Four hundred and forty-nine yearlings at Nationals to inspect from head to toe. An avalanche of cleverly catalogued pedigree information. So much to do, and so little time. How are we to make sense of all of it before raising our catalogues and bid? Never mind writing some sensible words about this biggest annual adrenaline pumping, brain-teasing horse-pickers convention in the land.
Selectivity may be a good answer. Clearly, we do not need to tell the top-of-the-league buyers what best to do, or to avoid. They are dyed in the wool, have their advisors, their trainers, and worry not one iota what bank managers think. Where some help could be needed is at the other end of the scale. New buyers, or bargain hunters, and all those other people with an open mind, keen to expand horizons, being able to bid with common sense and restraint.
So the stories that follow are for the people who prefer lifejackets, splashing in the shallow end of the pool. Not for the major players, sitting under their umbrellas at the deep end, sipping champagne and munching canapés, unconcerned that the high-dive platform also towers at their end.
This year’s catalogue represents 449 decisions made by breeders some three years ago. All those breeders had the focus on their mares at the time, and for the most had at least some idea of what to expect from their foals. But what they knew then about the stallion game is not necessarily what they know now. Mating decisions that seemed such a good idea in 2012 may well differ from what breeders would do for those same mares today.
An interesting perspective is to see what’s on offer in terms of sire quality. The top-ten stallions on the current sirelist (as published by Sporting Post) have between them 175 yearlings on offer, of which 100 are colts.
That is some 40% of all yearlings in the catalogue, and the area where the big money at the deep end will focus. Chances are there will be too much of a good thing there, no doubt making for disappointment in the expectations on the sellers’ side. Turning the 40% of ‘big fish’ around, there will be some 60% (or 275) yearlings by ‘other’ stallions at the shallow end – so there, too, danger lurks. It’s up to the buyers to sort wheat from chaff. One of the most valuable tools at hand is the Buyer’s Guide. It contains a wealth of summarised information on ability, stamina, sale prices, fashion, buyers. The idea is to make informed decisions based on what the Buyer’s Guide contains. A master class on survival in the shallow end, swimming with the sharks.
It all starts here.
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Pedigree Peeler
Predictions on First Season Sires
When stallions first go to stud, the annual Breeder’s Handbook highlights their racing career and family background. Added to this is an analysis of their pedigree elements and a prediction of what they might need from mares to bring out the best.
It’s walking the tightrope, but often gives interesting angles for breeder’s to hang their hats on. You can find those sire analyses on the Sporting Post website, some brief, others lengthy.
What follows here is a helping hand to get a handle on the first-crop sires represented at Nationals. To boot, the yearlings whose pedigrees conform to the predictions made about their sires are highlighted. It’s riveting stuff and there are what appear to be real gems.
All this to be seen in the light of the fact that the majority of stallions going to stud won’t make the grade, although those that don’t might still sire the odd cracker. As about everything in life: even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while.
Here’s hoping.
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Bold Silvano
Bold Silvano
Equus Champion 3yo, and Gr1 winner up to 2200m, with a Timeform 119 rating following his stint in Dubai.
He’s by Silvano, and bred on the sire x broodmare sire cross with Al Mufti also found in highclass international campaigner Kings Gambit, Gr1 filly Equina, and Gr1 placed Kings Cross and Galanthus.
Bold Silvano’s dam Bold Saffron is solidly kin-bred, with the bottom female-lines of her sire Al Mufti and dam Saffron linking in several ways, notably Missy Baba to Saffron and specifically her sire Enchanter (half brother to champion Hawaii). Missy Baba is female line ancestor of Al Mufti, suggesting that Bold Silvano’s affinities might be similar to Al Mufti’s.
Bold Silvano’s second dam Saffron is kinbred, with links from Enchanter’s female line coming through from the mare Arcola, and further back the mare Illuminata – the latter an influential female-line ancestor found in many pedigrees, notably through daughter Chelandry and son Ladas. The make-up Bold Silvano’s third dam Fair Loot looks to be close kin to the mare Tradition (daughter of Drohsky), with the dams of the pair also close kin. These lines might work well together.
