The Five-Cross Files

Kingmambo Is "C/S" Dosage Influence

sgillies — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 21:20:00 GMT

Part of the legacy of the great racemare and producer Miesque, who died six days ago, is her top son Kingmambo. Tom Hall analyzes the miler son of Mr. Prospector, who is a member of the most recent Chef-de-Race class designated by Dosage chief Steven A. Roman, Ph.D....(read more)

Nodouble Becomes New Dosage Chef-de-Race

sgillies — Thu, 18 Nov 2010 14:25:00 GMT

Six stallions were declared Dosage "chefs-de-race" this fall. I thought it would be fun to provide a short profile of each of the sires, concentrating on what type of influence they add to a pedigree. Blood-Horse's most knowledgeable pedigree historian, Tom Hall, guest-posts about NODOUBLE in this first installment....(read more)

Add Dogears to Your Thoroughbred Sales Catalog

sgillies — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 23:10:00 GMT

Here's a quick, easy way to fold the catalog page so that you can find the pages you want quickly and easily. No origami required, I promise....(read more)

Breeders' Cup: All in the Family

sgillies — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 14:45:00 GMT

Who is the great-great-granddaughter of La Troienne that influenced TWO Breeders' Cup pedigrees in 2010?...(read more)

Broodmarathon: A-R-G Spells "Bargain"

sgillies — Fri, 05 Nov 2010 15:00:00 GMT

It's "Miss Argentina" Day at The Five-Cross Files. We're looking at Argentine-bred mares offered at the Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton sales. Look for a few themes, including family 13-c; mares that excelled on both dirt and turf; Argentine blue hen mare Miss Peggy, and champions close-up on the catalog page....(read more)

Broodmarathon: Minado Has Broodmare Pedigree

sgillies — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:40:00 GMT

From the family of Winning Colors and Chief's Crown, MINADO has a pedigree packed with strong broodmare sire influences....(read more)

Broodmarathon: Will a Smart Breeding to an Uncelebrated Stallion Help or Hurt Annual Dues?

sgillies — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 18:52:00 GMT

Stakes-producing mare is carrying a foal bred similarly to a stakes-winning sibling. The catch is, the covering sire isn't commercially fashionable. Good move, or too risky?...(read more)

Broodmarathon: Juddmonte Castoff Gombeen Is a Hard Sell Despite Danehill Connections

sgillies — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:30:00 GMT

It's not every day you have the opportunity to purchase a half sister to the great Danehill (and to six other black type horses!). Think this Razyana daughter is a select hip at Fasig-Tipton, or in Book 1 of Keeneland November? Not quite. Why is GOMBEEN in Book 6--yes, really--at Keeneland?!?...(read more)

Broodmarathon: Spring, From Danzig's Family, Carries Sibling to Grade I-Placed Winner

sgillies — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 19:15:00 GMT

Here's an opportunity for those of you who are willing to consider an unraced mare who's a proven producer. In this case, her bloodlines mimic those of a multiple grade I standout -- and she's carrying a full sibling to her grade I-placed 3-year-old....(read more)

The Future of Pedigree Study in the Age of Genetics

sgillies — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:30:00 GMT

Recent symposium makes it clear that the art of Throughbred pedigree study will still be important as the science of genetic research becomes dominant....(read more)

Broodmarathon: Share a Moment Carries Gio Ponti's Genetic Relative

sgillies — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 13:50:00 GMT

Another mare whose value is her family, SHARE A MOMENT is offered at Fasig-Tipton's select breeding stock sale carrying a close relative to defending champion Gio Ponti....(read more)

Broodmarathon: Given Terms Offers Opportunity to Obtain Barbaro's Family

sgillies — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 02:12:00 GMT

She has a prominent family and has produced a couple of durable runners. But her own poor record as a runner and failure to produce a standout foal make GIVEN TERMS a classic cull. Will her pedigree be attractive enough to entice breeders?...(read more)

Broodmarathon: Broodmare of the Year Nominees Represented at Keeneland November

sgillies — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 20:41:00 GMT

I nominated her dam for 2010 Broodmare of the Year -- of course I wanted to write about LOVE AT NOON, who's offered at the upcoming Keeneland November sale!...(read more)

Broodmarathon: Thoroughbred Breeding Stock Sales Approaching

sgillies — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 19:12:00 GMT

The fall sales are upon us. Time to start perusing those auction catalogs! ...(read more)

Remembering Real Quiet

sgillies — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 01:56:00 GMT

Just for fun... remembering Real Quiet and looking forward to Midnight Lute's promising stud career....(read more)

Life After Racing

sgillies — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:03:00 GMT

Can a Thoroughbred be trained simultaneously for a racing career and a post-retirement sport/pleasure career?...(read more)

Is This a Broodmare? -- Smoking Kay Has Strong Family, Multiple Wins

sgillies — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:40:00 GMT

Pedigree patterns make this mare close relatives with Fappiano and Ogygian and Quiet American and Honour and Glory. But is she the kind of mare you'd want in the breeding shed in 2011?...(read more)

Breeders' Cup Dominates Breeding Season Calendar

sgillies — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:59:00 GMT

The Breeders' Cup dominates many owners' and trainers' calendars throughout the year, with many top runners being prepped all year for the biggest weekend of racing in the U.S. But Breeders' Cup also has a carryover influence on the Thoroughbred breeding calendar.......(read more)

Pedigrees on Fire

sgillies — Tue, 07 Sep 2010 13:15:00 GMT

Barn fires aren't a fun topic -- but these tips could save your horses' lives....(read more)

Beyond the Homestretch, Beyond the Track: Racehorses After Retirement

sgillies — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 16:10:00 GMT

I've used the cold weather as an excuse to kick back and read a few good books this winter. The theme recently has been Thoroughbred retirement and retraining....(read more)

Calling for Fewer Private Stud Fees in 2010

sgillies — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 16:45:00 GMT

Calling on stallion managers to set honest fees for 2010, and to take advantage of the opportunity to drop the "private fee" cloak....(read more)

5 Reasons to Buy Thoroughbred Bloodstock at the Winter Sales

sgillies — Thu, 03 Dec 2009 14:30:00 GMT

Sales in late fall are the preferred venue for better bloodstock most years, with early winter auctions carrying less prestige. Here are five reasons why the current economic climate makes January and February the time to buy....(read more)

A Multitude of Passion

sgillies — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 22:12:00 GMT

Within a few hours of each other, two similar emails have arrived in my inbox demanding some attention....(read more)

German-Blooded Thoroughbred Stallions With Sire Potential for 2010

sgillies — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:55:00 GMT

Descending from a full sister to the sire of German stallion great Surumu is Lauro, a graded-winning son of Monsun who's set to enter stud duty in 2010. Here's some more information on him as well as five other potential stallions with German bloodlines....(read more)

Couple of Mares at Keeneland Day 3

sgillies — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 20:45:00 GMT

As we settle in to the marathon Keeneland breeding stock sale, I will occasionally comment on hips that are of special interest to me. Here are a couple of Book Two mares that I'd love to add to my little herd. Who are you watching during the big sale?...(read more)