The Five-Cross Files : Data & Statistics

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)

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)

Are Names an Advantage at Yearling Sales?

sgillies — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 20:25:00 GMT

I've always thought bidders had a prejudice against "named" yearlings at Thoroughbred sales. The numbers seem to indicate I'm wrong....(read more)

Rachel Alexandra and the Rasmussen Factor

sgillies — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 14:49:00 GMT

The superfilly's pedigree shows that 30% of ancestors in her first four generation are Rasmussen Factor matings....(read more)

Fast Facts -- What is the Average Earnings Index (AEI) in Thoroughbred Breeding?

sgillies — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 20:15:00 GMT

Getting back to basics: What is the Average Earnings Index?...(read more)

Revelations of the Catalog Page, Part II -- The Thoroughbred Industry's Techno Failure

sgillies — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 00:30:00 GMT

I'm starting out my rant-and-rave session (and my second year of writing The Five-Cross Files) by censuring Thoroughbred industry participants for refusing to embrace the types of technology that could revamp our sport....(read more)

The Flip Side of the Bold Ruler / Synthetic Tracks Study

sgillies — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 15:54:00 GMT

A couple of days ago we looked at how much influence Bold Ruler has had on Thoroughbred racing's top synthetic sires. So the question now is: are his bloodlines less present in poorer-performing all-weather studs?...(read more)

Bold Over -- How Bold Ruler's Making a Comeback in the Age of All-Weather Tracks

sgillies — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 18:08:00 GMT

It's no secret that progeny of Bold Ruler-line stallions have enjoyed success on synthetic racing surfaces. As all-weather tracks continue to flourish, let's take a look at some top synthetic sires to see how much influence they have from Bold Ruler and the larger Nasrullah line....(read more)

6 Noteworthy Third-Crop Sires

sgillies — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 16:35:00 GMT

The third-crop season can be a make-or-break year for stallions, who have to prove that they can get consistently good progeny even when mare quality and quantity tend to drop off. Six of the entering sires of 2003 deserve some attention for not only holding steady, but actually improving over their 2007 progeny results....(read more)

Hard Spun Wins With Breeders

sgillies — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 16:30:00 GMT

Hard Spun wins a few titles in the breeding shed. I also see some similarities between the son of Danzig and other Thoroughbred sires Point Given and ... Big Brown ???...(read more)

10 Young Thoroughbred Stallions Whose DAUGHTERS Are the Future of the Breed

sgillies — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 20:45:00 GMT

Are these 10 stallions the Princequillos and Deputy Ministers and Blue Larkspurs of tomorrow? A look at emerging broodmare sires....(read more)

7 Over-Performing Synthetic Sires

sgillies — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 16:25:00 GMT

Seven sires made the cut: they are clear leaders on the all-weather racetracks. Who made the list -- and just as important, who didn't?!?...(read more)

9 Marks of Top-Priced Yearlings at the Keeneland Sale

sgillies — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 19:39:00 GMT

The data are clear: certain qualities or circumstances are favored in the yearling sales ring. Here are nine factors that were markers for success at the 2008 Keeneland September yearling sale....(read more)

Thoroughbred Breeding Benchmark -- Report of Live Foals

sgillies — Mon, 15 Sep 2008 15:41:00 GMT

The annual report of live foals reveals some interesting shifts in the Thoroughbred breeding industry....(read more)

7 Tips for the Keeneland September Yearling Sale

sgillies — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:26:00 GMT

Some of the secrets revealed in A Guide to Buying Thoroughbreds at the Keeneland September Sale are tips on how to read what the sales catalog page really says ...why timing can be everything ... who should be on your team of advisors ... and how you can compare the offerings hip-by-hip to determine your top picks....(read more)