Great Broodmares in Thoroughbred History

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In the evolution of the Thoroughbred racehorse, performance varies according to conditions of track surface, clean airflow, nervous energy, speed, stamina and sound conformation. Elite sires and mares which helped upgrade the gene pool of the breed were those able to transmit exceptional genetic qualities, possessing the ability to transmit valuable dominant genes and electrical energy to their progeny. Genetic dominance refers to the phenomenon where one allele (a variant of a gene) masks or overrides the effect of another allele at the same locus on a chromosome.

It is called the dominant allele while the masked gene is called the recessive allele. A small percentage of stallions were able to stamp their progeny with almost similar phenotype (conformation). St. Simon, Tourbillon, Pharos and I Am Invincible nearly always stamped their progeny. We recognise breeding the racehorse is an inexact science. Brothers and sisters rarely look alike, rarely perform the same and produce progeny with contrasting features. The same mating between stallion and mare allows for the expression of genetic variation.

Chestnut coat colour is recessive to bay or brown coat colour.

PHAROS, Bay colt, 1920 SCAPA FLOW Ch 1914 For example, the match between Phalaris (brown) and Scapa Flow (chestnut) by Chaucer produced the following siblings:

1929 St Andrews brown colt 1931 Pharillon chestnut colt These brothers and sisters were all physically different. The standout sire success among them was the brown colt Pharos who won for Lord Derby 14 of 30 starts including the Champion Stakes, Duke of York Handicap twice, Chesham Stakes, Great Two Year-Old Stakes, Liverpool Spring Cup and Royal Stakes.

Pharos was very much like Sainfoin rather than Phalaris. After standing at Woodlands Stud, Newmarket for three seasons he was shipped to Haras d’Ouilly in France. Pharos was leading sire in England in 1931 and leading sire in France in 1939. His best son was A repeat of the mating produced classic winner Fairway, a big bay colt, highly strung and difficult to train. He was more the St Simon type.

Fairway was Champion 2YO, and Champion 3YO and Champion Older horse in England. Until he injured a tendon as a five year-old he won 12 of 15 starts including the Champion Stakes twice, English St. Leger, Eclipse  Bend Or 1k Bona Vista Vista 4f ne Isonomy 19a Arcadia Distant Shore 9e Lord Clifden 2h Hampton Lady Langden 10a Marian Toxophilite 3h Quiver Young Melbourne Mare 3d St Albans 2u Springfield oin Viridis 12c Wenlock 4d Sanda Sandal 2g Galopin 3i St Simon St Angela 11c ry Springfield 12c Sunrise Sunray 1i Vedette 19b Galopin mon Flying Duchess 3i King Tom 3n St Angela Adeline 11c Hermit 5d Tristan Thrift 10d erbury Pilgrim The Palmer 5i Pilgrimage Lady Audley 1g Blinkhoolie 10a Wisdom Aline 7d Wisely Philammon 4o Lovelorn Gone 11e Hermit 5d Hazlehatch olme Hazledean 11 Ayrshire 8h Ayrsmoss Rattlewings 13e POCAHONTAS (by Glencoe) ST ANGELA (by King Tom) SELENE (by Chaucer) LA TROIENNE (by Teddy) CANTERBURY PILGRIM (by Tristan) PLUCKY LIEGE (by Spearmint) SANDA (by Wenlock) MUMTAZ MAHAL (by The Tetrarch) LAVENDULA II (by Pharos) NOGARA (by Havresac II) MANNIE GRAY (by Enquirer) TOURZIMA (by Tourbillon) BANSHEE (by Irish Lad) ALMAHMOUD (by Mahmoud) NATALMA (by Native Dancer) ROUGH SHOD II (by Gold Bridge) SPECIAL (by Forli)) FAIRY BRIDGE (by Bold Reason) FANFRELUCHE (by Northern Dancer) URBAN SEA (by Miswaki) COUP DE FOLIE (by Halo) DELSY (by Abdos) LALUN (by Djeddah) HIGHCLERE (by Queen’s Hussar) MYRTLEWOOD (by Blue Larkspur) ROQUEBRUNE (by St Simon) SOMETHINGROYAL (by Princequillo) NOTHIRDCHANCE (by Blue Swords) ASPIDISTRA (by Better Self) SQUARE ANGEL (by Quadrangle) KEY BRIDGE (by Princequillo) FLOWER BOWL (by Alibhai) MILL PRINCESS (by Mill Reef) BEST IN SHOW (by Traffic Judge) GLORIOUS SONG (by Halo) BAHAMIAN (by Mill Reef) ELJAZZI (by Artaius) KIND (by Danehill) HELEN STREET (by Troy) FALL ASPEN (by Pretense) EIGHT CARAT (by Pieces of Eight) JESMOND LASS (by Lunchtime) DANCING SHOW (by Nijinsky II) LASSIE DEAR (by Buckpasser) COURTLY DEE (by Never Bend) MIESQUE (by Nureyev) ALRUCCABA (by Crystal Palace) LESLIE’S LADY (by Tricky Creek)