Suitable lines for Bold Silvano could include descendants of Missy Baba’s female line (Al Mufti, Sportsworld, A.P. Indy, etc); female line descendants of the Illuminata female line (specifically Ethyl, Gasoline – female line of Hawaii, Enchanter – but widespread and found in a host of mares at stud in SA); female line descendants of the Saffron female line (notably Saffron’s full sister Tanglewood); Drohsky female line descendants (widespread in the SA population); etc.
For the notebook:
#265 colt out of Irish bred half sister to English Gr1 winners Caerwent (Caerleon) and Marling (Lomond), their dam Marwell (Habitat) a champion at 2 and at 3. Bold Silvano’s grandam Saffron is close kin to Marwell’s Gr2 winning dam Lady Seymour and to the next dam My Game. The yearling is a half brother to multiple stakes winner Eton Rifles (Timeform 118), by Pivotal whose 3rd and 4th dam are also kin to Lady Seymour and My Game. (Ascot Stud)
#408 filly out of Gr2 winning 2yo Spring Clover (Kahal). Here Saffron’s sire Enchanter gives a link, be it remotely, with the bottom female line. (Ascot Stud)
#341 colt out of Gr2 placed stakes winner Proud Classic (National Assembly). Fourth dam Ocean Song is by Sea Cottage, a descendant of Drohsky. (Ascot Stud)
#361 colt out of Gr3 placed Rexana (National Assembly). She’s from the Soho Secret female line, where Silvano got Kings Gambit out of Al Mufti mare Lady Brompton. The key ancestor in the family is Secret Recipe, who kin-links to Saffron’s sire Ethane. The yearling is inbred 3×3 to Al Mufti. All very interesting. (Ascot Stud)
#48 colt out of 6-time winner Astral Emblem (National Emblem). The mare’s dam is by Sportsworld (same grandam as Al Mufti), while Silvano’s damsire Beau’s Eagle is very close kin to Ruysdael, sire of the yearling’s 4th dam Daella. (Ascot Stud)
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Gimmethegreenlight
Gimmethegreenlight
Australian bred son of More Than Ready (Southern Halo x Woodman), and with MR117 the second highest rated 3yo of his year in South Africa (after Variety Club’s 118). He won the Queen’s Plate (beating Variety Club) and ran a close third in the J&B Met at 3.
Gimmethegreenlight is half brother to a Gr1 winning filly in Australia by Mossman.
Gimmethegreenlight’s significant female line ancestors are Oriens (by Hyperion) and closer up Victory Piper. The latter is kinbred 2×1 Red Briar x Sweet Victory, with Hyperion a significant line in both. Red Briar is from the Red Ray branch of the Black Ray female line. Also from this female line is Blushing Groom, who can provide interesting links to Gimmethegreenlight, notably through his son Jallad who carries a host of other elements also present in Red Briar and Victory Piper. Rainbow Quest is another Blushing Groom son who kin-links to Gimmethegreenlight’s bottom female line.
Suitable lines for Gimmethegreenlight could include Blushing Groom, notably Jallad (and his own female line, the Petrava family), Rainbow Quest (Saumarez, Spectrum), and Blushing Groom as sire of females, etc.; other Black Ray female line, notably Khaled (Swaps and other of his female line descendants, notably Green Desert; Change Water – as in female line of Fort Wood), Mill Reef (Shirley Heights), Bel Byou; Pretty Polly female line descendants, notably through Overture (Preamble, Tara’s Halls, Alan Adare, etc.) – widespread; Soho Secret female line descendants; Dante/Sayajirao (National Emblem, King of Kings, Derring Do (Dominion Royale, etc); multiples of Hyperion, Owen Tudor, Tudor Minstrel; Mixed Marriage (Court Martial, Abernant, etc – widespread); La Troienne female line descedants (widespread), in combination with the above; etc.
