Analysis and Trends in the Racing World

Bill Oppenheim

Biography

BILL OPPENHEIM was born August 7, 1949, in Kansas City, Missouri. He has worked professionally in the thoroughbred business ever since, as a journalist, market analyst, and consultant. He worked in New Zealand as a journalist for the INL Print stable of publications in 1974-75, and in Louisiana, as the editor of the bimonthly Louisiana Horse magazine from 1976-79. In 1978 he started the twice-monthly newsletter Racing Update with his then-employer, the late Jack Lohman, and he moved to Lexington, Kentucky, as the publication's Editor and Publisher in 1979. During the first Golden Age of Thoroughbred Breeding (1978-1985), Racing Update, which took no advertising and existed entirely by subscription, and Oppenheim became known as the independent analyst used by industry professionals. During that time they originated the APEX method of stallion ratings

In 1993 Bill moved to Scotland with his wife, Lou, a British native, and he sold Racing Update in 1995. Since 2000 he has been a weekly columnist (usually on Wednesdays) for the industry's leading internet daily, Thoroughbred Daily News Bill has also worked as a consultant to horse operations for over thirty years. His private matings consultancy clients have bred 13 Classic winners since 1992, including two winners of the G1 Epsom Derby and two winners of the G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, and he has also done consulting work for sales companies, industry and trade organizations, and many other industry professionals. In 2008 he was elected as a Member of the Breeders' Cup 'big board', and he served on the Breeders' Cup Racing and Nominations subcommittee which helped originate its International Stallion Nominations program in 2011.

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APEX EARNINGS THRESHOLDS

APEX EARNINGS THRESHOLDS 2004-2010 (in US$)
A RUNNERS (TOP 2%)
NA / GB/IR / FR / GER / JPN
2010 / 105,458 / 76,283 / 90,413 / 52,730 / 398,758
2009 / 107,370 / 87,814 / 98,113 / 58,465 / 506,275
2008 / 111,303 / 96,887 / 98,810 / 64,348 / 455,511
2007 / 112,280 / 92,433 / 92,582 / 57,554 / 382,477
2006 / 106,919 / 87,316 / 84,833 / 58,042 / 413,515
2005 / 105,200 / 88,632 / 84,341 / 52,705 / 478,824
2004 / 106,674 / 93,426 / 76,147 / 50,817 / 473,727
2010-2004 / -1% / -18% / 19% / 4% / -16%
Pct change since 2004
B RUNNERS (NEXT 2%)
NA / GB/IR / FR / GER / JPN
2010 / 74,103 / 43,106 / 61,877 / 30,950 / 256,982
2009 / 76,728 / 48,816 / 67,102 / 34,162 / 336,355
2008 / 79,300 / 52,610 / 71,736 / 35,547 / 324,139
2007 / 79,000 / 53,392 / 66,728 / 32,678 / 265,438
2006 / 75,770 / 55,316 / 59,353 / 33,838 / 288,980
2005 / 73,221 / 52,082 / 56,375 / 29,709 / 319,073
2004 / 75,065 / 53,960 / 56,319 / 35,779 / 311,236
2010-2004 / -1% / -20% / 10% / -13% / -17%
C RUNNERS (NEXT 4%)
NA / GB/IR / FR / GER / JPN
2010 / 51,070 / 23,868 / 43,266 / 17,421 / 149,815
2009 / 51,880 / 26,424 / 46,396 / 20,039 / 215,288
2008 / 53,492 / 30,067 / 48,126 / 20,854 / 192,817
2007 / 53,360 / 30,053 / 46,207 / 18,589 / 174,822
2006 / 50,800 / 30,831 / 41,160 / 18,257 / 181,137
2005 / 49,926 / 30,941 / 38,313 / 17,152 / 198,534
2004 / 50,740 / 32,532 / 38,500 / 18,364 / 197,715
2010-2004 / 1% / -27% / 12% / -5% / -24%