3×3 pedigree

Nureyev 1977

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n miler Nureyev whose strain n Nureyev’s pedigree we find and Mumtaz Begum (dam of or.

Stakes, Jockey Club Cup, Champagne Stakes, Coventry Stakes, July Stakes and Newmarket Stakes. He disappointed his owner in the English Derby when starting favourite. Fairway retired to Woodlands Stud. Among his influential sons were Blue Peter and Fair Trial. Classic winner Fair Isle won five of ten starts including the English 1,000 Guineas. The chestnut filly Fara, a minor winner, inherited characteristics from her dam’s duplicated chestnut ancestor Hermit (English Derby winner). St. Andrews and Pharillon failed to win perhaps because of weak tendons.

Maternal strength is the key to the success of any family. Sensational filly Pretty Polly came from an obscure branch of the Number 14 Family, yet with continued concentration of specific high-class ancestors she became a popular champion. Heavy linebreeding to superior ancestors enhanced her DNA and she went on to establish an amazingly successful branch of the family. When studying pedigrees of colts and fillies we should concentrate on performance and identify relatives with real racing class ability.

There is no guarantee an unplaced sister to a stakes winner will produce winners let alone black type runners. As well, one should identify those members of the family which consistently produce sound winners. Who were the greatest mares in Thoroughbred history? Here is a list of mares that altered the Thoroughbred gene pool. They helped shape the breed. They transmitted exceptional DNA. First on the list is the remarkable mare POCAHONTAS who produced three famous stallions, Stockwell, Rataplan and King Tom, the latter being broodmare sire of St.

Simon. POCAHONTAS inherited much of her magical powers from her father Glencoe (large heart). Linebreeding multiple times to Pocahontas via sons and daughters was the most potent technique used to produce champions with classic speed.

3×3 pedigree

Tracery 1909

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In France, the stallion Wellingtonia would command international acclaim. He was inbred to two “daughters” of Pocahontas, namely Ayacanora and Araucaria. This incestuous duplication helped Wellingtonia to become Leading Sire in France. He quickly upgraded racing class and when his descendants met up with partners having Stockwell, Rataplan or King Tom, sparks would fly! Wellingtonia is the dominant balancing force in the make up of Tracery and unbeaten Ajax, sire of Teddy. Second on the list must be ST. ANGELA, dam of champion St. Simon and of his sister Angelica, dam of champion Orme. Third on the list is little SELENE who produced Hyperion, Sickle, Pharamond II All Moonshine, New Moon and Hunter’s Moon.

Fourth on the list is LA TROIENNE (by Teddy) whose descendants number more than 140 stakes winners. This is the family of Buckpasser, Businesslike, Busanda, Bimelech, Straight Deal, Cohoes, Busher, Striking and Affectionately. Next comes CANTERBURY PILGRIM, winner of the English Oaks. She produced Chaucer and Swynford, exceptional sires and broodmare sires. PLUCKY LIEGE by Spearmint is the dam of English Derby winner Bois Roussel and of the siblings Bull Dog, Sir Gallahad III, Quatre Bras and Marguerite de Valois.

As well, she produced Admiral Drake. Fappiano traces to Marguerite de Valois. SANDA is the dam of English Derby winner Sainfoin and of his sister Sierra, dam of champion Sundridge. Sainfoin sired Triple Crown winner Rock Sand (sire of Tracery) and is damsire of Phalaris. These ancestors are among the most brilliant performers in the stud book. Mumtaz Mahal inherited sensational speed from her dam Lady Josephine by Sundridge. (Nasrullah is a product of mixing Sainfoin with his sister Sierra).

