Speakers at Upcoming Pedigree and Conformation Clinic at Fasig-Tipton include Terry Finley and Kenny McPeek

West Point's Terry Finley, leading trainer Kenny McPeek and others have been announced as speakers for the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association's Pedigree & Conformation Clinic on Monday, Oct. 23 at Fasig-Tipton in Lexington, Kentucky.

The day-long clinic will take place on the first day of Fasig Tipton's Kentucky October Yearling sale.

Attendees will learn insights on different aspects of Thoroughbred auctions, bloodstock, pedigree, and conformation analysis, and more from industry professionals as well as enjoy a day at the sales.

The topics and speakers at the clinic include:

• Role of the Auction House & Auction Process, presented by Anna Seitz-Ciannello (Fasig-Tipton, Director of Client Relations)
• Thoroughbred Horse Racing Partnerships, presented by Terry Finley (West Point Thoroughbreds, President & CEO)
• Yearling Prep for the Sales, presented by Katie Taylor (Taylor Made Sales, Vice President of Operations)
• Horse Selection/Conformation/Pedigree, presented by Kenny McPeek (Multiple Graded Stakes Winning Trainer and Leading Thoroughbred Bloodstock Advisor)
• Equine Insurance, presented by Tyler Clarke (Clay Ward Agency)
• Equineline & Pedigree Resources, presented by Susan Martin (The Jockey Club Information Systems, Director of Marketing)
• Grayson-Jockey Club Current Research, presented by Jamie Haydon (Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, President) and Johnny Mac Smith, DVM (Grayson-Jockey Club Research Foundation, Veterinary Advisor)

Registration is available online, until Friday, Oct. 20, at: toba.memberclicks.net/seminars-clinics.

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Background Check: Schuylerville

Good or bad, stallion careers are almost always well documented with hard facts at the ready. It's no secret certain races–for instance, the GI Met Mile–have historically been known as stallion-making races, with that race in particular flaunting the lethal combination of both speed and stamina on a big stage. Fappiano (1981), Buckpasser (1967), and Native Dancer (1954) were among the Met Mile winners who later made incredible impacts at stud, whether through their sons or daughters or both. Quality Road (2010) is currently doing the same. This year's winner, Flightline (Tapit), will undoubtedly be one of the hottest stallions on the market when he retires.

But what about the mares? Are there any black-type events that stand out as key producer races? In this new series, we'll examine the past of upcoming filly/mare races and take a look at how the winners fared as broodmares.

We begin with Saratoga's traditional opening day feature, the GIII Schuylerville S. for 2-year-old fillies going six furlongs on the dirt. Like many races dating back a century (it was first run in 1918), it's been run at different distances and occasionally even at different tracks. There were years it was run in two divisions (1959, 1965, and 1974) and one year it didn't run at all (2005). Overall, there have been 106 winners of the Schuylerville.

The Schuylerville winners are an illustrious bunch. Every single victress from 2015 to 1918 is a producer of winners, with the exception of six who died before getting their broodmare careers started and another seven (from 1941 and earlier) for whom records are sketchy. That alone is a phenomenal statistic.

There were two consecutive glory decades, a remarkable 20-year streak from 1985-2004 where every winner (except one who passed away before visiting the breeding shed) became a stakes producer.

Four future Broodmares of the Year won the Schuylerville. There are the ancestresses of future significant sires, like Exclusive Native; forebearers of blue hens like Leslie's Lady; and direct female lines leading to recent Saratoga winners like 2021's GI Flower Bowl/GII Glens Falls winner War Like Goddess (English Channel).

Who knew an early-summer race for 2-year-old fillies often making just their second career start, currently worth $175,000 and ranked as a Grade III, would weld such influence on the breed? Such is the power of Saratoga.

Following are the most significant winners of the Schuylerville in reverse chronological order. They haven't been reviewed by their own pedigrees or race records, but simply by what lasting impact they have delivered through their sons and daughters.

Hot Dixie Chick (2007, Dixie Union–Above Perfection, by In Excess {Ire}): From five foals to race, this Stonestreet mare has produced 2022 GI La Troienne S. winner Pauline's Pearl (Tapit), MSW & GSP Union Jackson (Curlin), and 2022 'TDN Rising Star' Marsalis (Curlin).

Meadow Star (1988, Meadowlake–Inreality Star, by In Reality): At first glance, this eye-catching chestnut hadn't produced much of note among her five lifetime foals. However, the six stakes winners already produced by her daughters and granddaughters include brilliant champion Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) and MGISW Belle Gallantey (After Market).

