Pedigree Query

I am looking to buy my first broodmare and I was wondering if you can use GSV as part of the selection criteria. I found two broodmares one with a gsv of 68.48 (9yo) and the other 73.18 (5yo) (the Dam is the same for both Halos star). What are other factors I should be considering if I was selecting between these two.
I am just starting to do some homework before I get in and looking for some opinions. Which one would you select and why.

Brunswick Star -believed in foal to Even the Score

Ice star -beleived in foal to Medallist

Do your self a favor and employ a good analyst to look at any prospective mares you are considering. You will learn volumes from the info they give you and can apply that to later considerations. The money is well spent. Gsv can be usful, but never the total. You need to consider where and who are you going to breed these mares back to ..and..are you breeding to race or sell?

Here is the website of a GOOD analyst who won't cost you an arm and a leg. www.buildabetterracehorse.com Wayne Keller

This question is a very broad one. The two mares you ask about just RNA'd at F-T Timonium, one at $8k I believe, and the other $7500 or thereabouts.

That is a very tough question... in fact, perhaps the answer lies in that very sale itself. While those mares are relatively young, they failed to bring even the stud fee for each cover at that sale. There were far better mares than these in that sale for less than half of the reserves on these mares. If you are looking specifically in that area (PA/MD/NY/VA) I think you can do better, depending on the price.

Since this is your first broodmare, it really depends on how you intend to be involved, where you are located geographically, and what kind of resources are available to you.

Hi! Well, this is just my personal opinion....

I would be weary of buying a mare that didn't have a solid race record or production record and wasn't from a super strong female family. Unfortunately, the mares you selected fall into all 3 categories.

We got burned buy buying a mare with a poor race record who hadn't had horses hit the track yet. She had a phenomenal pedigree. It's too risky. This mare was from an OUTSTANDING female family and the foal's pedigree analysis was off the charts (GSV 75+ as well). Well, the mare never did produce anything.

We bought a new mare at FT-Timonium last year who was a useful racehorse (multiple allowance winner-sound with 43 starts- earned close to $100,000). She was by a very good broodmare sire and out of a strong tail female line (Pretty Polly). We got her super cheap (we eneded up buying her privately after the sale due to the lack of bids)because she didn't have fashionable commercial bloodlines (no ND or MP or Hot stallions)and was on the smaller side and was presented by her owners not a bloodstock agency.. Her 1st and 2nd dam threw runners- like all allowance/stakes horses which is VERY rare to have that kind of consistency.

She had only 1 to race and he was a winner (broke his maiden in a $20,000mcl). We took a chance and bought her. Her second kid hit the track this year and broke his maiden in his 3rd start. He's been placing in allowance races. So, so far so good.

If you really had your heart set on one of the mares you listed. I, personally, would go with Ice Star (even though her race record is blah). Only because, she has a stronger pedigree. Meaning- she has 4 colt factors and 3 filly factors. She sex balances Serenissima by having not 1 but 2 half brothers to Selene and she has full siblings 6 x 6. Of course, I just glanced at her pedigree so this is not super in depth.

Anyway, you could probably due much better for your money! There are diamonds in the rough out there!

BTW- I am assuming you are buying to race and not sell.

Good luck!

I was actually interested in looking at that hip 123 - Ice Star - because her page was pretty good. She was an okay physical type...just not big enough for my taste...the Brunswick model I did not check out because I preferred Eskimo on top.

The prices at the sale were pretty low....I actually picked up two of them. One of them I am trying to decide where to send in February. She is hip 55 - Constant Moon. She is a big Tiznow (no idea how he'll turn out as a BM sire but at this price willing to take a shot) with what I think is a wonderful page. Already moved her to KY so if there are any opinions on a stud for her, I would love to hear. With her there should be a lot of choices - she has no SC or Mr P. Would go to 10k if it brings breed to sell possibilities.

Thanks