Quite Contrary Exceptions

re: Quite Contrary Exceptions

Melinda — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 02:45:33 GMT

The article above was an interesting study - especially in regard to the Bluebird mares. I am trying to select a mate for my Bluebird mare (who is out of a Shergar mare).

As far as Spinnning World sires here in NZ we have Thorn Park - but he himself is out of a Bluebird mare - which looks pretty close linebreeding to me.

There is also the question of whether to breed to the sprinting (sire) side of the pegigree or staying (dam) side.

My mare was imported from Australia and her bloodlines are not common in NZ. She has had 6 to the races - 4 winners, 2 place-getters, no black type (yet!). At the age of 19yrs I would love to breed a filly worthy of continuing the line.

I have a weanling colt by King's Chapel and the mare is in foal (unsexed) to Iffraaj.

Mare is Beaver Creek (AUS).

I would be grateful for your ideas - she is a lovely mare and at her age, I need to make the best job I can of selecting a horse for her.

re: Quite Contrary Exceptions

Alan Porter — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 13:49:49 GMT

Hi Michael,

You're quite correct. This would be an example of a mating that has been tried many times (probably an assessment of a broad cross of Storm Cat/Northern Dancer). The encouraging thing is that you do know the cross CAN produce a good horse.

In general breeding a stallion back to a mare from her own sire line - and this is a broad Northern Dancer/Northern Dancer cross - has below opportunity results. However, the negatives diminish as the distance increases, and there are also additional factors that can improve opportunity for the mating.

Bringing in Mr. Prospector should be a plus - he and Northern Dancer are reverse Nearco/Native Dancer crosses, and that is at least one of the reasons that they work well together.

Good luck with the filly!

re: Quite Contrary Exceptions

Michael D — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 11:54:52 GMT

Hi Alan,

We have a two year old filly in training by a Storm Cat/Mr P stallion out of a Northern Dancer line mare. A very nice individual with only a C rating. Looking at the best bred on this cross there are five G1 winners. I assume this means the cross has been tried frequently, correct? How much strength would you give to the affinity of the Mr P broodmare sire and the ND dam line? I really enjoyed this article. Thanks

re: Quite Contrary Exceptions

Alan Porter — Sat, 14 Mar 2009 01:10:12 GMT

Hi Stanley,

I'm guessing that we are talking about Royal Signorina.

It is an unusual pedigree, with Nijinsky II 2 x 5, and inbreeding to Mr. Prospector 2 x 4 in the dam.

Without knowing exactly what you want to spend, we can sketch out some general ideas. Blushing Groom is good with Nijinsky II, and the Royal Academy has more Menow/Sir Gallahad. The Mt. Livermore branch would like the Quiet American in the mare.

Storm Cat is interesting with Royal Academy (a Giant's Causeway son, or one of his brothers would give you Storm Cat and Blushing Groom).

The distaff side of Royal Academy loves to pick up more of the Hermit/Maid of Masham (because of St. Mirin in Crimson Satan), but Honeyway, and the German strains would be hard to find, but more In Reality might help if other things are there.

At that distance you would almost wonder if you couldn't combine Unbridled and Quiet American, and try a horse like Even the Score or Harlington, who also bring in Blushing Groom, or Half Ours (with Storm Cat). Flashy Bull is a little interesting.

Horse Greeley gives a nick that's worked and Storm Cat with three Nijinsky II crosses (OK at that distance - has been in a good Tale of the Cat).

Kela gives Mr. Prospector/Nijinsky II and Special, which would like the Kingmambo.

Lewis Michael gives Blushing Groom top and bottom, and with Lear Fan, to connect with the Nureyev in the mare.

Anyway, these are just a few quick ideas!

Good luck with her.

re: Quite Contrary Exceptions

Peck Farm Thoroughbreds — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 18:44:10 GMT

"No matter what the book says, a horse will prove it wrong." Words of wisdom from an old veterinarian of mine. I've been in this business over 50 years, 30 spent at the track, and I agree. People are not factoring in heart, attitude, and how the horse was raised. And nature. How can you tell nature what it will be?

re: Quite Contrary Exceptions

Novanora — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 19:04:44 GMT

True Nicks is obviously a useful tool, but it doesn't take the mares into consideration. Your article points up how significant the "girls" in the pedigree can be. When Stephen Got Even x a Summer Squall mare was mentioned, the very first thing I thought of was, indeed Weekend Surprise. After all, it's not just the Northern Dancer line - horses have mothers, too.

re: Quite Contrary Exceptions

stanley marcinkowski — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 18:59:52 GMT

I have a 4 yr old race filly. She is by Royal Academy, out of a Kingmambo mare, from family of undefeated Group-1 winner Lammtarra. What should I look for in a stallion?