The Art of the Assignment
When a new horse is offered with Commonwealth, one of the first (and most important) decisions made is who will train them. The choice of trainer can shape a horse’s entire career—from how they develop mentally and physically to the races they target and the success they ultimately find.
We get this question a lot: “How do you decide which trainer gets which horse?” Here’s a look behind the curtain—and how the team approaches it with equal parts data, experience, and relationship. Also, considering this a beginning, we could easily write a novel about this, but thought this was a great way for many of you to get started!
Matching Style to Surface: Dirt vs. Turf
Every trainer has areas where they shine. Some are masters at developing classic dirt horses who can carry their raw speed and stamina. Others are patient, methodical horsemen who bring along turf runners, focusing on endurance and a powerful finishing kick.
A horse’s pedigree is often the first clue. If their bloodlines lean turf, the team looks for a trainer with proven turf stakes success—like Brendan Walsh, who handles fillies Coco G and Oh Shoot. If they’re bred for early speed on dirt, the team might turn to someone like Brad Cox, who’s guiding The Town through his early stages in Kentucky.
When a trainer has success with a sire or its progeny, that is also considered in the decision process.
These matches aren’t random—they’re strategic. The team looks at where a horse’s talent and temperament intersect with a trainer’s experience and results. The right pairing can make all the difference.
Location, Location, Location
Where a horse trains and races also plays a major role. Commonwealth partnerships stretch from coast to coast—and even overseas—so trainers are matched based on where a horse will likely run or is eligible for state incentives.
Some states carry lucrative purse structures for horses bred in the state, like Florida, which offers the Florida Sire Stakes Series, where Florida-breds are eligible to compete for $1.2M as juveniles. The Town, by Win Win Win, is a Florida-bred who is eligible for those incentives.
In Kentucky, horses bred and foaled in the state are eligible for the Kentucky Thoroughbred Development Fund, which consists of money allocated to the fund through an excise tax imposed on all tracks conducting pari-mutuel wagering under the jurisdiction of the Kentucky Horse Racing and Gaming Corporation. Horses like Impractical, Keepsake Box, Let Freedom Ring, and Maquina are all Kentucky-breds.
Trainer Strengths and Pedigree Puzzle
Next, the team examines the numbers—win percentages, in-the-money rates, and success with certain surfaces, distances, and age groups. But stats only tell part of the story.
A horse’s pedigree often guides the conversation. Is this a sprinter who needs to sharpen up early? Or a long-winded type that will thrive around two turns? If a horse’s breeding points toward stamina and patience, someone like Brendan Walsh or Brad Cox might be the right fit. For a sharp, early type, a trainer known for speed and conditioning—like Saffie Joseph Jr.—might be ideal.
We asked owner Carrie Brogden why she chose Saffie Joseph to train Keepsake Box, “I was really impressed with how Saffie handled a filly, Be Your Best, for good friends Mike and Mary Ryan. We were there the day the filly ran after switching to Saffie and were very impressed. He has had other fillies for us and been very successful. With the feedback I was getting from the DeMerics, who had Keepsake Box in pre-training, we had a feeling this would be a two-turn turf filly, and after Saffie did so well with other fillies, I felt this would be a great spot for Keepsake. He is a great communicator too; he knows what each horse is doing and how they are training.”
Matching the horse’s potential with a trainer’s proven skill set helps set each one up for success right from the start.
A big part of how pre-trainer Matt Hogan helps owners select trainers is based on their programs.
“Their training styles, different trainers gallop at different speeds and distances. In my work with 2-year-olds, I typically employ an out-of-the-box approach to training. We have to have a completely open mind and train the best way for the horse and then relay what we see to the owner and the trainer.”
“For instance, if Trainer A only trains on a certain surface and the horse needs another surface to their detriment, it won’t work out. Trainer B, with more reach and personnel at various tracks on different surfaces, will be a better fit. Not all horses fit into trainers' programs; some train in a strict cookie-cutter way and don’t ease up, whereas some trainers crescendo to their work days to peak with each horse.”
To that point, trainers like Bob Baffert are known for getting 3-year-old colts out running fast and stretching for the classic distances, but not all horses are tough enough to hold up to the demanding training program Baffert puts in place.
Trainers known for getting early runners include Wesley Ward, who is notorious for developing speedy sprinters at 2, but they tend to have a shorter career.
Relationships and Reputation
At the heart of every good decision is trust. The team's relationships with trainers are built on transparency, communication, and shared values. It’s important for horsemen to keep partners informed, collaborate with the team, and genuinely care about the horses under their care.
Randy Gullatt, who has campaigned numerous successful horses and currently has Neat and Chasing Liberty with Commonwealth, commented, “The relationship with the trainer and their employees, the confidence in the barn, and the direction they are moving is really important. The vibe and communication are important too. Making sure the stable is located where the horse can compete is important.”
Many of these relationships go back years—and are built on success. When a horse thrives in a trainer’s program, it builds confidence in placing the next one there. Sometimes, guidance comes from our issuer partners, who’ve built their own successful trainer relationships over time.
Stable Size: Finding the Right Fit
Every horse is different. Some thrive in large, bustling barns with daily competition and structure; others benefit from a smaller, more hands-on environment.
When a horse needs extra attention or is still figuring things out, they might be placed in a more boutique operation where they receive plenty of focused care. For more seasoned or professional horses ready to step into deeper company, a larger program like Brad Cox’s, where the competition in the barn helps sharpen performance, is a good fit.
Special Cases: Horses That Need a Little Extra Help
Just like people, some horses have quirks. Maybe they’re nervous in the gate, take longer to mature, or need extra confidence before racing. For those cases, trainers with proven success getting horses over specific hurdles—whether that’s gate issues, mental maturity, or physical setbacks are explored.
The right environment and the right trainer can completely transform a horse’s outlook. It’s not about forcing progress—it’s about finding the person who knows how to bring out their best.
The Goal: Setting Every Horse Up for Success
At the end of the day, choosing a trainer isn’t about convenience or favoritism—it’s about fit. The right trainer can unlock potential, shape a career, and make the journey as rewarding as possible for every Commonwealth owner.
Each horse is different. Each trainer is, too. The team’s job is to ensure that the two meet in the middle—where talent, opportunity, and care intersect.
