The Five-Cross Files : Bloodstock Purchases

Son of Personal Ensign -- Stallion Prospect?

sgillies — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:26:00 GMT

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?...(read more)

Hard to Give Away -- Barren Mares at Breeding Stock Sales

sgillies — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 22:25:00 GMT

Barren mares are usually second-class offerings at Thoroughbred bloodstock sales. Add to that the current economic downturn, and these mares are a tough sell. Here's why I believe they might be the best value you can find, though....(read more)

Mare Inbred to Family of Unbridled Makes the "Turnaround" List

sgillies — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:40:00 GMT

One of offerings at the Keeneland January Thoroughbred breeding stock sale is a mare that has long been on my own personal "watch" list. ...(read more)

Strategies for Buying a Thoroughbred Broodmare, Plus Poll Results

sgillies — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 21:40:00 GMT

A question for those of you who are experts at buying broodmares at auction! Plus, results of the "Is It Time to Buy a Broodmare" poll....(read more)

Broodmarathon -- Better Than Honour: Broodmare at Risk?

sgillies — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 14:25:00 GMT

Dam of Rags to Riches, Jazil, and Casino Drive fails to produce a foal in 2008 or 2009. Does that affect her value in the Thoroughbred sales ring?...(read more)

Thoroughbred Stallion Prospects at the Fall Sales

sgillies — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:00:00 GMT

Breeding stock / mixed sales are dominated by broodmares and weanlings -- but stallions and stud prospects are another frequent offering. We'll look at a couple of this year's hips and discuss whether this is a good venue for stallion sales....(read more)

Broodmarathon - Spotty Produce Record But Family of CURLIN

sgillies — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:02:00 GMT

You'd think an "aunt" to Horse of the Year and ten-times millionaire Curlin would be a sure thing -- especially when she brought over $200,000 as a yearling. But concerns about her race record and four years without a foal have to be factored in to the equation....(read more)

Broodmarathon - Broodmares IFT Storm Cat

sgillies — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:52:00 GMT

The current breeding stock sales are the end of an era for one of North America's top sires. Today we'll take a quick glance at the two Keeneland November offerings of mares in foal to Storm Cat....(read more)

Broodmarathon - Connections to TIZNOW Up For Bid

sgillies — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 14:12:00 GMT

Both Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton's November breeding-stock sales offer mares with connections to popular sire Tiznow. ...(read more)

Broodmarathon -- Proven Producer With Turf Pedigree

sgillies — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 06:30:00 GMT

Closely related to standout sire Giant's Causeway and to champion filly Dearly Precious, this Thoroughbred sale offering has a turf pedigree and a proven progeny record. But at her age, what is she worth in today's market?...(read more)

Broodmarathon -- Lion Heart Half-Sister IFT Hard Spun

sgillies — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:30:00 GMT

A great excuse to talk about new sire Hard Spun -- he's the covering sire of today's broodmare pick. That mare also happens to be a half-sister to the 2008 top freshman sire. An exciting catalog page from the Keeneland November sale....(read more)

Broodmarathon -- Dam of Eight Belles

sgillies — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 06:30:00 GMT

Normally, the dam of a popular graded stakes winner -- carrying her full sibling, nonetheless -- would garner only positive attention at the breeding stock sales. In the case of Eight Belles' dam, though, some of the talk is about whether the repeat mating was the best idea....(read more)

Broodmarathon -- Lisa the Great at OBS

sgillies — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 06:26:00 GMT

Here's a mare from the family of Slew o'Gold, with close relationships to all of today's top sire lines. So when it comes time to breed, who to send her to?...(read more)

Broodmarathon -- Forever Jamie at OBS

sgillies — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 06:05:00 GMT

The OBS Fall Mixed Sale is quickly approaching. Florida has one of the strongest Thoroughbred breeding programs in the country, and this sale features a number of nice mares. This one comes from the family of Winning Colors....(read more)

Broodmare Marathon -- Daughters of Personal Ensign

sgillies — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 06:02:00 GMT

Two of Personal Ensign's five daughters will walk through the ring at Keeneland's November breeding stock sale. ...(read more)