Pedigree Query

Got a new graded stakes winner today in Giant Wrecker, who won the Canadian Turf Handicap (G III) at Gulfstream Park. I can't imagine such a lousy stallion getting quality winners, it just doesn't add up.

His 4YO filly Naissance Royale won the G3 Suwannee River H. on the same card.

He's too pricey, but as you know he's the #1 3rd crop sire of 2006 with earnings of $7,192,709, a mere $2.4 million ahead of his nearest rival.

G.C.'s North American earnings are just over 6 million, placing him #7 on the N.A. leading sires list. I would guess that is why his $300K price is no longer listed (private treaty).

Gee, George - Keyed Entry won the Grade 3 Deputy Minister Stakes today...I can't understand why Honour And Glory doesn't stand for $300,000 like Giant's Causeway does.

As far as Naissance Royale, she's GC's #6 lifetime earner - nice to know she's good enough to win a Grade III.

I saw lots of BIG races today...tell me how many GCs ran.

If there were breeders willing to pay a $300k stud fee for Honour and Glory, he would stand for such a fee. But there are not.

Both Honour & Glory and GC had Grade III winners today...and both have sired 2 Millionaires - maybe breeders should pay $300,000 to get to Honour & Glory on a comparative level.

The point is that market forces determine the stud fee that a stallion will be standing for in a season. What breeders are willing to pay is what stallions owners will charge. It doesn't really matter what people in forums vilify or glorify.

You've got me there, George!

Getting back to "quality" though, he sires 29% winners, which means 71% don't have the "quality" to win a race. The ones that do win can't be knocked as an overall group....but his top 5 lifetime performers have all been bred in Ireland. I think his niche is in Europe, not the USA.

I will say that GC figures to be a good broodie sire in time - if you look at the strength of the families he'd bred to, his daughters have no reason not to be good broodies.

Think about it...Naissance Royale was bred in Ireland and won a Grade III on the turf today....and Giant Wrecker also won a Grade III on the turf. Aragorn and Sharmardal were turfers...so what is GC doing here? Oonagh MacCool was a nice dirt filly, but she was also bred in Ireland.

If I want a "turf" sire, why not go to Dynaformer, Cozzene, Rahy, or More Than Ready? With those four, I have a fair chance at getting a pretty good dirt horse, as well.

there's no Sadlers Wells and Montjeu to compete for mares with at Ashford, Coolmore are spreading there options. He's worth so much now that they can't even afford to ensure him to shuttle.... I'm sure the owners of Shamardal, Footsteps in the Sand and Maids Causeway don't think he's rubbish either

Maids Causeway...another Euro, right?

His American best, First Samurai, won only one stake in 2006 (vis DQ)...yep, Euro grass is his forte - keep him there!

In one off the earliest posts about giant causeway I,ll wrote he is destined for turf breeding and that,s what he is. And perhaps due to circumstances he will give a dirter by accident.

Plus, GC has the second best book of mares in the country with mares with CIs of over 4.00!! He better hit some home runs with that book of mares!!

He won,t do the trick on dirt, maybe by accident. That could be with the mares he,s getting