The Five-Cross Files : In the News

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: 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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

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)

New Horse Park Program for Retired Thoroughbreds

sgillies — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:45:00 GMT

A new trail training course at the Maker's Mark Secretariat Center in the Kentucky Horse Park will allow off-the-track Thoroughbreds to be schooled over natural trails....(read more)

Milwaukee Brew Hails Canada as Windfields Ends Era

sgillies — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 16:15:00 GMT

Florida's Milwaukee Brew is making a name for himself -- way up north....(read more)

Rah Rah RAHY, Damsire of Sires

sgillies — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 15:45:00 GMT

Rahy becomes a pensioner and with his retirement the Thoroughbred breeding industry loses one more source of diversity. (Plus a quick look at the Nasrullah sire line.)...(read more)

Horse Board -- Pasture vs. Stall

sgillies — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:54:00 GMT

A recent study finds that one choice is better than the other for overall equine health....(read more)

French Classic Winner Silver Frost Combines Euro, American Lines

sgillies — Mon, 11 May 2009 21:47:00 GMT

A seriously international sire line paired with an all-American female family gives us French classic winner Silver Frost. A lesson in French is included at no charge, and an Ivory Soap commercial falls into the mix somehow....(read more)

Mine That Bird's Misleading Dosage Profile

sgillies — Mon, 04 May 2009 14:45:00 GMT

Last week I said that future Derby winners would have a higher Dosage Index than in the past. It happened this year -- but here's why Mine That Bird's win does NOT add value to my prediction....(read more)

Can Horse Racing Solve Its Problems In Time to Survive?

sgillies — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 14:00:00 GMT

If you think Thoroughbred horse racing is strong enough or wealthy enough to weather any storm, you could be in for a huge disappointment. The industry has monumental challenges ahead and no clear plans about how to meet them....(read more)

Ascot Stud Offer Motivates Breeders

sgillies — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 19:32:00 GMT

Dropping stud fees is only part of the plan for many stallion farms. Many -- like Ascot Stud in Ontario -- have come up with innovative incentive plans to motivate broodmare owners to sign on the dotted line....(read more)

Powered by Dodge and Presented by Yum! Brands

sgillies — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 03:05:00 GMT

The Kentucky Derby is only 10-odd weeks away. Get ready for the ubiquitous Yum! debates....(read more)

Brownie Gets Big Book

sgillies — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 23:24:00 GMT

Three-year-old champion racehorse Big Brown starts his stud service the same way he began his career at the track -- with feats worthy of headlines. He's booked to some of the best Thoroughbred broodmares in America....(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)

Racing Syndicate Mastermind Takes Your Questions

sgillies — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:43:00 GMT

Here's your opportunity to ask questions about racing partnerships, racehorse syndication, and the state of the Thoroughbred industry in 2009. Dogwood Stables' Cot Campbell sits down for an interview with Talkin' Horses....(read more)

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

sgillies — Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:18:00 GMT

Smarty Jones isn't the only Thoroughbred stallion out there to become a damsire within three years of his own first foals' arrival The practice is controversial -- but breeding 2-year-old fillies might be more common than you realize....(read more)

Yonaguska Should Shine in Louisiana

sgillies — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 00:06:00 GMT

The weekend's news that Yonaguska has been relocated to Louisiana at first seems like a bit of a demotion for the son of Cherokee Run. A closer look reveals that it might be the best thing that could happen for him....(read more)

Storm Cat Back in Service -- For $20,000 -- Yes, Really

sgillies — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 20:47:00 GMT

Oh, it's true -- Storm Cat is back in stud service. There's one little detail, though, that puts a twist on things......(read more)

Thoroughbred Pedigree in the News -- BRASS HAT

sgillies — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 22:12:00 GMT

Brass Hat attempts a comeback. The 8-year-old son of Prized has been compared to the legendary John Henry -- both are grade I winning geldings who put in long careers, after all. But the two share more than that, and we look back to the damsire of two Triple Crown winners to find the connection....(read more)

We Have A Crisis In Thoroughbred Racing

sgillies — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 16:13:00 GMT

"What is good for the horse is good for racing," AAEP vet Scott Palmer discusses why "we have to put the horse first."...(read more)

What Happens to "The Breeders' Cup" When Breeders Are Cut Out?

sgillies — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 16:59:00 GMT

A dramatic shift in Breeders' Cup involvement in stakes racing is a disappointment for breeders -- and a bad signal for the health of the Thoroughbred racing industry....(read more)