Happy Friday!
Alys recently spent some time with both Zenyatta and her colt. She sent us these photos of Zenyatta getting some attention in her stall and the yearlings enjoying winter weather out in the paddock.
We are also proud that Bloodhorse has named the birth of Zenyatta’s colt the most popular story of 2012. You can see the whole “2012 in Review” newsletter by clicking this link.
Debbie G/Kentucky
Wow, I was a few days behind on the posts and just started trying to catch up and I’m shocked at some of the nasty comments I’ve read. That is not what this blog is about. It is all about love, kindness, friendship and, of course, Zenyatta. As some of the other posters have stated, I’m scared that this kind of negativity might get Lanes End to shut down the blog. Can’t we all just get along?!
Speaking of love and friendship, tomorrow is Martin Luther King Day. Dr. King is one of my heroes. I still get chills listening to his I Have a Dream speech. I hope everyone has a blessed day honoring this great man.
Congratulations to Wise Dan and all the other Eclipse Award winners. I thought for sure that My Miss Aurelia would win, but I do like Questing. It scared me half to death when she didn’t finish her BC race. I was so relieved that she wasn’t seriously injured. The last thing racing needs is another breakdown.
Trina Nagele in SoCal
Dr. King is one of my heroes too. I feel the same as you listening to his speeches. So sad his life was cut short. Our country could have benefitted greatly from his continued guidance.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Trina:
Amen. Hugs, JB
Trina Nagele in SoCal
Speaking of Dr. King, Eyes On the Prize just tied for second in Race 8 at SA. He’d been in the lead for a while!
Sandy (Northeast Ohio)
Debbie,
I was just thrilled about “my Questing” :-) Her injury and not finishing the race was the only disappointment of the BC for me. Amen about Dr. MLK!
Sandy
Debbie G/Kentucky
Sandy, I do love Questing. Come to think of it, that was my only disappointment at the BC too!
Trina, I love that name! Eyes on the Prize is definitely a most fitting name for MLK.
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Debbie G,
If you think things said on the site were nasty.
The comments on your personal e-mail would
make your hair stand on end. There is a lot of behind
the scenes planning and frenzied work going on.
Jennifer
Hi Debbie…
I really hope Z’s blogs aren’t shut down. Myself and many others enjoy reading them and seeing pictures. I hope others don’t ruin this for the rest of us.
♥♥ Auntie Judy aka JAG ♥♥
♥ Amen, Debbie! ♥
Zenyatta was about Love and Repect and all Things Good and Positive! How about we remember that, PLEASE!
♥ Feeling the Love from Zenyatta and Prince 12Z! ♥
AJ from CA
2 cats version of sharing dinner…check it out:-)
http://screen.yahoo.com/Cats-Pass-a-Bowl-31527668.html
Peggy (N) South Georgia
A J That was Too Cute,……………………………………….
Trina Nagele in SoCal
Amazing!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear AJ:
Loved that video. Thank you. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear AJ,
This is a great site a very cute video.
♥♥ Auntie Judy aka JAG ♥♥
Isn’t that funny!! I saw that on youtube :-)
JAG
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Dear Judy Berube,
Thank you for the answer to my questions, I was wondering about Rachel and Vertineux. Did you get to see Charlie. Hope Charlie, GG and Lula Mae are all doing well.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Peggy:
You’re welcome. I think I’m in the ballpark on RA’s due date.
Yes, I did see Charlie and GG today. Thank you for asking for them.
Charlie looks wonderful. Saw him for the first time in a while without his blanket on today because the temp was in the low 50’s this afternoon. He has put on weight and muscle and no longer any sign of rib bones.
GG is still limping some, but is so much better than when we got her. Angela is cleaning the abscess site and its still draining. So, hopefully, she will keep improving.
Lola Mae is fine. She met GG and some other horses today. They all want to sniff her little face and she allows it. Too funny. Each horses head is bigger than she is. Love and Hugs, JB
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Peggy:
Carol had more info on RA and Vertigineux which she posted on Page 15. Hugs, JB
Linda in NJ
Hello Everyone:
Last night was quite a night for the Eclipse Awards. Congratulations to Wise Dan on his wiinning of the 2012 HOY! I am so happy I had a chance to see him at the Breeders’ Cup.
