hi guys
Recently Pete wrote (while on another topic) "I'm already on record saying that Lion Heart will be the leading freshman sire (of 2008)."
I suggest it's quite sporting to go on record while Lion Heart's initial season at stud (northern hemisphere of course) is still going full throttle.
In response...I suggested that "...I believe that Omega Code (by Elusive Quality) might very well be the sleeper (for Leading Freshman Sire of 2008)."
Who's your choice for North America's Leading Freshman Sire of 2008 (meaning...stallions whose first year at stud is 2005).
Respectfully
Leading Freshman Sire of 2008...in North America
Moderators: Roguelet, WaveMaster, madelyn
Smarty Jones may be leading freshmen sire.
Smarty Jones verses Birdstone will make a nice story in the stud barn. Smarty Jones will get the mares that help make a sire successful. Are the stud fees of Fusaichi Pegasus and Giant's Causeway ridiculus especially when you see sires like Holy Bull and Northern Afleet siring classic winners at the fraction of the steep stud fees. Stud fees combined of the top three finishers in the Derby and Preakness do not even add up to $100,000 combined. Elusive Quality started out quite reasonable but isn't a $100,000 stud fee ridiculus. The sires of the top three finishers of the Preakness are Northern Afleet, Fit to Fight, and Holy Bull. I am routing for Medaglia D'Oro to be leading freshmen sire of 2008 as I have a mare by El Prado.
Keith
Keith
hi Keith
You wrote that you're "...rooting for Medaglia D'Oro to be leading freshmen sire of 2008..." but also write that "Smarty Jones will get the mares that help make a sire successful"...
...all "rooting" aside...is Medaglia D'Oro your #1 choice for Leading Freshman Sire of 2008...if so, he certainly seems to be a live-one ? He's apparently attracted strong (and enthusiastic) support at his $35,000 advertised stud fee.
Respectfully
You wrote that you're "...rooting for Medaglia D'Oro to be leading freshmen sire of 2008..." but also write that "Smarty Jones will get the mares that help make a sire successful"...
...all "rooting" aside...is Medaglia D'Oro your #1 choice for Leading Freshman Sire of 2008...if so, he certainly seems to be a live-one ? He's apparently attracted strong (and enthusiastic) support at his $35,000 advertised stud fee.
Respectfully
Interesting question.
I think that Lion Heart, along with Speightstown, will be the biggest sensation at the sales when that first crop is born and begins to sell. Of course the Smarty Joneses will sell well too--but for a 100K stud fee, they should. The challenge, to me, is to try and figure out who's going to be a big hit in a more "affordable" price range. I wish I'd had a mare that fit with Lion Heart this year, I would love to have bred to him.
But leading freshman sire of 2008? My vote there goes to either Chapel Royal or Peace Rules.
I think that Lion Heart, along with Speightstown, will be the biggest sensation at the sales when that first crop is born and begins to sell. Of course the Smarty Joneses will sell well too--but for a 100K stud fee, they should. The challenge, to me, is to try and figure out who's going to be a big hit in a more "affordable" price range. I wish I'd had a mare that fit with Lion Heart this year, I would love to have bred to him.
But leading freshman sire of 2008? My vote there goes to either Chapel Royal or Peace Rules.
hi LSB
A VERY interesting duo...Chapel Royal and Peace Rules.
I suggest...Peace Rules is NOT the physical specimen that Chapel Royal is...regardless PR was one heck of a racehorse...and it will be very interesting to see each of their first crops fare at the races. Both are apparently being afforded HUGE opportunities.
Yes...Lion Heart and Speightstown might be all the "sensation" at the sales (I expect both will reap the benefits of some of the best hype...advertising etc...that money can buy) but when their offspring are on their own...in the starting gate...things can change quickly...and perception is often subject to a rude awakening...quickly.
2008 should be a very exciting year for freshman sires...but I am still amazed at the enthusiasm surrounding Omega Code...and what appears to be an incredible opportunity he's getting.
