Pedigree Query

I heard that Exchange Rate got his first winner recently, and in Italy (interesting).
What are your opinions on Exchange Rate as a sire? (realize that I don't have any mares to send to him, this is just pure curiosity).
Reason I ask is that his picture was one that really stood-out for me in the stud book...I'm not a good judge of conformation but there was something about him that I liked, just the overall look of him.
What do more informed/educated eyes think?

hi StrawberryFelidos

Exchange Rate...in the flesh...is a nice-looking horse in general...he makes a good first impression (but be assured he's not a Yes It's True-type). He doesn't have the bone or substance that his former Padua stable-mate (Yes It's True) has...his neck sits a bit high in his shoulder (the way I see it anyway)...and he might lean toward being a bit upright...but Exchange Rate's still a nice horse regardless.

Danzig is not known for siring many Top-class sons at stud in North America...but I sense that this guy has a chance to be a good one. Maybe not right off the bat...as he was significantly overpriced at the outset which I expect affected his appeal. As I recall there was a downward stud fee adjustment his second season at stud...and subsequent to the reduction, he seemed to attract better support.

He's a nice one and very well could make it.

Respectfully

There were five Exchange Rates at Fasig-Tipton Mid-Atlantic. The mares didn't impress on paper.

Would love to hear an opinion or two on this mating....

Sugar Exchange
dark bay/brown colt
Exchange Rate-Sugar Lane

FOS and others-

Would love to hear your opinion on the types of mares Exchange Rate might work well with, with all the Northern Dancer, Native Dancer, Prospector and Raise A Native in him.

Rahy and Kris S immediately spring to mind.

hi Ill Bred

I suggest that to best enhance Exchange Rate, mares that are very sturdy...offer plenty of bone...and have some length...might best be suited. A mare with a good slope/angle to her shoulder is probably wise also. Exchange Rate's a pretty horse and is easy to look at overall...but I recommend...breed some substance to him.

Some sire-lines or sires whose daughters (grandaughters etc) might be interesting to cross with him include...Pleasant Colony...His Majesty...Seattle Slew...Valid Appeal...Halo...and if you have a strongly-made Buckpasser-line mare, that might work also...

...and I wouldn't ignore certain mares by sons, grandsons or great-grandsons etc of Mr Prospector or Raise A Native (examples: Gone West...Unbridled...Alysheba) despite the fact that Exchange Rate's out of a Seeking the Gold mare...and his 4th dam is by Raise A Native.

Exchange Rate is a nice horse...but I suggest he could benefit from some help from his mares...don't breed a lightweight to him.

Respectfully

Hi FOS,

Your comments on conformation are always insightful (hmm - that's not to imply that your other comments aren't

I don't disagree with you, but one of the Exchange Rate's in the MD sale was out of a lighter boned, more refined mare (according to the breeder) and yet he had substance.

Pete

hi Pete

Exceptions can remind us of how challenging this "game" can be.

Isn't that part of the lure...it seems like very little (if anything) is etched in stone.

Best to you.

Respectfully

Hi there,
Glad to hear Exhcange Rate looks pretty good from a conformational standpoint. His pictures are striking, although I can tell he seems a little on the light side- kinda made me think he looked athletic and trim, whereas a lot of the studs in the book have more bulk and look kinda burly What can I say, I like the skinny boys.
That's my very unprofessional opinion, and I will say I hope he does well in his career!

Hi Strrawberry,

It's probable that the Stallion Register picture of Exchange Rate was take before he stood much time at stud - he looks too racy.

Over time most stallions fill out due to maturity and the rigors of mating that give them size in their shoulder and hind end.

Pete

Thanks for the insights. I'm a Danzig fan so I hope Exchange Rate surprises some people....

Thought I'd revive this thread since Exchange Rate has gotten a few GSW in Ermine, Xchanger, and Swap Fliparoo.

What are people's thoughts on Exchange Rate at this point? He hasn't been much of a commercial success, but he is showing signs of getting runners.

I believe that the Florida farm managers just named him stallion of the year as well. Based on his crop sizes/number of foals he is having a wonderful year. We have a weanling filly of his and she is quite a good looker. I think his 10k fee is a very fair price for a stud considering his numbers and his upside potential.

http://www.thoroughbredtimes.com/stalli ... no=4321428

FOS's assessments seem pretty accurate.

He's definitely a little light in bone/substance, but the overall look is fairly pleasant.