Also Congratulations to Dale Romans winning the Eclipse Award for Outstanding Trainer of the Year. In fact, a clipping was shown of Dale greeting fans at his barn, and there was our Auntie Judy! Not too bad Judy to have a shot of you shown at the Eclipse Awards.
Another exciting note was made that 2012 was a great year for horse racing. Attendance was up amongst other things. I hope we have another great year.
It was a great evening!
All the best!
– Linda
Trina Nagele in SoCal
High hoof, Judy! Thanks, Linda–the BC was a blast! Let’s do it again next year.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Auntie Judy:
Way to go. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear JAG,
Thought I recognized that face in the Dale Roman’s clip.
Bet you had fun seeing Shackelford and all of the other horses.
♥♥ Auntie Judy aka JAG ♥♥
♥ Hi Linda Dumpling! ♥
I got your email, too. BLUSH BLUSH :-)
There were other Dumplings present: Anne from Paramount and Karen Gogue (just to name two.) Thanks for mentioning me! :-D It was a very fun day – who knew it would be shown on the Eclipse Awards!!!! I just happened to be on that side because of the way we were unloaded from the trams LOL
Have a beautiful day! JAG
Janet Newman
Sue/FICPRC
Hope this link works from bloodhorse. I usually find a lot of replays there.
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/race/race-results/all-racing/2?startDate=1%2F19%2F2013&endDate=1%2F20%2F2013&searchStateBredPlacers=False
Sue/FlCPRC
Yes thanks you just have to select the 4th race. it is amazing
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Janet,
This is a great link to watch replays.
Watch it when I miss them on HRTV.
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Wow Janet and Sue,
That was a great 4th race. I would rather as an owner spend the money up
front in training with John Shirrieffs rather than on the backside in injuries and recovery.
Can you imagine how much Paynter’s bills are: hundreds of thousands of dollars?
Janet Newman
Found a picture of one of Genuine Risk’s foals all grown up.
I loved her Kentucky Derby win. Had problems foaling, but she lived to age of
31 and passed peacefully in her paddock.
http://finalturngallery.com/g2/main.php/v/Catincas-Photos/alpha/g/9_Genuine_Reward.jpg.html
carolinarkansas
I think he is at stud in Wyoming …if memory is working …..
Janet Newman
Yes, he is a sire of poly ponies mainly from what i read.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Janet:
Thanks for this photo. Beautiful Boy. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Janet,
Lovely boy, remember hearing about the difficulty Genuine Risk had producing and
when she produced her first she acted so very proud of herself.
Abigail_1849
Janet: Just LOVED seeing this photo! And yes, in my research Genuine Reward was at stud and producing polo ponies. I still bemoan the fact that Genuine Risk’s Secretariat foal was born dead. Imagine what that baby could have been!
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Max:
That is too cute. Yes, hope she does better this time. Oh my gosh, I didn’t know about her chasing JS. Only TT! Would love to see a photo of her colt too. Hugs, JB
carolinarkansas
Oaklawn was amazing ….American Sugar may be one to keep an eye on….ran off in the Dixie Belle Stakes….no one even close …..
Tomorrow the Smartly Jones …..first two turn test for 3 yr old boys this yr…think its worth 10 KD points ….I plan to be sitting on the finish line ….hollaring loudly…
Zenny ….love to you and BigBoyZ
Kisses and carrots for all
Keta
carolinarkansas,
Go Brown Almighty!
If he wins, Shari Voltz class will get rootbeer floats!
So, they are all hoping he will win.
Have a fun day!
Hugs,
Keta
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Carol,
So glad you got to Oaklawn this weekend. Hope it was not too cold.
Glad you are going to the Smartly Jones (ha ha ha !!!, who cares a typo??? my fingers
move too quick, too). Have fun seeing those 3 year old boys trying to get on
the KY Derby trail. Keep us posted. Make sure to hollar for all of us.
