Category Archives: Broodmares

MM Yearling Sales January 2025

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The Yearling Sales program is about to get underway. The results will be euphoria and the feeling of having found El Dorado for some. And pain and disillusionment for others. Whatever your equine needs you will find it at MM Yearling Sales January 2025. The trick is making the right choice. A few clients have suggested listing the best roughie and I have alluded to their request with my selections. The more data there is the better the predictions PRI will give. For example, a new sire that has no SW progeny, the maximum PRI score is 80. Whichever process you use for your selection, good luck.

Lot 74 br f           I am Invincible – Villa Carlotta

I am Invincible  has already produced three SW from Street Cry mares. Shuffle Dancer was successful in a G2 for 3yo over 1409m, Waltz on By won two L races for 3yo both over 1409m. Commemorative won a L race over1107m. These three winners were all females. SW/r was an excellent 7.89%.  The dam’s pedigree is of the highest class. Villa Carlotta is inbred to Dancing Show (dam of Shantha’s Choice) and Twyla (dam of Hurricane Sky). Lot 74 has a PRI rating of an impressive 90.8

Lot 358 b c         Sword of State – Empress Cixi

The choice of Lot 358 is not encouraged by a PRI score of 68.3. However, as explained in the preamble because Sword of State has sired no SW the maximum score he can attain is 80.0. We must look at other factors. Firstly, there is no reason to believe his stud performance won’t be similar to other stallions in the male line: Northern Dancer> Danzig> Danehill> Redoutes Choice> Snitzel. Secondly the female line is super strong. It boasts a 6GFI of 23.9. This number is one of the highest I have come across.  Hidden in the descendants is the 5 times G1wnner Royal Palace. The English Derby was one of his wins.

Lot 877 ch c       Bivouac – Sandrelli

The comments made on PRI scores in Lot 358 are relevant. However, a PRI score of 77.1 is more encouraging. We have previously spelled out what a great sire/broodmare sire Exceed and Excel is and has been. The cross of Exceed and Excel over Street Cry has produced seven SW with SW/r of 4.86 We consider that Bivouac should prove to be equally compatible with Street Cry. Bivouac could hit the ground running with this colt.

Lot 913 br c       Grunt – Shamar

Those of my fans who have asked for a selection they can afford, this is my roughie. The Best in Show influence continues to produce not only good horses but superstars. Almond Eye is the latest example.  On the dam’s side, Shamar comes from the line Hela Dubai> Dancing Show> Show Lady> Best in Show. Grunt comes down the Northern Dancer> Last Tycoon> O’Reilly line. He has produced two SW. Multiple SW Veigt won the George Ryder G1. Miraval Rose was successful at L level for 3yo over 1409m. Lot 913 has an average  PRI score of 76.3. An explanation for this is the relatively low number of mares served by Grunt (135). The stud performance of Van Nistelrooy doesn’t help. However perhaps the injection of Storm Cat blood could work wonders.

The MM Yearling Sale is an enjoyable event. I look forward to seeing you there.

MM National Yearling Sale 2024

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The MM National Yearling Sale has been a good source of value for money thoroughbreds. The 2024 Sale should be no exception. However, they could be harder to find. The Sales are dominated by new sires. Also,Danehill and Danehill sons’ duplication add to the complexity. From the MM National Yearling Sales 2024 I have selected three colts with pedigrees that should make good racehorses.

Lot 1316 b c       Dundeel – Grito

Dundeel is a well-established sire of good horses. He has 30 SW; six have won at the G1 level. His colts have out-performed fillies 4:1. SW/r is 5.22%; G1/r is1.39%. On the dam’s side the female line 6GFI is 4.58%. Written Tycoon is part of this line. The cross Dundeel – Redoute’s Choice has been most productive. It has produced five SW, all males. Celestial Legend is the best horse with 2 xG1 wins as a three-year-old. The Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Handicap. A PRI score of 95.0. What’s next for him?

Lot 1399 b c       All Too Hard – Perfect Stranger

All Too Hard has 23 SW to date: SW/r 3.26%. His best horse is undoubtedly Alligator Blood whose record is 6xG1, 3xG2, 2xl. Best win was probably the Futurity Stakes.

