Category Archives: Breeding and Racing Thoroughbreds

MM National Yearling Sale

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It is now time to focus on the MM National Yearling Sale for 2023. Four hundred  yearlings are catalogued. Many of these have excellent pedigrees. The challenge is to find ones that will make good racehorses. I have selected four that are very well bred and have high PRI scores. Certainly, they are worth a physical examination. A word here about conformation.. As the great trainer John Nerud (the man who invented the American Breeders Cup Series) is quoted as saying “Don’t go to a stakes paddock to study textbook conformation”. Get advice from an experienced trainer. He will know if a yearling’s comformational “faults” will prevent it from reaching its full potential on the racetrack.

Lot 1442 (b c Xtravagant – Arc)

Xtravagant has produced 5 SW (SW/r 5.05%). Two of these are from a cross to the More Than Ready female sire line . The SW/r number is 66.67%. He’s Exceptional won a L race as a 3yo over1208m.  His sister, Xtravagant Star won  a L race over1107m. The female tail line of Lot 1442 is not exceptionally strong with 6GFI of 6.03%. However, Arc is where the action is and  a PRI is very good at 94.2.

Lot 1481 ( b f Night of Thunder – Chicago Star)

Night of Thunder crossed with Exceed and Excel has already produced two SW, both fillies. This shows as a SW/r value of 25%. Lola Showgirl won a G3 in the UK over1409m and River Night won a L race for 2yo over1006m.

Night of Thunder

The 6GFI of 19.6% is exceptional. The female line contains US Army Ranger, second in the English Derby and a starter in a Melbourne Cup. Both Night of Thunder and Exceed and Excel are versatile in their roles of sire and broodmare sire. Something exceptional could happen. The PRI is very good at 97.1, which adds to confidence.

Lot 1505 (b of br c Pride of Dubai – Di Alta)

Pride of Dubai is off to a great start as a sire. Already twenty SW and three G1 victories. The cross Pride of Dubai to High Chaparral has produced three SW. Desert Lightning won the G2 Avondale Guineas over2113m. She’s Fit was successful in the WA Oaks (G3) over 2415m. Splendiferous was successful in the G3 Premiers Cup at 2415m and the L Port Adelaide Cup over 2515m. The score of SW/r of 20% is very impressive. The female tail line is also impressive with a 6GFI of19.2%. The great sire Darshaan is the best performed horse. The PRI score is the maximum of 100.

Lot 1567 (b c Dundeel – Italia Bella)

The cross Dundeel – Fastnet Rock has produced a L SW. Cerberus won the Hill Stakes over1811m. The SW/r is only a modest 3.23%. However, the strength of the pedigree is in the female tail line with a 6GFI of 20.5%. Impressive enough, and highlighted by the mare Grand Luxe (Sir Ivor – Fanfeluche). Fanfeluche was

Fanfreluche in retirement

Canadian horse of the year and US Champion 3yo filly and when sold she was the world’s most expensive mare.  L’On Vite (dam of Holy Roman Emperor) is part of her female line. PRI score of 97.5 is worth noting.

Every Year the MM National Yearling Sale is a wonderful event. Hope you can make it.

Inglis Gold Yearling Sale May 2023

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The Inglis Gold Yearling Sale of 2023 has 191 Lots for sale. Eighty-nine stallions are represented. The majority are new or untried. The sale gives buyers a wide choice. However, it makes it harder to evaluate the offerings. I have selected three yearlings that rank highly on my system. I believe they are worth examination.

Lot 21 b f Star Witness – Bonyatta

This cross of Star Witness to Street Cry has produced two SW fillies. Alsephina was successful in the G3 La Trice Classic over 1811m. Threeood won the G3 Gosford Belle of the Turf over 1600m. Street Cry is rapidly rising the list of successful broodmare

Street Cry

sires. His best effort to date is the triple G1 winner Cascadian, an Australian Cup winner. This cross has a very impressive SW/r score of 18.2%. The female 6GFI is 11.0%. Boosted by the Eight Carat female bloodline, Octagonal, Danewin, Commands, Tristalove etc. The PRI score of Lot 21 is 95.8.

Lot 44 b f Brazen Beau – De Sea Eagle

The cross Brazen Beau to Flying Spur has produced two SW. On the Bubbles was a G1 winner of the Manawatu Sires in NZ over 1409m. It was also successful in 3 L races. Bello Beau was successful in two L races in Australia. Statistically this cross has an SW/r ratio of 9.52%. The female line has 6GFI of 7.85%. Petrova the dual G1 winner in South Africa is the best horse. She won the Fillies Guineas of 1600m. Lot 44 scores 87.9 in PRI analysis.

Lot 143 b c Starcraft – Rezyana

To date this cross has produced one SW. However, this colt has the pedigree to add to it. The SW/r score is only a modest 4.0%, but the female tail line could produce

Starcraft

something magical. The cross Starcraft to Redoute’s Choice produced Lorimer Street winner of the L St Albans Stakes as a 2yo over 1208m. The 6GFI is 8.91%. Looking back down the tail female line one finds Spring Adieu (Buckpasser-Natalma). Natalma is of course the dam of Northern Dancer. Nothing wrong with the male side of the pedigree either. The PRI score for Lot 143 is 98.3.

