The Five-Cross Files : Recent Winners

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)

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)

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)

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)

Beyond Perfection Saves Best for Last

sgillies — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 20:30:00 GMT

Beyond Perfection was barren three times, slipped three more, and produced one dead foal (along with five less-than-impressive runners) before being booked to Candy Ride in 2005. The resulting grade II winner indicates the trouble was worth it -- but was it a good breeding decision?...(read more)

Thoroughbred Pedigree Review -- Relaunch Connections

sgillies — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 22:00:00 GMT

Once as a grandsire and once as a damsire, the In Reality son Relaunch was represented by impressive graded winners over the Independence Day weekend....(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)

If Desert Party Romps, Street Cry Is the New Mr. P

sgillies — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 18:15:00 GMT

Kentucky Derby hopeful Desert Party has a re-emerging female family, the world's most prominent racing stable -- and maybe the most important sire at stud today....(read more)

Kentucky Derby 2009 -- Early Pedigree Picks

sgillies — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 22:32:00 GMT

Derby Day is two months off and the field is starting to emerge. Here are a few of the sophomores that have impressed me....(read more)

Zenyatta Earns Horse of the Year Honors

sgillies — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 03:57:00 GMT

Stock in ZENYATTA went soaring today while CURLIN finished out of the money for the first time in his career. Quite a Breeders' Cup -- and now all signs point to Zenyatta as 2008 Horse of the Year....(read more)

Catalog Updates at Thoroughbred Sales

sgillies — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 14:19:00 GMT

Part of the energized atmosphere at Thoroughbred sales is the urgent dispersal of catalog page update notices that are handed out to all potential buyers....(read more)

Anak Nakal Puts It All Together

sgillies — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 03:36:00 GMT

Anak Nakal's Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) win gives me the opportunity to tie together such disparate topics as inbreeding to Dr. Fager... the re-emergence of a branch of female family #1... Quiet American as a broodmare sire... and Djebel (FR) blood in the modern Thoroughbred....(read more)

Thoroughbred Female Families - Family 4 Goes 1-2 in Alabama Stakes

sgillies — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 02:11:00 GMT

Two of the best sophomore fillies in America are from the same female family. You've got to go way, way back to find the common dam, though....(read more)

Archipenko Worth a Million for an Old Mare

sgillies — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 21:51:00 GMT

Archipenko stands out for two reasons, both related to his female family. His dam was old when she produced him, and his granddam is a truly special mare....(read more)

Would Kamsin Succeed in America?

sgillies — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 14:08:00 GMT

Deutsches Derby (Ger-I) winner Kamsin represents soundness and stamina. Is that what American breeders really want?...(read more)