Kathy R.
Black Caviar news from the Adelaide Advertiser:
http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/superracing/trainer-peter-moody-wants-makybe-diva-treatment-to-start-black-caviar-in-newmarket-handicap/story-fn67lu29-1226557741949
Keta
Kathy R
What’s good for one horse is good for another! Right?
Hugs, Keta
Kathy R.
Dear Keta: The “favouritism” issue is a bit of a touchy one with racing here. When Lee Freedman insisted on the track being watered to suit Makybe Diva before her last Melbourne Cup there was a lot of, let’s just say unhappiness on the part of other trainers, and the punting public. It also comes back to haunt us when we bring internationals out for the Cup season, and they complain about the rock hard tracks, and ask for watering (like Dermot Weld and Aidan O’Brien, for example). Don’t think it’s a good way for Nelly to finish her career if this is the way it’s heading! Hugs, Kathy R.
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Kathy R,
Thanks for the update. Thought Hay List was one of her “arch rivals”. Will be fun to see the weights.
Kathy R.
Feral Filly news: (for Ann!)
Skysportsradio has a programme on Monday called “Punters Postmortem” with the host, and Deanne Lester (Victoria) and Ron Dufficy (NSW). Deanne is an owner, and has a mind like a steel trap on racing facts, horses and trainers. Ron is a former jockey and small time breeder. Both are colleagues of Keta’s mate, Andrew Bensley. Deanne is not sure that Miracles of Life will end up in the Blue Diamond (which will be run in 4 weeks time) – he thinks the preparation time is too long for a 2 year old, but thinks we will know more after the “Feral Filly” races this Saturday.
Ann NC
Thank you so very much,Kathy R.
Saturday….come on girl,show em, what you got!
Hope she runs well and stays sound and then…..can be ready for the Blue Diamond.
She is very exciting!
Hope things are better for you folks?
Kathy R.
Dear Ann: I too hope she goes well on Saturday – want more pictures, she’s so pretty! The temperatures are a little cooler over here, but the belief is that the fires in large parts of Victoria and NSW will rage until we get continuous solid rain. So far the stock losses are in the many, many thousands – largely cattle and sheep, and untold numbers of wildlife. The wallabies, wombats and kangaroos are just starting to emerge with severe burns, and will die, and the birds die from lack of oxygen when the fires roar through. Australia is a filthy, filthy place for bush fires, unfortunately. Hugs, KathyR.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Z, Prince and Baby Z:
Goodnight and sweet dreams. Love you, JB
Keta
Unusual Heat maintains stranglehold on California sire lists in 2012
By Steve Andersen Daily Racing Form 01/17/2013 3:01PM
Unusual Heat continued his reign as California’s leading sire for the fifth consecutive year in 2012. Judging from his attitude in recent weeks, there may be no change to the rankings in the near future.
On a recent visit to Harris Farms in central California, stallion owner Madeline Auerbach witnessed firsthand the vivacity of the 23-year-old son of Nureyev.
“We make a habit of coming once a month to see him,” Auerbach said. “They had been moving some mares. He was [upset]. He ran to the fence and started hollering. He was questioning where the mares were. When I saw that, I thought: He wants another breeding season.
http://www.drf.com/news/unusual-heat-maintains-stranglehold-california-sire-lists-2012
Keta
Brad Spicer of SpicerTbreds tweet
disappointing news that COMMANDING JEWEL will have minor surgery
and will be missing from the Autumn carnival .
Be back in time for Spring .
Kathy R.
Dear Keta: Just went into total brain fade – saw Commanding Jewel and my smoke addled brain saw Atlantic Jewel – trained by Mark Kavanagh (owned by Coolmore) who may be back this season! Now I’ll just take a de-e-e-p breath and make that appointment to get new glasses!
Keta
Kathy R
Trust me that happens to all of us.
In my case, it is a “senior” moment.