Alligator Blood

The dam has a female line with a 6GFI of 6.10%. The best horse in the female line is a toss up between the 3xG1 winners Westminster (ManiIkato Stakes) and Veloso (MacKinnon Stakes and Sydney Cup). The cross between All Too Hard and Red Ransom has produced two SW. Alligator Blood has already been referred to and the other is Tarka, winner of the G2 Stan Fox Stakes of 1500m. Lot 1399 has a very high PRI score of 95.4.

Lot 1522 b c       Snitzel – Zastava

Snitzel: Champion Sire with 199 SW

Snitzel has proved a worthy replacement for Redoute’s Choice at Arrowfield. He has never sired an out and out champion (at least by my definition) but scores of excellent horses. His tally of 199 SW, SW/r of 4.94% testifies to that. The dam’s side if the pedigree is very interesting. She has a stellar 6GFI of 11.9%. The female line includes:

  • Stony Bay 2xG1, winner Tancred and Ranvet Stakes
  • Ethereal 4xG1, winner Caulfield and Melbourne Cups
  • Darci Brahma 5xG1 winner of T J Smith (1600m)

It is rare to see such diverse talent spread in a pedigree. The cross between Snitzel and Encosta de Lago has produced 13 SW; SW/r is 5.07%. There have been five G1winners. The most recent is Communist, winner of the Randwick Guineas of 1610n. Lot 1522 has a PRI score of 98.8.

If you are able to attend the MM National Yearling Sale you will enjoy your day.

 

MM National Weanling Sale 2924

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The popular MM Weanling Sale for 2024 is about to commence. The purchase of a weanling is riskier than buying a yearling. The pro is that you might get a weanling at a bargain price. Perhaps a close relative will win an important race and their value will rocket up. However, there are plenty of cons. Like your own children they must be educated, fed the best food, have the best veterinary attention, kept safe from accidents, and have appropriate housing. And of course, as the weanling matures some conformational faults which were not apparent at the beginning become apparent.

I sometimes believe owners get over impatient and start their weanlings before they are fully matured. In my own experience I sold a Dubleo weaning that raced as an early 3yo. At his third start he won and clocked 55.83 for 1000m. The 1000m record for Warwick Farm is 56.16 and Randwick 55.50. At the Dubleo’s next start he bowed a tendon and never raced again. There are some nice horses at MM National Weanling Sale. I have selected three fillies. The choice of fillies is because they will make excellent broodmares.

Lot 85 bl or br f                 Street Boss – Excelsior Island

Street Boss is becoming one of our best sires. He has 74 SW, 9xG1, SW/r 5.20%. His best horse is undoubtedly Anamoe with 9xG1.  Excelsior Island comes from a strong female line; 6GFI is 8.85%. Good horses in the female line are Mastercraftsman (4xG1 including St James Palace Stakes), and Broad Brush (3xG1 including the Wood Memorial). The cross Street Boss-Exceed and Excel has already produced five SW; SW/r 10.0%. The best horse is Elite Street, winner of Winterbottom Stakes 1208m, and 4xG3. The PRI score for Lot 85 is 99.2.

Lot 264 b f          Wootton Bassett – Sacred Valley

Wootton Bassett has 58 SW and produces stayers of quality. His best horse Almanzor won both the G1 French Derby and the Irish Champion Stakes. He has a high score of SW/r of 7.02% and G1/r of 1.33%. Sacred Valley comes from a productive female line; 6GFI 10.5%, albeit with only 38 descendants. The cross Wootton Bassett – Fastnet Rock has produced one SW. Unanimous Consent scored in the United Nations Stakes 1710m. PRI score for Lot 264 is 98.3

Lot 267 b f          Toronado – Salamati

Toronado has produced 36 SW, SW/r 4.77. His best horse is Tribhuvan 2xG1; winner of the United National Stakes over 2213m in the USA. The dam Salamati comes from a prolific line of mares with a 6GFI of 21.3% from 108 descendants. Foremost among these is the American Champion Wise Dan. A super star with 9xG1, 6xG2, 2xG3 to his credit,

Wise Dan: American Horse of the year 2012 and 2013

the Breeders Cup Mile twice and crowned American Horse of the Year 2012,2013.  The cross Toronado – Dubawi has produced one SW: SW/r 10.0%. Tactical won the G2 July Stakes in the UK. Lot 267 has a PRI score of 97.7.

