Voting Open for MarketWatch Broodmare of the Year

re: Voting Open for MarketWatch Broodmare of the Year

Ian Tapp — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 16:30:59 GMT

Congrats to Take Charge Lady, who has won the MarketWatch broodmare of the year vote with a landslide 75%. Second place was Ava Knowsthecode with 7.9%. Thanks to all who voted.

re: Voting Open for MarketWatch Broodmare of the Year

sceptre — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 20:52:04 GMT

Ian,

I like your interpretation.

What confuses this, all the more, is that for some years-ex. 1965- there are obvious standouts, by any method. In 1965 it was Pocahontas (owing to two top performers for that year-Tom Rolfe and Chieftain). But, as I recall, there was another highly worthy candidate that year-Searching (with her Affectionately and Priceless Gem).

re: Voting Open for MarketWatch Broodmare of the Year

Ian Tapp — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 17:41:40 GMT

Interesting, sceptre. I'd guess that broodmare of the year was intended to correspond with champion sire, which is, right or wrong, determined by progeny earnings.

To me (personal opinion), the broodmare title should go to a broodmare who had in the same year or previously produced a significant runner (preferably G1 or champion) and then further proved her ability as a producer in 2013 by having a new top runner of similar or greater merit.

Hypothetically let's say that in 2014 Better Than Honour produces a new listed SW and Lady Liberty (dam of Orb) produces the champion older mare.

I would pick Lady Liberty for broodmare of the year even though Better Than Honour's overall produce record is more impressive.

re: Voting Open for MarketWatch Broodmare of the Year

Brian Russell — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 06:20:31 GMT

What about Granny Franny? A G1 winner and a 2YO Saratoga stakes winner in the same year.

re: Voting Open for MarketWatch Broodmare of the Year

sceptre — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 23:47:05 GMT

Ian,

I think we're attempting to locate the broodmare who-as evidenced by the performance of her offspring in the given year-imparted the highest (of all) quality to her runners for that given year. Could be stated, perhaps, more artfully, but I think this should be the sole yardstick-because the award is for "Broodmare Of The YEAR". It is not a lifetime achievement award, because that's not its title. There's enough ambiguity even within my definition for it to be unwise to add to it by reflecting on past year's accomplishments. I realize that past and present KY Broodmare Of The Year candidates also didn't always adhere to "my rule", and I do admit that their long list of winners is, for the most part, a very distinguished group indeed. It is also a group likely superior to one gained through my method, but, as they say, the end doesn't alone justify the means.

re: Voting Open for MarketWatch Broodmare of the Year

Ian Tapp — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 18:43:23 GMT

Sceptre,

True, but that will happen anytime you confine an award to "of the year."

If we let Leslie's Lady in again, then we should also have Lisa Danielle again. Beholder repeated as champion; Wise Dan repeated as HOTY.

Another worthy mention is Masskana, who is not here because she's European-based, but Dank was her third G1 winner and fourth SW.

re: Voting Open for MarketWatch Broodmare of the Year

sceptre — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 02:33:06 GMT

Have to agree with Mookie's hero. Leslie's Lady looks better than any on the list. Actually, this group seems a bit weaker than past Broodmare Of Year "nominees"...The more that past record plays into this, the more difficult it becomes to be confident about any BOY list. For example, had Shameful's Roman Ruler gelding managed to win a black type race in 2013, Shameful would have vaulted to my #1 choice.

re: Voting Open for MarketWatch Broodmare of the Year

nsauer — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 12:30:30 GMT

Mookie's Hero,

Leslie's Lady was considered, and she was nominated last year after Beholder's Eclipse award-winning 2-year-old season. She was not selected as a finalist because we favored mares who had either new graded stakes winners or new grade I winners in 2013. The only exception was Hookedonthefeelin, whose grade I winner Jimmy Creed earned his first graded win late in 2012 on Dec. 26. However, he followed that up with a win in the grade II Potrero Grande Stakes in April 2013.

re: Voting Open for MarketWatch Broodmare of the Year

Mookie's Hero — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 22:47:50 GMT

Hi There

I thought Leslie's Lady would be on this list. Beholder was terrfic and she also had Into Mischief. And now one of ther daughters has produced a stakes winner. She's as good as the stallions in that her line is just that good.

Mookie's Hero