Six stallions made the cut and proved themselves the best value for breeders looking to keep and race their foals.

In theory, racehorse breeders are all striving for a similar primary goal: foals that will go on to successful race careers. In practice, it's not so simple.

We've all heard of "hybrid vigor," so outcrossing seems like it would be a common Thoroughbred breeding scheme. But is outcrossing even possible in 2008?

They're stallions who've underperformed and sent off to a foreign land... or are ferried away by high bidders abroad while they're still young. These exported Thoroughbred stallions are a big loss for American breeders.

Finding the right stallion for my mare was a big step.

Breeding decisions made in 2006... foals born in 2007... yearling sales in 2008. I've got a colt headed to Keeneland September... follow along with his sales prep and all the joys (and pains) of sending a yearling through the ring.