Thoroughbred Broodmare Pedigree Analysis Marathon

October is less than two days away, and with the change of month comes the release of the Keeneland November sales catalog.  For a Thoroughbred pedigree geek like me, the autumn breeding stock sales season easily beats the excitement of yearling auctions or horses-in-training sales.  (If pressed, I might even say the fall sales beat out Christmas, Mom's Thanksgiving dinner, and the Kentucky Derby....)

Every day for the next several weeks, I'll pick out a broodmare from one of the fall mixed sale catalogs to discuss -- briefly -- here on The Five-Cross Files.  We'll look at a few common elements of the catalog page -- the three cross pedigree (and a link to the five cross pedigree) ... the mare's  sire, sire line, dam, Thoroughbred family number, and broodmare sire ... her produce history ... and any standout siblings. 

For in-foal mares I'd like feedback on whether the cross seems promising, and for open mares, we'll have fun picking out the best cross for 2009. 

In all cases, I want to know what additional tools you'd use to evaluate the mare, in addition to the catalog page and a physical inspection. Would you order a nicking report for a broodmare prospect?  Would you use her Dosage profile to evaluate a broodmare?  What about produce records or  sales results or past performances for her racing offspring?  A broodmare sire report on the mare's sire?

I hope you'll check back frequently and take part in the discussion.  By the end of the series, we'll have covered a lot of ground and will have looked at mares of many different classes, aptitudes, and regional bloodlines.

Keep watching -- it all starts October 1.