For the notebook:
#308 colt out of 3-time winning Irish-bred Orange Dancer (Danehill Dancer), a daughter of Strelitzia, who is a stakes winning full sister to Fort Defiance (who had the misfortune to be born in the same year as his paternal half brother Horse Chestnut, also by Fort Wood). There’s a ton of Hyperion in the pedigree (18 lines, of which a dozen from the dam). (Cheveley Stud)
#31 half brother to 2yo Gr1 winner Forest Indigo (by Judpot). The 4-time winning dam is half sister by Fort Wood to highclass Alexandra Rose and Pavlovich, from an international female line. (Varsfontein)
#346 half brother to Gr1 placed Gr3 winning 2yo Isphan. The dam is half sister by Fort Wood to highclass Bulsara. (Mauritzfontein)
#289 filly out of Gr3 placed Moneycantbuymelove, by Blushing Groom’s son Jallad, from the potent Let Kiss female line. (Varsfontein)
#142 filly, first foal of a winning Jet Master mare from the Queen of Light female line. Queen of Light is very close kin to Red Briar (the significant line in Gimmethegreenlight’s female line). It’s remote, but could be significant. (Hemel ‘n Aarde)
#105 colt out of half sister (by Spectrum) to Champion 2yo filly Consensual and to the dam of another 2yo Gr1 winner, Give Me Five. Spectrum is by Rainbow Quest (Blushing Groom). In addition, the mare female line goes to Sun Lass’daughter Violetta, the latter close kin to Gimme’s significant ancestor Victory Piper. Good stuff. (Varsfontein)
#297 filly out of winning half sister to Champion 2yo Laverna, daughter of Champion Enchantress, from the Champion’s family of National Currency, Harry’s Charm. Female line ancestor Vicuna is close kin to Victory Piper. (Varsfontein)
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Gitano Hernando
Gitano Hernando
Multiple Gr1 winner up to 2000m, rated Timeform 124 (“good-topped colt; smart performer.. will stay 1½m; acts on synthetics, good to firm and good to soft going”). He’s by Hernando, a son of Niniski, who through his German champion-son Lomitas also is the grandsire of Silvano.
Fourth dam Hanina is closely kinbred 2×2 Sugar Bun x Star of India, backed up by multiple kin-breeding from her sire Darling Boy’s bottom-line through Star Of India’s grandam China Maiden. Star Of India, full sister to topclass sprinter and sire High Treason, was Timeform highest rated 2yo filly ever in 1955 (TFR 138). Star Of India is by Court Martial, whose grandam kin-links to China Maiden. Sugar Bun is by Mahmoud, and descends from the Chelandry female line.
Star Of India is close kin to the mare Thong, dam of Special – the female line of Sadler’s Wells, Nureyev, Golden Thatch (whose sire and dam are from that female line), and Perugino, the latter the damsire of Gitano Hernando. The Thong female line (coming through Dalmary and Rough Shod) links in a variety of ways to Gitano Hernando’s bottom-line.
Hernando’s bottom-line ancestor Mumtaz is close kin to the Sugar Bun x Star Of India combo in the bottom-line of Gitano Hernando. Grandam Rising Spirits is by Cure The Blues and kin-bred through that one’s bottom female line, through China Maiden. Cure The Blues is from the Secretariat/Sir Gaylord female line.
Suitable lines for Gitano Hernando could include Dalmary female line descendants (Sadler’s Wells, Nureyev, Golden Thatch, etc.); Court Martial clan lines (incl Mixed Marriage, Petition, and other Fair Trial) – widespread in SA; Sir Gaylord, Secretariat; China Maiden female line descendants (incl Sweet Secret, Candy Kisses, Zooming Zellie; Hard To Beat, Authi; High Treason; etc.); La Troienne female line descendants (notably Buckpasser, widespread); etc.
For the notebook:
#81 colt out of a stakes winning full sister to sire Toreador (by Danehill), the pair half sibling to Irish 1000 Guineas winner Matiya. This is an English female line. The 5th dam of the yearling, Donna, is close kin to Gitano’s significant ancestor Star Of India. (Maine Chance)
#26 half brother to a Gr2 placed winner by Silvano, their dam Action Bleue a winner in France. Action Bleue is by Fasliyev (Nureyev), out of a mare by Riverman (Never Bend), who in turn is by Nureyev out of Champion racemare Allez France, from the La Troienne female line. Action Bleue thus has Nureyev 2×3, and in addition has Never Bend 4×3 – the latter is half brother to Bold Reason who is the sire of Nureyev’s half sister Fairy Bridge – dam of Gitano Hernando’s damsire Perugino. Let’s pull no punches: in terms of pedigree this is a crackerjack, and very much our pick of the bunch from the book for 2015 Nationals. (Maine Chance)
#190 half sister to Silvano’s champion stayer Hot Ticket, their dam a daughter of Sportsworld whose dam is by Nureyev out of a mare by Sir Gaylord. There are solid bottom-line links between Gitano Hernando and the mare’s female line, which traces to Hyperion’s dam Selene. Good stuff. (Digteby Stud)
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Golden Sword
Golden Sword
This classic son of High Chaparral finished runner-up in the Irish Derby, and is winner of the Chester Vase. He has a Timeform rating 122 (“tall, useful looking horse; smart performer… stays 1½m; acts on tapeta and good to firm going, has won on soft”).
