2011 Thoroughbred Pedigree, Genetics and Performance Conf.

[brogers]

We are pleased to announce with the Blood Horse the 2011 Thoroughbred Pedigree, Genetics and Performance Conference to be held at the Marriott Hotel in Lexington KY, USA Sept. 7–8, 2011.

Held over two days, internationally renowned pedigree, genetics, and performance physiology experts will share their knowledge on the application of the latest in pedigree analysis, genetics research, and equine physiology testing as it relates to the performance of Thoroughbreds. This years conference includes internationally renowned geneticists Dr Matthew Binns, Dr Emmeline Hill, Dr Steve Tammariello and Dr Steve Harrison along with equally well regarded pedigree analysts such as Mr Alan Porter, Mr Bill Oppenheim and Dr Steve Roman (of the Dosage figures).

Conveniently held just days prior to the Keeneland September Yearling Sale, this conference is a 'must attend' for any thoroughbred owner, breeder or trainer wanting to learn about the latest in the field of Thoroughbred performance.

The complete agenda along with speaker details can be found here. https://www.bloodhorse.com/seminars/seminar/schedule/3/the-2011-thoroughbred-pedigree-genetics-and-performance-conference

[FOS]

hi brogers

Long time no see.

Thanks for sharing the announcement; BUT (assuming you're still a TrueNicks guy), I gotta tell ya, I find TrueNicks more of a tantalizing candy-like item (after all, I'd guess everyone wants an A or A+) or hustle (oh well ) than a meaningful tool of consequence. Nicking shmicking...seems to me it's largely salesmanship/marketing. If you'd like to explain why it's not...feel free.

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated, but (as you've likely figured out) I'm just not sold (by any stretch); regardless, I welcome your pitch .

For credibity's sake (if nothing else) I hope that at the conference every speaker/participant will loudly and clearly expose his/her/their connections, financial and otherwise, to others including (but not limited to) individuals, magazines (including the Blood-Horse), farms etc etc etc. I'm hoping you and the Blood-Horse will see to it that the conference is built on a foundation of integrity, rather than being a gathering of cheerleaders intending to play the game I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine.

Your mention of Bill Oppenheim's name triggers memories of his edict that Vanlandingham will be the greatest sire since the invention of the wheel . Bill O may not be a gunslinger, but do you think maybe he should be referred to as a pedigree-slinger? Hasn't he become the quote-meister for Coolmore? Does his business card read 'Quotes R Us' , or 'Have Quotes Will Travel' or maybe, quotes tailored to your needs?

This is a unique and challenging time...and is the conference really anything more than an attempt by some to make sizzle out of fizzle .

Did Jack Werk create an original 'nicks' scheme that captured the imagination; and has his original idea maybe been nuanced and packaged as some new fangled genius stuff, that isn't?

Is TrueNicks really VooDooNicks?

Best to ya...

Respectfully

[brogers]

hi brogers

Long time no see.

Indeed. I was beginning to wonder if you were still around...

Thanks for sharing the announcement; BUT (assuming you're still a TrueNicks guy), I gotta tell ya, I find TrueNicks more of a tantalizing candy-like item (after all, I'd guess everyone wants an A or A+) or hustle (oh well ) than a meaningful tool of consequence. Nicking shmicking...seems to me it's largely salesmanship/marketing. If you'd like to explain why it's not...feel free.

You are entitled to your opinion on TrueNicks as much as I am entitled to disagree with it. The one thing that you did say that is true is it seems everyone does want an A (even if on our research a B+ or better is perfectly fine, all other factors being equal). I guess that means that it comes down to how frequently someone hands out "A's" and on that score I can tell you that TrueNicks is quite discerning. It is much, much harder to get an A rating on TrueNicks than it is on eNicks.

Your thoughts and comments are appreciated, but (as you've likely figured out) I'm just not sold (by any stretch); regardless, I welcome your pitch .

Fortunately TrueNicks isn't defined by what FOS thinks. In fact we really don't care what you personally think about it because you are not someone whose opinion we value as it completely lacks anything constructive about it. If you said something remotely intelligent maybe we would think otherwise. We have had a little over 500,000 ratings run this year so far and we are hoping to put out a couple of new products later in the year based on feedback from the TrueNicks users, both positive and negative, that are really neat and address a lot of problems that breeders have in doing their matings, so we are always trying to improve the product based on solving real problems.

For credibity's sake (if nothing else) I hope that at the conference every speaker/participant will loudly and clearly expose his/her/their connections, financial and otherwise, to others including (but not limited to) individuals, magazines (including the Blood-Horse), farms etc etc etc. I'm hoping you and the Blood-Horse will see to it that the conference is built on a foundation of integrity, rather than being a gathering of cheerleaders intending to play the game I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine.

While I am unsure as to how you became the (self-anointed?) arbiter of credibility, each of the speakers and the companies that they are associated with are clearly stated as are their bio's. The very fact that my company, along with the Blood Horse brings together the speakers we have, many of whom are in competition with my own company in terms of services offered, should tell you enough about what the higher purpose of the conference is. Have a look at the lineup of speakers. If there was no intention to see the bigger picture here why would we invite Sid Fernando from eNicks who is in clear competition with TrueNicks, or Steve Roman from chef-de-race.com, or Bill Oppenheim who competes with Alan Porter for clients? The goal of the conference is to offer a platform to educate owners, breeders and trainers and overrides any competition.

Your mention of Bill Oppenheim's name triggers memories of his edict that Vanlandingham will be the greatest sire since the invention of the wheel . Bill O may not be a gunslinger, but do you think maybe he should be referred to as a pedigree-slinger? Hasn't he become the quote-meister for Coolmore? Does his business card read 'Quotes R Us' , or 'Have Quotes Will Travel' or maybe, quotes tailored to your needs?

Bill Oppenheim has done more to forward the statistical analysis of stallions and sales since probably Joe Estes.

What has been your contribution to the industry at large?

This is a unique and challenging time...and is the conference really anything more than an attempt by some to make sizzle out of fizzle .

You are right. It is a unique and challenging time. It is a time where bad decisions made on less than stellar advice/research can lead to disaster. We held this conference last year and it was a sell out with close to 200 attendees. Obviously they thought that the conference was worthwhile and based on the bookings we have for this year right now we are looking at even more attendees over the two days.

Rather than sitting on the sideline and taking cheap shots with no credibility yourself, why don't you put your money where your mouth is and buy a ticket and see what it is all about?