So far the top choices are (and their 2005 advertised stud fees)...
Lion Heart....$30,000....1-vote
Medaglia D'Oro....$35,000....1-vote
Chapel Royal....$10,000....split-vote LSB
Peace Rules....$15,000....split-vote LSB
Omega Code....$7,500....1-vote
There have been several mentions of Smarty Jones and a mention of Speightstown...but neither has received a definitive #1 pick...yet.
Respectfully
A VERY interesting duo...Chapel Royal and Peace Rules.
I suggest...Peace Rules is NOT the physical specimen that Chapel Royal is...regardless PR was one heck of a racehorse...and it will be very interesting to see each of their first crops fare at the races. Both are apparently being afforded HUGE opportunities.
Yes...Lion Heart and Speightstown might be all the "sensation" at the sales (I expect both will reap the benefits of some of the best hype...advertising etc...that money can buy) but when their offspring are on their own...in the starting gate...things can change quickly...and perception is often subject to a rude awakening...quickly.
2008 should be a very exciting year for freshman sires...but I am still amazed at the enthusiasm surrounding Omega Code...and what appears to be an incredible opportunity he's getting.
So far the top choices are (and their 2005 advertised stud fees)...
Lion Heart....$30,000....1-vote
Medaglia D'Oro....$35,000....1-vote
Chapel Royal....$10,000....split-vote LSB
Peace Rules....$15,000....split-vote LSB
Omega Code....$7,500....1-vote
There have been several mentions of Smarty Jones and a mention of Speightstown...but neither has received a definitive #1 pick...yet.
Respectfully
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Coquinerie
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Although I like all mentioned, and especially like Omega Code, im going to go with Cuvee. A graded winner at 5.5f to 8f. He has talent, his sire is Carson City and the CC son's this year have all started off hot... and his dam is a half to very fast Olympio who sires speed as well. Cuvee seems very much a forgotten horse but he showed brilliant talent and some heart. I would image with his fee he'll get a little of everything mare wise and I do know he was booked full.
hi Coquinerie
The precocious and very fast G1 winning 2-yo Cuvee (who stands for $10,000 LF 9/1) is a very interesting selection for Leading Freshman Sire of 2008...particularly when reminded that another very fast son of Carson City (Five Star Day) is off to such a bang-up start this year (and Five Star Day didn't even race until age three)...hmmm.
You wrote "...I do know (Cuvee) was booked full." Coq...do you know how big a book he's expected to cover this year?
Respectfully
The precocious and very fast G1 winning 2-yo Cuvee (who stands for $10,000 LF 9/1) is a very interesting selection for Leading Freshman Sire of 2008...particularly when reminded that another very fast son of Carson City (Five Star Day) is off to such a bang-up start this year (and Five Star Day didn't even race until age three)...hmmm.
You wrote "...I do know (Cuvee) was booked full." Coq...do you know how big a book he's expected to cover this year?
Respectfully
Hi FOS and LSB,
Actually, I believe I said that Lion Heart would be in the top three freshman sires. Normally I'd reserve judgement until I saw what he's getting (quality of foals), had a chance to review his book and do a little more homework.
That said, I will go on record as saying that he will be the top freshman sire - without qualification. I'm not predicting that he'll be a sensation, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if he becomes an important sire.
I agree with LSB that Lion Heart will be well received at sale. From simply a commercial standpoint I think he will reward breeders in his first two years and at this point in time I project that he will remain a solid commercial choice right through 2008.
Regards,
Pete
Actually, I believe I said that Lion Heart would be in the top three freshman sires. Normally I'd reserve judgement until I saw what he's getting (quality of foals), had a chance to review his book and do a little more homework.
That said, I will go on record as saying that he will be the top freshman sire - without qualification. I'm not predicting that he'll be a sensation, but it wouldn't surprise me at all if he becomes an important sire.
I agree with LSB that Lion Heart will be well received at sale. From simply a commercial standpoint I think he will reward breeders in his first two years and at this point in time I project that he will remain a solid commercial choice right through 2008.