 

 

 

The Inglis Gold Yearling Sale has an interesting list of yearlings from untried sires. Certainly they need physical examination.

Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale

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Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale 2023 follows the Inglis Chairman’s Sale. The Broodmare Sale has several interesting mares. A buyer must be aware that not only they will meet the initial outlay for a mare in foal but should budget for spending a minimum of $40-50 thousand to the time of her progeny’s first race. When I consider purchasing a mare in foal, I closely examine two factors.

  • The progeny resulting from the mating should be investigated as one would for a yearling at a Sale. Of course, examination of physical characteristics is not possible. One needs to rely on the previous history of the mare and siblings. A PRI calculation is a good start.
  • A close examination of the data in the catalogue. I have developed a system (MMI, Mare’s Mating Index). My system is open ended (like the earthquake Richter scale). Numbers go from zero to over 2000. The average is 415.

I have selected three mares in the Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale which warrant consideration.

Lot 263 b m Paper Plane (Fastnet Rock – Luminous Eyes) : Served by Wootton Bassett

  • The cross Wootton Bassett – Fastnet Rock has already produced one SW. Unanimous Consent was successful at L level in America over1710m. This cross has SW/r of 11.1%. The PRI score for the progeny is a healthy 87.5.

Wootton Bassett

  • The mare rates above average with MMI of 640. The 6GFI is a very impressive 18.8% The best horse down the female line is the dual G1 winner French horse Youmzain. Probably best known for coming second three times in the Arc.

Lot 300 b m Stars Are Out (Fastnet Rock – Moon is Up) : Served by Pride of Dubai

  • The cross Pride of Dubai – Fastnet Rock has produced two SW. Saif was successful at G3 level over 1409m. Queen if Dubai has won a L race over1409m. This cross has SW/r of 10%. The PRI score for the progeny is 87.9.

Pride of Dubai

  • The mare rates a MMI of 520. The 6GFI is a healthy 14.8%. It is even more impressive when you consider that Miesque the dam of Kingmambo is part of the female line. From 913 foals he produced 85 SW (9.3%). Who wouldn’t want him in your female family?
Lot 330 b m All That I Know (More Than Ready – Lucida): Served by So You Think
  • The cross So you Think – More Than Ready has produced a SW. Cognito was the winner of the G2 NZ Guineas over1409m. The PRI score of this progeny is a stellar 99.2.
  • The mare rates above average with MMI of 520. The 6GFI is 12.5%. The female side of the pedigree has Eight Carat and all her related superstars.

If you want to see some quality mares, Inglis Australian Broodmare Sale is the place to be.

 

Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale April 2023

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The Inglis Yearling Sale April 2023 has 299 entrees. There are 62 sires represented; most are new with their progeny yet to make an impact on the race track. This makes it more difficult to evaluate the pedigrees of the yearlings. The analytical methods are the same. However, the outcomes are less precise but here are two I like.

Lot 33  br f  All Too Hard – Fortunately

The cross All Too Hard – More Than Ready has worked well and produced three SW. Two of these were success at G1 level three times. Wellington won in Hong Kong including the prestigious Hong Kong Silver Jubilee Cup over 1409m. Forbidden Love was successful in the George Ryder Stakes over1509m.Outrageous was successful at G3 level over1509m. The 6GFI of the dam’s line was an acceptable 5.14%. The female line is dominated by the exceptional broodmare Twiglet. Lot 33 has a PRI score of 96.3. On this basis it should be a good winner

Lot 248 b c Shalaa – Belle De Jeu

Shalaa wins at Deauville (2015)

The cross Shalaa – Not a Single Doubt has an outstanding SW/r  of 25%. Shaquero is the is one SW  produced to date. He was successful in the G3 Pago  Pago Stakes over over1208m.The female line has a 6GFI of 5.39%. Dominated by the Golder Slipper winner Belle De Jour. Lot 248 has a PRI score of 89.6. With luck it should be successful.

If you are attending the Inglis HTBA Yearling sale have a look at these two horses. I hope they physically match their looks with their pedigree.

Inglis Easter Yearling Sale 2023

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The Inglis Easter Yearling Sale 2023 is about to get going. The number of horses on offer is down from the 514 in 2020 to 457. However, the quality is up. Based on pedigree this draft in the best I have seen since I started my reviews. I have selected six yearlings which I consider are worth examination.

Lot 9 ( b or br c So You Think – Absolution)

This cross between two outstanding sires has already produced five SW. Their progeny

So You Think: 10 times G1 winner

won at distances from 1200m to 2000m. Headed by Inference (Randwick Guineas) and D’argento (Rosehill Guineas). The female line of Absolution is not strong but adequate to suggest this colt should be competitive at the classic distances. A PRI score of 91.7 reinforces that view.

