Every year around this time – after the World Cup Finals in Dressage and Jumping and after Rolex and Badminton – I write bloodline articles. I write about the pedigrees of the top horses and point out patterns.
While doing the research I also notice whether the pedigrees of horses I have selected or recommended over the years have gotten stronger due to the success of their relatives. It is a great way to test one’s accuracy. This year I was pleased to see that earlier predictions are either coming true or are holding true.
About 15 years ago I recommended the purchase of a Donnerhall son as a stallion, and I am pleased to see that there is still a strong Donnerhall presence in dressage, primarily through his sons and grandsons.
Rolex and Badminton provided excellent feedback regarding the Thoroughbreds I have selected for sport breeding programs, and I am particularly thrilled with how strong the pedigree of Hero’s Tribute is in regards to current horses. I’m also glad that several of the mares he has in his harem also carry strong sport influences.
Aside from the bloodlines, I quite like how Hero stamps his offspring – Thoroughbred and Warmblood – adding lightness of the forehand, refinement and an excellent work ethic.
The only sad part is that I suspect he will be gone by the time he becomes popular based on the results of his offspring in sport.
I love studying bloodlines which is odd as I can’t recall what I learned after a very short time. For some reason a couple of days ago I wanted to find out about Seabiscuit as I recalled he related back to Man-O-War, yes my reading affirmed, Man-O-War was SB grandfather. Then I wanted to know were Mr. Prospector fitted in with Northern Dancer and back I went to Eclipse and you know the thousands of names stemming from his line! Apparently Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth the 11 knows the blood lines and has made a study of knowing them from the time she was 16 years old. Now I am going to look up Donnerhall and Hero to see which line they come under. A betting man would say Eclipse and if the answer has to be closer to our time Northern Dancer would be a good bet having bread so many winners on the track and in the breeding barn.