The Estes Formula for Breeding Stakes Winners

Rating:
Summary: The Estes Formula for Breeding Stakes Winners
Review: After reading Mr. Joseph Estes's book, "The Estes Formula for Breeding Stakes Winners", I was very disappointed with its content and would not recommend it for the established Thoroughbred or Standbred breeder looking to improve their chances of producing a stakes winner with existing breeding stock.

The focus of the author is purchasing broodmare prospects that are the cream of the racing crop that are often overpriced and out of reach for the average breeder. It is unfortunate that the information provided within this book has been known for decades, "Breed the Best Mares to the Best Stallions and hope for the Best." Mr. Estes attempted to support this statement using the Average Earnings Index (AEI) and page upon page of statistics. A major drawback with the book is the author uses a very small percentage of the overall horse population in his examples. It was also disappointing that the author used only the best race mares and offspring from the 1930's and 40's to prove his point.

In summary, the book relatively easy to read and may be helpful for the first time owner looking to start a breeding operation but lacks information for improveing your chances of producing a stakes winner from existing breeding stock. The breeding of racehorses is still a gamble where Mother Nature is the only one who can predict the outcome. Don't be decieved by the book's title, this book provides nothing new and only attempts to support the statement, "Breed the Best Mare to the Best Stallion and hope for the Best".

Rating:
Summary: The Estes Formula for Breeding Stakes Winners
Review: After reading Mr. Joseph Estes's book, "The Estes Formula for Breeding Stakes Winners", I was very disappointed with its content and would not recommend it for the established Thoroughbred or Standbred breeder looking to improve their chances of producing a stakes winner with existing breeding stock.

The focus of the author is purchasing broodmare prospects that are the cream of the racing crop that are often overpriced and out of reach for the average breeder. It is unfortunate that the information provided within this book has been known for decades, "Breed the Best Mares to the Best Stallions and hope for the Best." Mr. Estes attempted to support this statement using the Average Earnings Index (AEI) and page upon page of statistics. A major drawback with the book is the author uses a very small percentage of the overall horse population in his examples. It was also disappointing that the author used only the best race mares and offspring from the 1930's and 40's to prove his point.

In summary, the book relatively easy to read and may be helpful for the first time owner looking to start a breeding operation but lacks information for improveing your chances of producing a stakes winner from existing breeding stock. The breeding of racehorses is still a gamble where Mother Nature is the only one who can predict the outcome. Don't be decieved by the book's title, this book provides nothing new and only attempts to support the statement, "Breed the Best Mare to the Best Stallion and hope for the Best".

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but not great
Review: I enjoy some of the facts, thoughts, and ideas that were in the book, BUT there was nothing there about breeding that 99% of anyone could figure out. All his 'formula' is is basically breed a mare that earned and race very well with a stallion that earned and race very well, and you PROBABLY will get a foal that will earn and race very well.

To be frank, well DUH. Breeders have been doing that for CENTURIES. I don't think there is a breeder out there who does not take his best mare and try to breed her to the best stallion they possibly can. I might why would you do anything else?

Mr. Estes made some wonderful contributions to the Thoroughbred breed and his AEI charts are interesting and a good tool, but his breeding advice is not that great.

Still, it was an easy read and was quite interesting, but I was hoping for something more in-depth, like possible pedigree factors, different lines having different traits, not just 'breed a racehorse to a racehorse and you should get a racehorse'.