Dirt Track Picks: Chad Schumer's Middle East Racing Guide

Due to the extreme climate, the region doesn't have a very large breeding industry. Owners have traditionally resorted to buying their horses from around the world and one of their first ports of call is the US. What makes the American horses bred to excel on dirt standout?

American dirt horses have, in my opinion, done exceptionally well in the Middle East. The great majority of the winners of the Dubai World Cup, as well as important competitions in the Middle East, Saudi Arabia, and even Bahrain, are American-bred horses.

Undoubtedly, the Japanese have recently made some progress. However, I believe American breeds have dominated entirely for the most part.

Please elaborate on the specific physical attributes you look for in a horse bred to excel on dirt?

American dirt horses tend to be bigger and perhaps stronger than their European counterparts. We look for a horse with size and scope, including a strong hind leg, good bone and correct conformation. Those are the types of horses that I think excel better physically on dirt.

How do you adapt your selection criteria based on the specific characteristics of a particular dirt track?

I believe that, in general, you're seeking a horse that performs well on dirt. Much like humans, horses have unique preferences, making it challenging to predict whether a specific horse will favour one dirt surface over another.

So, I think the key is to look for a specific dirt horse, and then hope that horse excels on whatever region or racetrack you've set it to.

Could you give us an example of how a pedigree is one of the key selection criteria for dirt horses?

I believe American dirt horses have truly excelled in Dubai. In my opinion, AP Indy is the quintessential American dirt horse, and his sons, grandsons, and great-grandsons continue his legacy. AP Indy, sired by the American Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew and out of a Secretariat mare, comes from a lineage that particularly excelled on dirt. To me, AP Indy perfectly embodies the American dirt horse.

The Mr Prospector line continues to flourish, particularly through Curlin, another exceptional American dirt horse, who has produced remarkable progeny, including Good Magic, and has quickly risen to become one of the top young stallions in America. Despite his limited crops, Good Magic already boasts a Kentucky Derby winner and a Belmont winner. The Fappiano line, derived from the Mr. Prospector line, almost created a distinct lineage of its own. This is now evident in Candy Ride's line, particularly through his son Gun Runner, who has arguably become the best young stallion in America. We should focus on these lines when looking for the best dirt performers.

Owners usually have set ideas about what works well, whether that's proven 2YOs or yearlings. But irrespective of whether we are evaluating yearlings or proven horses, what do you look for?

Well, I think the first step is always to look for an athlete. Athletes come in all shapes and sizes—they can be tall or short, lighter or stronger. Personally, I prefer a horse with a very loose walk and athletic movement. From there, we can evaluate their conformation; some may be toed in, while others may be toed out.

I've worked with many trainers, and some will completely lose interest if a horse toes out, while others feel the same way about a horse that toes in. They rely on their own experiences and what has worked for them. Owners can be similar; if an owner had a great chestnut horse, they might prefer to buy more chestnut horses. There might not be a scientific method behind it, but I believe you have to go with what works for you.

Horses are like dreams. We buy them with the hope of winning races and seeing our clients succeed. It's a dream they should follow, and whether that dream involves a chestnut or a bay horse, it doesn't really matter. I can provide an owner or client with a list of horses I like at a sale, including both bay and chestnut horses. I don't differentiate—I look for athletes. However, I completely understand if they are drawn to a particular type, colour, or pedigree of the horse.

Are there any specific conformational traits more desirable for dirt horses than turf or synthetic tracks?

I believe a dirt horse needs to have a strong hind leg and a bit more bone. European horses can sometimes be lighter in frame and bone, so I prefer a horse with a sturdier build and particularly strong hind legs.

In most American racing, the tracks run counterclockwise, so we can't compromise on the conformation of the left foreleg. Horses lead with their left foreleg for most of the race, so it needs to be very correct. We can be a bit more forgiving with the right foreleg, whether it toes out or in. Since all their weight is on the left leg when they lead, we want the pressure to be distributed as uniformly as possible down that leg to ensure soundness.

What kind of running style do you prioritise when evaluating horses for racing on dirt? And why?

When evaluating horses with established form, I think speed is important. However, with yearlings or young horses, even two-year-olds, we have no way of knowing their running style yet. I've seen horses show a lot of speed at breeze-ups only to become stone-cold closers on the racetrack. It's impossible to predict their running style at that early stage.