50 NORTHERN HEMISPHERE SIRES BY A INDEX (2005-2011)

633 Sires with 200+ Rnrs / Top 50 by A Index2005-2011
SIRE / YR / HIS SIRE / 1st Fls / ST / RNRS / A's / Index
A.P. INDY / 1989 / SEATTLE SLEW / 1994 / KY / 1109 / 99 / 4.46
DUBAWI / 2002 / DUBAI MILLENNIUM / 2007 / GB / 325 / 26 / 4.00
CANDY RIDE / 1999 / RIDE THE RAILS / 2006 / KY / 420 / 32 / 3.81
MEDAGLIA D'ORO / 1999 / EL PRADO / 2006 / KY / 524 / 39 / 3.72
GALILEO / 1998 / SADLER'S WELLS / 2003 / IR / 1139 / 83 / 3.64
DEEP IMPACT / 2002 / SUNDAY SILENCE / 2008 / JP / 213 / 15 / 3.52
UNUSUAL HEAT / 1990 / NUREYEV / 1999 / CA / 750 / 51 / 3.40
SPEIGHTSTOWN / 1998 / GONE WEST / 2006 / KY / 529 / 36 / 3.40
SADLER'S WELLS / 1981 / NORTHERN DANCER / 1986 / Dead / 1253 / 84 / 3.35
MONSUN / 1990 / KONIGSSTUHL / 1997 / GE / 731 / 49 / 3.35
TAPIT / 2001 / PULPIT / 2006 / KY / 549 / 36 / 3.28
BOLD EXECUTIVE / 1984 / BOLD RUCKUS / 1990 / ON / 825 / 54 / 3.27
DESERT GOD / 1991 / FAPPIANO / 1994 / NM / 246 / 15 / 3.05
KINGMAMBO / 1990 / MR. PROSPECTOR / 1995 / Retired / 850 / 51 / 3.00
LEMON DROP KID / 1996 / KINGMAMBO / 2002 / KY / 1007 / 60 / 2.98
MINESHAFT / 1999 / A.P. INDY / 2005 / KY / 472 / 28 / 2.97
STORM CAT / 1983 / STORM BIRD / 1989 / Retired / 922 / 54 / 2.93
GIANT'S CAUSEWAY / 1997 / STORM CAT / 2002 / KY / 1752 / 102 / 2.91
AFLEET ALEX / 2002 / NORTHERN AFLEET / 2007 / KY / 309 / 18 / 2.91
SMART STRIKE / 1992 / MR. PROSPECTOR / 1998 / KY / 1489 / 86 / 2.89
DALAKHANI / 2000 / DARSHAAN / 2005 / IR / 400 / 23 / 2.88
OASIS DREAM / 2000 / GREEN DESERT / 2005 / GB / 787 / 45 / 2.86
DANSILI / 1996 / DANEHILL / 2002 / GB / 1172 / 66 / 2.82
DISTORTED HUMOR / 1993 / FORTY NINER / 2000 / KY / 1514 / 85 / 2.81
RAHY / 1985 / BLUSHING GROOM / 1991 / Retired / 912 / 51 / 2.80
DANEHILL DANCER / 1993 / DANEHILL / 1999 / IR / 1653 / 92 / 2.78
MONTJEU / 1996 / SADLER'S WELLS / 2002 / IR / 1297 / 72 / 2.78
AWESOME AGAIN / 1994 / DEPUTY MINISTER / 2000 / KY / 1011 / 56 / 2.77
UNBRIDLED'S SONG / 1993 / UNBRIDLED / 1998 / KY / 1243 / 68 / 2.74
PLEASANTLY PERFECT / 1998 / PLEASANT COLONY / 2006 / KY / 257 / 14 / 2.72
CITY ZIP / 1998 / CARSON CITY / 2003 / KY / 870 / 47 / 2.70
WHERE'S THE RING / 1999 / SEEKING THE GOLD / 2006 / ON / 242 / 13 / 2.69
PIVOTAL / 1993 / POLAR FALCON / 1998 / GB / 1267 / 66 / 2.60
TIZNOW / 1997 / CEE'S TIZZY / 2003 / KY / 952 / 49 / 2.57
DYNAFORMER / 1985 / ROBERTO / 1991 / KY / 1213 / 62 / 2.56
WHISKEY WISDOM / 1993 / WILD AGAIN / 1999 / MB / 429 / 22 / 2.56
STREET CRY / 1998 / MACHIAVELLIAN / 2004 / KY / 707 / 36 / 2.55
KITTEN'S JOY / 2001 / EL PRADO / 2007 / KY / 297 / 15 / 2.53
