About Stallion Spectator Ratings (SSR)

In a game where the odds are stacked against you, advanced data analysis is your edge. SSR, our exclusive membership program, delivers the industry’s most advanced measure of sire performance—identifying stallions that consistently produce top-class runners and evaluating their success relative to mare quality.

As a member, you gain access to an annual book packed with cutting-edge data and analysis, along with year-round support and personalized consultation to help you navigate complex breeding decisions.

Bill Oppenheim’s APEX Ratings revolutionized sire analysis by analyzing performance based on the frequency of high-performing runners, not just overall earnings.

But, we needed to go further.

Roughly 4% of horses that make it to the races become APEX A Runners, which is about the same percentage of foals that become listed or graded/group black-type winners. We needed to dial in further to identify the truly elite runners.

Grade/Group 1 winners are the pinnacle, but they’re too rare to base a strategy on. Plus, some really significant sires like Distorted Humor, War Front and Dansili were ‘only’ Grade/Group 2 winners, so we felt G2 winners deserved to be part of the equation.

We found that 0.80% of named foals become G1/G2 winners — about 20% of all A Runners. This is the distinction we were looking for.

Evaluate sires based on frequency of:

• A Runner Production
• G1/G2 Winner Production

The most accurate way to gauge sire quality.

Measure how well sires utilize the quality of mares they cover. We use the Class Performance Index (CPI) to rate mare quality, where:

• 1.00
  : Population Average
• 2.00
  : Commercial Average

Combined SIRE and MARE Points give you the definitive SSR Sire Rating List.

Each edition of SSR includes original research on topics that impact our subscribers’ mating plans.

Our research dives deep into critical questions, like: what happens when top young sires get better mares?

The surprising answer:

• There is evidence these sires are never as good as they were before we knew they were good.
• To simply maintain their success, they must attract continually better mares.

This insight challenges traditional strategies and proves why data-driven decisions are essential.

In response to the age-related decline of stallions, we developed a statistical model to predict the success of unproven sires. The result of that work is the

• Sire Prediction Points
• Juvenile Form Prediction

These tools, now staples of SSR, have identified future standouts like Gun Runner and Too Darn Hot — before they even had runners.

Stay ahead of the curve with insights that give you the edge.

SSR membership gives you more than just an annual report. It’s your year-round data edge, helping you:

• Identify Top Sires Early
  : Access the annual SSR book and regular updates to spot emerging talent before they peak.
• Uncover Hidden Value
  : We’ll help you interpret the data and highlight what is most pertinent to your program.
• Navigate a Complex Market
  : We’re here to answer your questions and listen to your feedback. When a topic matters to you, we’ll dig in—sometimes even launching a dedicated research study to address your concerns.