FIRST DEFENCE

Barcaldine · Postby **Barcaldine** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 2:39 pm

Has any horseman here seen him in person? I've been meaning to go look at him but haven't yet. His foals have sold well for the most part. I just bought a granddaughter of TOUSSAUD that I want to breed back to one of her kin. BODEMEISTER would be my top pick but he will probably be priced too high for this mare.

DDT · Postby **DDT** » Fri Jul 27, 2012 3:23 pm

Barc

If it is Modulate you are talking about I like this cross on paper, but then I have not seen either of these two individuals and have no idea about the physical match, but on paper it looks like a winner to me.

DDT

Derby2004 · Postby **Derby2004** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 5:59 am

What about Divine Park? Hes a son of Chester House, who was a helluva stallion

jeff9061 · Postby **jeff9061** » Sun Jul 29, 2012 5:15 pm

Have seen him several times. Like him a lot. Doesn't fit the typical US body type mold. But is still very well balanced and athletic. Toes out pretty bad in the right (I think) front, but not so bad that it could stand between him and a G1 victory I guess. I, like you, find a lot of outstanding crosses to him. The stigma of US sons at stud is still hanging over his head, but I find his pedigree, presence and body type very appealing if you can get by that right front. I have not seen many foals to know if that is an issue being passed on in significant way. I have some pics and will try to post if I can find them.

Barcaldine · Postby **Barcaldine** » Tue Jul 31, 2012 12:59 pm

Thanks, Jeff. I appreciate your observations. I need to get over to Juddmonte and look at him, too. Luckily this mare is very correct so a toe-out isnt a deal killer.

You're right--the US factor is a big drawback. I hate the unsoundness that is part of his package. First Defence seems to have avoided the same four-start-careers of so many US sons, so perhaps he's more of his dam's son. I noticed that a first-time starter by him ran second in MSW at Saratoga on Sunday so that early sign is good.

jeff9061 · Postby **jeff9061** » Sun Nov 04, 2012 5:55 am

Was reminded of this post when watching the Juvenile Turf yesterday. In my opinion, First Defense's Dundonnell was probably the most impressive horse in that race. He had a miserable trip. Wide first turn while trying to stay close up front, which is usually a killer in itself. He took up a bit, then came hard to get back into contention and was stopped in his tracks on the second turn. He had to regather himself up again and then go out three or four wide -- and he still made the front out there at the top of the stretch. Taking nothing from the winner, but this First Defense son really showed glimpses of talent and a burst that we unfortunately never really got to fully see I think.

Ok, all that said, I believe this horse's dam is a full to Danehill -- he's getting a little help there, I imagine. And I don't know off hand how many other winners FD is throwing. But he does have this one young horse in his first class that I'd put up there with any foal of 2010.

Barcaldine · Postby **Barcaldine** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:43 pm

Amazingly, Juddmonte kept his 2013 stud fee at $7500 in spite of his siring a very good Group winner as well as a number of good-selling yearlings.

I booked two mares to him. One is a granddaughter of TOUSSAUD so I will be anxious to see how a 3 x 3 inbreeding to her works out.

Barcaldine · Postby **Barcaldine** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 5:44 pm

Amazingly, Juddmonte kept his 2013 stud fee at $7500 in spite of his siring a very good Group winner as well as a number of good-selling yearlings.

I booked two mares to him. One is a granddaughter of TOUSSAUD so I will be anxious to see how a 3 x 3 inbreeding to her works out.

karenkarenn · Postby **karenkarenn** » Tue Nov 13, 2012 6:51 pm

He is built more like Seattle Slew than Unbirdled song.