ZENNO ROB ROY / 2000 / SUNDAY SILENCE / 2007 / JP / 400 / 20 / 2.50
SEEKING THE GOLD / 1985 / MR. PROSPECTOR / 1991 / Retired / 703 / 35 / 2.49
KING KAMEHAMEHA / 2001 / KINGMAMBO / 2006 / JP / 1035 / 51 / 2.46
TRIBAL RULE / 1996 / STORM CAT / 2004 / CA / 392 / 19 / 2.42
D'WILDCAT / 1998 / FOREST WILDCAT / 2005 / FL / 353 / 17 / 2.41
MALIBU MOON / 1997 / A.P. INDY / 2001 / KY / 1316 / 63 / 2.39
PULPIT / 1994 / A.P. INDY / 1999 / KY / 1069 / 51 / 2.39
KIRIDASHI / 1992 / BOLD RUCKUS / 2000 / AB / 385 / 18 / 2.34
BERNSTEIN / 1997 / STORM CAT / 2002 / KY / 900 / 42 / 2.33
SELKIRK / 1988 / SHARPEN UP / 1994 / GB / 860 / 40 / 2.33
EL PRADO / 1989 / SADLER'S WELLS / 1994 / Dead / 1014 / 46 / 2.27
SINGSPIEL / 1992 / IN THE WINGS / 1999 / Dead / 1103 / 49 / 2.22
TOP SH SIRES by SH A RUNNER INDEX 2004-05 thru 2010-11
SIRE / YEAR / HIS SIRE / 2011-
Wnrs / Tot
SW / 1st Fls / Rnrs / A's / A Index / Aust
Rnrs / S. Am.
Rnrs / S. Afr.
Rnrs
SHAMARDAL / 2002 / GIANT'S CAUSEWAY / 53 / 10 / 2006 / 205 / 16 / 3.90 / 200 / 0 / 5
LONHRO / 1998 / OCTAGONAL / 131 / 26 / 2004 / 571 / 43 / 3.77 / 571 / 0 / 0
HIGH CHAPARRAL / 1999 / SADLER'S WELLS / 56 / 8 / 2005 / 177 / 13 / 3.67 / 177 / 0 / 0
REDOUTE'S CHOICE / 1996 / DANEHILL / 132 / 73 / 2001 / 1515 / 110 / 3.63 / 1500 / 0 / 15
EASING ALONG / 1998 / STORM CAT / 38 / 17 / 2004 / 336 / 24 / 3.57 / 0 / 334 / 2
DANEWIN / 1991 / DANEHILL / 31 / 21 / 1997 / 599 / 39 / 3.26 / 599 / 0 / 0
SINGSPIEL / 1992 / IN THE WINGS / 10 / 13 / 1999 / 217 / 14 / 3.23 / 202 / 2 / 13
ZABEEL / 1986 / SIR TRISTRAM / 88 / 132 / 1992 / 1620 / 104 / 3.21 / 1613 / 0 / 7
LUHUK / 1991 / FORTY NINER / 59 / 41 / 1997 / 734 / 47 / 3.20 / 0 / 694 / 40
PUT IT BACK / 1998 / HONOUR AND GLORY / 24 / 13 / 2003 / 221 / 14 / 3.17 / 0 / 211 / 10
FASTNET ROCK / 2001 / DANEHILL / 106 / 14 / 2006 / 402 / 25 / 3.11 / 397 / 0 / 5
ENCOSTA DE LAGO / 1993 / FAIRY KING / 156 / 76 / 1900 / 2245 / 129 / 2.87 / 2207 / 0 / 38
MUTAKDDIM / 1991 / SEEKING THE GOLD / 88 / 56 / 1998 / 789 / 45 / 2.85 / 0 / 765 / 24
WILD EVENT / 1993 / WILD AGAIN / 69 / 27 / 2001 / 515 / 29 / 2.82 / 0 / 486 / 29
CHARGE FORWARD / 2001 / RED RANSOM / 49 / 5 / 2006 / 200 / 11 / 2.75 / 200 / 0 / 0
SIGNAL TAP / 1991 / FAPPIANO / 33 / 10 / 1998 / 182 / 10 / 2.75 / 0 / 173 / 9
JET MASTER / 1994 / RAKEEN / 91 / 36 / 2002 / 824 / 45 / 2.73 / 0 / 0 / 824
POTRIDOON / 1990 / POTRILLAZO / 12 / 8 / 1996 / 225 / 12 / 2.67 / 0 / 11 / 214
BERNSTEIN / 1997 / STORM CAT / 128 / 35 / 2002 / 877 / 46 / 2.62 / 9 / 801 / 67
FLYING SPUR / 1992 / DANEHILL / 110 / 75 / 1997 / 1791 / 93 / 2.60 / 1763 / 0 / 28
SOUTHERN HALO / 1983 / HALO / 62 / 151 / 1989 / 907 / 47 / 2.59 / 18 / 868 / 21
