Thoughts on Benchmark

GreenThumb · Postby **GreenThumb** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 4:23 pm

Hi all,

Just wanted to start a thread on Benchmark.
Idiot Proof heading to the breeders cup.
This guy is coming up with some very quality runners

Thanks

Rokeby Forever · Postby **Rokeby Forever** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 10:47 pm

I root for him because he's Alydar's last chance at keeping a line alive - and he's a son nobody wanted (starting out free to approved mares). Maybe Brother Derek can keep the line going.

kimberley mine · Postby **kimberley mine** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 5:42 am

Exceptionally good results with Bertrando mares carrying a strain of Raise a Native somewhere. Brother Derek is a variation of that cross, carrying Mr P-line sire over a Relaunch mare. Either way, the results have been very useful.

I'd love to see him what he would do with a Put it Back mare.

Sysonby · Postby **Sysonby** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 7:22 am

kimberley mine wrote:Exceptionally good results with Bertrando mares carrying a strain of Raise a Native somewhere. Brother Derek is a variation of that cross, carrying Mr P-line sire over a Relaunch mare. Either way, the results have been very useful.

How many was he bred to? River Edge's whole California program is Bertrando, Pirate's Bounty and now Benchmark and Tribal Rule and if you watch Barretts with any frequency, you get to see dozens of Bertrando x Pirate's Bounty and now Tribal Rule and/or Benchmark on top of Bertrando.

Is it a true nick or is it just what the stallion is being bred to over and over again (and some work out)?

zinn21 · Postby **zinn21** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 12:42 pm

Good point Sysonby. I do think Benchmark is a very good stallion. It will be interesting to watch his post Brother Derek babies perform. He's stood to large books of quality mares since BD.

Sysonby · Postby **Sysonby** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 6:49 am

The thing is that the Benchmark x Bertrando nick (not to mention both stallions) has the benefit of Wygod's money just like General Meeting had the benefit of Golden Eagle. If you look in the database, there are no fewer than 37 horses by Benchmark out of Bertrando mares and that can't be complete--the real number has to be twice that. I didn't see an Auction Edge for the recent Barretts sale but the data has to be eyeopening.

That said, 3 of them have been graded SWs (Proposed, Silent Sighs and Idiot Proof--all bred by Wygod incidentally) and that's not easy to do no matter how much money you have. Golden Eagle tried to do the same thing with Souvenir Copy and General Meeting mares and got no graded SWs. Golden Eagle also couldn't make Event of the Year even though he got massive support.

GreenThumb · Postby **GreenThumb** » Sun Oct 14, 2007 11:05 am

Hi,

I was thinking relaunch and no robbery were the keys to benchmark. Inbreeding to the axe II and it seems alydar likes no robbery and more of the axe II hurts no one. On paper alone what do you think about this.....

http://www.pedigreequery.com/axe+point