Regards,
Pete
Hi FOS,
I respect your eye. You've made lots of interesting and valid points about conformation and from your posts I presume (not to put words in your mouth) that you value conformation above performance and pedigree when selecting a stallion. I value conformation and phenotype (based on some of the anomalies in a given family or sire line) highly, but I value performance most of all. I love the commercial 'pop' I can get from pedigree, but my anticipation of a stallion's potential success is only moderately affected by pedigree.
The following are my opinions and I'll be proven right or wrong in varying degrees over time. I'm willing to go on record with my thoughts and mean no disrespect towards anyone or their thoughts about stallion in this or any other thread.
Cuvee
Until I saw his foals, I wouldn't breed to Cuvee, nor recommend him to my clients. He was more precocious than most of the other Carson City sons at stud but I don't see him being much different in profile. Cuvee didn't defeat the best of his generation, rather some nice but unremarkable youngsters and he was strictly second tier as a 3yo.
Five Star Day is getting foals who are quite different physically from other sons of Carson City (I posted extensively about this in another thread) and until I see his foals, I don't see anything in Cuvee to make me believe that he will be different from Lord Carson, Good And Tough, Boone's Mill, etc. Five Star Day may well prove past his initial success, but Lord Carson got off to a fast start too.
I can see first year breeders getting some good prices at sale but I would want to see his foals and follow Five Star Day and City Zip's success before I could recommend breeding to him. If Five Star Day and City Zip don't follow through, I believe we'll see Carson City sons being less well regarded commercially in the coming years.
Omega Code
I've only seen his Register picture and he's a good looking buck. His sale price of $350k (vs. $113k average) made him the most expensive Elusive Quality 2yo sold in 2002 and that helps confirm his conformation and precocious speed. He ran a freakishly fast time as a 2yo and was a G3 winner at 3. He's a half sibling to the nice router, Tempus Fugit though it's odd that Code was so different on the track from his sibling. Omega Code's sire line is commercially hot.
I didn't see the race when Omega Code ran a 1:07.7 setting the track record (at Fresno I believe) and I didn't see the times or charts of any race on that card. Very fast time, but the field was simply dreadful. Runner-up Smokin Mike is still a maiden (through 2004). Timely Jeff (who ran 4th) developed into a restricted stakes placed horse, but most of this field proved to be no better than cheap claimers. The time - especially at 2yo, is brilliant, the field awful. His SSI speed rating for this race was only 95, despite the time
I feel that I can get a good picture of Omega Code's quality from his third place finish in the Gilded Time Stakes where he was soundly defeated by the listed SW, Cat Genius. Desert Warrior finished second and though he has a very interesting pedigree he proved to be no better than a nice allowance horse that picked up the pieces in a few stakes.
Omega Code did win the G3 San Miguel against a 5 horse field in the fast time of 1:08.3 (and received an SSI rating of 102). The quality of the field wasn't strong, but it was stakes quality. Only Bossanova (finished 5th in the San Miguel) would race on to become a graded winner (other than Omega Code).
Omega Code ran two fast races in his career and otherwise was only able to gain stakes bracket in the Gilded Time where he was third (to an nice allowance caliber colt). His lifetime record of 12-3-3-1 earning $183,847, (never more than $95,310 in a season) is uninspiring. Other then the San Miguel, he didn't win a race at 3 or 4 (I'm assuming that his 4 year old season may have been affected by injury since he didn't hit the board in 3 starts).
On performance, Omega Code falls far short of what I demand in a stallion. If you (FOS) didn't think so highly of him, I'd never give him another thought. If he's getting a large and strong book, coupled with his standing in Florida (environmental advantage), I think he may get some early winners, but I'd not expect him to be an impact stallion. It's possible that Elusive Quality will prove to be a sire of sires and that would help him, but at this point in time, that too is uncertain.
