A certain occasional poster here I believe was the first to publish trainer stats.
Re \"selling\", the hell I do. The subject came up 10 minutes after a first timer won that was trained by a guy who was 3 for 8 with first timers in maiden claimers (2 others in the money), with a $4.85 ROI. This one by a 19% first out sire. Jockey trainer combo 32% with a $4.12 ROI.
Having said that, I agree that stats are a blunt instrument. It\'s just as wrong to apply them to all situations as it is to discount them completely (Friedman\'s position).