Key Ranch breeding recommendations, which we have provided for many years with great success, are based upon a very simple three-point approach that is heavily influenced by the great Thoroughbred breeder Frederico Tesio. 

First, we consider nicks.  We look at Werk Nick Ratings, True Nicks, and other proven nicks.

Secondly, we evaluate the inbreeding and/or linebreeding in the pedigree, as well as  the broodmare influence.

Lastly, but just as importantly, we look at the physical compatibility between the stallion and the mare.  Obviously, the preferred way to evaluate physical compatabiity is to see a mare in the flesh.  Unseen, we can usually get a pretty good idea of how a mare is built based upon the typical physical characteristics represented in her pedigree.  

  Nicks (Return to top of page)

A "nick" is traditionally defined as the affinity of a sire or sireline for producing superior runners when crossed with a particular broodmare sireline.  Nasrullah line stallions with Princequillo line mares, Blushing Groom with Nijinsky line mares, and Mr Prospector with Northern Dancer line mares are examples of traditional proven nicks. 

A couple of popular nicking systems are Werk Nick Ratings and True Nicks.
    

The Werk Nick Rating System assigns an alphabetic score to the cross of a particular sireline with a particular broodmare sireline, taking into consideration only open stakes winners.  These nick ratings are based upon the percentage by which a certain sire line, when combined with a certain broodmare sire line, exceeds its performance, on average, with other lines.  

True Nicks is "a system designed to evaluate sire/broodmare sire crosses.  It's the only system that's able to take into account - because of the information available from The Jockey Club Information Systems - all foals on a cross.  It gives true opportunity for a cross.  While it only examines the sire line/ broodmare sire line cross, that aspect through studies of more than 100,000 horses has shown to have a tremendous correlation of success". - Alan Porter

For several years, Key Ranch has offered complimentary Werk Nick Ratings.  Beginning in April, 2010, Key Ranch is pleased to also offer complimentary True Nicks.  Click the links at left for more information.

   Inbreeding and Linebreeding (Return to top of page)

The purpose of inbreeding is to pass on to the foal desirable traits or influences of ancestors through genetics.  Inbreeding deserves a close look, as it can be either positive or negative. 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.  

Sex-balanced inbreeding tends to replicate genetic traits common to both parents. In sex-balanced inbreeding, the desired inbreeding comes from the sire’s bottom side (his dam) and from the dam’s top side (her sire). As example, the pedigree for Lil’s Lad has both Turn-to and Mr. Prospector on his distaff (dam’s) side. Seven of the stakes horses by Lil’s Lad descend from Turn-to and Mr. Prospector line mares. By design, all the major sirelines are represented in the distaff sides of Key Ranch stallions.   

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.

 Broodmare Influence (Return to top of page)

The "bottom side" of a pedigree refers to its female family.  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.  

Special Rate's first dam, Viviana, produced millionare fillies Tates Creek and Sightseek.  His third dam, Chris Evert, was Champion 3yo Filly and won the filly Triple Crown.  

Uncle Abbie's first dam is Lassie Connection, who is full sister to the dam of Lemon Drop Kid.  His second dam is the legendary Lassie Dear, who produced Champion Wolfhound and spectacular broodmare Weekend Surprise - Broodmare of the Year and dam of A P Indy (Champion 3yo Colt and Horse of the Year)  and millionaire Summer Squall.  

Miss Disco, third dam to Wajir, was Broodmare of the Year 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. 

Physical Compatibility  (Return to top of page)