Nicks

    The affinity of a sireline for producing superior runners when crossed with a particular broodmare sireline is referred to as a "nick". Nasrullah line stallions with Princequillo line mares, Blushing Groom with Nijinsky, and Mr Prospector with Northern Dancer are examples of popular recognized nicks.

    The most reliable nicks for a stallion are those which are determined by his own offspring.  If a stallion has no foals of racing age, his nick may be best determined by examining the production of similarly bred stallions by the same sire.

   See "Beyond the Basics" for information regarding Jack Werk Nick Ratings.

 Inbreeding and Linebreeding

    The purpose of inbreeding is to pass on to the foal desirable traits or influences of ancestors through genetics.      

    Genes are strands of DNA, which determines the physical characteristics of a horse.  Two copies of a gene are given to an embryo.  One copy from the mother, and the other from the father.  When the DNA for both copies is identical, the offspring will always possess the resulting trait.  Inbreeding increases the probability that identical copies of desirable genes from common ancestors will be passed onto the foal through the mother and father.

    Most individuals carry both dominant and recessive genes. The dominant genes override the recessive, and are expressed physically.   Desirable genes are usually dominant.  Problems arise when closely related individuals who carry the same undesirable recessive gene are mated.  This greatly increases the chance of exposing the unwanted physical trait.  A prime example is inbreeding to Raise A Native. 

    Raise A Native inherited two copies of a recessive gene for weak ankles.  A champion racehorse at two, his racing career was abruptly cut short due to ankle problems.  The unwanted recessive genes did not interfere with his success as a sire, however, because his mares supplied a dominant gene which masked the unwanted gene.  He sired two champions and 78 stakes winners, including sire of sires Mr Prospector.  But inbreeding to Raise A Native can cause problems, especially if the inbreeding is close.  If a Raise A Native line mare carrying this particular recessive gene is mated to a Raise A Native line stallion who also carries it, the resulting foal will have a dramatically increased probability of having ankle problems.  

    To be effective, inbreeding must be done on a highly selective basis.  Certain horses have proven to be very reliable for inbreeding purposes.  Among those are Northern Dancer, Turn-to, Princequillo, Somethingroyal, and Almahmoud.  

    Successful inbreeding can lead to prepotency, a term used to describe the ability of a stallion or mare to predictably stamp a foal with desirable characteristics.  This ability comes from the inheritance of identical copies of desirable genes.  

    Linebreeding is a more conservative form of inbreeding.  Generally, inbreeding refers to the duplication of ancestors in the first five generations.  Duplication of ancestors in linebreeding may be further removed.  Since the individuals to be mated are not as closely related, the chances of recreating undesirable traits are somewhat diminished.

  The Bottom Line

    Great broodmares have contributed many positive attributes to their offspring.  The strong influence of broodmares is a major consideration in the selection of stallions to stand at Key Ranch.  Through Uncle Abbie, we have the chance to inbreed to Missy Baba, dam of Sauce Boat and Raja Baba.  Miss Disco, third dam to Wajir, was Broodmare of the Year in 1958 and dam of Bold Ruler. 

    Wajir is the only stallion standing in North America who traces tail-female to Miss Disco, the dam of legendary Bold Ruler.  Ample opportunity exists for inbreeding to Miss Disco through Bold Ruler, but sex-balanced inbreeding must be through a daughter and a son.  Wajir  uniquely provides Miss Disco as a female component for sex-balanced inbreeding.  This is an excellent opportunity for Bold Ruler line mares. Wajir has two half brothers at stud.  African Dancer, by Nijinsky II, stood his first year at stud in 1999 in Chile.  Touching Wood, by Roberto, stands in New Zealand.

  Physical Consonance

    The horse has many angles and points which are used to evaluate conformation.  Proper balance is achieved when these angles and points complement one another.  

 Affirmed          Northern Dancer     

    Observe the above pictures of Affirmed and Northern Dancer.  Both horses are physically correct and well-balanced, yet have completely different overall appearances.  Which horse is better?  Tough call.   Affirmed is our most recent Triple Crown winner.  Northern Dancer won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness, and was the most influential sire of the 20th century.

    Now envision Affirmed with Northern Dancer's rear end (or vice versa).  Doesn't quite work, does it?  The differing angles do not complement each other, and the hypothetical horse is thrown off balance.        

    A prepotent stallion or mare will stamp a foal with particular physical traits - some are desirable traits, while others are not.  Knowing what to expect from a stallion and/or mare in this regard is a real advantage.  For example, a mare with an excellent shoulder who lacks the hip to go with it can be bred to a stallion who will impart the necessary hip to the foal.  Or a mare who produces foals with offset knees can be bred to a stallion who corrects them.  

    To produce a correct and well-balanced foal, the physical strengths and weaknesses of both parents must be evaluated. The appropriate stallion will improve a mare through her foal.