Home

We are often asked the question on nick ratings - "do they work across multiple generations?" The answer ironically depends on the genuine strength of the affinity between the sire lines in question. Examples of nicks that seem to span generations and withstand the scrutiny of time include Fappiano over In Reality-line mares and Seattle Slew over Mr. Prospector-line mares with these two in particular providing superior runners via sons and grandsons being bred on the same cross and the production of stakes winners outstripping opportunity with other sire lines.

The Australasian bloodstock market is at the moment saturated with Danzig/Danehill-line mares and one sire line that seems to be emerging as an interesting option for owners of those mares, and one that is certainly going across generations, is that of the Australia-based stallion Zeditave. A brilliant sprinter from the Nearco sire line via European champion Showdown, Zeditave himself has sired the stakes winner KaKaKaKatie out of a mare by Danehill.

A generation further on and Zeditave's sons Magic Albert, sire of Al Be Nimble, and Strategic, sire of the champion 2-year-old Meurice and stakes winner La Famelia, have both had success with mares by Danehill. On the weekend we saw this affinity stretch a little further with Strategic Image, a son of Strategic, siring his first stakes winner when Altered Image (A TrueNicks rated before his stakes win) won the NZ$55,000 Listed Castletown Stakes for juveniles at Foxton. Danasinga is of course a son of Danehill so we are looking at a grandson of Zeditave siring a stakes winner out of a mare by a son of Danehill... strength indeed.

Filed under: Sire Lines, Validity