Pedigree Query

I think that Sunriver (Saint Ballado-Goulash) is a very good stallion prospect. Sunriver won graded stakes races on dirt and on turf. Sunriver also is a full brother to Ashado (twice top filly and winner of nearly 4 million dollars) and to stakes winner Saint Stephen. I believe that Sunriver should be considered an excellent prospect for stud.

Sunriver is inbred to Halo's dam Cosmah 3 x 5 and her dam Almahmoud 4 x 5 which I think is a good thing. That is the only inbreeding within 5 generations. Sunriver's dam, Goulash, is a daughter of Mari's Book, a son of Northern Dancer. Goulash is also a granddaughter of Blushing Groom.

It seems to me that Sunriver has a lot going for him as a stallion prospect. Does anyone here agree with me? I would like to hear some opinions about this.

he's standing in NY,, thats what is not going for him.

Things not going for him:

Stud Fee of $12,500- insane

By Saint Ballado-Not a noted 'sire of sires'

Out of a Female Family that has not produced highly successful stallions

Commercial buyers will shy away from the fact he did break his maiden at 2 but at 1 1/8...not exactly distance they look for when pushing quick 2 year old sale horses. In other words, lacks the tactical speed/early brillance pinhookers seek.

Oh, did I mention stud fee.

shall we even touch on the stallion stake series "oops" with Empire?

I was affected by that "oops" at Empire and at first I was quite upset, but they made conciliatory offerings in attempts to make up for it. I have found them to be very friendly and accomodating.

I become more upset with farms that are less than forthcoming regarding their fertility problems. Nothing frosts me more than losing cycles.

Boy, you guys are tough.

I agree that it would be nice if he was in Kentucky. I was surprised to hear that he was standing in New York.

His fee is pretty high for a New York stallion, but it is probably negotiable.

As far as the New York Stallion series, I don't know much about that. I am hoping for Sunriver to get a big horse on a national level.

As far as Saint Ballado not being a sire of sires, I don't think that many of his best sons have been at stud for very long. I think that Saint Liam may have made it big as a sire, but he died after only one season at stud.

The death of Saint Liam was a big disappointment to me. I felt that he was the best chance for Saint Ballado's line to continue on, being that he was on one of the biggest farms in Kentucky and getting high quality mares.

Saint Ballado was a very good stallion IMO. Saint Liam, Ashado, Captain Bodgit, etc.

Anyway, despite the things going against Sunriver that have been pointed out here, I am hoping against hope that he does make it big as a stallion, and does get a few good ones that could end up on some of the better Kentucky farms.

One good thing. I understand that Sunriver was bred to 90 mares in his first season. I don't know of the quality of the mares, but I am hoping for the best.