Lot 12 ( b c Snitzel – Acquired )

This colt brings together most proven sire lines. Three SW have resulted. The best performed is Patroness. She was successful in the G1 South Australian Oaks. The female line has a 6GFI of 6.12 which is quite respectable. The best horse was probably Rostova, winner G1 Sangster Stakes over 1200m. Lot 12 has a PRI score of 92.5.

Lot 112 ( b f Pierro – Electric Dreams)

Pierro is certainly picking up speed as a SW sire. His score is now 34. Redoute’s Choice mares have contributed 10 of these. Nothing to show that the trend won’t

Pierro: tripple Crown winner: now making it as sire

continue. Arcadia Queen, Regal Power and Levendi-all G1 winners. A calculation of 6GFI gives a modest value of 4.82. However, the female line does hold some excellent horses – Grand Armee, Tristalove, Anamato, Dance Hero to name a few. Lot 112 has a presence proximity to some of these. A PRI score of 92.9 is another confidence booster.

Lot 166 (b f Pierro – Hetaera )

Some of the comments made on Lot 112 are relevant to Lot 166.The presence of Famous Star in this pedigree doesn’t help. Nevertheless, a PRI score of 95.6 is more than useful. From the pedigree of Lot 112, Rory’s Jester is replaced by Royal Academy. This appears to be a better fit. One of the best horses in the female line is Lolita Star who won the Wakeful Stakes (G2). She followed this up with a third in the VRC Oaks.

Lot 260 ( b c Deep Field – Nakataan )

Deep Field has been a successful young stallion. He has already sired 22 SW including three G1 winners. Practically all his winners have been sprinters. Portland Sky won a

Deep Field: young stallion on the way up

G1 Oakleigh Plate and races don’t get much more hectic than that. The cross to Zabeel seems to preserve the speed of the progeny. There have been three SW from the Deep Field /Zabeel cross – all have been successful at 1200m or shorter.  The female line has good depth with 6GFI of 8.81. Triumphal March, winner of a Moonee Valley Cup of 2600m is there.

Lot 378 ( b f Pierro – Spina Rosa)

Lot 378 is like Lots 112 and 166 but the tail line female can make all the difference. Woodman, through Mr Prospector, adds considerable physical strength to this pedigree. The female line has a 6GFI of 10.7 and shows great versatility. The sprinter Falkirk (6 times a SW in Australia and NZ and 4th in the Kings Stand at  Ascot in England ) and Lord Reims ( Caulfield Cup winner and three times winner of the Adelaide Cup ) are both part of the pedigree. The cross Deep Field/ Woodman has produced one SW. A Very Fine Red was successful in the Alinghi Stakes over 1107m. Albeit it is along way down the pedigree (1×5). Lot 378 rates very high with PRI Score of 95.4

If you are able to make it to Inglis Easter Yearling Sale 2023 may good luck be your companion.

 

Inglis Classic Yearling Sale 2023

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Inglis Classic Yearling Sale commences the Company’s selling season on February 12th. With 830 lots on the Catalogue there is something for everyone. Personally, with flood recovery still underway I haven’t been able to put in the time I like. However, I have uncovered two yearlings which I believe should  attract attention.

Lot 199 br f Better Than Ready – Where it Began

Better Than Ready has got off to a promising start. He has sired 8 SW including the G1 winner Apache Chase who scored in the Kingston – Smith Cup over 1308m. The female line is excellent. A 6GFI of 14.3% is something to be proud about. The cross Better Than Ready to Exceed and Excel has already produced a SW.  Skirt the Law won a L race for 2yo at the Gold Coast. A calculation of her PRI score records 96.5. She should win something and its likely to be something pretty good.

Lot 479 b c Star Turn – Holley Shiftwell

Star Turn has begun with a big bang. Six SW in his first couple of crops.  He is leading the sires’ premiership table with 54.2% winners /runners. But can he keep it up? If Lot 479 lives up to his pedigree it will help him. The female line is a bit of an enigma. The 6GFI is only average at 4.31%. However, it is spiced with powerful horses. Kingston Rule still holds the Melbourne Cup 3200m track record.  The cross Star Turn – Testa Rossa has already produced a SW. Saltaire scored in the Inglis Nursery 2yo over 1006m. The PRI score for this colt is 88.5. High enough to achieve plenty.

The Inglis Classic Yearling Sale is one not to be missed.

Inglis Ready2Race Sale 2022

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Inglis Ready2Race sale will shortly be underway. For the purchaser of a race horse   ready to run sales have an advantage over traditional yearling sales. The horses have been broken in and their performance both live and on video is there for all to see. The costs of getting a horse to the point where it can show what it can do have already been met. Vendors hope/expect to recover these costs in the sale. So prices will generally be higher than those at a traditional auction sale

However, selecting the right horse still follows the standard procedures. Pedigree analysis is a good guide to performance. I have selected two horses at the Inglis Ready2Race sale which I believe worthy of consideration.