Weekend Surprise (1980, Secretariat–Lassie Dear, by Buckpasser): The 1992 Broodmare of the Year produced Horse of the Year and leading sire A.P. Indy, MGISW Summer Squall, and GSW Welcome Surprise. Her descendants include MGISW Court Vision, GISW Happy Saver, and Canadian champion Moonlit Promise.

Mystical Mood (1979, Roberto–Mystery Mood, by Night Invader): She kicked off her broodmare career with U.S./Irish/English Grade/Group winner Fair Judgment, while her daughters and granddaughters went on to produce champions Stevie Wonderboy and Big Blue Kitten.

Talking Picture (1971, Speak John–Poster Girl, by Nasrullah): This mare produced five stakes winners, including Irish champions Easy to Copy and Trusted Partner, and is the ancestress of nearly 30 more, including Grade I/Group 1 winners Gallante (Ire), Dress To Thrill (Ire), Search For A Song (Ire), Free Eagle (Ire), Kyprios (Ire), Thunder Moon (Ire), and Vert de Grece (Ire).

Numbered Account (1969, Buckpasser–Intriguing, by Swaps): Her foals included MGISW and sire Private Account, as well as GISW Dance Number. Her female descendants have produced champion Rhythm, Kentucky Derby winner Super Saver, and GISWs Imagining, Girolamo, Bluegrass Cat, and Frost Giant. The family remains active: Becca Taylor, winner of her second Grade II event on the 4th of July, is part of it.

Patelin (1968, Cornish Prince–Pontivy, by Battlefield): This mare is ancestor to 10 Grade I winners, including champion Pleasant Stage, plus A Phenomenon and Marsh Side. However, her pièce de ré·sis·tance has got to be 2016 Broodmare of the Year Leslie's Lady, dam of current breed shaper Into Mischief.

Pocahontas (1955, Roman–How, by Princequillo): The 1965 Broodmare of the Year left champion and important sire Tom Rolfe, as well as four more stakes winners (including sire Chieftain), and a long list of accomplished runners tracing to her.

Striking (1947, War Admiral–Baby League, by Bubbling Over): This Phipps family mare might be the most influential of all the Schuylerville winners. Named Broodmare of the Year in 1961, she produced five stakes winners, including Test S. winners Glamour. The sheer number of thriving families that trace to her boggles the mind. They include Numbered Account, whose own accomplishments are listed above, as well as the families of important sire Woodman, Horse of the Year Mineshaft, champion Smarty Jones, and so many more.

Red Shoes (1943, Easton {Fr}–Mistress Grier, by John P. Grier): This mare produced Ballerina (yes, the one who has the Grade I event at the Spa named after her) and champion Nasrina.

Ace Card (1942, Case Ace–Furlough, by Man o' War): Horse of the Year One Count was one of four stakes winners for this mare, who was named Broodmare of the Year in 1952. Among her best descendants were 1979-80 English champion Mrs. Penny.

Parade Girl (1933, Display–Panoply, by Peter Pan): A number of high-caliber runners trace to this mare, but she only needed one to cement her name in pedigrees: her great-grandson Exclusive Native. The dual stakes winner was the leading sire in the U.S. in 1978-79. Another two-time leading sire, Deputy Minister, also traces to this grand girl.

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‘Unexpected Superstar’ Eileendover Takes up Broodmare Duties

Pam Sly has brought the curtain down on the career of Eileendover (GB) (Canford Cliffs {Ire}), who she described as being an “unlikely superstar,” with the mare set to be covered by Juddmonte's Bated Breath (GB) after picking up an injury in training. 

A granddaughter of Speciosa (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), who stormed to 1000 Guineas glory for Sly in 2006, Eileendover made the transition from being a classy bumper mare to competing in listed races on the Flat.

She won four times, including a listed bumper at Market Rasen, and achieved black-type on the level when third behind Trueshan (Fr) (Planteur {Ire}) at Nottingham in the Listed Further Flight S. on her comeback last month. 

While the injury she picked up was not reported to be serious by Sly, it will take up to a year to recover from, which is why the trainer has opted to cover the 5-year-old, who she admits is unlikely to grace the track again. 

Sly said, “She just knocked her leg, that is why she didn't go to York. I would say she will be on the sidelines [for] a while, so I'm going to get her covered by Bated Breath rather than wait a year and you don't really know how long it will be.”

The trainer added, “She's not lame or anything, those sort of things just take a while to heal and there's only time that does it. I'm sure everything will go all right and she's been a totally unexpected superstar.”

