Where are all the mares from top Northern Hemisphere sires?

Australian breeders are bringing the best stallion bloodlines to Australia, however, mares from the top broodmare sires in the northern hemisphere are quite rare. We have never had two US Triple Crown winners reported to stand at the same time for 2020. But what about the mares from top Broodmare sires of the Northern Hemisphere? At the Gold Coast MM National Broodmare and Weanling Sale such mares are very rare.

Top Broodmare sires of the Northern Hemisphere

Bloodhorse ranks Giant’s Causeway as the leading broodmare sire in the Northern Hemisphere. From 397 runners he produced 180 winners (45%w/r) and 12 SW. In the top ten, the Halo line through Sunday Silence has two representatives. A P Indy and French Deputy also have two each. None of these broodmare sires have any mares in the sale. Why is it so? Are Australian breeders more interested in black type form in weak listed races than in pedigrees? Perhaps these mares are too expensive for them? Perhaps the market responds to form in listed races and regard pedigree of little importance? Halo dominance goes further than the top ten. In rankings 11-20, the broodmare sire through Halo has an additional four stallions. The total is six out of the top twenty (30%).

Giant’s Causeway

Giant’s Causeway is the only Broodmare sire in the top ten of the Northern Hemisphere represented at the Sale. He has two lots. How will their progeny measure up?

Lot 572 Blueberry Smoothie (Giant’s Causeway-Shampoo) in foal to The Autumn Sun

Blueberry Smoothie has a Mares’ Mating Index (MMI) of 540 which is useful but 30% below the best I have measured. The PRI score is 66.7 % which doesn’t suggest great things are in store for the progeny. The analysis is hindered by the fact that The Autumn Sun is at the start of his stud career and has no runners let alone SW. Dosage suggest at horse at his best at the classic distances. Danehill and most of his sons cross well with Storm Cat broodmare lines so that is something in the mare’s favour.

Lot 637 Elahi (Giant’s Causeway-Tempest Morn) in foal to Dundeel

Elahi has a Mares’ Mating Index (MMI) rating of 590 which is 25% below the best. The PRI score is a modest 71%. However, there is some good news here. Of the ten SW of Dundeel, three have Storm Bird represented in their female line. The most relevant is Transact (Dundeel-Rap Tale, by Tale of the Cat) who was successful in the VRC St Leger over 2800m. Dosage suggests a strong stayer, so if you are looking for a potential Melbourne Cup horse, this could be it. You probably need a colt as all ten Dundeel stake winners have been of the male variety..

Summary

Before leaving the subject of Giant’s Causeway, a word about what a great racehorse this six times G1 winner was .One of these wins was the Irish Champion Stakes but his best performance was in the 2000 Breeders Cup Classic. He didn’t win, but his performance was that of a real Champion. Three times America’s top sire, European Champion horse in 2000, and now top broodmare sire. What is left to achieve?