Although opportunity may have had an influence, many of the best performers under Golden Sword’s grandam show similarities. Two daughters, Puce by Darshaan (Shirley Heights) and Shouk by Shirley Heights (Mill Reef). Their Gr1 offspring being by Sadler’s Wells, Barathea (by Sadler’s Wells), Montjeu (by Sadler’s Wells). Golden Sword fits the pattern, as his sire High Chaparral is by Sadler’s Wells out of a Darshaan mare. Barathea’s damsire Habitat also features in the family, as sire of Dalsaan (under the 4th dam) – the latter’s half brother Doyoun is by Mill Reef, another half brother Dolpour is by Sadler’s Wells – all of them sires.
It is notable that Golden Sword has three lines of Dalmary (from Sadler’s Wells, from Salse’s sire Topsider, and from Ahonoora’s sire Lorenzaccio). Added to this, the female line of Golden Sword traces to Lost Soul, best known in South Africa for champion sire Royal Prerogative, The latter showed a notable affinity for Golden Thatch, whose sire and dam are both from the Dalmary female line.
Suitable lines for Golden Sword might include Dalmary female line descendants, notably Golden Thatch (son Goldmark has dam by Royal Prerogative), but also Ahonoora, Nureyev and even Sadler’s Wells (notably through Dolpour). Royal Prerogative looks a suitable signpost. Female line ancestor Lost Soul is close kin to Argentina, from the female line of Averof, sire of Foveros (who may well be found together with Dolpour, both standing at the same farm). Lost Soul is also in the female line of Derring Do (Roland Gardens, Dominion Royale), and in some female lines present in South Africa (notably Royal Prerogative mare Allumette). Descendants of Lalun could count, through Bold Reason (son of Hail to Reason, with a notable Lvendula line), Never Bend (Mill Reef, Shirley Heights, Riverman, etc.).
For the notebook:
#355 filly out of Gr2 placed 6-time winner Real Red (by Muhtafal), from a Gr1 female line from which came Politician, Jessamine (dam of Al Nitak, The Sheik), Shoe Express, etc. Real Red’s dam is by French Stress, who has Mill Reef as damsire and traces to the mare Perfume. There is a strong background of Perfume’s dam Lavendula and grandam Sweet Lavender in the yearling’s pedigree. (Summerhill)
#117 filly out of Champion 2yo Dare To Dream, by Shalford, the latter by Thatching out of a mare by Ahonoora – which gives a treble of Dalmary. Dare To Dream’s bottom female line traces to Lavendula’s daughter Perfume. (Summerhill)
#389 half sister to Gr1 placed stakes winner Fenerbahce (by Kahal), out of Gr2 placed mare Shoe Dance (Shoe Danzig). This yearling has the same fourth dam as #117 above, tracing to Perfume. (Summerhill)
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Pathfork
Pathfork
Unbeaten in three wins over 1400m at 2, rated 119p by Timeform, which wrote “Pathfork was briefly favourite for the 2000 Guineas after his win in the National Stakes and should any mishap befall Frankel he could well be promoted again” and “Pathfork runs in the colours of his Kentucky-based owners Tommy and Bonnie Hamilton, and he was aimed at the Breeder’s Cup Juvenile at their local track Churchill Downs. Unfortunately a minor setback ruled Pathfor out of a trip to the USA. There is just a possibility that Pathfork might yet get his chance on dirt, with the Kentucky Derby an option to tackling Frankel in the 2000 Guineas. Pathfork’s sire Distorted Humor has sired winners of each of the American Triple Crown races. Pathfork is by some way Distorted Humor’s best European runner”.
Pathfork raced only once at 3, when second favourite behind Frankel for the 2000 Guineas. Timeform: “looked extremely well but long way below best when remote seventh behind Frankel in only outing in 2011”. He subsequently shipped to the USA, but early in 2012 was sold to come to South Africa, standing his first season here as a 4yo.