PENTIRE / 1992 / BE MY GUEST / 45 / 25 / 1998 / 832 / 43 / 2.58 / 832 / 0 / 0
TUMBLEBRUTUS / 2001 / STORM CAT / 73 / 10 / 2006 / 237 / 12 / 2.53 / 0 / 237 / 0
MOSSMAN / 1995 / SUCCESS EXPRESS / 89 / 16 / 2001 / 630 / 31 / 2.46 / 628 / 0 / 2
NOT A SINGLE DOUBT / 2001 / REDOUTE'S CHOICE / 62 / 5 / 2006 / 266 / 13 / 2.44 / 264 / 0 / 2
MORE THAN READY / 1997 / SOUTHERN HALO / 116 / 38 / 2002 / 1128 / 53 / 2.35 / 1105 / 17 / 6
SILVER PLANET / 1994 / FITZCARRALDO / 18 / 8 / 2002 / 277 / 13 / 2.35 / 0 / 272 / 5
TOP 24 SIRES by SA - A RUNNER INDEX 2004-05 to 2010-11
(80+ SH Year-Starters) / AUSTRALIA / SOUTH
AMERICA / SOUTH
AFRICA
SIRE / YEAR / HIS SIRE / 1st Fls / A Index / Rnrs / A Index / Rnrs / A Index / Rnrs / A Index
OCEAN TERRACE / 2000 / SAINT BALLADO / 2006 / 4.27 / 0 / 0 / 163 / 3.99 / 1 / 50
EASING ALONG / 1998 / STORM CAT / 2004 / 3.57 / 0 / 0 / 334 / 3.59 / 2 / 0
LUHUK / 1991 / FORTY NINER / 1997 / 3.20 / 0 / 0 / 694 / 3.39 / 40 / 0
PUT IT BACK / 1998 / HONOUR AND GLORY / 2003 / 3.17 / 0 / 0 / 211 / 3.32 / 10 / 0
ORPEN / 1996 / LURE / 2001 / 1.70 / 624 / 0.48 / 392 / 3.32 / 43 / 4.65
GILDED TIME / 1990 / TIMELESS MOMENT / 1995 / 1.97 / 337 / 1.63 / 114 / 3.07 / 7 / 0
ROYAL ACADEMY / 1987 / NIJINSKY II / 1992 / 1.53 / 992 / 1.26 / 244 / 3.07 / 105 / 0.48
CATCHER IN THE RYE / 2000 / DANEHILL / 2005 / 1.24 / 196 / 0.26 / 117 / 2.99 / 9 / 0
SIGNAL TAP / 1991 / FAPPIANO / 1998 / 2.75 / 0 / 0 / 173 / 2.89 / 9 / 0
MUTAKDDIM / 1991 / SEEKING THE GOLD / 1998 / 2.85 / 0 / 0 / 765 / 2.88 / 24 / 2.08
BERNSTEIN / 1997 / STORM CAT / 2002 / 2.62 / 9 / 0 / 801 / 2.81 / 67 / 0.75
WILD EVENT / 1993 / WILD AGAIN / 2001 / 2.82 / 0 / 0 / 486 / 2.78 / 29 / 3.45
GRAND SLAM / 1995 / GONE WEST / 2000 / 2.52 / 0 / 0 / 126 / 2.78 / 13 / 0
SOUTHERN HALO / 1983 / HALO / 1989 / 2.59 / 18 / 0 / 868 / 2.71 / 21 / 0
TUMBLEBRUTUS / 2001 / STORM CAT / 2006 / 2.53 / 0 / 0 / 237 / 2.53 / 0 / 0
EQUAL STRIPES / 1999 / CANDY STRIPES / 2006 / 2.33 / 0 / 0 / 181 / 2.49 / 12 / 0
GRAND REWARD / 2001 / STORM CAT / 2007 / 2.27 / 0 / 0 / 85 / 2.35 / 3 / 0
NOT FOR SALE / 1994 / PARADE MARSHAL / 2001 / 2.23 / 0 / 0 / 428 / 2.34 / 21 / 0
DUBAI DUST / 1994 / BROAD BRUSH / 2000 / 1.83 / 0 / 0 / 258 / 2.33 / 151 / 0.99
POWERSCOURT / 2000 / SADLER'S WELLS / 2007 / 2.25 / 0 / 0 / 89 / 2.25 / 0 / 0
SILVER PLANET / 1994 / FITZCARRALDO / 2002 / 2.35 / 0 / 0 / 272 / 2.21 / 5 / 10
HARD BUCK / 1999 / SPEND A BUCK / 2006 / 2.07 / 0 / 0 / 139 / 2.16 / 6 / 0
AMERICAN GIPSY / 1992 / SEPTIEME CIEL / 1999 / 2.00 / 0 / 0 / 269 / 2.04 / 6 / 0
SIR CAT / 1993 / STORM CAT / 1999 / 2.03 / 0 / 0 / 395 / 2.03 / 0 / 0