Harbor the Gold - too early to be excited?

[jennywho]

I realize he's just a regional sire, but from a small first crop of 12 he's had 8 starters, 4 winners and 3 STAKES winners. Of the 4 non winners, 3 have run second.

His foals physically have impressed me. Big, correct, balanced, they look like racehorses.

On a pedigree standpoint what's to like/dislike?

[bdw0617]

i'd be cautiously optomistic. he's a half brother to boston harbor who, will not be mistaken with northern dancer anytime soon when it comes to stallion success.

with that said, it's exciting to see one like that pop up from now where, and I hope he continue his success. I like seeking the gold alot and you'd think there would be some solid heirs to his throne.. there aren't.

[Sock Monkey]

Why not get excited? Those are some impressive stats.

[AlexZ]

'Cautiously optimistic' sounds about right. That's a really small sample size. Definitely not enough to draw any conclusions, but the results so far are SO good that its certainly a little more likely that he'll be a success than it was before his career at stud started.

[Ill-bred]

Two of his three stakes winners don't qualify for black type, presumably because the purses were too low (less than 20k).

Still, it's a good start and those who watch the EMD/PM circuit should have a better idea of the quality of these performances. There are stakes winners, and then there are stakes winners.

[bdw0617]

that is a very small sample to see if a sire is going to be a success. with that said, it's good they are doing well and not doing bad. let's hope he can keep it up.

remember joannesburg? he started off scorching hot.. when is the last time you heard about a good J'berg 2YO? it's been almost 2 years.

[ASB]

Boston Harbor's demise was more of him not meeting unfair expectations rather than him being a less than useful stallion. A the time, Japan was desperately looking tp upgrade their stallions with new blood and he fit the bill perfectly. Their offer was significant and was not going to be refused. Being by Capote, a less than inspiring sire of sires, also hasn't helped BH.

With that said, this sample size is much too small and I would not even get excited unless these horses start showing up in open stakes and graded stakes. Although, this horse is better bred to be a stallion than his more talented and accomplished half-brother.

[Sock Monkey]

What's the criteria for success here? Results that would make a very desirable regional sire may not equal what would make him a major market success.

[bdw0617]

i would suppose a sire that gets horse to the track and wins often enough.

he is better bred than boston harbor. he has alot going for him pedigree wise. he's from the same family as not only boston harbor but groovy as well. the family produces, no question about that.

the only thing that really is a thorn sorta is that seeking the gold himself is not the world's best sire of sires.

hopefully harbor the gold continues his early success and makes someone some money

[ASB]

The family has actually been pretty damn quiet considering the upgrades its seen since Groovy's initial success. I can't remember the last horse of any consequence from it. Mares from the fam can also be picked up extremely cheaply.

[bdw0617]

The family has actually been pretty damn quiet considering the upgrades its seen since Groovy's initial success. I can't remember the last horse of any consequence from it. Mares from the fam can also be picked up extremely cheaply.

good reward?

[ASB]

You've lost me. What does Good Reward have to do with the Dors clan?

[bdw0617]

man brain freeze of the year... I had been thinking about pure prize all day long.

[Rez]

I like Harbor the Gold !! His babies are well balanced with nice bone too handle the crappy tracks in the area.

[Ill-bred]