Lot 62 b f More Than Ready – State of Play

More Than Ready needs little introduction and we have commented on his prowess before. A producer of 377 SW almost equally split between males and females and 7230 winners overall. It’s a record that’s hard to beat.  Fastnet Rock is just getting warmed up as a broodmare sire. The cross More Than Ready x Fastnet Rock has already produced 6 SW (SW/R 5.4%). Sejardan is the most successful to date (G2 Todman Slipper,1208m, and G3 Arrowfield Breeders Plate). It is worth noting  that 5/6 of the SW have all won as 2yo. The PRI score of 98.8 suggests this filly could add to the list.

More than Ready: a Champion in every way

Another positive for Lot 62 is her very strong female bottom line which has a 6GFI of 13.6%.  There are some very impressive females in this list: Denise Joy, More Joyous, Sunday Joy, and Joie Denise. These go along with the males Primus and Thorn Park. Plenty of talent here!

Lot 206 b c Epaulette – Juliet’s Princess

 

Epualette has been a constant producer of winners in Australia before he moved to Turkey in October 2021. A producer of 19 SW his SW/R Ratio is 3.51%. The female line has a respectable 6GFI of 7.92%. Churchill Downs is part of the female bottom line. There is also a strong element of Argentinian blood lines. Fairy Magic (triple G1 Winner) and Fain (G1 winner and Argentine Horse of the year in 1986).

The cross Epaulette x More Than Ready has already produced a SW in Hong Kong. Covert Operations scored in the L National Day Cup over 1006m. Lot 206 has a PRI score of 90.4 which suggests a winner.

These Ready to Race events are fun to be at and the Inglis Ready2Race event is no exception.

PRI Analysis Reviewed for 2020 Yearlings

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The importance of a  pedigree analysis which can be related to racetrack performance cannot be overstated. There are many factors to be considered when undertaking an analysis. You cannot just base your hopes on one. I have added another tool to my system of analysis. PRI (Pedigree Racing Index ) which quantifies the compatibility of the various stallions making up a pedigree. The higher the number, the more likely the horse will be a good performer. PRI does not replace other analytical methods, it just helps reaching a  more rounded conclusion. In an industry/sport where the outcome can come down to centimeters if not millimeters, all factors need to be considered to give you an edge in making the right selection. Most of this complex mixture of factors can be performed adequately by paper studies. Other factors such as conformation faults which will impede the performance of the horse, athleticism, courage, will to win, need a more hands-on approach.

Selections from 2020 Sales

Any process based on the application of a scientific method (no matter how shaky the science is) should be tested against the results. I selected fourteen yearlings in the 2020 sales and  produced a brief synopsis of the data in posts on flavonebr.com as the sales rolled on throughout the first half of the year. Now that these yearlings have matured and had their 4yo birthdays it is a good time to make an assessment. This is set out below:

Review of Selections based on Pedigree Analysis from the 2020 Sales

Of the 14 selections, nine have started, seven have won races and one has been placed. Collectively, their performance in Black Type races was G1 (2ND), G2 (2ND and 3RD), G3 (2 Fourths ) and L (2 Seconds). Total earnings was $635k. Some of the most successful horses are still racing.

The selections were made addressing a  number of pedigree relevant issues

  • Both Meritable and Undoubtedly Lucky are products of a Delta Cross ( Redoute’s Choice x two of his sisters,  Monsoon Wedding and Lucky Raquie). This factor was given more emphasis than the relatively Low PRI scores. Meritable was quite successful and the other was not.
  • For reasons I am not privy to Our Teofilo and Sunday Legend have been sent to stud without racing, or why Across the Dawn went overseas, or why some horses haven’t raced
  • I have rated the horses in traffic light terms: green, yellow and red! Some of the yellows might make it but I hold out little hope for the reds.
Conclusions

It is difficult to compare my results with “the Industry Standard”.  The most useful comparison is found in the excellent paper by Garry Mackrell (The economic reality of breeding and owning racehorses).  This comparison appears in the table below

I am first to admit that my numbers won’t past the test of sigficality (if there is such a word). On the other I looked at many hundreds of horses to come up with the 14 selected ones. Overall I am happy with the results achieved by the chosen horses. I have learned more about my selection process and hope for more achievement from the next (2021) sales results. Pedigree analysis is worth the effort.

Inglis Great Southern Sale 2022

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The Inglis Great Southern Sale comprises three elements. Select Weanlings, General Weanlings and Broodmares. I have examined the pedigrees available of the Select group. Picking weanlings that will grow into good racehorses is obviously more difficult than selecting yearlings. They have to survive (and their upkeep paid for!) for an additional 12 months. Then you might know something. Here are my two selections.

Lot 75 br c  Pierro – Single Note

Pierro is now a well established sire. He has sired 27 SW with a and his colts have topped the fillies 19 to 8. However, his best horse was the mare, Arcadia Queen, winner of the McKinnon Stakes (G1). Overall, his SW/r figure is 5.98%.

The female side of the pedigree is solid without being spectacular. The 6GFI is a healthy 13.04%. The PRI score for Lot 75 is 83.5. I would expect him to be a winner.