A very valid comparison to Omega Code in freshman stallions is Scrimshaw who stands for $6,500 (compared to Omega Code at $7,500). He won both starts at 2, winning a maiden and allowance race, but that allowance race was a solid stakes caliber field (though his competition may not have been fully developed) and he defeated Ghostzapper and Eye Of The Tiger. Scrimshaw's excellent time of 1:08.3 in that allowance race earned him an SSI rating of 104. Scrimshaw has a similar race record to Omega Code, 13-4-0-2 but far more earnings at $461,842 and he is classic placed. He won the Lexington Stakes (G2) against a strong field defeating Eye Of The Tiger, Domestic Dispute and Trust N' Luck.
Scrimshaw was a similarly expensive 2yo ($550,000, 1st of 5) and his sire is already the sire of a successful (if overrated) sire in Thunder Gulch.
If Scrimshaw's foals look good, I'd consider recommending him to clients to breed to him in his 3rd and possibly his 4th year. I can't say the same about Omega Code.
Regards,
Pete
I respect your eye. You've made lots of interesting and valid points about conformation and from your posts I presume (not to put words in your mouth) that you value conformation above performance and pedigree when selecting a stallion. I value conformation and phenotype (based on some of the anomalies in a given family or sire line) highly, but I value performance most of all. I love the commercial 'pop' I can get from pedigree, but my anticipation of a stallion's potential success is only moderately affected by pedigree.
The following are my opinions and I'll be proven right or wrong in varying degrees over time. I'm willing to go on record with my thoughts and mean no disrespect towards anyone or their thoughts about stallion in this or any other thread.
Cuvee
Until I saw his foals, I wouldn't breed to Cuvee, nor recommend him to my clients. He was more precocious than most of the other Carson City sons at stud but I don't see him being much different in profile. Cuvee didn't defeat the best of his generation, rather some nice but unremarkable youngsters and he was strictly second tier as a 3yo.
Five Star Day is getting foals who are quite different physically from other sons of Carson City (I posted extensively about this in another thread) and until I see his foals, I don't see anything in Cuvee to make me believe that he will be different from Lord Carson, Good And Tough, Boone's Mill, etc. Five Star Day may well prove past his initial success, but Lord Carson got off to a fast start too.
I can see first year breeders getting some good prices at sale but I would want to see his foals and follow Five Star Day and City Zip's success before I could recommend breeding to him. If Five Star Day and City Zip don't follow through, I believe we'll see Carson City sons being less well regarded commercially in the coming years.
Omega Code
I've only seen his Register picture and he's a good looking buck. His sale price of $350k (vs. $113k average) made him the most expensive Elusive Quality 2yo sold in 2002 and that helps confirm his conformation and precocious speed. He ran a freakishly fast time as a 2yo and was a G3 winner at 3. He's a half sibling to the nice router, Tempus Fugit though it's odd that Code was so different on the track from his sibling. Omega Code's sire line is commercially hot.
I didn't see the race when Omega Code ran a 1:07.7 setting the track record (at Fresno I believe) and I didn't see the times or charts of any race on that card. Very fast time, but the field was simply dreadful. Runner-up Smokin Mike is still a maiden (through 2004). Timely Jeff (who ran 4th) developed into a restricted stakes placed horse, but most of this field proved to be no better than cheap claimers. The time - especially at 2yo, is brilliant, the field awful. His SSI speed rating for this race was only 95, despite the time
I feel that I can get a good picture of Omega Code's quality from his third place finish in the Gilded Time Stakes where he was soundly defeated by the listed SW, Cat Genius. Desert Warrior finished second and though he has a very interesting pedigree he proved to be no better than a nice allowance horse that picked up the pieces in a few stakes.
Omega Code did win the G3 San Miguel against a 5 horse field in the fast time of 1:08.3 (and received an SSI rating of 102). The quality of the field wasn't strong, but it was stakes quality. Only Bossanova (finished 5th in the San Miguel) would race on to become a graded winner (other than Omega Code).
