How Much Does Breeding Count?

Just going by 'transferred' rather than 'sold' and Pletcher is their main trainer over there.
 
They could have sent him to try him on the dirt / polytrack, since being a full brother to Gentleman's Deal he might show the same zing on it - and why not? Cute move imo
 
That's a very good article, Sheikh, thanks for posting it up. I look forward to reading the comments on it too, a bit later [after York]. At least the problems are now getting a good airing - there was apparently a similar article int he business pages of the Washington Post last week as well; although form what's written in the NYT piece it's hard to see things changing any time soon for hard commercial reasons.

The only hope is a worldwide agreement on doping binding on ALL racing authorities, and the US is hostile to any of that kind of agreement [in racing or any other jursidiction!]. The other hope is for other countries to shun the Breeders' Cup until such time as..... And I do mean Ballydoyle! Pie in the Sky, I fear
 
Btw I see that Betfair put up a market yesterday for leading first-season sire in UK and Ireland, on number of winners

One Cool Cat is trading as favourite - would he have got the quality of mares? He seems to me to be a clear eg of what we're talking about - a flawed horse, with possible heart problems; but I suppose a lot of people will go to him for fashion's sake, and Coolmore must have supported him too. If I had a mare, regardless of price he woudl def NOT be on my shortlist - or any list!

Exceed And Excel is training at c6 and looks a better bet imo

It strikes me that the original article which we discussed last year is confusing value, price and genes. The fact is, that success on the racecourse is largely dictated by two things which ARE dependent on genes: namely heart size, and limb/hoof soundness. And it might also be confusing whether you measure success by stud/sales prices, or winning races, which are not entirely the same thing
 
Well yes, I would have expected OCC to throw some precocious types, and he's clearly doing that!

No Gareth I hadn't looked until just now, OCC's 43% topping the overall stats for stallions this season is pretty impressive, let alone topping the first season sires list. Let's hope they keep going a bit longer than he did... LOL. What was his stud fee 2006? It's listed as €12,500 currently

I was very impressed with Kheleyf's record as well - not far behind OCC, %-wise, and by a sire I love in Green Desert, and a family which is durable and throws good stallions too [inc Encosta De Lago]. I hadn't registered he's a brother to Bint Allayl - and at £5000 stud fee I know which I'd choose! Not that he'll be £5000 next season I guess; but he'll probably still be cheaper than OCC

I entered some comp earlier in the season and picked Refuse To Bend and and the 'lesser light' Colossus - both off the mark already I see [RP database not updated but Colossus's daughter Susi Strong won a 5flg maiden at Milan
 
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