Lot 105 b f Night of Thunder – Tashaarok

Night of Thunder has already produced 28 SW. Fillies have prevailed, 19 to 8. His  SW/r ratio of 12.61% is very impressive.  His best horse to date is Thundering Nights, winner of the Pretty Polly Stakes (G1). He seems to have the credentials of a stallion that can bring out the best in a strong broodmare lineage and he certainly gets his chance here.

Fanfreluche- one of Northern Dancer’s greatest mares

The key to the female line is the Northern Dancer mare Fanfreluche. US Champion filly in 1979,  she was sold after her 3yo days, for US $1.3m, a record price at that time. The dam of L’Enjoleur, twice Horse of the Year in Canada, and two other G1 winners.  The female line has continued to produce not only great racehorses but great sires. Those well known in Australia are Flying Spur, Encosta de Lago and Holy Roman Emperor. It hasn’t stopped as Russian Revolution has now joined the list. Lot 105 has a PRI score on 99.2. Almost Perfection.

Inglis Great Southern Sale June 2022 has something for everybody.

 

Gold Coast National Yearling Sale

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Gold Coast National Yearling Sale 2022

The Gold Coast National Yearling Sale is always a great event. This year I have concentrated my search on finding yearlings with high PRI scores and strong female (tail) lines,

Lot 1524 b f Brazen Beau – Za Star

Brazen Beau has made a promising start as a sire. He has recorded 16 SW and a SW/r of 4.69%. His colts have performed better on the racetrack than the fillies-13 to 3. Dosage suggests a middle distance horse so she probably won’t be at her best in the early 2yo races. The female line is strong with a 6GFI  of 16.6%. Probably the best horse in the female line is Lucia Valentina winner of 4 G1 including the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The cross Brazen Beau x Zabeel has already produced two SW

  • General Beau, winner of Blue Diamond Prelude 1100m (G3)
  • North Pacific, winner of Up and Coming Stakes 1308m (G3)

A PRI Score which is 95.0 indicates a high quality filly.

Lot 1655 b c Swiss Ace – Go Kate Go

Swiss Ace was a very fast race horse. I guess you have to be to win an Oakleigh Plate. At stud he has a useful record of 14 SW and SW/r of 3.22%. Dosage predicts Lot 1655 to be a very fast horse which should be an  early starter. The female line is incredibly strong with a 6GFI of 49.6%!!The female line just rolls with SW and champions. Undoubtedly,  this colt has the strongest female pedigree of any horse in the sale. Commands, Danewin,

Klairessa – start of a dynasty

Octagonal, Deep Field, Shooting to Win, Tristalove etc etc. I examined this female line for a previous client and concluded that the key mare in the line up was Klairessa the dam of both Eight Carat and Habibti. Most breeders followed down the Eight Carat path and bred champion stayers. Habibti , one of Europe’s best ever sprinters also went down this track without much success. So breeding the line to a very fast horse could produce something exceptional.

The cross Swiss Ace x More Than Ready has already produced two SW

  • Little Giant won in Hong Kong 1000m (G3)
  • Top Prospect won in New Zealand 1500m (L)

A perfect PRI score shows this horse is worth a look.

Lot 1745 b c All Too Hard – Mnemonic

We have commented before that the statistics of All Too Hard improve year upon year. He has now a record of 14 SW with SW/r of 3.22%. Colts out number fillies 9 to 5. Dosage predicts a miler- middle  distance horse. The female line of this colt has a very attractive 6GFI of 13.2%. Jetball and Marwina are relatives in the female line.

The cross All Too Hard x Hussonet has already produced a SW

  • Hard to Think won the Singapore Derby 1811m (G3).

With a nearly perfect PRI score this could be an exceptional colt.

The Gold Coast National Yearling Sale will have many good horses than the three I have studied. Its an event not to be missed.

Gold Coast National Weanling and Broodmare Sale 2022

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Australia’s biggest thoroughbred sale. That is the MM Gold Coast National Weanling and Broodmare Sale with 1267 lots on offer. The information is overwhelming and my advice to buyers is to focus. Decide on what you want and put your attention to it. I have concentrated of finding potential race winning progeny from the coverings of the broodmares on offer. Sometimes mares are put in foal on the belief that a pregnant mare will attract more interest and more money in the sale ring. We suggest that these three mares are worth a look based on the PRI analysis of their offspring. Of course you won’t know the outcome for at least three years!

Lot 814  So You Think – Remlap’s Jewel

I have covered the exploits of So You Think before. He has sired 40 SW and has a SW/r of  5.85%.  Let’s say he goes from strength to strength. The female tail line goes back to a bit of equine royalty in Day Girl (Todman – Wenona Girl). Kinjite is also part of the female family. However, recent times haven’t been good as shown by  a 6GFI of 2.89%. The cross So You Think x Choisir has already produced a SW in So You Assume (winner of Stocks Stakes at 1610m). This mating has SW/r of 12.5%. The outcome will produce a horse of PRI of almost perfect score. If So You Think can tap into the tail line genes it will produce an excellent racehorse.

