Biomechanics Pioneer Seaman Dies in Lexington at 85

Cecil Orran Seaman, who was a pioneer in using biomechanical measurements in evaluating Thoroughbred breeding and racing stock, died Oct. 7 at his home in Lexington. He was 85. Seaman was a valuable resource for five decades for some of the industry's most successful breeders and owners, including William S. Farish of Lane's End, Bobby Trussell, Jon Marshall, John and Susan Moore, George Strawbridge of Augustin Stables, Roy Gottlieb and Mort Fink of Carelaine Farms, Andreas Putsch of Three C Racing, Bad Boy Racing, Jaqueline Getty, Scott Heider, and more. "Biomechanics definitely intrigued Dad and it was tool he used," said Bill Farish with Lane's End. "Cecil would often make multiple suggestions for each mare. He was a big part of Dad's approach to matings as well as mare acquisitions for many years." In a promotional brochure for Seaman's COS Thoroughbred Biomechanics company, he includes the following testimonial from Will Farish, who began working with Seaman in 1980: "His method of biomechanical evaluation/statistical analyses has proven a tremendous benefit in the improvement of the soundness and class of our broodmare band, stallions, and racehorses." Seaman was an inherently curious person who loved to learn how things worked. His family said as a young man he was fascinated by the mechanics of engines and built a rotary engine when he 15. This interest translated to the biomechanics of racehorses. He worked with farm managers, horsemen, trainers, veterinarians, and chiropractors as he could to enhance his knowledge of all things horse-related and eventually trained both Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds before transitioning into consulting and agency work. For his clients, Seaman reportedly helped guide the breeding of or identify at auction 116 grade 1 winners that captured more than 200 grade 1 wins, 46 millionaires, 27 Eclipse Award winners, 15 classic winners, 37 champions, and 13 Breeders' Cup World Championships winners. Seaman traveled internationally to attend sales and visit farms where he measured and evaluated horses with a precision and consistency that became his hallmark. His equine database includes the measurements of more than 120,000 horses, which he used to identify and evaluate phenotype consistency in a pedigree. He was constantly refining and upgrading his measurement system to be even better. Seaman's family and friends remember him as a hands-on horseman with exacting standards, high ethics, and professionalism, and with a lifelong dedication to improving the soundness and efficiency of the breed. His reputation, they said, was built not only on results, but on the respect he earned from his fellow horsemen. He is survived by his beloved wife Sally Nims-Seaman, his brother-in-law Cameron Nims, his long-term office manager Martha Cromwell, as well as his son Jonathan Seaman, daughter Kimberly Seaman Ramsey, and his grandchildren Alex and Connor Ramsey and Hadley Mae Seaman. He is survived by siblings Craig Seaman, Sandra Patton, Sienna Moreno, Curt Seaman, Chris Seaman, Casey Seaman, Chuck (Charles) Seaman, and was predeceased by sisters Sally Miller and Sue Smedley. A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Oct. 25 at Fasig-Tipton in the sales pavilion. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Farm, 1841 Paynes Depot Road, Georgetown, Ky., 40324.