hypomating

[mightyhijames]

i understand breeding is a very inexact science but, if i'm reading it right, the breeding goal (on paper) is to have the dosage index and center of distribution be as close to 0 as possible. but actual performance on both dam and sire side should be a large/the deciding factor? in other words, breeding two low/non-performing horses will most likely produce a non-performing offspring, regardless of DI and CD, is that right? is it ever a good risk to breed a low/non-performing to a high performing if the DI and CD are good?

how does a werk rating tie into the DI and CD, if at all?

many thanks in advance.

[crazy canuck]

I hope someone answers your questions as I'd like to know more about hypomating as well.

[KamiBrooks]

is it ever a good risk to breed a low/non-performing to a high performing if the DI and CD are good?

Breeding theories aside... One way to sort of answer your question would be to pull up the pedigrees of horses running at the lowest claiming levels at lower tracks. (Thistledown is open right now, and they have some pretty low claiming prices). Then compare them to the pedigrees of horses running in allowance races at somewhere like churchill downs.

The two individuals being bred are the biggest factor in the foal that will be produced. Even the best of horses can produce a dud, but statistically a low/non-performing race horse will produce more of the same (slow, or unsound, or too crazy to train... what ever the source of the non-performance)

Werk vs DI/CD = two differnt theories

DI/CD = all males in pedigree, w/calculation based on the horses named as chef-de-race no matter where they appear in the pedigree, but adjusted according to how far back they appear - does not consider input of any females in the pedigree

Werk = calculation of sire's tale male line success w/dam's sire tale male line, w/no adjustment no matter how close or far back, no adjustment for multiple horses from a single good match, no adjustments for linebreeding/RF or other (potentially) contributing factors. Does not consider any horses other than those in the two tail male lines.

[henthorn]

Everyone knows longshots sometimes win, but consistent quality comes best from quality actions and bloodstock. Save your money for studying and learning little by little before jumping in with your money. One really nice mare that's a proven producer of quality stakes horses and is bred to a nice stallion is a much better investment than a whole handful of lesser mares bred to any stallion.

Even with the best stock and management, only a minority of foals are superior runners. Do as I say, not as I have done.

[louis finochio]

The SSI=Standards Starts Index is a guide to the class of each mares APR. 1.00 is a low SSI figure, 12.00 is a high SSI figure, as you would purchase the higher SSI mare before purchasing the low SSI mare.

[mightyhijames]

The SSI=Standards Starts Index is a guide to the class of each mares APR. 1.00 is a low SSI figure, 12.00 is a high SSI figure, as you would purchase the higher SSI mare before purchasing the low SSI mare.

this is all good stuff, thanks to all for your response.

[geowarrior]

How are the SSI and the SI actually calculated?

[Pete]

Hi MightyHiJames,

The SSI figure that Louis refers to is found on the APR (American Produce Record). It's analogous to the AEI (Average Earnings Index) and it represents an approximation of the quality of the performance of the race horse based on earnings per start. A mare that raced will have her own AEI or SSI and so will her foals (that have raced). An SSI (or AEI) of 1.00 for any race indicates that the horse earned the average for that race of all horses racing (in North America) for a particular year (it changes slightly year to year).

You don't mention if the breeding would be to race or sell and that’s always important.

Kamibrooks makes it clear that both the Dosage and Werk numbers use only stallions. CD it’s an anticipation of aptitude, not quality. Hate to be harsh but if you're breeding by Dosage find something better to do. Werk is based on 'nicking' patterns and that can be a broad topic. Again, it shouldn't be a primary consideration in your mating plans.

Henthorn is absolutely correct. Far better to start with a quality mare that has attributes that you can leverage. Joe Estes long ago proposed that better race mares make better broodmares.

A basic rule of thumb is to consider your breeding based on:
1 - Race record
2 - Conformation
3 - Pedigree

Breeding is a lot like playing the lottery. If you use better quality of stock then you’ll have more live tickets. It’s your money but breeding by the numbers is a fool’s game. Beware.

Regards,

Pete

[mightyhijames]

boy, sounds to me like, if you're a numbers person when it comes to breeding, this mare on equine.com would merit consideration:

WATCH MY FIRE M, 1991 DP = 4-1-8-5-2 (20) DI = 0.82 CD = 0.00