Introduction
In the competitive world of horse racing, exceptional talent often emerges from the collaborative efforts of dedicated individuals. South Florida trainer Jose Pinchin and Ocala farm owner Bert Pilcher have forged a partnership spanning nearly two decades, cultivating multiple generations of successful racehorses. While Pinchin is known for his reserved approach to hyping horses before their debut, the Florida-bred filly Atomically has prompted him to break his silence. Slated to compete in the prestigious NetJets Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), Atomically has already captured the attention of seasoned racing veterans.
The Genesis of a Champion
Bert Pilcher, whose family has owned Shade Tree Farm since 1980, initially managed his own training barn to prepare horses for racing. He frequently sent horses to Jose Pinchin for further training, a partnership that has yielded impressive results, including 11 stakes victories in the Florida Sires Stakes program. While Pilcher bred many of these horses, Atomically’s story involves a different collaborative effort. Pinchin’s wife, Tracy, bred the filly in partnership with Michael Bernard of Jamaica, a dominant figure in Jamaican horse racing.
Jose Pinchin, originally from Jamaica, began his training career there before establishing himself in the United States. Bernard, a retired CEO, has been a significant owner and breeder in Jamaica for years and has been acquiring horses from Ocala sales since 2010 for racing in both Jamaica and the U.S. Atomically represents Bernard’s first horse bred in the U.S.
Atomically’s Early Success
Pinchin trained Atomically through her initial three starts at Gulfstream Park. After a third-place finish in her debut on August 19th, she demonstrated her prodigious talent with a dominant seven-length victory in a maiden race on September 2nd. This was followed by an even more impressive 6 ¾-length win in the Oct. 1 FTBOA Florida Sire My Dear Girl Stakes. These resounding victories quickly attracted the attention of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, who, within a week, secured a deal to purchase a half-interest in the promising filly. Atomically then moved to the stable of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, while the Pinchins and Bernard retained partial ownership.
Pedigree and Connections
Atomically’s lineage traces back to Pilcher’s Shade Tree Farm. Her dam, Shesunbelievable, is an Uncaptured mare. John Penn, another client of Pilcher’s, bred Shesunbelievable. Pinchin acquired the mare for $29,000 at the 2017 October yearling sale. The serendipitous meeting between Pinchin and Pilcher occurred at an Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company (OBS) sale, where Pinchin purchased a filly under Pilcher’s consignment and subsequently asked him to keep the horse, marking the beginning of their long-standing professional relationship.
The success of Shade Tree bred horses like Three Rules, a 2014 son of Gone Astray, further highlights the farm’s prowess. Pinchin trained Three Rules to multiple Florida Sires Stakes victories in 2016 and also competed in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Michael Bernard’s involvement in racing dates back to his fascination with the sport after attending the Kentucky Oaks. His notable U.S. runners include Danbury, a winner of the 2016 OBS Sprint Stakes, and Sunshine N Shadow, who earned over $123,000 and now stands as a stallion in Jamaica.
Breeding and Development
Shesunbelievable, Atomically’s dam, was an unraced but attractive filly whose racing career was cut short by a knee injury sustained a week before her scheduled debut. Consequently, she was bred as a three-year-old. Pinchin bred Shesunbelievable to Girvin, a Grade 1 stakes winner who stood as a Florida stallion at the time before relocating to Kentucky. Atomically was foaled the following spring at Pilcher’s farm, where he oversaw her initial breaking and training. Pilcher described her as a “big, strong filly” who was always cooperative yet possessed a tenacious spirit, responding best when allowed to perform tasks willingly rather than being forced.
Looking Ahead
Jose Pinchin, along with Tracy Pinchin and Michael Bernard, retains ownership of Shesunbelievable, who has a yearling filly by Khozan and is currently in foal to Uncle Chuck. Pinchin expressed his well wishes for Atomically’s new connections and will be enthusiastically cheering for her success in the Juvenile Fillies. Atomically’s rapid ascent and impressive performances underscore the exceptional talent that can arise from dedicated breeding programs and astute training partnerships.
