Top horsepeople share views on embryo transfers
by Murray Brown
Last week’s column focused on embryo transfers (ETs). I thought I would follow up on it by contacting some of the people within the industry who I had previously written about to ask them their views on the procedure, if they had experience with ETs and how the results worked out for them.
Far from all responded, but enough did to come up with a reasonable cross section of opinions.
THOSE LOOKING POSITIVELY ON EMBRYO TRANSFERS
Dr. Ian Moore: «If I like them conformation and pedigree wise, I would buy an ET yearling ١٠٠ per cent. We have had a few over the years. One that I can think of, because there was a similar argument at the time, was a yearling named Eighteen. We bought him from Winbak Farm in 2009. He ended up being a pretty nice horse and earned $910,224. I paid only $20,000 for him. The relatively low price was probably because he was an ET. I never looked back and drove right on [with him]. I have had others. He was the one that [first] came to mind. There’s no scientific basis that an ET would be any different than a naturally raised one.”
Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky, AKA Dr. J: “I will recommend an ET yearling, but would like to know what mare raised it. Although it is the same genetic material, I do believe foals learn something from their mothers. Case in point is Rich N Elegant. She was an exceptional mother. She became an ET mare near the end of her broodmare career. The foals she raised were never hurt or injured and went on to become fabulous looking sale horses. Her first ET was raised by a thoroughbred that was a bit short in the commonsense department. Her foal ended up getting kicked in the hock by another mare and was never trained. I don’t believe he had the common sense and classiness of Rich N Elegant’s other foals.
“Frantic Hanover, who I selected as a yearling for Ronnie Burke, is an ET foal, but he was raised by a sister to Bulldog Hanover. I always ask about the mare that raised an ET foal.”
Trevor Ritchie: “In 2023 at Harrisburg, I bought an ET yearling named Waffle Blue Chip for a group I had put together. While he wasn’t a star, he was no slouch either. He ended up doing us well. He was also a June 25 foal. Those two factors enabled me to buy a beautiful, well bred colt for $47,000. I wouldn’t hesitate to buy another ET in the future. On the other hand, if he had been a flop, I would likely think differently.”
Annie Stoebe: «If they checked the correct boxes in terms of conformation and pedigree, I would not hesitate to try to buy one.”
Paul Kelley: “I would certainly look at them. If they pleased me in terms of conformation and pedigree, I would find no reason not to bid on one.”
THOSE PERHAPS LOOKING NEGATIVELY ON EMBRYO TRANSFERS
Jack Darling: “Way back when ETs were first getting started, I bought two fairly expensive pacing colts. If memory serves me correctly, they brought $90,000 and $50,000. They were both by successful sires and well bred. They both turned out to be terrible animals. They had neither talent nor try to them. They both raced, but didn’t amount to anything. As a result, I don’t look at embryo transfer yearlings.”
Doug Paul: “Have bought quite a few of them over the years with no luck. I probably just haven’t picked the right halter. But I steer away from them now.”
Bob Boni: «From my observation and experience I have not personally been involved with the purchase of an ET yearling, nor have I ever recommended any ET colt or filly to any client, in particular those looking for the ‘home run’ horse. Early observations were that certain parties became greedy in both trying to breed and race young mares, in effect biting the apple from all sides. Thankfully, from my perspective, those attempts were unsuccessful. We now have the results through near 2,000 foals, many of them out of higher quality mares than the average. I do not believe there has been the great horse yet. The closest we have come is International Moni and Invitro — extremely good horses, but in my opinion not great ones. The time will likely come when that brilliant star arrives on the scene, but we haven’t seen one yet. If I were looking to be involved with that type of home run horse, an ET colt or filly is not where I would be shopping. Thus far, the results are indisputable and some might say overwhelming. That is not to say, if I were value shopping, that I could not find and endorse an ET yearling that might satisfy my needs or that of a client.”
Note: It was Jerry Glantz who brought this topic to the fore by telling me that he would never buy an ET yearling. He still feels somewhat the same, but recognizes that with perhaps more information available to the buyer there may be a place for them, but not as yet for him.
THOSE SOMEWHERE IN THE MIDDLE
Travis Alexander: “I really haven’t paid that much attention to them, because I don’t have any clients who might be interested in buying one. If I did, I’d investigate further and certainly gain information about the recipient mare that raised the yearling. If it wasn’t forthcoming, I’d walk away.”
John Butenschoen: “I don’t really have a strong opinion one way or the other. I’m inclined to base my opinion almost entirely on the individual. There are so many unknowns. What is the difference between a recipient ET mare or an orphan foal raised by a mare that did not carry it? In the case of an orphan foal, its nursemaid mother isn’t even designated in the catalog. I suppose a decent case could be made for both sides of the question.”
Andrew Harris: «I›m not particularly looking to buy an ET, however if it is an exceptionally well-bred yearling, I will look. I’m, generally speaking, looking to buy the original painting not a reproduction.”
MY CONCLUSIONS
The science employing embryo transfer has changed and continues to evolve. In its early years, many, and perhaps most of the recipient mares were cold blooded, draft types. The feeling was these kind of mares were inclined to be somewhat lazy and didn’t exercise much. This tendency in many instances was carried over to the foals they were raising.
Today, the vast majority of recipient mares are standardbreds. The thought is that they raise a foal more suited to raising a racehorse.
Most of those polled reflected on the importance of the recipient mare who will be raising the foal. Yet from a polling of some people who raise these ET horses, they are rarely, if ever asked about the recipient mares. Bob Boni who has represented many of these yearlings at sale, said that he has never been asked a question about a recipient mare. Obviously, there is some sort of disconnect here.
On the subject of information regarding recipient mares, it is my intention to submit a rule change proposal to the USTA, requiring in the case of ET registrations, that the breed and age of all recipient mares be made available on its website. If the mare is not breed registered, that should also be posted.
Whether one believes or doesn’t believe in ETs, it is certain that in many, probably the majority of cases, if not for the availability of ET technology, those ET yearlings would not have been born. It is a truism for today’s breeder and likely for the breed as a whole, an ET foal will always be better than no foal at all.
