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Biggest freshman disappointment of 2008?

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:29 pm
by Bohemia
For me, it's Smarty Jones, hands-down.

But I also thought Canadian Frontier, who was a crack sprinter, might've done a little better. He currently has progeny earnings of just over $180,000.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 12:32 pm
by LB
Strong Hope, currently #43 on the 1st year sire list on a first year stud fee of $30,000. 29 runners, 8 winners, no repeat winners, no stakes horses.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:41 pm
by Fireslam
I can't say Strong Hope was a disappointment to me; he didnt even run at 2. No expectations there. Smarty Jones is definitely a surprise and disappointment. Couldnt have imagined he would have done so badly.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:52 pm
by bdw0617
perfect soul looks like a horrible sire. 28 starters out of 70, less than 1/4th of them won, and none of them won a second time

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:16 pm
by merse
perfect soul looks like a horrible sire. 28 starters out of 70, less than 1/4th of them won, and none of them won a second time


...and yet they keep his stud fee the same?

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:34 pm
by CS
Perfect Soul did not run until he was 4 - so no shocker that he isn't having a huge amout of 2 year old success. Frankly, he bred his best mares last year - and each consecutive year improved upon the previous - including last year. This year will most likely improve again on last year as well. Just give him time - he's been incredibly well supported and will be again in 2009.

Some interesting facts on Perfect Soul....
Below shows the CI of stallions in Perfect Soul's foal crop and the # of mares they bred. From the recent TBH Marketwatch: "It’s unusual to see a fourth-crop sire leading in any mare quality category, but we find the Darby Dan stallion Perfect Soul (IRE) with the highest CI among stallions standing for $15,000-$24,999 in 2008."

So not only does he lead his foal crop but his stud fee category as well by 2008 CI.

2006 First Foals (2008 CI) (# mares bred)

Perfect Soul (IRE)
2.91 94
Smarty Jones
2.25 92
Speightstown
2.21 117
Medaglia d'Oro
2.17 114
Pleasantly Perfect
2.16 58

$15,000-$24,999 stud fee range - all stallions

Perfect Soul (IRE)
2.91 94
Good Reward
2.28 58
Bold Executive
2.20 48
Harlan's Holiday
2.12 138
Point Given
2.10 70
Mizzen Mast
2.03 149
Unusual Heat
2.03 71
Touch Gold
1.92 100

And yes I've thrown my hat in the ring with him. I've got a coming 3 yr old Perfect Soul colt and a coming 2 yr old Perfect Soul filly. The colt has shown an amazing amount of promise - we just haven't pushed him early and I'm in no hurry to break the filly.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:43 pm
by bdw0617
CS wrote:Perfect Soul did not run until he was 4 - so no shocker that he isn't having a huge amout of 2 year old success. Frankly, he bred his best mares last year - and each consecutive year improved upon the previous - including last year. This year will most likely improve again on last year as well. Just give him time - he's been incredibly well supported and will be again in 2009.

Some interesting facts on Perfect Soul....
Below shows the CI of stallions in Perfect Soul's foal crop and the # of mares they bred. From the recent TBH Marketwatch: "It’s unusual to see a fourth-crop sire leading in any mare quality category, but we find the Darby Dan stallion Perfect Soul (IRE) with the highest CI among stallions standing for $15,000-$24,999 in 2008."

So not only does he lead his foal crop but his stud fee category as well by 2008 CI.

2006 First Foals (2008 CI) (# mares bred)

Perfect Soul (IRE)
2.91 94
Smarty Jones
2.25 92
Speightstown
2.21 117
Medaglia d'Oro
2.17 114
Pleasantly Perfect
2.16 58

$15,000-$24,999 stud fee range - all stallions

Perfect Soul (IRE)
2.91 94
Good Reward
2.28 58
Bold Executive
2.20 48
Harlan's Holiday
2.12 138
Point Given
2.10 70
Mizzen Mast
2.03 149
Unusual Heat
2.03 71
Touch Gold
1.92 100

And yes I've thrown my hat in the ring with him. I've got a coming 3 yr old Perfect Soul colt and a coming 2 yr old Perfect Soul filly. The colt has shown an amazing amount of promise - we just haven't pushed him early and I'm in no hurry to break the filly.


you homer lol, just kidding. good luck with the filly. I did't know he didn't run utnil he was 4.

i really can't go with smarty jones becuase while he was a good 2YO, he didn't really hit stride untl he was 3.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:55 pm
by bfinellc
I would say my top five (worst) are: Smarty Jones, Stong Hope, Perfect Soul, Ten Most Wanted and Spanish Steps. Ten Most Wanted only has two winners from 41 starters! Spanish Steps was much hyped in Florida and is doing ok, but not enough for me to be excited about him...especially since they jumped his fee to $10K after his first year at stud.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:00 pm
by bdw0617
bfinellc wrote:I would say my top five (worst) are: Smarty Jones, Stong Hope, Perfect Soul, Ten Most Wanted and Spanish Steps. Ten Most Wanted only has two winners from 41 starters! Spanish Steps was much hyped in Florida and is doing ok, but not enough for me to be excited about him...especially since they jumped his fee to $10K after his first year at stud.


spanish steps is the full brother to unbridled isn't he? he did get alot of hype. even had a 200k yearling

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 4:23 pm
by LB
bdw0617 wrote:spanish steps is the full brother to unbridled isn't he? he did get alot of hype. even had a 200k yearling


He's by Unbridled, and a fill brother to Unbridleds Song.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:26 pm
by merse
I am still surprized that they have kept Perfect Soul's price at $15,000 and that he continues to be well supported. Why do you think that is?

It seems like American buyers don't want a horse where you have to wait on the offspring to develop beyond July of their 2yo seaon.

I thought he was the best looking stallion at Darby Dan when I visited last year.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 5:41 pm
by bdw0617
well I actually like perfect soul, great pedgiree very good looking, and is something you don't see here too often..a decent turf pedigree. I hope he works out. I really do.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 7:28 pm
by ASB
Fipke has been very proactive in supporting the stallion with mares and along with DD have been quite good in marketing him.

Posted: Mon Dec 15, 2008 10:19 pm
by vallygirl927
Ten Most wanted....he did so poorly they brought him over here to California. (I'm not criticizing california, but you know there's something wrong when a stallions moves away from kentucky).

Posted: Tue Dec 16, 2008 1:11 am
by magic code
Action This Day, 43 starters & just 9 winners for a 2YO champ?