Murray is a putz. Always has been. Had a marketing position which was a glorified gopher position and a Napoleonic complex . He was never involved in the high-end family/business decision making, but would say that he was. He was never senior/c-suite management, but would tell you he was. People say he's a "has been." IMO he was and is a "never was" who pushed the envelope to much and got the axe. That said, his opinion on horsemanship to me means zero. Not little, zero.
That said, his list is yearling pickers. As far as breaking them, developing them, training them down, etc., I don't know if he's counting that as separate and distinct, but today everybody is breaking/developing/training down their own. Not like years ago. So I have no idea if he's including that.
So, preface, she's not a friend, I never did business with her, and I only know her because I've been in the business for the better part of 40 years---but Casie has an excellent track record. Period. It's a track record that has played out over time, while she was still training and now even though she is no longer training. The only way you can dispute it is by making it personal. As far as the #"s, I know the #'s because I've seen her barn every winter, and I've seen the training guide every winter, and I watch over the course of the winter. So, I for one would like to see---proof, actual proof, documented, specifically any year's training center guide---where she had 40, 50, 60, yet alone 80 babies -- babies meaning 2yo's. If you've been to the training center, you know how many stalls per side, per barn, and how many sides/barns she had. Casie has a very strong track record of getting babies to the races. She may get rid of most that aren't stakes horses, but that's simply her business model. She's done a very good job at both selection and developing, and the trainers she's sending horses to have a very nice, strong, and finished product to work with.
Some of this discussion is going to be distorted. Today, just like many years ago, you have a very, very few select trainers who have truly monster barns. Yesteryear is was Continental, Nordin, Jerry Silverman at his peak, Armstrong Brothers (when they operated a training/racing stable)---and the few you have today are probably bigger, especially if you include 3yo's, and then racehorses. I would think today it's TheStable and Burke that have that size. Then you get to Takter, Alagna, Steacy, and maybe a few others. I think Svanstedt probably fits in this category as well. He started the year with 40 2yo's. Also, some trainers are sent homebred yearlings, which is very different than going out, selecting them, and buying your own.
Today, Dr. Ian Moore, has an excellent track record. So does Jack Darling, although he might be slowing down a bit. He has had an excellent track record for many years, even with different business models. Another is Dan Altmeyer, very overlooked, changed his business model, and hasn't produced a champion in years, but he has always had an excellent track record. I always felt Linda Toscano did a very good job and had a good track record, but not so much recently. Retired and out of the game now, but Richard Stillings had an excellent track record, always had a limited number and budget to work with and always came up with stakes horses and a few champions. Greg Wright was a seller, but always had a very good track record getting them to the races, and sold some very good ones in his day. Scott McEneny used to have an very good track record, although he's changed his business model, so I don't think he does anywhere near as well as he used to. Never liked him personally (other than as a catch driver when he was younger), wouldn't trust him, but Rick Zeron had a very good track record. Never a lot of babies, but always did well, not just getting to the races, but developing some stakes horses and successful racehorses. I always felt Steve Elliott did very well, and do his Dave Elliott. I thought the Remmens did very well.
Today, I think the breed has been diluted, although the foal crop is down, the horses are already virtually broken already, and it's easier to get them going. Based upon his budget, backing, and his his barn, I don't think Tony Alagna is having a good year. Best looking barn I've seen in years, but I don't see the production in 2yo's and 3yo's. Not based upon purchase prices, staking, and getting them to the races.