MUMTAZ MAHAL established a dynasty for the Aga Khan. Champion at two, she produced Mumtaz Begum (dam of Nasrullah, Rivaz, Malindi, Sun Princess dam of Royal Charger, Tessa Gillian), Mah Mahal (dam of Mahmoud) and Badruddin (broodmare sire of My Babu). Mumtaz Mahal is half-sister to Lady Juror, dam of Fair Trial and Riot, second dam of Aristophanes. An exceptional pedigree pattern to analyse is that of champion miler Nureyev whose strain nicks with three-parts brothers Sadler’s Wells and Fairy King.

In Nureyev’s pedigree we find a double of Mumtaz Mahal via Mah Mahal (dam of Mahmoud) and Mumtaz Begum (dam of Nasrullah) plus a double of Lady Juror. NOGARA (by the inbred stallion Havresac II out of Catnip by Spearmint) produced Nearco, Nervesa and Niccollo dell’Arca. The Catnip family produced champions in Germany. LAVENDULA II produced French champion 2YO Ambiorix, Perfume II and Source Sucree, dam of Turn-to. TOURZIMA (Tourbillon-Djezima by Asterus), inbred to the sisters Durban and Heldifann, traces to Banshee (Irish Lad-Frizette by Hamburg).

She produced champion Corejada. Descendants of Tourzima include Darshaan, Darara, Dar Re Mi, Too Darn Hot, Akarad, Akiyda, Taghrooda and Edabiya. 

3×3 pedigree

Aysar 2017

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In Western Australia, I particul line to Canada’s Horse of the ALMAHMOUD produced Natalma (dam of Northern Dancer) and Cosmah (dam of Halo). SPECIAL and FAIRY BRIDGE trace in direct female line to Rough Shod II. Special is the dam of Nureyev. Fairy Bridge is the dam of Fairy King and Sadler’s Wells. URBAN SEA, winner of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe Gr1, is the dam of Leading Sires Galileo and Sea the Stars.

Duplicating Urban Sea is already successful. COUP DE FOLIE, dam of Machiavellian, produced a strong stakes family while DELSY established a powerful family for The Aga Khan. Delsy traces to Tourzima and is the dam of Prix du Jockey Club Gr1 winner Darshaan (Champion 3YO in Europe). LALUN (by Djeddah), won the Kentucky Oaks and produced Never Bend and Bold Reason. Important to note - Too Darn Hot should sire stakes winners from mares carrying Darshaan in their pedigree.

Reinforcing Delsy’s family is highly recommended.

Maternal Strength

Discover maternal strength in stallion pedigrees, essentially noting the number of Elite mares present. For example, a study of the pedigree of Pride of Dubai (Blue Diamond Stakes Gr1 winner) shows sensational strength:

rly like the pedigree pattern of A ear Fanfreluche, one of the best MYRTLEWOOD (Mr Prospector), LAVENDULA II (Turn-to, My Babu), SELENE (Sickle, Pharamond II, Hyperion), PLUCKY LIEGE (Case Ace, Bull Dog, Sir Gallahad III), SANDA (Sainfoin, Sierra, Sundridge), NATALMA (Raise the Standard, Northern Dancer, Spring Adieu), MUMTAZ MAHAL (Nasrullah, Royal Charger, Mahmoud), HELEN STREET (Street Cry) and ALMAHMOUD (Cosmah, Natalma). His pedigree inherits substantial impact from Selene, especially via Hyperion. Pride of Dubai was runner up to Zoustar on the 2024/25 Australian General Sires’ List. Of significance, Pride of Dubai is linebred to champion Native Dancer (Polynesian-Geisha) via both sexes (balanced breeding). He will make a wonderful broodmare sire, much like his father Street Cry.

Value Sires

Stallion service fees skyrocketed during the past few years, putting pressure on the small breeder with budget limitations. Expect the annual foal crop to decline. Enthusiasts who breed to race have a wider selection of stallions to use, but for the small breeder who intends to breed to sell, times are tough! I reckon this year is ideal to contact stallion managers for any chance to sign foal share contracts.

sar. He traces in direct female aughters of Northern Dancer.

This year there are sons of influential sires available to use, e.g. sons of I Am Invincible, Written Tycoon, Savabeel. Shamardal, Siyouni etc. Here is a short list of young stallions with maternal strength, worthy of serious consideration: HAWAII FIVE OH (I Am Invincible-Aloha by Encosta de Lago) $16,500 fee Vinery NSW. MO’ UNGA (Savabeel-Chandelier by O’Reilly) $25,000 fee Newhaven Park, NSW. PINATUBO (Shamardal-Lava Flow by Dalakhani) $38,500 fee Darley, Kelvinside NSW. COSMIC FORCE (Deep Field-Little Zeta by Commands) $16,500 fee Newgate, NSW.