Those who can attend the experience of MM National Yearling Sale will enjoy the day.

 

Inglis HTBA Yearling Sale 2024

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To quote from the catalogue “The HTBA Yearling Sale provides buyers an opportunity later in the season to purchase value yearlings……..” The catalogue supports this view. The progeny of 79 sires is an impressive number. Something of interest to everyone in the 224 lots on offer. We have selected five yearlings which, on pedigree, are worthy of consideration. Encosta de Lago is the broodmare sire of three of them.

Lot 48 b f So You Think – Miss Presidential

This cross has already produced four SW: evenly split between colts and fillies.  SW/r is a very impressive 7.27%.

Palaisipan won the G1 Tiara over1409m, Higher Ground the G3 Frank Packer Plate 2000, Street Gossip and Regardsmaree were successful at the L level over 1610 and 1409m respectively.

The female line has an impressive 6GFI of10.6%. Riverman and Rock of Gibraltar are powerful inclusions on the dam’s side. A PRI score of 99.6 gives Lot48 excellent pedigree score card.

Lot 174 b c Harry Angel – Classical Lass

Harry Angel appears to be up and running as a sire. This cross has already produced two SW. An incredible SW/r 28.6% is unlikely to be maintained; but it isn’t a bad start.

Encosta De Lago: No 2 Australia Broodmare Sire

Tom Kitten is a G1 winning 2yo over 2012m and was also successful at G3 and L level. Vicious Harry won 2 L races in France over 1100m.

The female line is average, 6GFI at 3.6%. It does contain the multi G1 winner Princess Coup. A PRI score of 87.5 gives lot 174  a competitive claim.

Lot 175 g f Frosted – Comarco

I must confess a slight bias to Frosted. I was at the Kentucky Derby when he went out as favourite; I think he ran fourth. Subsequently he reeled of victories in three of America’s most prestigious G1 races. Victory in the Metropolitan, Whitney and the Wood Memorial shows what a good racehorse he was. All sires in the male line are in the top drawer of American sires in the last 50 years. Frosted is the only one to step a hoof out of the country. The cross has produced a SW.

Ingratiating has won two G3 races. The Bletchingly (1208m), and Vain (1107m) Stakes in addition to two L races. The SW/r ratio is 11.11%. The PRI score is 81.3

There is nothing special about the female line, 6GFI is 3.80%.

Lot 211b f Star Turn – Granados

Star Turn is new. However, he has already sired 7 SW. Two of these are from Encosta de Lago mares. Golden Monkey Scored in a 3yo L race in Singapore over1206m, and Saltaire in the L Inglis Nursery over1006m. This cross shows an excellent SW/r of 10.53%.

The female line is good at 6GFI of 7.95. The even better news is that Lot 211 is right in the mix of black type relations. PRI score an impressive 96.3.

Lot 221 b c Flying Artie – Honeymooncruise

Flying Artie has been off to a good start with eight SW. Two of these have come from Fastnet Rock mares.  SW/r at 10.53% is excellent. Both winners scored at L stakes level. Giannis at 1509 and Vast Art at1409m.

Fastnet Rock: No 1 Australia Broodmare Sire

The dam’s line is strong with 6GFI of 9.09%. Another strength of the pedigree of Lot 221 is that in the 4×4 there are 30 horses. Seventeen (plus a couple of Danzigs) are black type winners, i.e. 63%. The PRI score is 87.9.

The Inglis HTBA Yearling sale will be a wonderful event. Enjoy yourself

Inglis Gold Yearling Sale 2024

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After the heights reached in the Inglis Easter Sale, you might wonder what the Inglis Gold Yearling Sale 2024 can provide. There are still quality yearlings on offer. They are probably available at a price more buyers can afford. Thoroughbreds’ price (especially their service fee) is  a poor predictor of a foal’s prize-winning potential. There is hope in purchasing something affordable. We have selected five yearlings for consideration based on their pedigrees.

