A Good Eye

Ever wonder how Jess Jackson, owner of Curlin and Rachel Alexandra, selects his horse flesh? Well look no farther than the October 11 edition of Forbes magazine in which there is an article about the man who advises Jackson on that selection process, John Moynihan.

Bloodstock agent Moynihan counts Jackson among a handful of clients, some of the wealthiest names in horse racing. According to Forbes, Moynihan has purchased about 50 horses since 2006 for these deep pockets. While that may not seem like a lot, consider that Curlin and Rachel Alexandra were among those purchases.

Moynihan has a computer science degree from Kentucky State and was all set to trade securities after graduation until the racing bug bit, big time. He started out as an apprentice as Fasig-Tipton, the auction house, and learned and studied the business from the bottom up. He formed his own bloodstock agency in 1994 and acquired Bob Lewis as a client. One of Moynihan's early purchases for the Lewis stable was Charismatic, winner of the Derby and the Preakness. Not bad for a beginner, so to speak.

So what does Moynihan look for? An undefined "engineering" that includes strong legs, a good pedigree and the ability to pass a veterinary inspection that includes x-rays and an endoscopic exam. In the end, looks, or rather his definition of "looks" play a big part: "the better-looking the horse, the more chance it has of racing success," he says.

And what does Moynihan get for his "good eye?" At least 5% of the purchase price. You do the math: in a year in which the buyers of Rachel Alexandra signed a confidentiality agreement, its safe to say Moynihan is doing pretty nicely.

If you love horses and are good at spotting that special something, it's not a bad way to make a living!