Omega Code ran two fast races in his career and otherwise was only able to gain stakes bracket in the Gilded Time where he was third (to an nice allowance caliber colt). His lifetime record of 12-3-3-1 earning $183,847, (never more than $95,310 in a season) is uninspiring. Other then the San Miguel, he didn't win a race at 3 or 4 (I'm assuming that his 4 year old season may have been affected by injury since he didn't hit the board in 3 starts).
On performance, Omega Code falls far short of what I demand in a stallion. If you (FOS) didn't think so highly of him, I'd never give him another thought. If he's getting a large and strong book, coupled with his standing in Florida (environmental advantage), I think he may get some early winners, but I'd not expect him to be an impact stallion. It's possible that Elusive Quality will prove to be a sire of sires and that would help him, but at this point in time, that too is uncertain.
A very valid comparison to Omega Code in freshman stallions is Scrimshaw who stands for $6,500 (compared to Omega Code at $7,500). He won both starts at 2, winning a maiden and allowance race, but that allowance race was a solid stakes caliber field (though his competition may not have been fully developed) and he defeated Ghostzapper and Eye Of The Tiger. Scrimshaw's excellent time of 1:08.3 in that allowance race earned him an SSI rating of 104. Scrimshaw has a similar race record to Omega Code, 13-4-0-2 but far more earnings at $461,842 and he is classic placed. He won the Lexington Stakes (G2) against a strong field defeating Eye Of The Tiger, Domestic Dispute and Trust N' Luck.
Scrimshaw was a similarly expensive 2yo ($550,000, 1st of 5) and his sire is already the sire of a successful (if overrated) sire in Thunder Gulch.
If Scrimshaw's foals look good, I'd consider recommending him to clients to breed to him in his 3rd and possibly his 4th year. I can't say the same about Omega Code.
Regards,
Pete
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Coquinerie
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StrawberryFelidos
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hi Pete
You wrote "...I presume (not to put words in your mouth) that you value conformation above performance and pedigree when selecting a stallion."
Pete...without some level of Performance and Pedigree (which is acceptable to me based on my parameters)...I don't care how good-looking or well-made a horse is...I will not use or recommend him.
Performance...to my way of thinking...is important to the extent that a horse MUST show me (at least one time) that he can win a stakes race on the dirt...preferably short of a mile...at a top race track. Certainly the distance of the stakes race might be adjusted depending on who the sire of the subject stallion is (for example: I will be more forgiving of an A.P. Indy when it comes to distance). Remember...even Storm Cat himself won only one stakes race...and that was going 1 1/16 mile on the dirt. And Kris S (who started at a $3,500 stud fee) won only one stakes race...the Bradbury, on the dirt.
Pedigree wise...who the dam is...who she is by...who are the broodmare sires (particularly up close)...is it a family of turf and/or dirt horses...where did they race...are there successful sires in the family etc etc etc. So many things come into play. I offer this example: the young stallion Alke might pass the performance and conformation-test...but his dam is by Crow and that is totally and completely unnacceptable in my book. Now that is not to say that Alke won't make it as a sire...but he's not a horse that I would recommend at this time, under any conditions. I suggest...let someone else support Alke...if he's successful reconsider him then...but as a young stallion, No Way.
If the performance and pedigree criteria are met...then conformation comes into play. In the case of 2005 first year stallions Lion Heart and Omega Code...I suggest each easily surpassed my race Performance parameters. And even though Lion Heart is a G1 winner...won from 6f to 1 1/8 miles and earned in excess of a million dollars...I suggest those facts may bolster the case for an increased stud fee at the outset (and possibly a boost to his market appeal)...but don't necessarily make a case that he's a better stallion prospect than Omega Code.
Lion Heart stands for $30,000.
Omega Code (on the other hand) won a G3 at Santa Anita. He basically succeeded as a stakes-winning new-track-record setting sprinter...but I don't consider that a knock...if you recall that was Mr Prospector's M.O. also. And many snickered at Mr Prospector when he retired to stud. The same could be said for the Phipps castoff (but beautifully-bred) sprinter What a Pleasure...or Mr Prospector's sire Raise A Native...even his son Exclusive Native never won beyond a sprint distance.
