In Sharper Focus: Cyclogenisis

by J.M. Severni
   Industry newcomer Matthew Schera, who purchased his first horse at last year's Saratoga Sale, tallied his first victory at the Spa–and sixth overall–with Cyclogenisis. It makes sense that the Stormy Atlantic colt is named after the meteorological term for the development of a cyclone, since Schera is a meteorologist. The 39-year-old Pennsylvania native, who now lives in Connecticut, uses his meteorology background when trading commodities for a hedge fund. 
Although he is still new to the industry, Schera has always been a racing fan. 
    “My mom was into racing,” Schera explained. “She would buy the Racing Form and handicap the races and I started looking at them and thought, 'This is pretty cool.' So, it started with her really, and watching races on TV and going to the local track and, luckily now, I'm able to buy them.” 
    Schera has been active at 2-year-old, yearlings and weanling sales this past year, recently picking up a $500,000 Indian Charlie colt at the Fasig-Tipton Timonium sale and a $425,000 Tizway colt and $400,000 Trappe Shot colt at the Saratoga sale. He now boasts a stable of 44 horses, scattered among trainers Bill Mott, George Weaver and Jim Lawrence. 
    The sales purchases are a team effort between Schera, bloodstock agent Jake Ballis, Angel Cordero and Chuck Lawrence. 
    “I'm new to looking at horses physically, but since last August I've learned so much in terms of conformation and size,” Schera explained. “I look at pedigrees a lot. For instance, Cyclogenisis has a pretty nice family, mostly on the synthetic and turf. We're looking to get an athlete, a well-balanced horse that has a little bit of pedigree. Cyclogenisis, who we purchased in September at Keeneland, has a mix of the two. I'm a little partial to grays, also,” he added with a chuckle. “He's a beautiful horse.” 
    Ballis, who helped pick out Cyclogenisis, also co-owns the second-place finisher Battle Red (Kitten's Joy) with Rashard Lewis. Ballis explained that, although he always had a high opinion of Cyclogenisis, he was surprised by the first-out victory. 
    “He's from the first crop of yearlings we bought together and we always liked him as a yearling,” Ballis offered. “He was down with Bill Recio at the Classic Mile, who broke him. He's always been a lazy horse and a bit overweight. We honestly didn't think that he was going to win first out. He's a heavy, immature, lazy horse, so we were hoping just to get a race under him and go from there, so he kind of surprised us today.” 
Ballis explained that the physical is important for their purchases. 
    “The ones that I've bought are mainly just good-looking athletes,” Ballis said. “We haven't focused too much on pedigree, but I think we're going to gear towards that direction, mainly with fillies.” 
Schera said he eventually would like to be involved in more than just the racing side of the industry. He will sell a few yearlings at the upcoming Keeneland September Sale. 
    “I'm looking at the best ways to sustain a business in this industry, so I think you have to sell some,” Schera said. “Racing is the initial focus though, trying to have that great horse that becomes a stallion. I think breeding down the road possibly, but I'm not there yet. I'm still learning the game on that end, and I don't want to jump in too much, but I've already done that in the last year.”