Lot 17 b c Churchill – La Breviere

For anyone interested in a horse with the potential to win the Melbourne Cup, Lot 17 is for you. Churchill has recorded 18 SW; only three have won at less than 1600m.  Two are winners at 2817m in Ireland. His progeny have seven G1 victories to date. The female line through La Breviere is very strong with a 6GFI score of 12.5%.

Churchill: European Champion Juvenile

Two notables in the female line are Outback Prince (T J Smith Classic) and Try My Best Champion Miler). Fastnet Rock is an ideal broodmare match for Churchill. It will put a bit of speed into his staying prowess. This cross has already produced a SW. Churchillian is a G3 winner in NZ over1610m. I rate lot 17 at PRI 95.6.

Lot 65 b f Rubick – Turf Belle

Through his dam Sliding Cube, Rubick joins the long line of super sires who carry the Best in Show genes. The most recent progeny was Almond Eye who won consecutive Japan Cups. Rubick has shown himself to be a sire of sprinters.

Rubick: A member of the Best in Show dynasty

Of his twelve SW, all have won at a distance less than 1600m: most at 1200m. Turf Belle’s female family has a 6GFI of a respectable 4.71%. The cross Rubick – Bel Esprit has produced one SW. Rubiquitous was successful in the L Mick Dittman Plate for 3yo over 1107m.  The PRI score for Lot 65 is 96.7.

Nicconi Yearlings

I have grouped these together because the pedigrees have different weaknesses. However, Nicconi is a successful sire. Just the connections of Nature Strip and if he can overpower any relevant weakness, a useful horse may result. For those readers who are interested in Nicconi yearlings, here are my conclusions.

Lot 70 b f Nicconi – A City Girl

PRI score 72.3; 6GFI 4.22. Scenic in sire line incompatible with all sires in female line

Nature Strip 22 wins,$20m stakes. Nicconi’s best horse

. Cross has produced one SW. Scorched Earth won the L Cramer Valley Pearl 1208m.

 

Lot 79 b f Nicconi – Bellissima Miss

PRI score 83.8; 6GFI 0.80. Only one SW in last 6 generations in female line. Cross has produced one SW. Exclusive Lass won L Black Pearl Classic 1200m.

Lot 82 br f Nicconi – Blessed

PRI score 78.3; 6GFI 2.88. Similar cross to Exceed and Excel mare as lot 70. Problem with Scenic incompatibility. A similar cross produced Scorched Earth.

Overall, there are good affordable yearlings at Inglis Gold Yearling Sale 2024

 

Inglis Ready 2 Race

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Reay to race sales such as the Inglis Ready 2 Race are becoming increasingly popular. Yearling auction sales may offer the buyer a cheaper product, but uncertainty still exists about a yearling’s racing ability. The preparation routine can remove some of the factors-but not all of them. There are 226 Lots on offer. I have selected five yearlings which based on pedigree and PRI scores are worthy of consideration.

Lot 76 b or br c So You Think – Dora’s Ready

The cross So You Think and More Than Ready has produced one SW. Cognito won

So You Think: 10xG1 winner now Champion sire

 

G2 Wellington Guineas. The 4m x 4m matching of Nijinsky should produce no problems. Three SW have this cross. The PRI score is 99.2

Lot 93 b c Deep Field – Forfeiture

Deep Field when matched with Commands mares has produced three SW.

Deep Field: New on the block 22 SW already

  • Cosmic Force won the G2 prestigious Pago Pago and Roman Consul Stakes (1200 & 1100m)
  • Sky Command the G2 Navision (1200m)
  • Rozita two L races over 1400m

The female line is exceptionally strong anchored by the champion mare Denise Joy (Sunday Joy, Tuesday Joy, Joie Denise  etc.) PRI score 94.6.

Lot 140 br g So You Think – Majestic Flute

The cross So You Think and Redoute’s Choice and has produced five very impressive SW.

