Full Mandate...first foals exceptional; who's impressing you

[FOS]

hi all...

Foals from the first crop of young stallions are always interesting to see...and hear about. Are there any stallions whose first foals of 2005 have caught your attention?

I've seen a number of foals by the two Florida stallions...Full Mandate and Gulf Storm. Each reportedly bred books of 150+- in their first year at stud in 2004. The Gulf Storms that I've seen, seem to be completely different types than those I've seen by Full Mandate. Gulf Storm (Storm Cat out of Miss Turkana by Turkoman) seems to be getting a lighter-made type of foal that may need some time to come around...and expose some of the best of themselves. So instead of being critical...I'll give them some time...and possibly revisit them down the road.

Regarding Full Mandate (A.P. Indy out of Clear Mandate by Deputy Minister)...I've made it clear that All Things Considered...I thought he was quite the stallion prospect and great value when he began his career at stud in 2004.

That being said I looked forward to seeing some of his first sons and daughters (foals of 2005) when I had the opportunity. I have thus far seen seven of his foals...and to describe them as impressive and/or classic and/or athletic may not be sufficient...or at best may be incomplete and/or an understatement...and begs more detail.

The ones I've seen are from a diverse cross-section of mares...pedigree-wise...age-wise...size-wise...conformation-wise...racing-wise...production-wise etc etc etc. You get the drift.

I don't want to overstate it (as my opinion is based on seven foals)...but I don't want to understate it either...because what I've seen is rare (at least to my experience). The Full Mandates that I've seen are ALL very special. For starters...they appear to be extremely well-balanced and proportioned, quality thoroughbred foals...and as correct as young sucklings can possibly be (amazingly so)...with very good bone.

They are ALL sturdy...strong (including their pasterns and very clean hocks)...handsome (with heads that range from beautiful to breathtaking and trophy-like...you know the kind...wide through the eyes with a seemingly small muzzle...and some with a bit of a dish that suggests a look of royalty)...and all have intelligent bright eyes. I've seen bays and chestnuts...but the chestnuts outnumbered the bays.

When turned out (with their moms of course) their athleticism was clearly evident...and from every angle that I observed the foals, beautiful balance and superior conformation (even at this tender age) seemed to translate into seemingly effortless action and forward motion.

When I saw a Full Mandate foal for the first time (a filly by the way) I was so overwhelmed with her size...bone etc etc and how SPECTACULAR she was overall...I was quite taken. She was definitely one of the best (if not the best) foals I've seen in a long time. I would not draw a conclusion or even form an opinion based on one foal (although one foal could certainly leave an indelible impression)...but after I saw a 2nd Full Mandate...then a 3rd and a 4th etc etc etc...it was clear to me how consistent and outstanding they were.

My opinion (although arguably it is too early to etch it in stone) is that the Full Mandate foals that I've seen are nothing short of 'outstanding'...'special'...'superior.'

Time will tell...but WOW for now.

Who's impressing you?

Respectfully

[chicago78]

That's great to hear. I watched Full Mandate run a number of times in person, and didn't think he would make a good stud, because of his running style. He was basically a plodder, and didn't win a stake until he was 5. But he is an exceptionally good looking horse, and has the pedigree to match it.

[FOS]

hi chicago78

Full Mandate broke his maiden at age three going 7f in 1:23 3/5 then won an allowance race at Churchill going 1 1/16 miles.

As a 4-year-old...he won a $100,000 stake at Arlington (1 1/8 miles) and two allowance races (one at Keeneland-Rag #4 1/4 and one at Fairgrounds) each contested at 1 1/16th miles.

Regardless...his prowess as a young stallion seems to be quite impressive...it will be interesting to see how it all unfolds. It always is.

Best to you.

Respectfully

[chicago78]

My mistake, I guess he was 4. I was at the stake at Arlington, as our horse, Bonus Pack, was second by about a head. The thing that struck me was that Full Mandate wouldn't get into the race. His jockey, Rene Douglas, put him in a drive at the 7/8ths pole and had the whip out at the half mile pole, and he just barely got up. Bonus Pack was probably about 1 for 15 in photos, so he's not the best finisher ever.

Nonetheless, Full Mandate is a real good looking horse, was an expensive yearling, and his mother, Clear Mandate, won the Spinster and a few other major races. So he can make a sire on paper. But I was just not enamored with his running style.

We try and breed a few mares a year in Florida, and after your comments about Full Mandate's foals, we may take a look at him for next year.


thanks for the info, and best regards.

[FOS]

hi chicago78

You wrote "We try and breed a few mares a year in Florida, and after your comments about Full Mandate's foals, we may take a look at him for next year."

Not only have the ones that I've seen looked-the-part...but also (and very important in my book) Full Mandate himself is an Exceptional breeding-horse (by ALL accounts)...a Perfect gentleman...Very fertile and apparently 'stops-his-mares' (a very important detail...to say the least).

As for your horse Bonus Pack...to my way of thinking any horse that can dance as many dances as he did and earn a $half-mil in the process...is a nice-kind-of-horse.

Continued good fortune in your racing and breeding exploits.

Best to you.

Respectfully

[SteppingStonesFarm]

I saw a filly by Full Mandate yesterday and she was a very solid looking foal. Real good bone and very well proportioned. Her shoulder sloped a little more than I liked but her dam had the same issue. Good foal overall.

[ZiaLand]

::: adds Full Mandate to list of horses to see on Florida trip :::

Thanks!
Laurie