Given the evidence that the line producing Mr. P (including Mr. P himself) is unsound, I would be extremely hesitant to even consider crossing one of his daughters with one of his male-line descendents. By even suggesting this, you're promoting something that will inevitably kill the Thoroughbred. You're not calling for a change in breeding practices, and it's obvious that breeding practices in the racing/breeding world cannot continue on the current course. If you want a line to Buckpasser, look for one of his sireline descendents, like Montbrook or Chapel Royal.

how could the phipps sell these 2 mares being out of personal ensign???..the female line in these 2 well bred mares is as good as it gets..also, personal ensign has been pensioned so these 2 mares can carry on the great female family..how could the phipps sell these 2??? im a huge fan of the phipps stable,always have and always will, but they are homebred operation and dont buy at auctions..so i cant understand selling these 2 mares..can anybody explain this one?

it's too bad that Silver Charm is no longer in the US, because i think he would be a good cross for either of the daughters.  for Possibility, what about a sire like Pleasant Tap?  it earns an A+ TrueNicks rating, and i've always liked Never Knock's family.  another A+ rating would be Smart Strike, who is much more expensive.  he's from the Mr. P line that you suggest would cross so well with Possibility.  while i'm also not a huge fan of breeding Pennant Champion back to a Mr. P-line sire, sending her to City Zip earns a A++ rating.  

The Phipps have three generations of Personal Ensign now, and there are enough lines that selling two would not hurt them so much.

She has to be one of the greatest mares of all time. I think that it would be interesting to breed the second mare to one of Darley's stallions.  Cherokee Run would give you speed.  Holy Bull would give you endurance.  Both are free of Mr. P. and Northern Dancer.  I could be wrong about Northern Dancer-but it would be back several generations.  I definitely would stay away from Mr. P.  

hmm. Pennant champion with Saint Anndan. he stands at journeyman. I know his sire is AP Indy, but it's a 5x5 with Buckpasser. an A+ for the foal. Also, a few G1 winners were bred on this cross. Mineshaft, Tomisues Delight, Little belle. One hell of a pedigree put together.

What do you guys think?

Possibility mare supported with more Buckpasser? Absolutely. Her bloodline, age and her likely high auction price should justify the $125k Seeking the Gold.

The second mare Pennant Champ is older and lacks that black type. Why not try Pure Prize? Less money, out of another fine racing mare who has Buckpasser to support her female line.

Less money for outsiders. Phipps could have bred for free.

just wanted to post b/c she is my all time favorite female.  this is a very interesting discussion.

• Scot's reply:  Thanks for checking in!  The Keeneland sale is really historic:  I believe it's only the second time a daughter of Personal Ensign has been available for public bid.  (In 2006, Pennant Champion failed to meet reserve, and the unraced 2003 Monarchos (SRO) daughter Title Seeker (pedigree) sold for $1.7 million in foal to Seeking the Gold.)

i understand the phipps have 3 generations of personal ensign and these 2 mares weren't stakes winners on the racetrack, but i still wouldn't sell these 2 mares.. once again, the phipps dont buy at auctions, and these 2 mares are spectacularly bred, i personally dont agree with selling them..and possibility hasnt even had a runner yet, so she could turn out to be a major producer by ap indy out of personal ensign. i heard her first foal can ya try is by giants causeway and is a 2yo-who knows,maybe he could be the next great one?

I think this is an amazing oppertunity for a breeder to purchase some of the best bred mares in the world.  Mares of this quality - with champions in every generation do not come to public auction very often.  I commend the Phipps family for offering these mares to the public.  

I think that if I had the oppertunity to purchase one (or in my wildest dream - both!) - I would send them to Holy Bull - for a $15,000 stud fee you can't beat him.  I would stay away from a Mr Prospector stud - although they are tops in the world I would try working off an outcross - we already have WAY too many Mr Prospector saturated stallions.  I would opt to try the young stallion Congaree at Adena or even Giacomo.

I cannot wait to see what these mares bring - and what wise breeders buy them.

I don't breed TB's, I had a Mr. P mare and bred to QH stallion for lovely pleasure show horse I'm going to show AQHA next year. I have followed, and never missed, a K Derby or most big TB races since I was a child.  I watched this mare at the Breeders Cup and she is, along with Secretariat, my all time favorite race horse.  I love the Phipps and their trainer Chug.  What a great group that has produced so many great horses.  I was sad for their loss of Pine Island recently...  But Personal Ensign is unmatched in my opinion and I have followed her life for years after the race I watched that brought tears to my eyes!  Got a love our mares!!!

His elder siblings proved that Personal Ensign's bloodlines were capable of top-class success. Will that be enough to earn her youngest named foal a shot in the stallion barn?

The Phipps family has been successful in large part because they will cull when others would keep.  Culling is the only way to keep a stable operating at the highest level for almost a century. They may not buy at the sales, but the Phipps family will go out and buy when they find a broodmare they want - Our Country Place to name one.