Tapit

[Betsy]

Hi all - I haven't posted in awhile, but I was hoping to get your opinion about a subject near and dear to my heart, lol.

Is anyone surprised by Tapit's early success? I am a huge AP Indy fan and Pulpit, IMO, was his most talented horse (even more so than Mineshaft, who I adored - though possibly only equal to Bernardini) and so it's wonderful to see his sons having success.

Tapit was sort of a joke on racing message boards, but I always thought he had real ability. Nonetheless, I honestly hadn't paid too much attention to him (I concentrated more on Sky Mesa, who has had a very good year this year with his 2 year olds and also a couple of very nice 3 year olds in Skylighter and Storm Mesa). All of a sudden, he's got winners popping out of the woodwork everywhere and, of course, he's got Stardom Bound.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Also, 2 other questions:

Does anyone know if Corinthian was well-received at stud? He was such a talented (albeit ornery) fellow, but he's got an incredible pedigree and he's handsome, to boot.

Anyone have any thoughts on Purge?

Thanks so much

[AscotStud]

Tapit has been a huge surprise to me...but he did get a big book and these days any stallion can look good with the right kind of backing. The one thing I will give him ove Sky Mesa is has proven himself at a much smaller stud fee (which equals way worse mares) if given the option to breed to one or the other I would probably still stick with Sky Mesa, but would demand the same fee that Tapit stands for.

[chicago78]

I think Tapit's success can be attributed much more to his female family than his sire line. He comes from the sire making family of Relaunch, Glitterman, and Rubiano. The issue with him is going to be that he's already inbred to Mr. Prospector and Nijinsky, and to In Reality on the dam side, so he'll be tough to match up. His best two horses so far, Stardom Bound, and Retap, have been outcrosses.

His best horse so far, Stardom Bound, is basically an outcross, but it was still a smart mating. Her dam by the obscure sire Tarr Road, who is by Grey Dawn. Grey Dawn was the broodmare sire of Relaunch's Waquoit, a major grade 1 winner in the 1980's and a good regional sire.

[Betsy]

I think Tapit's success can be attributed much more to his female family than his sire line. He comes from the sire making family of Relaunch, Glitterman, and Rubiano. The issue with him is going to be that he's already inbred to Mr. Prospector and Nijinsky, and to In Reality on the dam side, so he'll be tough to match up. His best two horses so far, Stardom Bound, and Retap, have been outcrosses.

His best horse so far, Stardom Bound, is basically an outcross, but it was still a smart mating. Her dam by the obscure sire Tarr Road, who is by Grey Dawn. Grey Dawn was the broodmare sire of Relaunch's Waquoit, a major grade 1 winner in the 1980's and a good regional sire.

Let's just say I disagree with your premise. I don't think it's fair to say that Pulpit, etc.....have nothing to do with Tapit's eary success. Then again, I don't think it's fair to discredit any part of the lineage of any horse who has success.

[Tonno100]

I think Tapit's success can be attributed much more to his female family than his sire line. He comes from the sire making family of Relaunch, Glitterman, and Rubiano. The issue with him is going to be that he's already inbred to Mr. Prospector and Nijinsky, and to In Reality on the dam side, so he'll be tough to match up. His best two horses so far, Stardom Bound, and Retap, have been outcrosses.

His best horse so far, Stardom Bound, is basically an outcross, but it was still a smart mating. Her dam by the obscure sire Tarr Road, who is by Grey Dawn. Grey Dawn was the broodmare sire of Relaunch's Waquoit, a major grade 1 winner in the 1980's and a good regional sire.

Let's just say I disagree with your premise. I don't think it's fair to say that Pulpit, etc.....have nothing to do with Tapit's eary success. Then again, I don't think it's fair to discredit any part of the lineage of any horse who has success.

Why ignore basic genetics when people have been buying this mystical conjecture and anecdotal evidence for years and years!

[DDT]

Laragh a daughter of Tapit just won the Jessamine ($150K) at Keeneland. She is inbred 4X5X6 to Nininsky II, 4X5X5 to Mr. Prospector and 4X5X6 to Northern Dancer.

DDT

[vallygirl927]

Both of Tapit's fillys won today in the breeder cups races. He's a good stallion to breed to on the way up.

[Betsy]

Both of Tapit's fillys won today in the breeder cups races. He's a good stallion to breed to on the way up.

Laragh actually finished 3rd, but she ran very well - tired, but that's understandable with those fractions and having raced just 2 weeks ago. Excellent day for Tapit - he's taken a commanding lead in the 1st crop sire list and I think also tops the total list for 2 year old sires.

[vallygirl927]

Oh yeah, thats right. I was thinking of a different horse, but still! Not bad! With I had the money to breed to him!

[Georgerz]

Will this justify a sharp increase in the stud fee for 2009?

[LB]

Will this justify a sharp increase in the stud fee for 2009?

It was already planned. This will just add to it.

[KMO_racing]

As far as stud fees go, they will probably raise him due to all the publicity on Tapit. He is #1 on the freshman sire list. Which ussualy means increase in stud fee.

I like Sky Mesa I hope they don't raise his.

[LB]

As far as stud fees go, they will probably raise him due to all the publicity on Tapit. He is #1 on the freshman sire list. Which ussualy means increase in stud fee.

I like Sky Mesa I hope they don't raise his.

The increase on Tapit's fee has nothing to do with publicity. It's the performance of his 2YOs that matters.

As for Sky Mesa his fee has already gone up.

[KMO_racing]

I know, just know that he is #1 on the freshman sire list and his stud fee will increase.

Sky Mesa did not breed that many mares this year cause the ones that are out there are running. I am having one. was praying the stud fee would remain the same but no such luck!

[zinn21]

The mad genius Michael Dickinson thought he was going to be a top stallion. I remember reading something to the effect that he wasn't 100% for the Wood Memorial; that he rushed him into the race after he contracted a virus and that he was a sound individual.