Lot 822  Camelot – Rocket Science

Camelot was an superb race horse. Only a second in the St Leger prevented him from being the first horse since Nijinsky to complete the triple crown (English Derby, Irish Derby, St Leger.) Best Known in Australia as the sire of Russian Revolution (SA Derby, Underwood Stakes) and Sir Dragonet (Cox Plate, Tancred Stakes). However, his 42 SW

                   Camelot

set down an impressive list of American and European winners; SW/r 7.71%. He has shown that he can produce exceptional stayers and middle distance performers when bred to the right mares.  Rocket Science comes from an exceptional family with a 6GFI of 31.5%. The list doesn’t have a champion but has loads of black type. The cross Camelot x Fastnet Rock, with SW/r of 11.11%, has already produced a G3 winner, Youth Spirit. He scored in the Chester Vase Stakes for 3yo at 2515m.    Dosage rates this cross as producing a stayer. The PRI score is 86.7. If you are looking for a potential Melbourne Cup starter, this could be the go.

Lot 912 Exceed and Excel – Tragic

I won’t go into the details of the ability of Exceed and Excel. He has a deserved international reputation. Overall, he has produced 242 SW with SW/r of 4.02%. The mare Tragic comes from a strong female family with 6GFI of 10.5%. The cross Exceed and Excel x Reset has SW/r of 5.56%, and has produced a Listed SW. Madeenaty  was successful in the Maribyrnong Trial Stakes for 2yo over 1000m. The blend of speed with a bit of stamina from the Zabeel influence will produce a horse of close to a perfect PRI score.

Australia’s biggest thoroughbred sale is a must.

 

Inglis Gold Yearling Sale April 2022

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Inglis has two sales of yearlings coming up.  The first-Inglis Gold Yearling Sale,  will be held in Victoria.  With 224 lots there are  some  impressive yearlings available.Here are a couple of my selections:

Lot 160 b c Turffontein – Personal Ensign

Turffontein was a very good sprinter miler with victories in two G1 races. He saluted in both the Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and the William Reid Stakes (1200m), both races having a proud history. The most important part of his pedigree is the descendance from Storm Cat. This line through Hennessy, Johannesburg,  Giant’s Causeway, Scat Daddy and now Into Mischief who is in the top three sires in the world. At stud Turffontein has performed moderately with 273 runners producing 7 SW. The female line of Personal Ensign is not strong  with a 6GFI of 2.0% But what action there is  around her.

The cross Turffontein to Rubiton mares has produced not one but two SW. Fontein Ruby (Turffontein – Charming Ruby) won the G2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m), and beat the

Fontiton as Yearling: sister to Lot 160

colts in the G3 Norman Robinson (2000m). Fontiton  (Turffontein – Infinite Charm) won G2 Blue Diamond Prelude. Lot 160 is a full brother to this filly.   Full brothers and sisters rarely perform the same on the track. In this case you are looking at a glass half full or half empty situation. Half full he could win at G1 level. Even at half empty, I would be surprised if he didn’t win his share of races. He certainly should do something with a PRI score of 99.4!

Lot 53 b c Brazen Beau – Chevovessence

Brazen Beau was an exceptional sprinter who only raced to the end of his 3yo days. He won 3 G1; the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m), Lightning Stakes (1000m) and the Newmarket Handicap (1200m). He has got off to a good start at stud with16 SW from 332 starters (4.82%). The dam’s pedigree is nothing exceptional with a 6GFI of 4.76%. It does however, put some stamina into Lot 53.

Brazen Beau; Champion Sprinter

The cross Brazen Beau to an Encosta de Lago mare has already produced a dual G2 SW in Pretty Brazen. She won the Sandown Guineas (1600m) and the Lets Elope (1409m). Lot 53 ticks a lot of boxes with a PRI score of 95.8. The weather should be good so enjoy yourself at the  Inglis Gold Yearling Sale.

Inglis Premier Yearling Sale 2022

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The Inglis Premier Yearling Sale 2022 is the second of their selling season. There are 783 Lots on offer from 99 sires. The catalogue is well balanced between sprinters and stayers. There is also a sprinkling of overseas bred yearlings to compete with those locally bred. Our search of pedigrees looking for suitable candidates for further examination is based on matching top sires with top broodmare sires. The resulting batch of yearlings is further refined using standard pedigree examination techniques.

Lot 127 f Exceed and Excel – Nazca (by Medaglia d’Oro)

The PRI score this filly  is a stellar 99.8. Exceed and Excel has been a wonderful sire both locally and internationally with a W/R ratio of 48.3%. The female line through Nazca is excellent with a 6GFI of 17.1%. This area of the yearling’s pedigree bristles with exceptional horses. Zomorada (by Deploy) is the dam of Dubawi (now ranked second in global sires list) and  In the Wings (by Sadler’s Wells) the sire of Singspiel.