Omega Code stands for $7,500.
Pedigree-wise...I give the nod hands-down to Omega Code...in my opinion he is a FAR superior-bred horse than Lion Heart. Lion Heart's female family (including broodmare sires) is arguably okay (as far as I'm concerned)...but I cannot offer more accolade than that (and I might have been overly generous at that). Furthermore...I give Omega Code's sire Elusive Quality a huge nod also (over Lion Heart's sire Tale of the Cat) as my choice (between the two) as a potential important sire-of-sires. When one considers the fact that Tale of the Cat stood for $30,000 at the outset of his stud career (and his first 3 crop totals included 385 named foals and 19 stakes winners...per TB Times stallion directory 2005)...versus Elusive Quality who stood for $10,000 (and his first 3 crops totaled 194 named foals including 16 stakes winners and 2 champions...including one in the USA and one in France)...it seems to support my premise that Elusive Quality is a much more special sire than Tale of the Cat.
That being said...I look for the Elusive Quality to be a sire-of-sires before I see Tale of the Cat being important as a sire-of-sires. Obviously that's my opinion...but I also suggest that Storm Cat's prowess as a sire of sires (or in the case of Lion Heart , Storm Cat's perceived prowess as a grandsire-of-sires) seems to diminish (from my perspective) every day that goes by. I'm getting tired of that Storm Cat-thing...I suggest it's old, and unconvincing news.
Regarding stallion conformation...I'm probably less forgiving today than ever before...particularly when evaluating a horse's front end. I believe that if one intends to breed to sell (and it's understood that racing is always an option)...conformation is very difficult (for me anyway) to be blase or cavalier about. Regarding front-end issues...structure etc...I set the bar very high...but also understand that rarely (if ever) is anything perfect. But in the case of Omega Code...I submit that his front-end is Exceptional.
I have not seen Lion Heart (close-up...in the flesh)...but I look forward to it. I must say though, Lion Heart's Pedigree Leaves An Awful Lot To Be Desired (as far as I'm concerned).
I strongly support the premise that Omega Code has what it takes and could be the sleeper for Leading Freshman Sire of 2008. I say sleeper because I don't expect that he'll receive the kind of advertising...promotion...hype...spin...etc etc etc that Ashford/Coolmore will afford Lion Heart...clearly that edge goes to Lion Heart. But the two-year-olds of 2008 (not the advertising...hype or spin etc) will ultimately determine who the honest-to-goodness Leadng Freshman Sire will be.
Right now though...I believe Omega Code's not only a top prospect...but also (All Things Considered) a bargain.
Pete...do you believe that Lion Heart is a bargain at $30,000?
I look forward to continuing the discussion...but for now...
...best to you.
Respectfully
You wrote "...I presume (not to put words in your mouth) that you value conformation above performance and pedigree when selecting a stallion."
Pete...without some level of Performance and Pedigree (which is acceptable to me based on my parameters)...I don't care how good-looking or well-made a horse is...I will not use or recommend him.
Performance...to my way of thinking...is important to the extent that a horse MUST show me (at least one time) that he can win a stakes race on the dirt...preferably short of a mile...at a top race track. Certainly the distance of the stakes race might be adjusted depending on who the sire of the subject stallion is (for example: I will be more forgiving of an A.P. Indy when it comes to distance). Remember...even Storm Cat himself won only one stakes race...and that was going 1 1/16 mile on the dirt. And Kris S (who started at a $3,500 stud fee) won only one stakes race...the Bradbury, on the dirt.
