Breeder

Maximus in the Thoroughbred Cafe section raises the point that Ka Ying rising, Mr Brightside and El Vencedor have a common pedigree pattern which illustrates the importance of strong female families. Both Ka Ying Rising and Mr Brightside go back on the female line directly to the great broodmare Tiaona ( one of Sir Patrick Hogan's great mares). El Vencedor has a Sovereign Red mare on his bottom line --SR is from Taiona.

I read the article the other night but wasn't really convinced by it. There is a reason we have the expressions "tap root mare" and "blue hen mares". It is simply that the data shows that descendants from these mares, on the bottom line of their pedigrees produce more good horses than those from "ordinary " lines. To me that is a simple illustration of the value of strong female lines. Obviously not all descendants will be very good horses, just like not all descendants of top stallions are not good horses. With regard the Bruce Lowe numbered families , we have to remember when he did this research --over 100 years ago, well before computers , sophisticated data bases and software. So by today's standards it will look simplistic, but that should not under value his work. He was one of a few who started serious pedigree research and that should be valued. When Jack started writing his short columns for the Friday Flash he was effectively starting the push in interest in pedigrees in NZ (he started my interest) and at the time , in hindsight, the "belief" in the Bruce Lowe number idea was starting to wane. I am not persuaded by the article and will continue in my belief that strong female families are extremely important.

The rest of the Randwick card for Saturday. Great fields as you would expect. The Oaks has only 10 runners but full of class ---Leica Lucy , Treasure the Moment, Dubai Goldrush etc. https://forum.thoroughbredvillage.com.au/randwick-saturday-april-12-2025_topic70775.html?SID=22953-ebzzzf5bba313fda3fdz1839583333

Well done to Sam and the team !!! Sold their Zoustar x Belluci Babe colt for $1.7 million at the Inglis Easter Sale

When you see Auguste Rodin's performances put together as in this promotional video it shows you how very good he was as a race horse and confirms Palatable's comment "This genuinely is a coup" https://www.breednet.com.au/

Don't forget VE's full sister has still start racing from the Waller stable. 2022 foal so probably next season. So Suave 3 year colt, full brother to VE has had one start., also trained by Chris Waller

Verry Ellegant's 3/4 sister, Belle Detelle, won the G3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) at just her 5th start. Form line now 5 starts: 2 wins / 2 seconds /1 third. Maybe Nick Bishara and his friends have another good one. The filly is out VE's half sister, Black Lace by Towkay.

Well done Windsor Park. It will be interesting to see if Cambridge Stud have a new one in the pipe line. Last year after Windsor Park announced Paddington , CS announced Chaldean soon after. The NZ industry is certainly getting some well bred , top performers in the last few years.

"High Chaparral, Sea The Stars and Singspiel are among the other sires who fought back from quiet freshman seasons" No one should have expected these sires to produce precocious two years olds. I doubt the process of shuttling would have an effect but if I was a SH stud master I would wait more than one season before I took on a stallion. Yes, it could cost a bit to wait for signs of continued success, but it would be worth it in the long run.

Thanks Insider. A well researched piece and a great read. It is amazing how many great developments, not just in horse breeding but in business and life in general arise as a result of an unintended event or accident. This article has quite a few. I will have look for his first installment.

Slight change of topic. Look at the 2nd trial race at Taupo before it was abandoned and you'll see a good "black booker" from the OSullivan stable. Lightning Ace (by Ace high). Copped a huge check but still got up to win.

White Robe are very astute with their stallion selections. Great to see a different sire line coming in. I have been looking at the Aclaim yearlings at the MM March Sale and I think they are really nice looking horses ( and my pick Lot 182 in coming to NZ ! ) I'm really looking forward to see how the Ancient Spirit progeny from White Robe go as 3 year olds. From the press release about Aflaila it seems Brian's grandson was involved in finding the horse, so that is good see White Robe is obviously going to carry in the family.

I remember reading that Chris Turner started walking Veandercross on hard surfaces as a weanling. Started with short distances and worked up as he grew older. Not sure how often he did it but the explanation for doing it was as scooby explains. It's referred to as remodelling the bone, I think.

Mark and Jane Corcoran will have sore heads tomorrow morning. As well as their stallion Derryn getting his first Grp One with Lieca Lucy they will have just watched the half sister of their new stallion Hilal, win the Slipper.

She was not struck off. She simply did not renew her registration.