Exceed and Excel: great racehorse and great sire

The cross Exceed and Excel x Medaglia d’Oro has already produced two SW. Aquitaine winner of the L Mick Dittman Plate (1006m), and Bacchanalia winner of L Gosford Guineas.

Medaglia d’Oro is rated the twelfth best broodmare sire in the world.

Lot 463 f Medaglia d’Oro – Devout Heiress (by Speightstown)

A PRI score of 92.1 indicates a horse which should have success on the race track. Medaglia d’Oro is a successful sire (currently ranked tenth in global rankings )  with a W/R ratio of 54.4%. The female line is quite strong with a 6GFI 10.4%. Among the relations are Park Express, a dual G1 winner of both the Nassau Stakes (10f) and Irish Champion Stakes (10f), and dam of New Approach (G1 Epsom Derby).  Alfred Nobel winner of G1 Phoenix Stakes (6f) is also a family member.

The cross  Medaglia d’Oro x Speightstown has a SW/R ratio of 8.70% and produced two SW to date.  Rockefeller won the 2yo Nashua Stakes G3 (1610m), and Whatwasithinking won the 3yo  Auburn Stakes G3 (1200m). Speightstown  is a son of Gone West and is placed 23 in global sire broodmare rankings).

Lot 655 c Magnus – Rathlin Island (by Giant’s Causeway)

A PRI score of 99.2 is spectacular for this yearling.  Giant’s Causeway is currently rated the number five broodmare sire in the world. Consequently, any horse of which he is broodmare sire deserves attention. The female line of Lot 655 had a healthy 6GFI of 8.69% . Included are Mastercraftsman ( European Champion of his year), Hidden Talent (Kentucky Oaks) and Ack Ack (A four times G1 winner and America’s Champion sire of 1994.

Magnus (Flying Spur- Scandinavia); Has plenty of important relations

The cross Magnus x Giant’s Causeway has already produced a G3 winner at 13500m.  Platinum Kingdom won the Fred Best Classic and four L races in NZ including the Dunedin Guineas.

Magnus has not quite lived up to expectations. He certainly has the chance when crosses to this Giant’s Causeway mare.

Lot 779 f Foxwedge – Girona (by Giant’s Causeway)

A PRI score of 88.1 is still high enough to warrant attention. The AEI around this PRI score (expressed as a mean) is $41.7k. Foxwedge is a more than useful sire and of his 21 SW, 16 have been female. Hence Lot 779 is even more interesting. The female line has a 6GFI of 6.12%; while not exceptional it is above average.

The cross Foxwedge x Giant’s Causeway line has already produced the a SW filly Wild Vixen, winner of two L races, Bennet’s Racing Black Pearl 1208m and H C Nitschke Stakes 1400m.

There is no doubt there will be some excellent juveniles at the Inglis Premier Yearling Sale 2022. Good luck in finding them.

Inglis Classic Yearling Sale 2022

Aside

The Inglis Classic Yearling Sale heralds the start of the Inglis selling season. There are 810 lots on offer from 85 sires. This venue is known for its production of racehorses successful at the classic distances. This year I have concentrated on looking for a colt that could win at the classic distances. I have selected one from Dundeel (High Chaparral – Stareel). I also uncovered a filly from Spirit of Boom ( Sequalo – Temple Spirit) whose pedigree indicates it could be a very fast horse. The Inglis Classic is not only associated with classic staying horses such as the Melbourne Cup  winner Vow and Declare (War Front – Geblitz), but has produced  fast 2yos such as the Golden Slipper winner She Will Reign (Manhattan Rain – Courgette).

Dundeel (High Chaparral – Stareel)

A six times G1 winner, his victories include the AJC Derby. He has sired 16 SW to date including the classic winners Castelvecchio ( Rosehill Guineas), Super Seth (Caulfield Guineas), Truly Great (Kingston Town Classic ), and Atyaab (SAF Cape of Good Hope Derby).

Lot 412 b c Dundeel – Believe (by Fastnet Rock)

Dundeel beats Atlantic Jewel in G1 Underwood Stakes

The PRI value for this yearling is 98.3 which according to the pedigree analysis means an exceptional horse. The female line is a very encouraging 6GFI value of 10.4%. Two useful runners in this line are Gold Lottey (2x G3, VRC Stocks Stakes and VRC Vanity), and Informed (2xG2, San Diego Hcp, and California Stakes).  The cross Dundeel x Fastnet Rock has already produced a SW. Cerberus was successful in the Listed Hill Stakes at 1811m. If you are looking for a classic winner , Lot 412 deserves to be on your list.

Spirit of Boom (Sequalo – Temple Spirit)

A multiple SW. His most significant win was in the Doomben 10,000 over 1350m. He is the sire of 14 SW. None of his progeny have won beyond 1400m. Eighty percent of them have been at 1200m or shorter.

Lot 103 b f (Spirit of Boom – My Dear Friend (by General Nediym).

The PRI value for this filly is 90.8. She is bred to go fast. The female family on the dams side has a 6GFI of 3.36% . Whereas, this value is not exceptional, My Dear Friend is right where the action is. General Nediym is an underrated broodmare sire that has produced 42 SW.  Sixty percent of his progeny have won at 1200m or less.