This is a major sire-producing female line, originating with Pathfork’s fifth dam Best In Show. Her daughter Sex Appeal is dam of El Gran Senor, Try My Best, Northern Guest (all by Northern Dancer). Another daughter Show Lady is 3rd dam of Redoute’s Choice (Danehill). Another daughter Monroe got Xaar and Modus Vivendi (both Zafonic). Then there’s Blush With Pride, grandam of US Classic winners Jazil (Seeking The Gold) and Rags To Riches (A.P. Indy). And then Pathfork’s dam, who is 3-part sister to Gr1 producing sire Spinning World (by Nureyev).
Pathfork’s dam Visions Of Clarity is inbred 3×3 to half brothers Bold Reason and Never Bend (together in Sadler’s Wells successful cross with Mill Reef/ Shirley Heights). The grandam of Pathfork’s sire Distorted Humor, Sweetest Chant, is very close kin to Bold Reason and Never Bend. A large proportion of Distorted Humor’s G1 winners have Sadler’s Wells (as sire of dam, grandam, or damsire). Sadler’s Wells’ line of Bold Reason appears significant in his best offspring. Lalun, the dam of Bold Reason and Never Bend, is a noted La Troienne carrier. La Troienne is invariably present in multiples in Distorted Humor’s best offspring.
Suitable lines for Pathfork should include those from his own female line, pointing in the South African context especially at champion broodmare sire Northern Guest, and by extension female lines which have produced big winners by Northern Guest.
The La Troienne angle should remain of interest, notably through Buckpasser, who is well represented in the SA mare population – notably through Al Mufti & sons, Northern Guest, National Assembly, etc. Background elements of Bull Lea should further enhance this mix.
Inbreeding to Sadler’s Wells must be an option, as is adding members of the same female line, notably Nureyev and Golden Thatch. Sadler’s Wells damsire Bold Reason leads to Mill Reef, Shirley Heights, Riverman, Never Bend. Sir Ivor belongs in the same camp. The close resemblance of performance at stud of Distorted Humor and Trippi makes the latter’s daughters interesting options for Pathfork.
For the notebook:
#104 half sister to stakes placed Smart Colleen, their Irish-bred dam Colchium a winner at 2 at Kempton, over a mile on the all-weather. Colchium has an interesting pedigree. She’s by Danzig-stallion Elnadim, a Gr1 sprinter, whose dam is half sister to Fort Wood. Colchium’s dam is Dog Rose, winner of the Gosforth Fillies Guineas and placed in the Paddock Stakes, SA Fillies Classic and SA Oaks before being exported. Dog Rose is by Fort Wood, making Colchium 3×3 to Fort Wood’s dam Fall Aspen. The yearling filly has Sadler’s Wells 3×4 (and Danzig 4×3). The dam of Dog Rose is by Shirley Heights (Mill Reef). Good stuff. (Klipdrif Stud)
#327 filly, first foal of winning full sister to Gr3 winner Wonder Lawn, both by Fort Wood out of Gr1 Garden Province winner Velvet Green. The latter, bred in Brazil, has a thoroughly Gr1 pedigree. Her sire Roy is out of a mare by Never Bend, her damsire Ghadeer is out of a mare by Habitat (Sir Gaylord). More good stuff. (Backworth Stud)
#434 half sister to a 3-time winner, out of an unraced full sister to Champion sprinter Let’s Rock ‘n Roll (by Muhtafal) and half sister to Champion filly In The Fast Lane (Jet Master). The next dam, Zim champion filly First Arrival is by Northern Guest. This is the Party Time family. Muhtafal’s dam Polite Lady is out of a mare by Green Ticket, who is close kin to Best In Show, grandam of Northern Guest and a notable female line ancestor of Pathfork. All the right elements. (Klipdrif Stud)
#7 half sister to a 3-time winner out of Werewolf, a winning half sister to Gr1 Golden Peak, Record Edge and the dam of Champion filly Warning Zone. Werewolf is by Al Mufti’s half brother Wolfhound, who is by Nureyev out of Lassie Dear (Buckpasser x Sir Gaylord). (Middlefield Stud)
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Philanthropist
Philanthropist
This Gr3 winner of six races over 1800-1900m is not a new sire in the true sense, as he started his career in Canada. There he sired Champion 3yo colt Pender Harbour (Timeform 117) and Champion Sprinter Phil’s Dream (Timeform 117), showing he has what it takes.