Hugs, Keta
Keta
Woodford Stallions LLC tweet & link
LEROIDESANIMAUX & GREATNESS Atop TDN’s APEX Ratings
Leroidesanimaux and Greatness Atop TDN’s APEX Ratings
In the latest round of Bill Oppenheim’s APEX statistics published Jan. 16 in TDN, LEROIDESANIMAUX (BRZ) and GREATNESS are the only two Florida stallions represented in the top tiers. The APEX population of stallions captures how well stallions have done at siring horses who achieve top class levels as determined by annual earnings.
http://www.woodfordstallions.com/2013/01/leroidesanimaux-and-greatness-atop-tdns-apex-ratings/
Peggy (N) South Georgia
Keta
Thank you so much for this article. Just Love Leroi. Trying to keep up with all his offspring too.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Keta:
Great articles on Leroi, RD and Charming Kitten. Thank you. Hugs, JB
Max
Keta. Very interesting article. Johnny V recently said at Woodbine that Leroi and Wise Dan are so good to ride that they are freaks. Glad to see Leroi doing so well as a sire.
Keta
Dominguez Showing Improvement
By Blood-Horse Staff Updated: Sunday, January 20, 2013 4:50 PM
Three-time Eclipse Award-winning jockey Ramon Dominguez, diagnosed with a displaced skull fracture as a result of a spill Jan. 18 at Aqueduct Racetrack, is improving as he remains in the intensive care unit at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center, according to his agent.
“He’s slowly progressing each day,” agent Steve Rushing said via text Jan. 20. “He’s talking a little bit more today.”
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/75725/dominguez-showing-improvement#ixzz2IZSmMU8R
Keta
Charming Kitten Wins Kitten’s Joy for Ramsey
By Jack Shinar The Blood-Horse Updated: Sunday, January 20, 2013 8:43 PM
Odds-on choice Charming Kitten, a son of Kitten’s Joy , won the $100,000 Kitten’s Joy Stakes (VIDEO) for 3-year-olds on the turf at Gulfstream Park Jan. 20.
Ken Ramsey took extra pride in the win since he and his wife, Sarah, bred and race Charming Kitten and also bred and raced his sire, the 2004 Eclipse Award champion turf star.
“I’m overjoyed,” exclaimed Ramsey when asked how it felt to win the Kitten’s Joy with a Kitten’s Joy. It was the first stakes win for Charming Kitten.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/75732/charming-kitten-wins-kittens-joy-for-ramsey#ixzz2IZS6lqo1
Keta
Tom Hall tweet on Race
Appropriately, Kitten’s Joy sons run 1-3 in listed Kitten’s Joy S at Gulfstream:
Charming Kitten, 1st; Redwood Kitten, 3rd
Barbara Wood (Texas)
@AJ from CA– thanks so much for the kitty video. Reminds me of my 20-year-old “grandkitty”.
@Judy B.–thank you so much for the video concerning MMM’s birth. Fascinating. I do hope he does well and that they find what the recent problem is.
Continues prayers fro Ramon D.
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Barbara,
Posted the article from Daily Racing Form today, seems like he just
did not like the track. Mike thought when he held his head up so
high he was in physical stress. Kathy Ritvo and vet went over
him, he is fine, no need for more extensive vet evaluation. He will
be back on the track training on Monday. Thanks goodness.
So funny how they react to a track they don’t like, Shackelford just
did not run, MMM ran and then said “I hate this and am going to stop”.
shirleeinindy
So glad Muchie is okay. Did anyone else notice that he has big Zenyatta and Z12 ears? Hope when he retires he goes to Kentucky so more of us can go visit him. Lots of pretty ladies waiting there for him.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Barb W.:
Me too. Hugs, JB
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Permalink | Reply
January 18, 2013 at 9:04 pm
APPROXIMATE ZENYATTA DUE DATE
Announced Zenny in foal, May 8, 2012 – assume this is the 45 day US, as 30 was preliminary last foaling.
Breeding around March 24, 2012; Approximate foaling date – February 28, 2013
Today Zenny is approximately 300 days in foal.
Let he pacing begin !!!!
Martha SP
Dear Keta, Sandy, and Trina: ♥
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Hey Martha !!!
