A look back at the champions of the breed
All manner of variables are considered when a Thoroughbred horse breeder decides which stallion his mare will be bred to. Pedigree class, conformation of the stallion and his mare, temperament and racing success are key elements in the final decision. Subsequently when the resulting foal is born, the new individual is then assessed as he or she develops. Some growing
Read moreThe Aga Khan III entered the turf realm in England in the 1920’s when he began to purchase well bred yearling fillies to stock his stable. He was advised by none other than The Honourable George Lambton, trainer for Lord Derby. Lambton had a very astute eye for yearlings and selected for The Aga many fillies that not only won
Read moreMysteries are everywhere. The sciences such as evolution, hereditary genetics and the man made mysteries that provoke us into the why, where and how consistently intrigue us. A good mystery will arouse our curiosity, causing us to speculate, and compels us to seek the truth. There have been volumes of literature, countless reels of films, and an abundance of popular
Read moreBlue Hen Mare is a frequently used title in breeding, but in reality the term should be sparsely used. A “Blue Hen” is an elite mare in producing top level stakes winners on multiple occasions. Juddmonte Farm has had a few such mares in their realm. Toussaud definitely qualifies as an elite “Blue Hen Mare”. She was a remarkable Thoroughbred.
Read moreWe all have our favourite race horses. For one reason or another certain horses just seem to capture our hearts, whether it is due to performance, character, beauty or some other trait. During the late 1920’s and early 1930’s a brown gelding was the toast of racing fans in England. His name was Brown Jack, the undisputed darling of the
Read moreThe first two centuries of recorded Thoroughbred breeding emphasised endurance over sheer speed. The gradual change to shorter distances in racing, with increased purses to aim for, eventually made stallions of staying ability obsolete in the breeding world. One of the last true sources for staying blood came from a brown foal of 1911. His name was Son-In-Law, a name
Read moreThe world of horse racing is truly a global entity. All corners of the earth support the sport in one way or another. The country of Japan has been blessed with some outstanding horses in the past few decades due to a spirited and dedicated commitment to improve the quality of domestic bloodlines by enthusiastic and wealthy horsemen. Vast sums
Read moreHorse racing has a plethora of traditions that have been engrained in us which in many ways are taken for granted. Some traditions are so steeped in race culture that any change would seem a blasphemous crime to all who embrace this wonderful sport. As much as the excitement of racing draws us to keep returning, traditions are some of
Read moreHistory has a way of repeating itself. After a wait of thirty-seven years, we had the privilege to watch American Pharoah capture the Triple Crown. Three years later and we have just witnessed another Triple Crown winner when the undefeated Justify ran into immortality. When Secretariat won the Triple Crown back in 1973, he broke a twenty-five year drought for
Read moreTriple Crown winners are some of the more exulted horses in the thoroughbred world. Many are remembered for not only their talent and speed, but also for their determination and intelligence which made them so formidable. In the case of the fifth American Triple Crown winner Whirlaway, heart and smarts were not what he is fondly remembered for. He had
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