When evaluating a horse with form, one that has had 5 to 10 starts, to see if it would suit the Middle East, I think having some speed or at least some stalking speed generally makes a difference.

Dirt horses don't tend to have the same turn of foot the turf horses have. So, when you're watching these races in Europe, particularly the big races like the Arc, the Derby, etc., the winner tends to show a big burst of acceleration. You just don't see that with dirt horses quite as much. They tend to grind.

Would you say the European horses tend to be less favourable for the Middle East?

I believe it's always on a case-by-case basis with horses. However, since fewer European horses have gone to the region, the data sample wouldn't be as big.

I've noticed that in Saudi Arabia, many European horses with pedigrees suited entirely for turf, including 12-furlong distances, tend to do really well. Horses adapt like humans, and maybe they prefer that surface or the type of dirt there. The dirt might have more spring to it, like a grass course, and they adapt better. However, in Dubai, American-bred horses have significantly more success than their European counterparts.

Are there any specific unmissable sale venues for us when looking for those under-the-radar dirt performers? Those hidden gems?

When purchasing horses, you need to start by deciding your purpose. If they're racing in that part of the world, that's great.

However, if you're looking at yearling venues, that's one thing, and if you're looking at two-year-old breeze-up venues, that's another. In America, I think the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Sale, held in mid-May at Timonium, is a great place to start because it's the only major American breeze-up sale conducted on a dirt surface.

Most of our breeze-ups are held at OBS in Ocala on a synthetic surface. Many horses from that sale have been successful in the Middle East. I think seeing a horse breeze on dirt, a surface similar to what they'll race on, might give you a better idea of what to expect.

If a horse has some training history, whether a 2YO just starting out or an older horse, what aspects of their racing history and training regimen would you be most interested in learning about for dirt racing?

When evaluating two-year-olds or even three-year-olds for the Middle East, I look for consistency. If they started racing for the first time in January or February of this year, I don't want to see significant gaps in their training.

I don't mind big gaps in their racing because there could be various reasons, like a bad storm, a sloppy track, or a decision from the owner or trainer to find a better spot for the horse. However, gaps in their training are concerning, as they might indicate potential problems with the horse. For that reason, I look for consistency in their training.

Given your years of experience, have you encountered any unexpected factors that significantly impact a horse's success on dirt?

Horses have a certain inherent quality that can't be quantified, and that's one of the most fascinating aspects of this business. If the best-bred and most expensive horses always won, it might make things a bit predictable and less interesting.

This year, especially in Dubai, seeing a horse like Kabirkhan, who started as a US$13,000 yearling in America, go on to Kazakhstan, remain unbeaten, and then win a Group One in Dubai, really shows that the horse has something special. That quality is unquantifiable.

In many ways, that's the best part of this industry. It serves as a great equaliser. If it were as simple as just buying the best-bred yearlings and knowing where they are and their pedigrees and physical appearances, it would be easy to pick out a million-dollar yearling—almost anyone could do that.

Finding a good horse for around US$20,000 is much more challenging. People use various measurements, scores, and data analysis, and although those are valuable tools, ultimately, it comes down to a will to win—whether the horse has it or not. That's what I mean by that certain unquantifiable quality and determination that isn't always immediately obvious.

Sometimes, I'll just stand there and observe a yearling's demeanour. It might not seem like a factor, but I believe it is. Of course, this is just my opinion, and I don't claim to be right. We can use many criteria to select horses, and paying attention to demeanour is valuable.

And finally, if you had to, what one-line parting advice would you give to someone looking to buy a Thoroughbred specifically for dirt racing success?

In general, you should always aim to buy the best quality horse within your budget. As I mentioned, there are successful horses even with a small budget. Good horses exist at every level, and the data supports that. So, you should try to buy the best horse possible for your budget, especially if you're targeting a region where you want a dirt horse. I believe that the search should begin in America.

If you're buying in Europe, breeze-up sales there often feature a lot of American-bred horses, which could be a good place to start. However, it's best to choose something with a proven track record if possible. Always aim to buy the best quality within your budget. Unlike buying a TV or an oven, where there's no real emotional connection, horses involve emotions, and sometimes you might feel an immediate connection.

I've found myself paying more for a mare than I initially planned because I just became set on buying her. I think a lot of people experience that, within reason, of course. If you're bidding on a horse with a budget of US$25,000 and it climbs to US$150,000, you've gone well beyond your budget. But as it gets closer to your limit, you can get drawn in. That's probably just part of the auction process.