The United States has long been a lucrative market for European-bred horses, and with an increasing number of races available domestically, this trend shows no signs of slowing down. But what exactly do American buyers seek in these international equine athletes? Industry professionals, including trainers and bloodstock agents who have a history of successful European acquisitions, share their insights on the winning formulas they employ.
While individual preferences often depend on financial capacity and the intended racing coast (East or West), a common observation is the heightened competition in the European market. This is fueled by a significant influx of buyers from regions such as Hong Kong, the Middle East, Japan, and Australia. This first part of our series delves into the specific qualities of European “form” horses that best translate to success in American racing.
Form, Trip, Age, and Ground: Essential Considerations
When evaluating European horses for import, several key performance indicators come into play. Trainers and agents emphasize the importance of a horse’s existing form, the suitability of its racing style to American tracks, its age, and the typical ground conditions it has encountered.
Brendan Walsh, a trainer, suggests that horses primarily running distances longer than a mile in Europe might find American racing more accommodating, with horses capable of running six or seven furlongs overseas often capable of handling a mile in the U.S. He also highlights the search for value, favoring horses that are less exposed and not necessarily already proven champions.
David Ingordo, a bloodstock agent, looks for horses that appear adaptable to American racing conditions. He notes that the substantial prize money in the U.S. allows for a different approach, where horses that haven’t immediately excelled in Europe can be acquired and potentially developed further. This strategy can be particularly effective on the East Coast, where a moderate investment might still yield significant returns and enjoyable racing experiences.
Ben Cecil, another trainer, stresses the importance of firm ground, advising against horses that perform best on soft surfaces. He also observes that West Coast racing, in particular, may be less demanding than in previous decades. Cecil believes that a Timeform rating of 80-plus, which might have been considered moderate years ago, can now be sufficient for competitiveness on American turf. This opens opportunities for European handicappers to achieve success in listed and graded stakes races in the U.S.
Pete Bradley, a bloodstock agent, often focuses on two-year-olds with a limited number of starts (two to four) that show signs of improvement. He prefers horses with the potential to race longer distances, ideally at least eight furlongs, while also possessing the precocity to win at shorter distances as juveniles. Bradley tends to avoid horses solely adept at five-furlong sprints, believing American racing favors horses with the stamina to finish strongly.
Graham Motion, a trainer, has had success with two-year-olds transitioning to three-year-olds that have some established form. However, he points out that a more extensive race record can make these horses less financially viable due to increased market demand.
Joe Miller, a bloodstock agent, notes that while they have imported successful stayers, the scarcity of longer races in the U.S. and the reduced residual broodmare value for such horses limit their appeal. He indicates that the market, particularly for broodmares, favors “sprinter-milers.” Miller also emphasizes the conditions of races, preferring horses still eligible for allowance races, as U.S. allowance races, especially in New York and California, can accommodate European horses with multiple wins.
Jane Buchanan, a bloodstock agent, observes a trend of buyers seeking horses with more stamina, capable of running 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 miles. This is driven by the fact that even high-quality stakes races for such horses can be scarce throughout the year. She points to races like the Grade I United Nations Stakes at Monmouth Park, which are not always intensely competitive. Buchanan also mentions the New York racing program’s increasing inclusion of longer races for these types of horses, often with enhanced purse incentives.
Simon Callaghan, a trainer, generally finds that races beyond 1 1/8 or 1 1/4 miles can become easier. However, the ideal filly, in his view, is one that excels at six or seven furlongs but possesses the ability to stretch to a mile in the U.S. Callaghan states that age is less of a critical factor, as they have had success with horses ranging from two-year-olds to five-year-olds.
Bradley Weisbord, a bloodstock agent, indicates that the number of past starts is not a primary concern, having acquired both lightly raced horses and those with up to 20 previous races. His focus remains on horses in the two- to four-year-old range and, crucially, those that perform well on good ground. Weisbord notes that European form often doesn’t translate directly from soft ground. He generally avoids sprinters, preferring horses with the pedigree and capability to race at least a mile, believing that while American sprinters are talented, there’s a limited number of races suited to them, whereas mile-plus races offer a broader competitive landscape.
Running Styles and Purchase Locations
The racing style of a European horse is another significant consideration for American buyers. Ben Cecil notes that in California, possessing early speed is often advantageous, as closing from behind can be challenging. However, he also cautions that European front-runners may struggle to adapt due to the generally quicker pace of American races.
Marette Farrell, a bloodstock agent, suggests that horses that race on the pace without a significant turn of foot may not fare as well in the U.S. She emphasizes the need for a horse to demonstrate an ability to accelerate, preferring tactical horses that can change gears rather than those that are one-paced.
Tom Morley, a trainer, is less concerned with specific running styles, believing that talented horses will find a way to win. However, he advises against importing horses solely suited for long distances if they are slow starters, as many major American races commence at a high speed. The crucial factor, according to Morley, is the horse’s inherent ability to produce a winning kick in the latter stages of a race.
Aron Wellman of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners identifies a “turn of foot,” or the ability to accelerate, as the paramount ingredient for success in American turf racing. He considers this an essential component for any horse aiming to compete at a high level.
Regarding preferred purchase locations, David Ingordo references the pioneering work of Bobby Frankel, who sought to improve imported horses through customized feeding and training regimens. Frankel respected certain European trainers but understood that his role was often to maintain or enhance a horse’s existing form.
Brendan Walsh prefers acquiring horses from stables where they haven’t run excessively, suggesting they still have “mileage left on the clock.”
Tom Morley emphasizes the importance of understanding the “nursery” a young horse came from and who raised it. For horses in training, he advises caution and discernment in selecting sellers.
Jane Buchanan values the opportunity to physically inspect horses at sales. When buying privately, she stresses the critical need for a trustworthy individual on the ground in Europe who possesses keen judgment and expertise, as she cannot personally oversee every transaction.
Acclimatization vs. Racing Off the Plane
The decision of whether to race a European import immediately upon arrival or allow for a period of acclimatization is a subject of varied opinions. Graham Motion generally prefers not to race horses immediately off the plane, especially those purchased privately. He advocates for a period of adjustment, including a week or two to acclimate, followed by a month or two with a couple of breezing sessions, expressing reluctance to rush the process.
Marette Farrell shares insights from Tommy Skiffington, a renowned importer of European horses, particularly fillies. Skiffington’s approach was to either race horses immediately upon arrival or give them a substantial six-month break to acclimate to the training, surfaces, and other adjustments.
Pete Bradley favors trainers who allow horses time to acclimatize. While acknowledging occasional success with immediate racing, he believes most horses benefit from a minimum of 60 to 90 days to fully adjust to their new routine.
Simon Callaghan suggests that if a horse does race off the plane, a subsequent extended acclimatization period is essential. Ideally, he prefers to allow a horse 30 days to jog over the track and another 30 days for galloping before commencing breezing, viewing this as the most effective long-term strategy.
Part Two of this series will delve into pedigrees, physical attributes, and mental aptitude of European horses.