  • Inference winner G1 Canterbury Guineas (1900m)
  • D’argento winner G1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m)
  • Fasika winner G2 Saphire Stakes, G3 Wenona Girl Quality (both 1208m)
  • Rocket By winner G3 Sydney Stakes (1208m)
  • Illation winner two L stakes (1408,1610m

 

Overall the cross has a SW/runners 5.49%. The above shows the versatility of So You Think as a sire. He can produce anything! PRI score 96.0

Lot 160 b c Deep Field – Nakataan

Two SW have been produced by the cross of Deep Field to Zabeel.

  • Dig Deep G2 Karakatta Plate (WA Premier 2yo race of 1200m)
  • Sweet Ride G3 San Domenico Stakes 1107m.

The female line is useful and contains Becrux a G1 winner in Canada. The PRI score for Lot 160 is 97.7

Lot 212 b c All Too Hard – Tangerine

The mating of All Too Hard to an Encosta de Lago mare has paid off big time.Alligator Blood is already a five time G1 winner and who will bet against him

All Too Hard : good racehorse and sire. Impecable female line

getting more. Lot 212 has an almost identical  pedigee: Inbreedig to Last Tycoon 4f-3f  and Rolls 4m-4f is matched by Alligator Blood 4m-4f and 4m-4f.

Attendance at the Inglis Ready 2 Race is an interesting experience.

 

Good Luck.

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 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 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.

 

The Breeding Season 2021

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The new breeding season for the Southern Hemisphere is underway. Most breeders have probably made their selection, but for those who haven’t read on. There are many books and web sources providing information on breeding thoroughbreds. I won’t expand on this here, but during the last few years I have covered a few breeding issues in my blogs. These issues are rarely canvassed by others but should be part of the selection mix.

Are Stallion Fees a Reliable Predictor of a Foal’s Prize-winning Potential?

This matter is covered in March 2021. The answer given by the scientific work of A J Wilson and A Rambaut (Biol Lett 2008, April 23 4(2) 173-175) is a definite no. You should not evaluate a stallion on his racetrack performance or that of his relations, but on its pedigree. Sometimes they are both good, but sometimes one is way ahead of the other. The real issue is how a stallion and mare’s pedigrees will fit together. These comments do not necessarily apply to those breeders whose aim is to make money using the formula best to the best and hope for the best. Someone will always pay big money for the progeny resulting from implementation of this plan.

Beware The Danehill Cross

A quote by John Boyce says it all “Top-Class racehorses inbred to Danehill have been conspicuous by their absence”. My limited investigation set out in August 2020, confirms this view.  Mares carrying Danehill or his son’s lines are now the preeminent pedigree lines in Australian mares. Crossing them to any Danehill line stallions requires a great deal of thought, investigation, and care. These Danehill problems spill over to some extent to the batch of Danehill family line stallions. In my view there are better options in the next breeding season for Danehill mares. The compatibility problems will decrease as the Danehill genes move to the right of the pedigree and become less important.

Don’t believe that Brothers and Sisters are the same

Octagonal: Mighty Racehorse, good Sire; full Brother Columbia only a good Sire

Quite often you hear or read that such and such is a good choice because its brother/sister was such a good horse. If such a conclusion is reached because of a deep pedigree analysis it may have come validity. However, I have already explained why full brothers are different and as for brother/sister? One is XY and the XX. How different can you get?

Be Philosophical about Disappointment

Finally, even with all the best preparation in the world, you must be prepared for disappointment.  Recently, never has there been a more striking example as this. Mount Fuji (Snitzel – Ichihara) was a $2.8m yearling. After a racing record of 4 starts and results of 0-1-1 $20,850 the horse sold at auction for $75,000. Why the fall from grace?

On my system it had a superb pedigree with a PRI score of 99.3. This puts it in multiple G1 status in my Library. No doubt all the pre-sale veterinary checks gave the yearling a clean bill of health. Which makes us look for things that are not easy if not impossible to measure. Every mammal has a biological, genetically controlled, clock. That’s why we age. But throughout life it can also regulate physiological factors such as arthritis, immune response, breathing controls and general health well-being.  There are also psychological factors at work. Perhaps he didn’t really want to be a racehorse? A herd animal, perhaps he didn’t want to be an Alpha?

