CYA Ranch - 2014-05-04 7:10 PM An $8000 mare that was a flop on the track and a $2000 stud fee.  What a Cinderella story.

NJJ - 2014-05-04 7:14 PM Correction: She originally was purchased by 15 investors The two present owners had each invested $3900 for a 5% stake each. When she "bombed" at the track the other investors sold out to them for the $8000. Then she was bred for $2000 and produced California Chrome.......his breeding

http://www.allbreedpedigree.com/california+chrome



 

Itsme - 2014-05-04 7:35 PM From the BBR facebook page... What a fabulous story! Proof that most expensive/richest doesn't mean BEST! Way to go California Chrome and Art Sherman! Congratulations to Art Sherman who has become the oldest trainer in history to win the Kentucky Derby at the age of 77. But that’s just the tip of the amazing story of California Chrome’s victory in the 140th Run for the Roses. In a game dominated by millionaires and billionaires, this was a win for all the little guys. California Chrome's mother was purchased for $8,000 by Steve Coburn and Perry Martin and bred to a $2,000 stallion --a move that prompted one trainer to call them “dumb asses” for even getting involved in racing. Inspired by the criticism, Coburn and Martin named their operation DAP Racing, which stands for Dumb Ass Partners. You might have seen the image of a donkey on the back of California Chrome’s jockey. With a one-horse race stable, Martin and Coburn hired Art Sherman, a 77-year old trainer, who’s last trip to the Derby was as an exercise rider for Swaps, the horse that won the race. Sherman slept in the barn with Swaps. They chose Sherman because, “He’s a regular guy and so are we," says Coburn, a press operator for a small company that makes magnetic strips for credit cards. Martin runs a laboratory in that tests air bags and medical equipment. The two turned down a $6 million offer for 51 percent of their horse after he won the Santa Anita Derby in his previous race. Had they sold him, Sherman would have likely been out as the trainer. Congratulations to Art Sherman who has become the oldest trainer in history to win the Kentucky Derby at the age of 77. But that’s just the tip of the amazing story of California Chrome’s victory in the 140th Run for the Roses. In a game dominated by millionaires and billionaires, this was a win for all the little guys. California Chrome's mother was purchased for $8,000 by Steve Coburn and Perry Martin and bred to a $2,000 stallion --a move that prompted one trainer to call them “dumb asses” for even getting involved in racing. Inspired by the criticism, Coburn and Martin named their operation DAP Racing, which stands for Dumb Ass Partners. You might have seen the image of a donkey on the back of California Chrome’s jockey. With a one-horse race stable, Martin and Coburn hired Art Sherman, a 77-year old trainer, who’s last trip to the Derby was as an exercise rider for Swaps, the horse that won the race. Sherman slept in the barn with Swaps. They chose Sherman because, “He’s a regular guy and so are we," says Coburn, a press operator for a small company that makes magnetic strips for credit cards. Martin runs a laboratory in that tests air bags and medical equipment. The two turned down a $6 million offer for 51 percent of their horse after he won the Santa Anita Derby in his previous race. Had they sold him, Sherman would have likely been out as the trainer.

jd&ez - 2014-05-04 7:42 PM

 Great story but this is an aberation. Just the fact that it is a story should tell you that. Proven breeding lines and proven training methods are proven because they work. We will have the occasional outlier in this business. They for good stories because of that.