QUALITY.  VALUE.  INTEGRITY.

Taproot Bloodstock, LLC is a full-service bloodstock agency that stands on these words, and our results speak to it.

Why Taproot Bloodstock?

Quality

  • More than one-third of client advised purchases have made it to the stakes level.
  • Dozens of stakes horses purchased at auction prior to racing.

Value

  • Multiple G1-horses purchased as yearlings for $75k, $72k, $70k, $65k, $24k, $11k, etc.

Integrity

Phil has expanded his bloodstock business mostly through word-of-mouth referrals. His growing list of clients include some of the most well respected trainers, racing stables, and farms in the game.

Testimonials

After Phil worked for us on the track, I let him pick out some yearlings at the sales. We have trusted his opinion ever since. He has a good eye for a horse, knows pedigrees, and his integrity is beyond reproach.

Bill Mott

Trainer

It would be hard to imagine working with someone more astute, sincere and pleasant than Phil. He has the most keen sense of value.

Bonnie & Tommy Hamilton

Silverton Hill

We have full confidence in Phil’s ability to pick good horses. We have watched him grow up in this business, and we know first-hand how hard he works to develop his eye and keep a clean reputation.

Christophe and Miguel Clement

Trainer(s)

Phil Hager helped us enter the business almost a decade ago. He stood with us as we bought our first horses, all of which made their way to the starting gate and also the winner’s circle. He has acted as our guide, our counsel and agent. He stays connected to our stable, helping us navigate the path from the sales ring to racetrack. As we have learned and grown in the sport, Phil has provided the insight and experience that has elevated our aspirations and our success. Phil is incredibly hard working. He is an exceptional horseman, but he is an even better person. He cares, is honest, and has become a trusted partner and friend. We are very fortunate to work with him.

Bill Crager

Staghawk Stables

Hager is a well-rounded horseman with impeccable integrity. He helped us successfully launch and manage Get Stormy’s stud career. He has a great track record of shrewd yearling purchases for us turning into Graded Stakes Horses.

Tom Bush

Trainer

I have known Phil since he was in high school. He worked on the Saratoga Stable crew for several years, and also completed an internship with us while in college. He has characteristics essential for success in the Thoroughbred industry: 1) Integrity; 2) Horsemanship; and 3) an outstanding work ethic.

Boyd Browning

Fasig-Tipton

Phil joined Crestwood Farm having been raised in the industry by a good horse family, with a strong endorsement from his then current employer David Ingordo. Phil’s passion for the game enabled him to quickly contribute, helping us land and sell seasons for the likes of Grade 1 winners GET STORMY, TEXAS RED, and other Crestwood Stallions. All the while, Phil steadily sharpened his eye, helping Crestwood purchase multiple graded stakes winners for our racing clients. Phil’s ability and integrity have enabled him to steadily build his bloodstock business—routinely working with some of the biggest operations in our industry— while simultaneously keeping close the interests and confidence of his clients.

Pope McLean Jr

Crestwood Farm

I have worked the Kentucky breeding stock sales with Phil Hager in search of broodmares for Ballylinch. Phil is very knowledgeable and helpful. He is a good judge of pedigrees and physicals. I would be happy to work with Phil again in the future.

John O’Connor

Ballylinch Stud

Phil has done an outstanding job of assisting my entry into the thoroughbred business. He has an exceptional eye for horses coupled with a deep understanding of pedigrees that goes back multiple generations. In addition to understanding what it takes to find the right horse, Phil has a great grasp on the financial side of the business as well. But to me Phil’s greatest attribute is that he operates with the highest integrity with every decision and recommendation that he makes. Phil works very hard for his clients and is quick to respond to questions and concerns. I could not be more pleased with the assistance he has provided me.

Dennis Park

Owner

As a small thoroughbred breeder, I have come to rely on the insights and advice from Phil in decisions from planned matings to commercial sales to racing prospects. His comprehensive attention to detail and disciplined approach with evaluations of bloodstock have made him an integral part of my farm operation as a trusted advisor

Stuart Brown DVM & Jen Roytz, Brownstead Farm

Brownstead Farm

Phil Hager

Phil Hager

Phil Hager is a third-generation horseman who participates in all aspects of the thoroughbred industry. From an early age he started working with horses at his family’s Idle Hour Farm in Paris, Kentucky. After breeding his first stakes horse at age 17, he has been responsible for breeding and buying many others since. He has worked hands on for some of the top industry professionals in the game, such as; Bill Mott, David Ingordo, Gainesway Farm, Crestwood Farm, Fasig-Tipton, Chris Cahill DVM CVA, Eaton Sales, and more. Phil’s well-rounded education and strong industry connections make him confident in helping clients achieve their racing, breeding, and/or sales objectives.

Services

  • Appraisals
  • Conformation and/or Pedigree Analysis
  • Consulting
  • International Public Auction Representation
  • Mating Recommendations
  • Pinhooking
  • Portfolio Management
  • Pre-Sale Inspections
  • Private & Public Purchases
  • Racing Partnerships
  • Stallion Acquisitions & Management
  • Stallion Seasons & Shares

In the News

Big Invasion Rallies to Take Nearctic Stakes by a Head

While Big Invasion didn’t completely escape the rain, it proved a wise decision.

Get Smokin Fires Off 19-1 Upset in Kentucky Turf Cup

Gelding earned an automatic berth to the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1T) with his win.

Straight No Chaser sets Maryland Sprint Stakes time record

Breaking like a rocket under John Velazquez, Straight No Chaser ($5.20) got an early inside challenge from Prevalence, who mustered a strong show of speed racing for the first time in blinkers. 

Big Invasion Posts Fifth Straight Win in Quick Call

A son of the Curlin mare Curls in Place, Big Invasion was bought by Taproot Bloodstock, agent, for $72,000 from the Vinery Sales consignment at the 2020 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. He has earned $361,545.

Get Smokin Product of Strong Hurstland Farm Family

Three-year-old Get Smokin has spent the majority of 2020 trying, and falling just short, of adding a graded stakes victory to his resume. But the hard-knocking son of Get Stormy —who has trained under his sire’s conditioner, Tom Bush—laid all his cards on the table Oct. 18 and finally took home the win in the $150,000 Hill Prince Stakes (G2T) for sophomores at Belmont Park.

Red Danger Was Serious Threat in KY Downs Juvenile Sprint Stakes

A $17,000 purchase as a weanling at Keeneland’s 2019 November sale, the 2-year-old colt Red Danger was the lowest-priced horse that Bonnie and Tommy Hamilton’s Silverton Hill LLC purchased that year. “We’re so happy about this because he was the least expensive horse we bought that year,” Bonnie Hamilton said. “Phil Hager picked him out, so anything from there is gravy. He’s done everything right, and just fun to have one. They don’t come around very often…. That’s a really great thing. I mean, we’ve bought them for more than that. But it encourages people to think, ‘I have a racehorse without spending $100,000, $200,000.’ Which we have.”

Contact Phil Today!