Breeding a 2-Year-Old Filly Is a Bit Taboo -- But It Happens

Back around the time of Keeneland's November sale of weanlings and breeding stock, a few readers of The Blood-Horse wrote in that they were aghast to discover a 2-year-old filly entered in the sale not only as a broodmare prospect, but actually already in foal.  This is wrong! they said.  Something must be done to stop this!

In her most recent Mahubah's Corner column, Avalyn Hunter discusses a similar outcry concerning a 2009 filly that made Smarty Jones (SRO) a damsire for the first time -- only three years after his first foals were born.  Avalyn's article explores the breeding of 2-year-olds, debunking some of the myths and citing a few standout results while providing compelling reasons to avoid the practice.  This is a must-read story for Thoroughbred breeders and fans!

As it happens, I had made note of a comparable situation this past fall.  At Keeneland's 2008 September yearling sale, no fewer than seven yearlings were offered that were the products of dams born in 2004 -- meaning the dams, too, had been bred as 2-year-olds.  In fact... two of those yearlings were out of daughters of Street Cry (IRE) (SRO), making him a damsire in only his fourth year at stud -- just like the case this year with Smarty Jones.  Those 2008 yearlings are 2-year-olds of 2009... perhaps coming soon to a racetrack near you!