consignor Gross Sales ($4,375,000), 20 or fewer sold |
Ginobili
Tapit - Seeking Gabrielle colt
Robert Harvey bred and raced Hollinger, Sovereign Award winner for Champion 2YO in Canada, and bred GSW Bickersons, MSW Calling Rhy Rhy, GSP Dancehall Deelites, and SP Hot and Spicy, Escondera, Sky Racer, and Banker's Street. EQUIX also assisted Mr. Harvey in selecting 2001 Sovereign Award winner Numerous Times as a yearling.
Richard Leahy's Oak Bluff Stables's breeding program focuses on New York-breds and, using OptiMatch®, has produced G1SW Audible ($2.1-million earner), G1SW Therapist ($1.36-million earner), MSW/G1SP Rieno Tesoro ($1.37-million earner Japan), SW/MGSP Governor Malibu ($665k-earner); SW Fresco, and SP Kitty Panda. Mr. Leahy also campaigned Akilina (MSW/GSP), the dam of Governor Malibu and Rieno Tesoro.
Therapist
Siena Farm-bred stakes performers include: G1SWs Dayoutoftheoffice and Angela Renee, MGSW Isabella Sings; MGSW/G1SP Mr Freeze ($1.6-million earner) GSW/MG1SP Point of Honor ($724k-earner); GSW National Flag; MSWs Alaura Michelle, Outside Nashville, and Ocho Ocho Ocho; SWs Tesora, Elnaawi, and Velvet Mood; G1SP Identity Politics and Bernina Star, GSP Private Ensign (dam of SW Great Sister Diane), and Dewey Square; and SP Classy Dancer and Anna Sophia.
Richard Otto Stables, a supporter of the Illinois-bred racing program, has campaigned many top state-bred runners over the years including GSW Summer Mis, SWs Set to Sizzle, Summer’s Empire, Alette, and SP Jolina, Summer Again, Mourette, Jolee, and many others. Using OptiMatch®, Mourette produced his MGSW Sir Anthony ($495k-earner) and Summer Again produced MSP winner Summer Day.
Bill Geist's Woodbridge Farm bred G1SW Bevo, GSW Wilburn and his dam, GSW Moonlight Sonata. This mare also produced GSW Beethoven and the sale of her offspring at auction grossed $2.1-million for our client.