El Padrino's Breeder Takes Realistic Approach
Written by Ian Tapp | Feb 29, 2012 |
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We're always happy to see TrueNicks customers succeed on the racetrack, and we were especially thrilled when Derby prospect El Padrino won the Risen Star Stakes (gr. II) over the weekend. Emory Hamilton, breeder of El Padrino, uses TrueNicks broodmare reports for her mares, and a report for El Padrino's dam, Enchanted Rock, identified Pulpit (TrueNicks,SRO) as one of the top picks back in early November—before El Padrino ran third in the Remsen (gr. II).
I emailed Emory to congratulate her and to inquire about how she uses TrueNicks in her breeding program. I was pleased to find that she has a very realistic approach, and intelligently interprets TrueNicks as a part of the equation.
"I don't think my breeding strategy is all that interesting. I do look at TrueNicks, but it's not the deciding factor," Emory explained. "Conformation plays a very big part as well. Enchanted Rock is a very big mare, but well proportioned."
On first glance at El Padrino's pedigree, the Pulpit/Storm Cat cross jumps out as a potentially temperamental combination, as both stallions are known for being a bit fiery. Emory had considered temperament beforehand.
"Temperament also matters. For a Giant's Causeway (TrueNicks,SRO) mare, Enchanted Rock has a great disposition, otherwise the Pulpit cross could have been risky. El Padrino is a very quiet horse. Enchanted Rock's yearling filly by Tapit (TrueNicks,SRO) is also quiet."
Of course planning the mating is only the first step in breeding a top racehorse, and Emory gave props to Middlebrook Farm, where El Padrino was raised. "The people at Middlebrook work very hard to raise nice foals," she said.
Emory sold El Padrino at the 2010 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $210,000, with trainer Todd Pletcher signing the ticket on behalf of Let's Go Stable. Current plans for the colt's next start are between the Florida Derby (gr. I) and Louisiana Derby (gr. II).
Emory must have been satisfied with Pulpit as a match for Enchanted Rock because she bred her back to the stallion last year. Enchanted Rock has now foaled a full sister to El Padrino, born February 9th.
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