Jameka: Broodmare sire General Nediym at his best

Rather surprisingly, 26% have won at 1600m or beyond. Included in this lot are the multiple G1 winner Jameka  (Caulfield Cup, VRC Oaks and BMW Tancred Stakes) and Mr Quickie (Queensland Derby). So the General is not just the broodmare sire of fast horses but can impart staying genes.

The cross Spirit of Boom x General Nediym is definitely speed x speed mating . The late Colin Hayes had exceptional results following this policy.  Dosage analysis confirms the breeding outcome producing Lot 103.  With 30 dosage points and a DI of 9.0 and CD 1.47 it is all speed. The closest I can find is the triple G1winner of the 1991 Kentucky Derby Strike the Gold (Alydar – Majestic Gold) with 20 dosage points, DI 9.0 and CD 1.30.

Both these horses are worth a look at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale.

 

MM Yearling Sales Catalogue 2022 (Part 2)

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So You Think

In Part 2 of my review of the MM Yearling Sales 2022, I have looked at the yearlings available from So You Think (High Chaparral – Triassic). Based on his racing performance both in Australia and overseas he is one horse where the term champion fits very well. His record of 23 starts 14-4-1 with 10 G1 victories is hard to fault. Unlike a number of stallions who have a limited  number of starts  before retirement,

So You Think: A Great Champion

So You Think never shirked a real challenge. He raced at the world’s most elite tracks; Flemington, Ascot, Langchamp, Churchill Downs, Curragh and Meydan (UAE) and against serious opposition. He started favourite 15 times in his 23 starts, ran third in a Melbourne Cup and fourth in the Arc D’Triomphe coming from third last at the turn into the straight. As expected his record as a sire was a little slow to start waiting for his 2yo’s to mature. Currently, he is the sire of 36 SW. His seven G1 winners range in distance 1509-2000m, and his eight G2 winners 1208-3219m. So he is as versatile in siring winners as he was winning races on the track. Overall, he has a SW/r of a healthy 5.61%

MM Yearlings

Here we describe three that we believe will be successful racehorses. In support of the methodology we can report on the performance of the only yearling we selected from the MM 2020 series.  Lot 209 (Snitzel – Crystal Flute), now a 3yo, is racing in NZ under the name Meritable.  His record is 5 Starts 1-3-0 which includes seconds in a G1 and G2.We have applied similar analytical methods to the three yearlings selected in MM 2022.

Lot 66 (So You Think – Fullazz by Redoute’s Choice)

The cross has produced three SW with a SW/r figure of 5.88%. Fullazz does not come from a strong female line with a 6GFI of 1.90. The best hose produced from the female line is Sizzling. He is a multiple SW including the G1  T J Smith  Stakes. Sizzling has not been very successful at stud with only one SW from 430 foals. Despite a high PRI score there has to be a situation where Art perhaps has to Science. Fullazz already has a sibling to Lot 66. D’Argento is a G1 Rosehill Guineas winner and subsequent form says this was no fluke. Whereas this might sound good, full brothers never perform the same on the racetrack (Extra Brut and Grinzinger King are a recent example) . Lot 66 could be better, he may be worse. Look closely at him. He has an excellent PRI score going for him.

Lot 262  (So You Think – Miss Anabannana by Redoute’s Choice)

As stated above, this cross has been successful three times. Miss Ananbanana comes from a female line dominated by sprinters. Two horses in the female line, Midnight Fever (Luskin Star – Campbell Fever), and Knowledge (Last Tycoon -New Acquaintance) were both winners of the Blue Diamond Stakes. The female line has a 6GFI of 6.46. The overall pedigree is very strong (seventeen of the thirty horses in the 4×4 pedigree are SW). A PRI score of 97.9 gives hope that this colt will be a good winner.

Lot 770 (So You Think – Babel by Lonhro)

The cross So You Think to Lonhro mares has a SW/r ratio of 50%. It has worked once in two attempts to produce So Si Bon (G3,2L). Unfortunately this isn’t much data. The PRI score for Lot 770 is 90.9. The female line has a 6GFI of 4.17.  Both these values are encouraging. Babel has produced a sibling to Lot 770. Racing as Statesmanship, he is off to a slow start 3-0-0-1. However, he hasn’t raced beyond 1400m which doesn’t suit his stayers pedigree,  so perhaps his record will improve. The comments on siblings made on Lot 66 apply equally to Lot 770.

Final Thoughts

Its always wise to have a good look at any horses you fancy. But don’t get too wrapped up in this. In his book Traits of a Winner, dual Kentucky Derby winning trainer Carl Nafzger puts it this way “Books on conformation are good, but what they teach does not always apply to racehorses”. Another pearl of wisdom is from John Nerud, founder of the Breeders Cup in America “ Don’t go to a stakes paddock to study textbook  conformation.” For anyone interested in buying, selling or just looking at exceptional racehorse the MM Yearling Sales 2022 is the place to be.