Issue link: https://read.uberflip.com/i/1105396
C O N S T E L L A T I O N C O N S T E L L A T I O N WinStarFarm.com Pattern Recognition 34 he's learned from, listing such pedigree pattern gurus as Ken McLean, Brinsfield, Alan Porter, and Anne Peters, among numerous others. "I learn every day," he said, "and I don't stop looking at patterns." Prather's philosophy is simple—"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to pick out patterns in a pedigree," he says—but the real value is in having the research and the experience to know what those patterns might signify. The vast knowledge that Prather has accumulated over 50 years of researching pedigrees gains context, nuance, and value with every new generation of Thoroughbreds. But to make a difference in the real world, he says, that research also must be "dynamically implemented"—something WinStar has done from the start. "First, you need to have good research done, and then you have to take the research and apply it to your herd or your stallion and support them with that research," Prather explained. "You've got to use it." Two of the engines for that dynamic implementation are Walden and WinStar General Manager David Hanley, who bring practical horsemanship and training experience, as well as breeding knowledge, to bear on WinStar's broader program. "Elliott and David have the heart, mind, and soul of trainers, which is their background," Prather said, adding that both also have strong connections to Thoroughbred breeding, Walden through his family and Hanley as a breeder himself. "I wonder if that trainer background doesn't help them see things just a little better when they're buying mares and racehorses. WinStar seems to be on a roll lately, and I give them a lot of the credit for that. There are a lot of talented people out there, and I am just glad to be a small part of what they're doing." Seeing his pedigree analysis play out in a robust breeding and racing program undeniably has been exciting, but there's another, more familial kind of satisfaction that Prather also derives from his work for WinStar. "The WinStar team is treated so well by the Troutts that everybody wants them and their partners to do well," Prather said. "They foster that spirit of being a team, and everyone out there wants them to succeed." Real World Application Follow Thoroughbred racing and breeding related news, stories & more with THE LEADING SOURCE FOR THOROUGHBRED NEWS FOR MORE THAN 100 YEARS Twitter.com/BloodHorse Facebook.com/TheBloodHorse Instagram.com/TheBloodHorse YOUR BLOODHORSE DAILY PAGE 1 OF 14 Download the FREE smartphone app TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2018 BLOODHORSE.COM/DAILY COGLIANESE PHOTOS IN THIS ISSUE 7 Crupi: Vino Rosso 'Coming Around at the Right Time' 8 KY Proposals Aim for Fairness Following Drug Positives 11 Strong Start to Inglis Easter Yearling Sale Trainer Mark Hennig Has High Hopes for My Miss Lilly SOW THE SEEDS See page 4 Free BloodHorse Daily App, PDF and listen on your Alexa device BloodHorse.com/Daily BloodHorse weekly magazine & tablet BloodHorse.com BloodHorse.com/Star Special Offer