Bloodstock Research Information Services, Inc.

History

Bloodstock Research Information Services, Inc. (often abbreviated as BRIS or Brisnet) was the first company to computerize and make commercially available thoroughbred pedigree and performance data, a move that fundamentally changed how horse racing was studied and wagered upon. Founded by Richard “Dick” Broadbent III in 1972 in Lexington, Kentucky, the company originally focused on producing printed past performance lines and pedigree publications for racetracks and owners. In the 1980s, under Broadbent’s leadership, BRIS began building its own internal database of race results, breeding records, and speed figures, a project that would eventually form the core of its online offering, Brisnet.com, launched in the mid‑1990s. One of the company’s landmark achievements was the development of the American Produce Records database, a comprehensive digital pedigree resource that was launched online in 2009 after 40 years as a printed annual publication. A 2021 Thoroughbred Daily News article noted that 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of the company’s founding, dating it to 1971; some financial databases list the incorporation date as 1972. Regardless of the precise year, BRIS was instrumental in the creation of the Thoroughbred Daily News (TDN) in the 1980s, providing data and infrastructure to what would become the industry’s leading daily news source.

Acquisition and Current Structure

In June 2007, the company was acquired by Churchill Downs Inc. (CDI) and integrated into CDI’s racing and data division, though it continues to operate under the Brisnet name with its own product lines and customer base. Today, Brisnet.com offers a wide range of digital tools: Ultimate Past Performances (which include the proprietary Brisnet Speed Rating, Class Rating, and Pace Ratings), handicapping reports for all major U.S. thoroughbred tracks, a “Brisnet Betting” app for placing wagers directly, and the American Produce Records online pedigree service. The company licenses its data to racetracks, simulcast outlets, ADW platforms, and media partners.

Products and Services

Key products include the Brisnet.com main portal, Ultimate Past Performances with proprietary speed and pace ratings, American Produce Records for pedigree research, Brisnet Betting mobile app, and BRIS Handicapping Reports customizable from the database. The company also provides bulk data feeds for commercial partners.

Market Position and Reach

Despite its historical significance, the company remains relatively lean, with a LinkedIn headcount of 11‑50 employees and limited public presence outside the specialized horse‑racing data niche. Its current leadership does not appear to be publicly disclosed in press releases, corporate websites, or databases; the acquisition by a larger gaming corporation (Churchill Downs) may mean that executive responsibilities are held at the parent company level rather than at the BRIS subsidiary. Bloodstock Research Information Services remains a cornerstone of the thoroughbred data ecosystem, a result of its pioneering role in digital data collection and its continued investment in proprietary analytics.