X Factor bloodstock is led by Harold Matthews, generally regarded as one of the world’s leading authorities on “X Factor” (“Big Heart”) thoroughbred genetics. His breeding research is summarized in his white paper “The Factors of Speed”, which was distributed privately and discreetly to a select few elite level owners and breeders several decades ago, including Queen Elizabeth II, Hall of Fame trainer Meshach Tenney, and Rex Ellsworth (owned one of the largest thoroughbred operations in the world during the 1950’s and 60’s) among others. I call Harold “America’s cowboy Aga Khan”…Seabiscuit’s old school horseman trainer Tom Smith and the Aga Khan somehow rolled into one brilliant package of old school horsemanship and master breeding.
Kathleen Kirsan, the author of the book “North American Sport Horse Breeder” https://www.amazon.com/North-American-Sport-Horse-Breeder/dp/0578502968 is including a chapter on Harold in her upcoming book on thoroughbred performance breeding.
A letter of endorsement from Hall of Fame trainer Meshach Tenney:
June 10, 1993
“I have talked to Mr. Harold Matthews numerous times at great length about the “Factors of Speed” in the race horse. The “Factors of Speed” is very explicit in spelling out what produces speed and what detracts from speed. The “Factors of Speed” are two fold. It points out the faster horses before going into training, it also shows which is the best breeding stock. The knowledge and research on dominant/recessive traits shows very graphically why a horse may be a top runner but a poor sire. Some sires are prepotent and some are not. It also shows when the genetics are drifting away from speed while others are developing speed. This is the most scientific approach to breeding and selecting race horses I have seen and it will improve any breeding program. The race horses of the future will be produced using these factors either by accident or by knowledge. This researched program will produce outstanding horses much faster than the hit-and-miss methods. I wish we’d had the “Factors of Speed” 30 years ago!
Sincerely, Mr. Meshach Tenney, Breeder/Trainer”
Thoroughbred heart size is an inheritable trait…period. Those attempting to discredit the breeding strategy have another agenda. Follow the money…antagonists don’t have the genetics and, or don’t know how to identify and breed for them…and have, or represent billions of “at risk” funds invested or under management in “average heart size” bloodstock. Follow the money…watch our runners.
Breeding or racing partnership enquiries: enquiries@wgracefarm.com