breeding contingency plan

[Pav]

I am breeding my mare (Gloriousexcitement) to Roar in CA. She didn't get pregnant on her first breeding cycle, and we are trying one more time. Due to his fertility issues, I have a provision in my breeding agreement to go to another stallion if she doesn't get pregnant this cycle, so I am trying to come up with a contingency plan. I would like to stay with a stallion at Rancho San Miguel:

Bartok
Formal Gold
Comic Strip
Marino Marini
Storm Creek

Most of these stallions are in the same price range, so say cost isn't an issue. Does anyone have any breeding suggestions? I am personally leaning toward Formal Gold, although Marino Marini intrigues me (3x4 to Relaunch, and 4x4 to Halo). Most likely breeding to sell. Thanks in advance.

[kimberley mine]

Honour and Glory has had decent results (3 winners from 3 named foals) with Black Tie Affairs, so an extended reverse cross makes sense. Plus they have other "hooks" (namely bringing in both Mr P and more Buckpasser) that look good. I like Formal Gold best of all the options.

I'd avoid Comic Strip with her, as his good ones are few and far between. Not what you want for a commercial foal.

Marino Marini--his first foals have just hit the ground. Commercially he could be a hit. I like him 2nd best behind Formal Gold as a racehorse sire and he's probably the most commercial on the list.

Storm Creek--no opinion (positive or negative) on him. I just don't have a good enough feel to offer one either way.

Edit to add: Bartok gets great results but I don't see anything in her pedigree or the damsides of his best runners that suggests they'd click.

[tbrace]

Looks like a nice mare.

There are some nice stallions at RSM. Marino is interesting. Actually, this is his second year. His oldest foals are now yearlings. Word is that the second crop is better than the first.

MM could be a very good commercial stallion. As they point out at the ranch, he came a head within standing in KY.

Formal Gold is a good solid race sire. Why people don't by his foals is a mystery to many. His numbers are better than Roar's, but he is not as marketable as is Roar.

Storm Creek can also get good runners. He has just been quiet this year. I don't look for that to last. He is too good of a sire.

That said, You won't go wrong with any of these three sires if you get a good individual.

I think I'd avoid Comic Strip and Bartok with your mare.

[Pete]

Hi Pav,

Bartok has fertility issues as well so I'd not use him.

Formal Gold and Marino Marini are interesting matings with your mare.

I'd usually o a little more work but I'm going to bed. I'd suggest Formal Gold. A ton of line breeding with your mare, he gets some good runners and you know that Mr. Prospector has worked (Carson City) in your mare's sisteer.

Good Luck,

Pete

[BargainBlueblood]

From a breed-to-sell standpoint, Marino Marini may prove a better return on investment than Formal Gold, though I agree the latter is a very useful sort who is somewhat underrated.

[Sysonby]

I don't know what decision you made Pav, but besides the Preakness, Saturday is sort of Formal Gold day at Pimlico. Heart Throbbin runs in the Grade 3 Hirsch Jacobs while Semaphore Man is in the Grade 2 Sprint. If he hadn't gotten sick, Adore the Gold was being considered for the Preakness.

Pretty good for a $5000 fee as the two running are live in both races.

[Pav]

Thanks for everyone's response. Fortunately, I just found out yesterday may mare is in foal to Roar. I agree with most, and think that Formal Gold is a heck of a value at $5k - will definitely consider him for next year. It will be interesting to see if his sales numbers go up with his recent successes on the track. Thanks again!

[Pete]

Hi Pav,

Glad to hear that your mare is in foal.

It's doubtful that Formal Gold will get much help in the sales ring from his current good winners.

Commercially I agree with BargainBlueblood that Marino Marini would have better upside potential but hopefully you'll have the best of both in Roar.

Regards,

Pete

[Sysonby]

It's doubtful that Formal Gold will get much help in the sales ring from his current good winners.

That was my point in the Buddha thread. There comes a time when a stallion is pigeon holed even if its a bit unfair. When that time comes, the stallion will need a superstar (even then I'm not convinced that Azeri helped Jade Hunter all that much).

As for why Roar sells better than Formal Gold, my belief is that buyers are just as shallow as the rest of us and they like to buy pretty horses. The Roars tend to be a good looking bunch and a tad more precocious than the Formal Golds.

Good luck with your baby, Pav.

[Pete]

Hi Sysonby,

Good comments. Azeri may have gotten Jade Hunter a few more mares but not much else.

Slew City Slew has gotten larger books with good performers like Lava Man and Sis City and a fee boost from $5,000 to $6,000.

Regards,

Pete

[zinn21]

Pav, coming in late but I am glad she is in foal to Roar and you didn't need to go to a contingency plan. I think Roar is one of the top three or four sires in California..

Good Luck!