Mount Fuji might now find his mark at the $75k level of competition. For the new owners I hope he does. For the old owners my commiserations. I would probably given you the same advice you followed. Remember there will soon be the results of the new breeding season to examine

Do Champion Race Mares make Champion Broodmares ? (Part 5)

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The performance of great race mares as brood mares is always an interesting topic for conversation.that Can a mare with exceptional race performances translate that to her foals? The question always comes up when a great race mare is put up for auction at the conclusion of her racing career. Such is the case for Arcadia Queen. It is reported that the mare was purchased by Arrowfield Stud for $3.2m. On balance I would say the purchase was worth it, but let’s look at some data.

Arcadia Queen b m (Pierro – Arcadia)

Race Track Performance

Arcadia Queen had sixteen starts for 8 wins, 2 seconds and 2 thirds for stakes of $3.99m. She won three G1 races which included the MacKinnon Stakes at Flemington. Any horse that wins that race at odds of 5/2 is a substantial race horse.

Arcadia Queen-great race mare

Six Generation Female Index (6GFI)

This measures at 10.0% which means that one out of ten horses in the female line is a SW. Close up in the pedigree we have both a Derby winner (Arcadia Dream) and a winner of the Oakleigh Plate Keltrice). This shows the “versatility “of the pedigree and gives breeders plenty to work with.. The mare Arcadia (Redoute’s Choice – Antique) is the dam of four SW. These factors suggests that Arcadia Queen could be a success at stud.

Stallion Selection

Pierro has plenty of broodmare daughters. however, their progeny are too young to have been tried on a race track. Hence, he is an unknown quantity as a broodmare sire. The recent family led by Arcadia have been successful with Pierro> Lonhro> Octagonal; Domesday>Red Ransom>Roberto; and Kheleyf>Green Desert>Danzig. Obviously this is the place to start.  I am Invincible is considered a possible choice. In my analysis, the progeny would have a PRI score of 66.3 giving an AEI of $6k. This is not the stuff of Champions and suggest the pot of gold looks to be elsewhere. Perhaps there is a lesson in what follows.

Black Caviar: The Great Race Mare Breeding Curse (Up dated)

In August 2020 I posted part 3 of the series “Do Champion Race Mares make Champion Brood Mares?” The mare we discussed was Black Caviar and the updated story is told in the following Table.

                                      Black Caviar Breeding History

According to my calculations, Written Tycoon is the hope of the team in this case.  Another chapter in the performance of great race mares as brood mares will be written. Good Luck!

 

Inglis Great Southern Sale (Part 3)

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The Inglis Great Southern Sale will conclude with the offer of 125 Broodmares. It takes much more time to assess a broodmare especially one in foal, than to assess a yearling. Two investigations are needed. First the mare must be assessed on her future capability to deliver a foal that will be a winner. Secondly the pedigree of foal she is carrying must be assessed relating it to the chance of it being a winner. We have carried out an evaluation of two mares lots 463 and 499; both in foal to Street Boss.

Lot 463 ch m Socialista (Served by Street Boss)

Socialista (New Approach – Ambitious Lady) scores 290 on the Mares Mating Index (MMI) which is a way of measuring how her immediate family and herself rate in producing SW. In a sale like this the average MMI value is around 500. However, her 6GFI (six generation female index) is a stellar 22.1%.  The difference shows that the female family is a rich producer of SW but that Socialista is not in its strongest vein. Nevertheless, on balance, it is a very good female family.  Most of the success is due to the influence of Anna Paola, champion 2 and 3yo filly in Germany three generations back.

Mr Prospector: Sire of 67 SW and a dynasty

New Approach (Galileo – Park Express) a five times G1 winner  has recorded eight SW as broodmare sire. Two from Mr Prospector and two from Sunday Silence line stallions. Of the six previous mating of Socialista, only one was to a Mr Prospector line stallion (Street Boss) and it is her only winner.

