The Five-Cross Files

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)

Dearth of 2010 Stallion Prospects From Breeders' Cup 2009 Champs

sgillies — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:34:00 GMT

Will 2009's running be the first edition of the Breeders' Cup that doesn't introduce a hot stallion prospect to the American Thoroughbred breeding market?...(read more)

Better Than a Money Machine

sgillies — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 20:53:00 GMT

A fine mare produces yet another high-class winner. As a small tribute to Better Than Honour, here are some of her headlines from the past....(read more)

Who's the Famous Thoroughbred? (November 2009 edition)

sgillies — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 13:55:00 GMT

Armed with a photo and a few clues, can you identify famous Thoroughbreds from the past? Here are six oldies that will challenge your memory -- and your research skills....(read more)

Finding Thoroughbred Stallions Just Got Easier: Stallion Register Online Improves Search Tool

sgillies — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:15:00 GMT

It's a small change, but one that will help breeders locate the best stallions for their mares: Stallion Register Online adds criteria to its basic search toolbar....(read more)

Fasig-Tipton Catalog Updates -- Nice!

sgillies — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:36:00 GMT

Fasig-Tipton includes a useful tool to keep its November Selected catalog pages up to date. (Even if you're not impressed by that, take a look at the sample page I've cited -- think Sea the Stars' family and Rachel Alexandra's sire.)...(read more)

Hard-Knocking Eagle Time Serves Double Duty

sgillies — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:20:00 GMT

Eagle Time has an interesting story. From the Alleged/Hoist the Flag sire line, this 12-year-old stallion ran from 2 to 7, served a few years at stud, and is now back at the track because running is what he most loves in all the world....(read more)

Mare Reproduction Rates Increase in Herd Setting

sgillies — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 19:00:00 GMT

An interesting article on our sister site has me thinking about herd dynamics with my own horses....(read more)

Keeneland November Catalog Released

sgillies — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:12:00 GMT

For those of you who wait all year to enjoy the Keeneland breeding stock catalog, it's online now....(read more)

What Becomes of the Broodmares?

sgillies — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 16:50:00 GMT

The equation is pretty clear: Lots of mares removed from breeding careers, plus high upkeep costs to get a mare through another year, minus any hope of income or profit, equals broodmares at risk....(read more)

Keeneland September -- Names, Top Hits, and More

sgillies — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 20:00:00 GMT

A few post-sale statistics now that the Keeneland September yearling auction has concluded. ...(read more)

Uh oh. Winter's Coming.

sgillies — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:36:00 GMT

So I'm wondering what the season will bring this year. It's been a wet, cool year from spring to autumn... does that translate to a snowy, cold winter? I like to think of the first nine months of 2009 as "mild" in hopes that the winter before us is mild, too. ...(read more)

On Herod and Matchem but not Eclipse

sgillies — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 12:50:00 GMT

A bit of research on Thoroughbred sire-line descent becomes a trip down memory lane as I consult the 1982 Stallion Register....(read more)