“It will probably [be the end of her racing career], she's five now and she's got her bits of black type, thank heavens.”

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Confidence Behind ‘The Next Sottsass’ Ahead of French Derby

Jean-Claude Rouget is not prone to hyperbole so, when the decorated French handler compared the unexposed Al Hakeem (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) to his only G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) earlier this week, some people did a double take.

Not Benoit Jeffroy, who manages Haras de Bouquetot on behalf of the Al Shaqab operation. Jeffroy has long been aware of the standing in which the multiple Classic-winning trainer has held Al Hakeem and, when the colt won the Listed Prix de Suresnes at Chantilly on Tuesday, he wasn't one bit surprised that Rouget told the French press that 'he reminds me a lot of Sottsass'.

“Jean-Claude is a straight-talking man and he says what he thinks. It was no surprise to us to hear what he said about Al Hakeem because he always told us that the horse was a colt with a lot of ability, he just needed to show it on the track,” Jeffroy explained.

High praise indeed for a horse who has graced the track just four times, winning three of those starts, with Tuesday's Chantilly victory a personal best by some way.

However, Jeffroy is predicting that Rouget's bold comparison between Sottsass and Al Hakeem can become evident to everyone when the highly progressive colt tackles the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on June 5.

“Who knows, maybe after the French Derby we can really start comparing him to Sottsass, let's wait and see,” he said.

“He is a great physical and, the fact that he showed what he could do at Chantilly the other day is very exciting with a view towards the French Derby.”

Jeffroy added, “There are a lot of similarities between Al Hakeem and Sottsass. They are by the same sire and have the same broodmare sire in Galileo (Ire).

“But the way this horse has been training, that's what reminds Jean-Claude most of Sottsass, as his work has been very good.

“Even as a 2-year-old, Jean Claude said that this might be the next Sottsass, the way he was training and behaving at home. Let's hope he is.”

It is that Siyouni cross with Galileo mares that not only produced one high-class colt in Sottsass but also St Mark's Basilica (Ire), hailed by Aidan O'Brien as 'possibly the best horse we've ever had at Ballydoyle,' after he scooped the prize for Horse of the Year at the 31st annual Cartier Racing Awards.

It may well be written in the stars for Al Hakeem but the comparables to Sottsass don't end with his pedigree. His dam, Jadhaba (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who showed classy form for Rouget before her career was cut short after she suffered a setback, was purchased by Al Shaqab for €620,000 at Arqana in 2014 from Ecurie des Monceaux, who also produced Sottsass.

“Jadhaba is a Galileo mare and, when it came to mating her, we felt that she needed a bit of speed, which is why we went to Siyouni,” he said.

“We thought the cross might work well and, not long afterwards, along came Sottsass and St Mark's Basilica, on the exact same cross. It just made a lot of sense.

“Galileo (Ire) crossed with Danehill has worked really well, as has Galileo and Pivotal, and she has got both. Hopefully Al Hakeem can be the third top-class colt from this cross.”

He added, “Jadhaba was in training with Jean-Claude as well. She was highly regarded and won twice as a 2-year-old and, after finishing third in a Group 3 on her only start at three, she developed a little issue so we had to stop. But she seems to have passed on a lot of her ability.”

If Al Hakeem can come good on Rouget's praise, it will stand the Al Shaqab operation in good stead for the future as she has a Siyouni filly at foot and is back in foal to the sire.

“Her first colt, Dahiya (Fr) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), won for Andre Fabre and Al Hakeem is only her second produce,” said Jeffroy of the broodmare.

“She also has a lovely Kingman (GB) filly in training with Jean-Claude, a very good looking Siyouni filly foal at foot and she is back in foal to Siyouni, so she could be an exciting young mare for us. She also has a Shalaa (Ire) yearling filly that is very similar to Jadhaba, a nice filly with good depth.

“Sheikh Joaan al Thani deserves it. He is passionate about the game and has invested a lot of money into it. He deserves to have bred a good one as a reward for all his investment.”

New dreams abound for a team that will forever be associated with Treve (Fr) (Motivator {GB}), who carried the colours of Al Shaqab Racing en route to recording back-to-back Arcs in 2014.

Given Al Hakeem is being compared to another Arc winner in Sottsass, it seems fitting to ask if the mind has been allowed to wander as far as the great race on Oct. 1.

“No, step by step,” Jeffroy laughed. “The Arc is an important race and of course it's in the back of our minds but let's take it race by race and hopefully–hopefully it takes him one year less than it did for Sottsass!”

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