re: Finding Value in Young Sires at Keeneland September

sceptre — Wed, 20 Aug 2014 18:51:18 GMT

Very nice study...For openers, it's interesting to note that G-III SW mares outproduced both G-I and G-II SW mares; and that SW mares outproduced G-II SW mares for crops 1-V. For 3rd crop alone yearlings, the G-I and G-II SW mares fell very low. So, why should this be? The most obvious (but not necessarily correct) answer is that the sample size is too small. But, there's a more profound potential reason, i.e. the highly graded SW mares are, perhaps, given less latitude in the choice of their mates. A too restricted pool from which to choose may somewhat inhibit their opportunity to be mated to a more ideal pedigree cross or, even perhaps, a more suitable conformation cross. If there's merit to this notion, a larger sample (encompassing more years) might enlighten, and if same/similar holds true, could lead to large changes in breeding practices.