Northern Spur

[ct2346]

He stands in NY and I'm wondering why he's had so few foals. He crosses well with one of my mares, but I would have thought that a BC winner would have had more opportunity. I understand the Sadler's Wells in the US trepidation. Anyone have any insight?

[Karie]

well, way back when he stood in the Louisville area I called to book a mare.. I was told don't bother... you should breed to (a crestwood stallion) I thought it was really weird. So after the farm told me that- I wasn't about to breed to the stallion.

I called about him 2 years ago and was going to send my mare to him at the Lexington area farm and then got a better deal on another stallion.

I think his fertility isn't the GREATEST but just average..

[casper10]

Great family top (Sadlers Wells) and bottom (Aloe). Unfortunately he is much better suited to Europe. All stamina and turf.

[erins isle]

Sorry Casper10, but I do not think breeders in Europe are anxious to have him, since Marju, Blushing Flame and Second Empire are all sires from this family.

[geowarrior]

Well now we have more stamina races being carded, and we have always had good quality turf races. If you can somehow combine the stamina and turf with some dirt influence, you might get something nice and versatile.

[Pete]

Hi CT,

He stands in NY and I'm wondering why he's had so few foals.

I called Longfield Farm to inquire about booking mares to him I never received a return call. I did persist, was told that I'd hear from them and I'm still waiting, 5 years later.

That might have had something to do with the number of his foals.

Pete

[Elles]

I think on paper he looks TERRIFIC.

[Pete]

Hi Elles,

When it comes to stallions, teriffic is relative to need and price.

For North America he was never a model profile and probably would have been better served had he stood elsewhere.

Pete

[Elles]

But he did do part of his racing in America and earned $1,605,856 doing so.

[Elles]

http://www.google.nl/search?q=Oenothera ... art=0&sa=N

[Pete]

Hi Elles,

It's not abot his racing qualities anymore. Perhaps you missed my point.

Pete

[Elles]

Because of the distances you mean? Because you do have turf in America.

[Archy]

I had considered Northern Spur for my mare. I looked at his race record and was quite impressed. He's probably the most accomplished of the new sires coming into NY. BUT when you look at his production, you have to scratch you head. He had a smallish crop in his first year and the number went down from there.

There could be a number of reasons. To name a few:

1. Fertility problems
2. I heard that he had suspicious conformation (which can be evaluated upon inspectio)...I contacted the farm to see if they had a photo of him standing, not galloping, and they said that they will have one soon. I haven't seen one yet.
3. It would be that he was at a farm where there were not mares to support him. Why didn't they move him sooner???
4. The obvious is that he is a turf horse in America. At the time he started stud duties, it doesn't seem like there was a huge market for him. However, now maybe since English Channel and Miseque's Approval and other american horses have defeated the euros on Turf at the Breeder's cup, AND the fact the Nownownow is going to europe to train, there may be a revival of turf racing and breeding in the US. ALSO, the new marathon dirt race during the BC.

With that said, if his physical problems are just rumors, then he may the in the forefront of a new trend of breeding....stamina and turf.

[Karie]

called Longfield Farm to inquire about booking mares to him I never received a return call. I did persist, was told that I'd hear from them and I'm still waiting, 5 years later.

Yep! Same farm that I called.. They told my to breed my Doyoun mare to Explicit.. Yeah.. So I passed because of that.
I luckily called when the guy was in the office or I would probably be waiting for a call still.
Sad stuff. No wonder he didn't get any mares in KY.

[Pete]

Hi Karie,

Sounds like we were both given the Royal Longfield Treatment. At least they fed Northern Spur even if they treated him like Cinderfella.

Hi Archy,

I'm not as optimistic about a revival of distance racing in North America as you are.

Northern Spur's race credentials are impressive but at this point in his career he's a racehorse sire and with limited opportunity he's done reasonably well averaging a solid @$53,000 per foal and 57% winners from foals.

If anyone has questions regarding his conformation or disposition try calling Mike Lischin at Dutchess Views Farms whome I've always found to be forthright. I'd expect that he would give an honest apraisal of his conformation.

Pete