Pedigree Query

Keep in mind this really is my first season on a SMALL yet commercial breeding level. While looking at stallions not only in my budget, I also look for stallions who at a reasonable p[rice seem to produce check getters. One I ahve been watching is NY stallion Good and Tough. What is the deal with this stallion? He seems to see decent sized books, he seems to produce runners...from hi claimers to Stakes horses with every crop. why is not more respected at the sales?

Stars by the ones who stand for $5k or less. In no particular order....

1. Devil His Due
2. Pioneering*
3. Matty G
4. Alphabet Soup
5. Slew City Slew*
6. Evansville Slew*
7. Storm Boot
8. Skip Trial (FL)*
9. Out of Place
10. Private Terms*
11. Meadow Monster (MD)*
12. Swiss Yodeler (CA)*
13. Intidab (NY)*
14. Wheaton (PA)*
15. Citidancer (MD)

Of them all, Slew City Slew, Matty G, and Skip Trial are the most likely to get you a big horse on a budget. Alphabet Soup is tested and consistent but may be well out of your price range. Devil His Due is the other most expensive of the lot, but if you have a mare with Double Jay and/or (perhaps especially) a speedy son of Prince John within 5 generations (Hold Your Peace, Silent Screen, etc), he could get you a huge runner.

Do bear in mind, however, that most of these stallions don't light up the sales. I think Slew City Slew's average yearling goes for $11k--which given a $5k stud fee and mare/foal care might not make much of a profit for you.

In Good and Toughs case...we bred to a stable mate of his last year and will in 2006 as well. Having seen him in person hes an impressvie horse who seems to throw solid runners...yet his offers little to the commerical breeder...WHY IS THAT? No love at the sales thats for sure.

Actually I believe Intidab has been sent to Kentucky for the 2006 breeding year and his fee has been raised.

A couple more for the "stars under $5K" list...

Devon Lane (Storm Cat x To The Hunt by Relaunch) sire of SW and G1 placed River's Prayer among others. (Not sure if she's still on track for the BC Juvenile Fillies or not, but I believe his half-sis Stellar Jayne is slated for one of the BC races.) His fee in 2005 was $2,500. It will go up for 2006. He's been in the top 20 sires of 2YOs most of the year, ranking as high as #2. He's in New Mexico and is a stallion in the state's lucrative incentive program.

And how about Concerto? Anyone know if he will he stay at $5,000 for 2006 after producing Bellamy Road?

Laurie