What To Look For When Studying Bloodlines
As with many aspects of the game and business of racehorse ownership, it pays to play the percentages when considering the pedigree of a prospective purchase. While certain individuals might be able to play the obviously high-percentage gamble of buying a prospective runner with championship-caliber parentage on both sides, most of us hope to find a future superstar with a small price tag. Certainly, American Quarter Horse lore is filled with such true stories.
Several principles should be applied in searching sales catalogs for future stakes-class runners. Remember, though, to enlist the help of a professional who can help you spot conformation flaws that can completely negate a horse’s exciting appearance “on paper.”
Look For Consistent Production In The Female Family
Even if the dam herself has had limited chance to produce, check the produce records of her sisters and of her dam and second dam. Consistent production of winners among the females of the first three generations indicates a probability that top-quality runners will continue to come from this line.
Look For Soundness In Pedigree
A prospect by a stallion which raced for several seasons would seem to be a pedigree of soundness. A professional adviser can tell you if any of the bloodlines are predisposed toward certain kinds of ailments, and will be able to inspect the specific prospect for flaws that could lead to soundness problems.
Look For Proven “Nicks”
This is especially important and is much easier in this computerized age than ever before. Certain bloodlines cross especially well together, resulting in more superior runners. Just as important is the fact that there are popular bloodlines which, when crossed with each other, result in far fewer superior runners.
“Unproven” Sires And Producers Can Be Bargains
By the time a given sire or broodmare has been absolutely proven to be capable of producing champions, the offspring of those individuals are going to be expensive. Although purchasing offspring of young “unproven” parents might be more of a gamble, the prices ordinarily paid for such offspring are considerably lower.
Winners Are Winners Wherever They Race
While there is no denying the quality of horses which race successfully at major tracks, do not overlook the winning tendencies of horses which have won frequently at smaller tracks. The fact is that horses which have what it takes to win many races are usually capable of passing along that quality to their offspring.
Don’t Look Too Far
Even if a horse has world champion great grandparents, buyers should find some real racing success in the first two generations before latching onto a prospect. While it frequently happens that solid performance “skips” a single generation, it is rare that such performance returns to the bloodline after an absence of multiple generations.
When studying bloodlines, visit AQHA Online at aqhamembers.com. Members receive $10 worth of AQHA Internet records free every month.