Keta
Martha
And, back to you
Hugs, Keta
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Judy, Ann, Janet, Peggy N,
Santa Anita race 4 was something.
Having JS as trainer, owners pay up front
and not in injuries and lost time on the
backside. Much better for the horse.
He is a very special trainer and person.
judy berube from Rhode Island
Dear Sign:
Yes, he is. Hugs, JB
Peggy (N) South Georgia
He is Great
Janet Newman
Agree with all of you. I would not worry about any horse in his care.
Ann NC
The horse world is a much better place because of him.
Hugs to all…..
Sue FCPRC
I will be adding Market Quote to my racing list for updates. I believe she is special. Just think if she actually breaks from the gate clean what can happen next time.
Trina Nagele in SoCal
Dear Sue, I’m adding Market Quote to my Equibase Virtual Stable too. High hoof!
Janet Newman
Looking forward to Z13
How many of you think he/she will be a grey?
I have always loved when they start out almost black or pretty steel grey.
I wish that coloring would stay, but as they get older they get almost white or white.
Having seen pictures of Unbridled’s Song, they are growing on me.
I also have problems if it is grey or gray and have seen it both ways and that drives me crazy. Oh well, just an informal poll.
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Janet,
The most beautiful time for me is when the gray/grey horses are a few years old
and they have a black mane and tail and a dappled dark grey body. So very beautiful,
so loved Winter Memories as she was close to those colors. As for being all
white, tooo much work to keep them clean. However, a grey/gray horse does finally turn white. I rode one that was white on and off and all of the time spent rubbing out
those dirty brown areas, whew !!!!
Max
Sign. I agree. Keeping Hansen clean must be a full time job.
You did not answer Janet’s poll question about the color of the Tapit baby. I would like the new foal to be gray, but I think that 13Z will be a bay like his or her mom. Z genes are strong.
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Max,
I am hoping for a grey filly. Tapit has some pretty strong stamps of his
own. More than Bernardini, it seems.
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Out of Tapits 8 top performers:
6 are grey/roan
only 2 are bay
There are two that do not have colors listed, one is Turkey and
the other in Japan – his highest money earner $4 million +
Trina Nagele in SoCal
Gray or grey? That’s a question which has bothered me too, Janet. Here’s a reassuring answer.
http://grammarist.com/spelling/gray-grey/
Gray vs. grey
Gray and grey are different spellings of the same word, and both are used throughout the English-speaking world. But gray is more common in American English, while grey is more common in all the other main varieties of English. In the U.K., for instance, grey appears about twenty times for every instance of gray. In the U.S. the ratio is reversed.
Both spellings, which have origins in the Old English grǽg, have existed hundreds of years. [Usage today is mostly a matter of personal choice.] There are at least a couple of exceptions, though: greyhound, for the breed of dog, always has an e, while grayling, which refers to several types of fish, always has an a.
Sue FCPRC
It’s all Graey to me…
Max
Trina. Big thank you for this. This thing has bothered me too, but I am now going with gray for spelling, not hair however.
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Max and Janet,
The real question is not grammatical, it is what spelling is used to reference
greay horses.
In all of the stallion directories it is GRAY, so that is
the spelling that should be used for horses.
Janet Newman
Thanks Trina,
I have always used gray the majority of the time.
Skip Ean
I truly appreciate this clarification. Thank you, Trina!
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Max,
Great video of Storm Cat, love that one.
Too bad no visitors.
Max
Sign. I wonder if he had visitors before he was pensioned? Storm Cat and Danzig are great US horses. The Danzig line as you know is prominent on the distaff side of Frankel through Danehill. I keep thinking about how lucky Bullet Train is to be in Kentucky these days away from those icy blasts. For Sheena’s sake, I hope that they get normal weather over there soon.
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Zenny Fans and Shack Fans,
Here is Shack’s breeding advertisement – coming down the lane with that white blaze
“shack attack”
http://www.darbydan.com/Shackleford.html
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
This is actually the link to his breeding page published by Darby Dan.
Very very very nicely done, a good competitor to Darley’s stallion pages.
