Episode 335: Horse Whispering with Jeff Seder

Links:www.eqb.FYIwww.wizardracingsports>comSummary:Sam and Dogzilla Seder discuss the motivation behind Dogzilla's work and introduce the podcast episode with Jeff Seder, expressing enthusiasm for the conversation. Dogzilla Seder shares insights into his unique approach to evaluating horses at auctions, emphasizing data analysis over traditional methods and the influence of data analysis on betting strategies in horse racing. Sam and Dogzilla Seder also reflect on the emotional intelligence of horses in therapy settings and the profound effects of the human-horse bond beyond financial aspects in horse racing.Key PointsSam sets the stage for the interview, expressing curiosity about Dogzilla's background and legacy, particularly interested in understanding the motivation behind their work. 3:33Sam introduces the podcast episode with Jeff Seder (Dogzilla), highlighting the uniqueness of his work in applying the Moneyball strategy to horse racing and expressing enthusiasm for the upcoming conversation. 6:20Dogzilla Seder discusses the development of technology in horse racing, the challenges faced, the importance of elite athletes' data, and the misconceptions in the field. 12:14Dogzilla Seder shares a detailed story about working with a customer named Ken Ramsey in the horse racing industry, explaining how he recommended entering a horse named Nolan's cat in the Belmont Stakes, which resulted in unexpected success. 21:54Dogzilla Seder explains his unique approach to evaluating horses at auctions, emphasizing the use of data analysis over traditional methods like pedigree assessment and visual inspection, highlighting his thorough process of examining all horses rather than a select few. 26:11Dogzilla Seder dismisses the effectiveness of naked eye observation in assessing horses' potential, describing his advanced camera setup and slow-motion analysis technique to identify key traits that determine a horse's suitability, leading to the elimination of 80% of the initially observed horses. 30:02Dogzilla Seder explains how data analysis influences betting strategies in horse racing, citing examples where fatigue curves and early insights into promising horses have led to successful bets. 44:57Sam Knickerbocker and Dogzilla Seder reflect on the emotional intelligence of horses in therapy settings, discussing how horses can sense and respond to human emotions, emphasizing the profound effects of the human-horse bond beyond just financial aspects in horse racing.