Pedigree wise...who the dam is...who she is by...who are the broodmare sires (particularly up close)...is it a family of turf and/or dirt horses...where did they race...are there successful sires in the family etc etc etc. So many things come into play. I offer this example: the young stallion Alke might pass the performance and conformation-test...but his dam is by Crow and that is totally and completely unnacceptable in my book. Now that is not to say that Alke won't make it as a sire...but he's not a horse that I would recommend at this time, under any conditions. I suggest...let someone else support Alke...if he's successful reconsider him then...but as a young stallion, No Way.
If the performance and pedigree criteria are met...then conformation comes into play. In the case of 2005 first year stallions Lion Heart and Omega Code...I suggest each easily surpassed my race Performance parameters. And even though Lion Heart is a G1 winner...won from 6f to 1 1/8 miles and earned in excess of a million dollars...I suggest those facts may bolster the case for an increased stud fee at the outset (and possibly a boost to his market appeal)...but don't necessarily make a case that he's a better stallion prospect than Omega Code.
Lion Heart stands for $30,000.
Omega Code (on the other hand) won a G3 at Santa Anita. He basically succeeded as a stakes-winning new-track-record setting sprinter...but I don't consider that a knock...if you recall that was Mr Prospector's M.O. also. And many snickered at Mr Prospector when he retired to stud. The same could be said for the Phipps castoff (but beautifully-bred) sprinter What a Pleasure...or Mr Prospector's sire Raise A Native...even his son Exclusive Native never won beyond a sprint distance.
Omega Code stands for $7,500.
Pedigree-wise...I give the nod hands-down to Omega Code...in my opinion he is a FAR superior-bred horse than Lion Heart. Lion Heart's female family (including broodmare sires) is arguably okay (as far as I'm concerned)...but I cannot offer more accolade than that (and I might have been overly generous at that). Furthermore...I give Omega Code's sire Elusive Quality a huge nod also (over Lion Heart's sire Tale of the Cat) as my choice (between the two) as a potential important sire-of-sires. When one considers the fact that Tale of the Cat stood for $30,000 at the outset of his stud career (and his first 3 crop totals included 385 named foals and 19 stakes winners...per TB Times stallion directory 2005)...versus Elusive Quality who stood for $10,000 (and his first 3 crops totaled 194 named foals including 16 stakes winners and 2 champions...including one in the USA and one in France)...it seems to support my premise that Elusive Quality is a much more special sire than Tale of the Cat.
That being said...I look for the Elusive Quality to be a sire-of-sires before I see Tale of the Cat being important as a sire-of-sires. Obviously that's my opinion...but I also suggest that Storm Cat's prowess as a sire of sires (or in the case of Lion Heart , Storm Cat's perceived prowess as a grandsire-of-sires) seems to diminish (from my perspective) every day that goes by. I'm getting tired of that Storm Cat-thing...I suggest it's old, and unconvincing news.
Regarding stallion conformation...I'm probably less forgiving today than ever before...particularly when evaluating a horse's front end. I believe that if one intends to breed to sell (and it's understood that racing is always an option)...conformation is very difficult (for me anyway) to be blase or cavalier about. Regarding front-end issues...structure etc...I set the bar very high...but also understand that rarely (if ever) is anything perfect. But in the case of Omega Code...I submit that his front-end is Exceptional.
I have not seen Lion Heart (close-up...in the flesh)...but I look forward to it. I must say though, Lion Heart's Pedigree Leaves An Awful Lot To Be Desired (as far as I'm concerned).
I strongly support the premise that Omega Code has what it takes and could be the sleeper for Leading Freshman Sire of 2008. I say sleeper because I don't expect that he'll receive the kind of advertising...promotion...hype...spin...etc etc etc that Ashford/Coolmore will afford Lion Heart...clearly that edge goes to Lion Heart. But the two-year-olds of 2008 (not the advertising...hype or spin etc) will ultimately determine who the honest-to-goodness Leadng Freshman Sire will be.
Right now though...I believe Omega Code's not only a top prospect...but also (All Things Considered) a bargain.
Pete...do you believe that Lion Heart is a bargain at $30,000?
I look forward to continuing the discussion...but for now...
...best to you.
Respectfully