Very colorful
AJ from CA
Sign – thanks for that nice link on Shack; would love to visit him one day.
sheena.davies(wales)
dear max I hope we get normal (as in rain) soon too still very cold over here and affecting all the racing we have a soft spot for grey horses over here so am hoping Z will deliver a fine healthy grey foal rachel’s is due on feb 18th according to stonestreet twitter think she delivered a week earlier last time hope all goes well for the 2 great mares hugs sheena
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Sheena,
Wishing you some warm weather, too. Yes, I remember Rachel delivered a
week early. Thanks for the “news” about her. Have not gotten to that
site recently.
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Sheena,
Found this to share; UK weather in a picture gallery. Looks very much like
Ohio and the midwest, maybe even KY. Stay warm.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningpicturegalleries/9814105/UK-weather-in-pictures-another-day-of-snow-and-freezing-temperatures.html
Max
Sheena. Yes, I know that greys are well loved in the UK. You have an annual race for them alone. It must be a sight to see an all grey race. Here’s a link to an article on this race with a photo.
http://www.newmarketracecourses.co.uk/about-the-home-of-racing/latest-news/2012/august/raceday-round-up-18th-august/
Kathy R.
Dear Max: We have an all grey race during the Melbourne Cup carnival – they look just lovely! The race takes place on Ladies Day. Will post you some shots when the Cup rolls around in November!
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Zenny Fans, Dumplings and All,
Meeting with you in the morning uplifts us
and gets our day off to a good start.
For we know You hear our words and will show
understanding to our hopes and needs.
All through the day, Blessed Lord, please guide me
safely and surely wherever we go, whatever we do.
Help us to reach our goals.
We ask this not only for ourselves, but for
each of our fellow Zenyatta friends.
We want You close beside us today and always.
AMEN
HAVE A BLESSED, HEALTHY AND HAPPY DAY !!!
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
BLOODHORSE: ECLIPSE AWARD 2012 SLIDE SHOW
http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/slideshows/slideshow/2012EclipseAwards/2012-eclipse-awards
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
BLOODHORSE: PEDIGREE ANALYSIS; FRANKEL’S CHOICE
Pedigree Analysis: Frankel’s Choice
Updated: Thursday, January 17, 2013 7:59 PM
Posted: Tuesday, January 15, 2013 1:32 PM
Photo: Mathea Kelley
(Originally from the January 5, 2013 issue of The Blood-Horse)
Over the last seven years 16 different horses by the great sire Galileo out of mares by the great sire and broodmare sire Danehill have won black-type races, six of them classic winners or champions. The convergence of bloodlines that overwhelming success represents may in fact be the principal—if not the only—impediment to the stud career of the best representative of that cross, the mighty Frankel.
Frankel retires to stud this year at Khalid Abdullah’s Banstead Manor Stud in Newmarket as the undefeated winner of 14 races and owning the reputation as the greatest horse to race in England in the contemporary era. As an all-time great racehorse, the chances of Frankel’s being a complete failure in his second career are virtually nil. Among the great horses of the 20th century who earned anything like that kind of acclaim during their racing careers, even America’s Citation and England’s Brigadier Gerard, both widely regarded as failures at stud, sired classic winners.
Whether Frankel can become a truly epochal sire to compare with the undefeated Italians Nearco and Ribot hinges on just how well his pedigree meshes with the pedigrees of the best racemares and broodmares of his era.
Frankel’s sire, Galileo, has led the English sire list three out of the last four years, and will surely do so again. Galileo’s sire Sadler’s Wells broke just about every record for a European stallion, leading the sire list a record 13 consecutive years, and 14 out of 15. Sadler’s Wells was deposed as leading sire in 2005 by Danehill, sire of Frankel’s stakes-winning dam, Kind.
Sadler’s Wells took over as leading broodmare sire in England in 2005 and topped that list for the next six years until supplanted by Danehill in 2012.