Philanthropist’s third dam Clear Profit is full sister to US Champion sire What A Pleasure, and to the grandam of successful SA sire National Assembly. Philanthropist’s grandam Pure Profit is close kin to the dam of National Assembly, suggesting that the kin-breeding affinities for the two stallions will be similar (and that Philanthropist may suit mares who have National Assembly).
The bottom female line also is the one of Native Dancer (through the mare La Chica). This line links to the bottom lines of Raise a Native and his son Mr Prospector. The latter has done well with the family, and also is Philanthropist’s damsire.
La Troienne provides kin-links with the female line and has a good record with the family, notably through Buckpasser.
Suitable lines for Philanhropist could include descendants of La Troienne (in multiples), which are widespread, but Al Mufti (Captain Al, Victory Moon, The Sheik), and Northern Guest are notable Buckpasser carriers. So are National Assembly and Quick Turnover, who both give additional bottom female line links, so that female lines which have a good record with either of these sires deserve attention.
Philanthropist Gr1 winner Phil’s Dream is out of a mare by Emperor Jones, full brother to Qui Danzig. Their dam has both Raise a Native and La Troienne. The 3rd dam is half sister to the dam of Right Approach.
For the notebook:
#398 half brother to 2 multiple winners, out of Sloe Gin, who placed over 2000m at 3 in UK. The mare is by AP Indy, whose dam is half sister to Al Mufti (out of Buckpasser mare Lassie Dear). The second dam Rose Bourbon is by Woodman (Mr Prospector), whose dam Playmate is by Buckpasser out of a mare from Buckpasser’s female line (La Troienne). Rose Bourbon is a half sister to French champion filly Baiser Volé, by Foolish Pleasure, a son of What A Pleasure (full brother to Philanthropist’s third dam). When it works, it works. (Drakenstein Stud)
#209 half brother to Gr2 placed Gr3 winner State Blue (MR 107), by National Assembly (!). Irish dam Jacaranda Blue won over 1200m in Ireland (rated 80) is by champion English 3yo miler Entrepreneur (TFR 123), a son of Sadler’s Wells. Jacaranda Blue is half sister to Irish 3yo miler Chanzi (TFR 109), by El Gran Senor – a full brother to Northern Guest (!). The third dam is half sister to Seximee, dam of sires Nonoalco and Stradavinsky, grandam of sire Septieme Ciel, and third dam of Malibu Moon (son of AP Indy). The signposts are there (!). (Drakenstein Stud)
#325 half brother to stakes winners Brown Penny (Fort Wood) and Night Trip (Trippi). Irish dam Pleine Nuit (by Machiavellian, son of Mr P.) won twice in France, and is half sister to a French SW by Sadler’s Wells, their dam full sister to Champion Peintre Celebre (Nureyev). The next dam is by Alydar, who is close kin to Mr P. That gives the yearling 3×3 Mr P. (and with Alydar 3x3x4). (Drakenstein Stud)
#75 colt out of stakes placed Burmese, who is full sister to Gr1 placed National Title and stakes placed National Strike – all three by National Assembly (!). This is the Gr1 female line of Let Kiss (the yearling’s third dam), whose dam Leucothea is close kin to Clear Ceiling (the third dam of Philanthropist) and her full sister Bold Princess (the grandam of National Assembly). Leucothea’s damsire Cohoes is a grandson of La Troienne. This is good stuff. (Narrow Creek Stud)
#363 half sister to a winner out of unraced mare Rippling Savannah (by National Assembly). The mare is half sister to Gr1 winner On Her Toes, who is out of a half sister by Badger Land to Gr1 Savannah Queen (Golden Thatch) and Follow The Falcon (Foveros). They’re all out ARCSA Champion Broodmare Pretty Falcon, who is close kin to Clear Ceiling (the third dam of Philanthropist) and her full sister Bold Princess (the grandam of National Assembly). Pretty Falcon’s grandam Footloose is close kin to Northern Dancer’s dam Natalma, both by Native Dancer out of granddaughters of Mother Goose.Good stuff. (Moutonshoek)
