I am looking at a mare as a barrel prospect. Both parents have a SI 90+.  She, on the other hand had a SI 50. I am not educated about OT horses.  Do you have any have any input?

Speed index is such an unreliable thing to base quality on. Especially as a barrel prospect and broodmare. Did she trip, 1st and only out, get bumped, muddy track Distance ran etc etc.

If you like everything else about her, a low speed index should not be an issue 

Thanks!  She had 3-4 outs on the track. I really like her.  Just wondered if it was a true testimony to her speed. This makes me feel better. 

I'd make a decision more on athletic ability overall. I know some that can't beat a cat running a match race, but can turn like no other. And some that can outrun anything but can't turn a 10 foot circle and run at the same time. If she has good ability overall, she can probably make up in one area where she might lack in another. A lot of them do. She might also just not have been motivated to run in that type of environment, that kind of pressure. She may blossom and excel in another setting. 

For a barrel horse, I never look at speed index's, there's so many off the track horses that are so athletic that can run circles around a horse that does have a higher speed index. 

The main think that tells me is there is a strong possibility the horse had an injury. I have a broodmare that I bought as a broodmare (not a barrel prospect). She doesn’t have much of a speed index. She got sick plus having a baby on her caused her to lose weight. The mare obviously has a broken pelvis. You cannot tell when she is fat. This doesn’t affect her  as a broodmare but it certainly would if she were an athlete. 

I'd try to figure out why so low. Maybe she didn't race well -  some can't handle the environment, maybe she had rough trips and got bumped around, maybe she just wouldn't run into the bit, maybe she got hurt. Lots of reasons. Getting her race charts would help tell the story. I don't mind one being slower SI if they break out of the gates quickly. I'm more interested in where one charts at the begining of a race (first 50 to 100 yards) than the end of one.

Speed index doesn't mean that much. If my memory serves me right,  Motercycle Momma won Fort Smith - I think  she had a wopping 47 SI.

Like everyone else said. Depends on why. Was she sick, shin sore, bleeder, just didn't have the drive to run?  If she got hurt somehow that would make a huge difference if you are buying for a rider.  For a broodmare, not so much as long as she has good conformation.  

Thanks for the input everyone!

I’d go on Equibase, look at her charts and see where she was at each call. If she broke last and finished last each time...she’s probably injured.

If she broke first and they caught her, she might just be quick footed with no staying power. 

I know people say the SI doesn’t matter. That’s true to a certain extent. But if a horse ran on the track, you’d like to see them at least get an ROM. 

A 50 SI is awfully slow. Heck, I could probably run a 50 SI myself. Slow feet typically don’t make very fast barrel horses. Hopefully she has a legitimate excuse.

I dont know if it has been said, but I would like to add that trainers, jockeys, owners and nutrition play HUGE roles in a horses racing performance. You can have the fastest horse in the world but if those few things are crap or out of balance, you problably wont have a good performer. Sme goes for a not as fast horse with top notch care/training. My point is, may not be the fillies fault :) 

Very well said.

A 50 SI is REALLY low.  If it where me, I'd find out why before purchasing.

Many tracks have a secton of their website where you can watch video of old races.  Go to equibase and look up where and when the horse ran.  Then google the track name and "race replays".