Since few breeders like to inbreed 3×3 or closer, Frankel’s pedigree effectively eliminates daughters or granddaughters of the three best sires of the last 20 years in Europe, Galileo, Sadler’s Wells, and Danehill, as potential mates. That turns out to be quite a substantial proportion of the potential pool of high-class racemares and well-related fillies that breeders might consider spending £150,000 on for a nomination to Frankel.
For example, over the last five years in England, Ireland, and France, 71 different fillies have won at least one of the 22 group I races in those three countries restricted to females (not including fillies such as Danedream who beat colts in open group Is). Of those 71, 28—almost 40%—are either by Galileo or carry Sadler’s Wells or Danehill in the first two generations. In other words mating almost 40% of the best fillies in Europe over the last five racing seasons with Frankel would create 3×3 inbreeding or closer, a degree of incestuousness most breeders try to avoid.
Although the Juddmonte management will almost certainly prefer top racemares over less talented runners for Frankel’s book, the issue goes deeper. In his incredibly prolific stud career, Sadler’s Wells, Frankel’s paternal grandsire, sired 1,147 fillies, including 123 black-type winners. Obviously many of those are dead or otherwise out of service, but there are perhaps several hundred Sadler’s Wells mares 10 years old or younger that would be eagerly accepted in almost any other stallion’s book.
Similarly, Danehill sired 651 fillies, including 83 black-type winners, in the Northern Hemisphere alone, which are unlikely to appear in Frankel’s book. Likewise, top fillies by sons of Sadler’s Wells and Danehill such as Montjeu, Danehill Dancer, Dansili, or out of mares by Sadler’s Wells or Danehill would produce what is usually considered excessive inbreeding.
Since Frankel is the product of a cross between the two most powerful current forces in the English Stud Book, he will be largely deprived of the benefits of those bloodlines in forging his own stud career.
That does not mean that his book will be bereft of quality mares or quality bloodlines. Indeed, Abdullah owns three of the 43 female European group I winners of the last five years who would not produce excessively close inbreeding (Announce, Midday, Special Duty) when mated with Frankel. It would be surprising if one or more of those names do not appear in his first book. One can hardly imagine a more interesting prospect 31⁄2 years hence than the 2-year-old debut of the offspring of Frankel and Juddmonte’s champion Midday, by Oasis Dream.
Read more on BloodHorse.com: http://www.bloodhorse.com/horse-racing/articles/75584/pedigree-analysis-frankels-choice#ixzz2Ic15qDwP
Skip Ean
Perhaps you should have your own category on this blog…don’t you think?
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
DAILY RACING FORM: OAKLAWN – SMARTY JONES STAKES
(hope it is a good one, Carol)
http://www.drf.com/news/oaklawn-smarty-jones-stakes-chance-avare-emerge-kentucky-derby-contender
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
Dear Zenny Fans, Dumplings and All,
Revisiting the diary and found this wonderful entry
and Zenyatta’s being honored by the Professional
Buisness Women of California.
WAY TO GO ZENYATTA PROFESSIONAL WOMAN !!!!
https://staging.zenyatta.com/diary/diary-post-235
signofthetimes; President of the Texas RN Club; RN philosopher
THE TOPICS WERE:
CONNECT
EXPLORE
INSPIRE – Zenny’s topic.
YOU ARE A TRUE INSPRIATATION TO ALL WOMEN ZENNY, GOOD SELF-ESTEEM,
STRENGTH IN CHARACTER, SELF-WORTH AND INDEPENDENCE !!!!
sheena.davies(wales)
dear max love watching the special race for the greys thanks for the link one race where the commentators cant say”here comes the grey” do you remember the famous desert orchid a much loved grey with a statue at kempton hated cheltenham but won
the gold cup in 1989 in dreadful conditions hugs sheena
@sign thanks for the slideshow of snowy scenes gone worse in england today hugs sheena
Max
Sheena. Dessie was a great horse. Here is a link to the story of how Desert Orchid was named, and the importance and poignant beauty of finding just the right name for a horse. It is something which Jerry Moss appears to understand very well.
http://www.famousracehorses.co.uk/dessie/desped.htm
Trina Nagele in So Cal
Beautiful story, Max. Thanks for sharing.