#148 half sister to Champions Let’s Rock ‘n Roll (Muhtafal) and In The Fast Lane (Jet Master). Their dam is Zim Champion 3yo filly First Arrival, a daughter of Northern Guest, from the never-say-die Party Time female line. (Klipdrif Stud)
#69 colt out of English mare Boreal Applause, whose only win came over 1200m on debut at 2 in UK (TFR 82). The mare is by Royal Applause, grandson of Try My Best who is full brother to Northern Guest. The grandam Rabwah is by Gone West (Mr P.) who is close kin to Philanthropist’ dam Hidden Reserve. Rabwah’s 3rd dam Mashteen is very close kin to Mr P., the pair 2×3 in Rabwah, and is also close kin to Hidden Reserve. The yearling’s name is Lee’s Pick – whoever Lee is, it’s an inspired pick. (Drakenstein Stud)
#185 half brother to Gr2 Greek Warrior, out of a mare by West Man, son of Gone West. Grandam Little Helen is half sister to Gr1 placed Gr2 winner Trojan Belle (by Centenary, son of Alydar who is close kin to Mr P.). Trojan Belle is dam of Gr2 Buran, by Western Winter (son of Gone West). Gone West is close kin to Philanthropist’ dam Hidden Reserve. (Klipdrif Stud)
#255 colt, second foal of unraced Irish mare Love Unlimited, by Hawk Wing, son of Woodman (by Mr P.). Love Unlimited is half sister to English Gr2 placed stakes winner Soldera, by Polish Numbers. The dam of Woodman, Playmate, and the dam of Polish Numbers, Numbered Account, are full sisters by Buckpasser (La Troienne female line) out of Intriguing who is from the La Troienne female line. Love Unlimited is granddaughter of US Champion Fanfreluche, who established a female line of champions and many sires – in modern times including Flying Spur, Encosta de Lago, Holy Roman Emperor. (Moutonshoek)
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Traffic Guard
Traffic Guard
Winner of five races in UK up to 2300m, second to New Approach in the Irish Champion Stakes (2000m). Rated 123 by Timeform (“big, strong, lengthy colt; smart performer; acts on soft, good to firm going, and dirt”).
The build-up of Traffic Guard’s female line shows consistent kin-breeding through the generations, with remote female line ancestor Kilcaskin the significant factor. All of Traffic Guard’s female line ancestors show kin-breeding involving Kilcaskin. The latter is highly inbred herself, and has many kin-relatives. Among those is La Troienne and her dam Helene de Troie. La Troienne is the significant female line ancestor of Traffic Guard’s sire More Than Ready.
From the same female comes multiple Gr1 winner Erin’s Isle, who is closely kin-bred, with kin-breeding through Kilcaskin in the background. The same goes for another multiple Gr1 winner in the family, Occult, whose sire Kama traces to Marguerite de Valois, full sister to Bull Dog and Sir Galahad. Their sire Teddy and dam Plucky Liege are both close kin to Kilcaskin (who has the same female line as Teddy). Teddy is sire of La Troienne.
Suitable lines for Traffic Guard could include multiple background lines of La Troienne, and Teddy (through Bull Dog and Sir Gallahad). This leads to Buckpasser, who is widespread in SA, and notable especially in sires Northern Guest, Al Mufti, National Assembly (there are others), who therefore make suitable signposts. La Troienne and Bull Dog/Sir Gallahad can be found in many places, though.
Occult’s sire Kama makes sense, but is not well represented in SA mares. Also not well represented is Chief Advocate’s sire Law Society, from female line also of Gallant Man. Both would be suitable signposts. The sire of Erin’s Isle is Busted, full brother to the dam of Elliodor. From the same female line comes sire Ballyogan.
For the notebook:
#178 half sister to a winner, out of winning mare Guest Gallery. The mare is by Special Preview, who is a grandson of Elliodor, out of Modern Music, a daughter of Kama. Guest gallery is half sister to SW Ramblin Jac Eliot (by Elliodor) and to Fair Enough (by Elliodor’s son Model Man), dam of Gr2 winner Maybe Yes. Their dam Fair Guest is a full sister to sprinter Springing Guest, both by Northern Guest. All the signposts present. (Summerhill)
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