Pedigree Query

According to the Stallion Watchhttp://www.thoroughbredreview.com/ ... nWatch.htm


Best Values, $7,500 - $10,000

1. General Meeting ($10,000 Golden Eagle Farm, CA) - Very rare to see a horse at this price who can get classic-type Grade 1 horses; hands down the best value for breeders trying to improve their racing program.

2. Citidancer ($7,500 Country Life Farm, MD) - Despite chroninc fertility problems and small crops, this horse continues to put up terrific numbers year in and year out. Best value at any price in the region.

3. Silver Ghost ($7,500 Lanes End, KY) - Established himself as a tried and consistent sire without a flashy race record to jump start his career; sire of 3 Grade 1 winners.

4. Devil His Due ($10,000 Margaux Farm, KY) - Not the most eye-pleasing foals in the world, but they can run; have to be careful what type of mare you send him.

5. Benchmark ($7,500 River Edge Farm, CA) - Has made the most of the opportunities afforded to him when seasons were being given away; surprised all of us.

Re the two California representatives:

Both General Meeting and Benchmark have been unbelievably well supported by their connections who are some of the richest people in racing. Golden Eagle and River Edge may well be one and two in the quality of their broodmare bands in California. My impression is that there aren't too many decent General Meetings which weren't produced by Golden Eagle or Benchmarks that weren't bred by the Wygods.

While their numbers have been eyecatching, I like to see more average breeders and mares having success with a particular stallion. I guess my point is sometimes you have to look beyond the numbers and figure out who is doing it and how.

I would agree with Devil His Due and Silver Ghost. They get hard-knocking runners consistently and they can produce the "big" horse. I would agree with the assessment of General Meeting by Sysonby. Most of his runners have come from the Mabees General Challenge, Excellent Meeting, etc.

What about Matty G? Crafty Prospector? Jade Hunter? If you are breeding to race it would be hard to go wrong with any of these.

Of course if best value refers to commercial success then almost nothing other than a 1st or 2nd year horse will qualify.

Twisted isn't it?

I really like the way the people at thoroughbredreview.com do things and I have been in contact with them a few times but I would really like to see them add such stallions as Barkerville, Pleasant Tap, and Wagon Limit to the ranks of their supported. I also think Arch is starting to really fit the profile of stallions they endorse.

Roving Boy, the age of Crafty Prospector and Jade Hunter would rule them out for me.

hi sb

How about Out of Place at $7,500...and he can get a Very good looking one.

He's been a bit quiet for a while...but his current advertised stud fee seems to take that into account.

Respectfully