The cross Street Boss x New Approach has already given a 2yo G3 winner. Heresy (Street Boss – Montsegur) scored over 1208m at her second and only start to date. The foal from Street Boss – Socialista has a PRI score of 91.9 which suggest a winner of high quality

Lot 499 g m Bugaboo (served by Street Boss)

Bugaboo (Mutakddim – Bavarian) scores 640 on the Mares Mating Index (MMI) which is above average. The 6GFI is a healthy 15.8% although there are only 19 horses. Whether this is caused by some inherent fertility fault in the family I haven’t investigated but it is a fact to bear in mind.  Bugaboo has apparently completed 4 successful foalings which is good news. House Rules (Distorted Humor – Teamgeist) one of the three SW in the female line, was successful at G2 and G3 level in America. Her pedigree shows 3m x 4m to Mr Prospector.  It appears the females cross well with Mr Prospector sire lines and this bodes well for the foal from Street Boss x Bugaboo.

Street Boss: already the sire of 44 SW

In his role as a broodmare sire, Mutakddim has produced 20 SW. Eight (40%) have been from Mr Prospector line stallions. The cross Street Boss x Mutakddim has already given On the Back Streets (Street Boss – Mutakaway). This filly won two L races over 6.5f. The foal from Street Boss – Bugaboo) has a PRI score of 86.0 so it should be able to win.

The Great Southern Sale has some wonderful horses. I hope you are successful.

Inglis Great Southern Sale (Part2)

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The Inglis Great Southern Sale has been moved to July 4th – 5th because of the Covis situation in Victoria. This will give buyers and sellers more time to scan the catalogue. I have selected two weanlings of interest, Lots 82 and 208. In my next post (Part 3) I will address the pedigrees of two broodmares in foal, Lots 463 and 499. Firstly, a word about the two broad strategies of breeding racehorses – breeding to sell or race.

Breeding to sell

If you want to breed a horse to make money the strategy is very simple. Go and buy a G1 SW mare off the track and put her to a top stallion. Remember these mares are not cheap. Nor are service fees for top stallions. You don’t need to know much about horses or breeding-just plenty about money management and return on investment.  When put in a Sale as a yearling, buyers will pay big money for the progeny especially if it looks strong and healthy.  If you have followed my posts, you will understand that this type of mating approach rarely produces a horse that will recover its purchase price in earnings. However, once the purchase has taken place that is no longer the breeder’s concern. From a buyer’s point of view there have been some catastrophic failures.

Eight Carat: Super broodmare of five G1 winners

If the breeder is very lucky, he could purchase a mare who turns out to be a great producer. There aren’t too many of these around

  • Helsinge’s (Black Caviar, All Too Hard)
  • Eight Carat (Diamond Lover, Kaapstad, Marquise, Mouawad, Octagonal)
  • Urban Sea (Melika, Galileo, My Typhoon, Sea the Stars)

Breeding to Race

If, however you want to breed a horse that will win races you need to examine the pedigree of the mare and consider access to a stallion with compatible blood lines.  This should be done before purchase. Good planning will considerably improve your chance of success. Things to look for in the mare are the strength of the pedigree, history of racetrack performance of the mare and her immediate family, and breeding performance if any. Any genetic problems that may be passed to the offspring should also be looked for.

When buying a mare, you should ask yourself why is this mare in foal?  Is it the result of a carefully crafted breeding plan? Or is it an opportunistic event where the seller hopes that a pregnant mare will sell for a higher price more than a barren one. The real cost of the offspring to you will be a minimum of $20,000 before the hammer falls at the auction. Will the sale recover this money?  Purchasing a mare in foal requires considerable investigation. You need to decide if the foal is either going to sell well if you take that option. Or the foal’s pedigree suggests it should be a winner. A PRI score will help you there.

To provide additional information to answer the question is the pregnancy an opportunistic event we can look at the covering sires in the Inglis Great Southern Sale. There are 47 sires and 29 of them have never sired a SW.  Eight have sired less than 10 SW.  It can be said that only 10 stallions are established sires. You can draw your own conclusions.