AYSAR (Deep Field-Miss Interiors by Flying Spur) $8,800 fee Geisel Park Stud, W.A. WYNDSPELLE (Iffraaj-Western Star by High Chaparral) $6,600 fee Wyndholm Park, VIC. FIRST SETTLER (Written Tycoon-Graciousness by Street Cry) $11,000 fee Yulong VIC. SOUTHPORT TYCOON (Written Tycoon-Ready to Rule by More Than Ready) $38,500 fee Widden, VIC. Pinatubo is an impressive European champion likely to sire classic runners - his genotype blends brilliance with stamina. Southport Tycoon earned $2.4 million. The son of Written Tycoon impressed when winning the Manikato Stakes Gr1 and Australian Guineas Gr1.

In Western Australia, I particularly like the pedigree pattern of Aysar. He traces in direct female line to Canada’s Horse of the Year Fanfreluche, one of the best daughters of Northern Dancer. Bred by Canadian industrialist Jean-Louis Levesque, Fanfreluche was purchased by Bertram Firestone. Among her 11 victories were the Manitoba Derby, Alabama Stakes, Natalma Stakes, Selene Stakes, Princess Elizabeth Stakes and Quebec Derby. She set a new track record when winning the Benson & Hedges Invitational Handicap.

Fanfreluche was U.S. co-champion 3YO Filly and champion Canadian 3YO Filly. Her dam has a double of Teddy. Aysar is an attractive chestnut horse, winner of the Chautauqua Stakes (Listed) at Moonee Valley, and runner-up to Ole Kirk in the Caulfield Guineas Gr1.

He also finished second in the Carbine Club Stakes Gr3, Manfred Stakes Gr3 and C, S. Hayes Stakes Gr3. He seems to be compatible with most commercial strains. From Sir Tristram’s sire line comes Newhaven Park’s new stallion Mo’ Unga (by Savabeel) with an intriguing pedigree pattern. He was a tough campaigner with 5 wins, 11 placings from 29 starts earning $3,838,640. His wins include the Winx Stakes Gr1 and Rosehill Guineas Gr1 and impressive seconds in six Group 1 races.

They were the Queen Elizabeth Stakes Gr1, Randwick Guineas Gr1, Futurity Stakes Gr1, Underwood Stakes Gr1, Makybe Diva Stakes Gr1 and VRC Champions Stakes Gr1. Mo’Unga could be anything as a sire and stands for only $25,000 fee. His dam Chandelier is by Last Tycoon’s son O’Reilly. First Settler is a young stallion who might surprise. Standing at Yulong in Victoria at $11,000 fee, he has a strong pedigree pattern. He is by Written Tycoon from a daughter of Street Cry.

I expect the team at Yulong to support First Settler with quality mares.

There was no outright star among the two year-old colts and even towards the end of the season the J. J. Atkins Stakes Gr1 over a mile failed to attract a quality field. One might question where are all the high priced yearlings of this generation? The title of champion juvenile colt should go to VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes Gr1 and ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes Gr1 winner Vinrock (by I Am Invincible). He is the only real standout in his division, remaining unbeaten three for three with earnings of $930,000.

A feature of Vinrock’s interesting pedigree is the 3 x 4 duplication of Champion 2YO Canny Lad (Bletchingly- Jesmond Lass by Lunchtime), damsire of I Am Invincible and Redoute’s Choice. In hindsight, this year’s Golden Slipper Stakes Gr1 might have been below average in quality. Vinrock is bred to be a strong candidate for the Caulfield Guineas Gr1 yet his trainer opted to miss the Champagne Stakes Gr1. Vinrock’s dam Girl Gone Rockin is by Redoute’s Choice from Sorrento by Just a Dancer from Amatrice by Beaufort Sea (son of Nashua).

Jesmond Lass, dam of Canny Lad, won all seven starts, four of them at two years and produced two Group 1 winners. Her dam Beautiful Dreamer was inbred 3 x 3 to Dodoma (Dastur-Mumtaz Begum by Blenheim-Mumtaz Mahal), the half-sister to Nasrullah.

Three fillies stood out in the juvenile division 2024/25. Although Marhoona (Snitzel-Salma by Encosta de Lago) won the $5 million Golden Slipper Gr1 in a photo, it was the unlucky Tempted who finished fast for third after suffering interference. Tempted (earner of $1,470,415) by Street Boss had earlier defeated Marhoona in the Resiling Stakes Gr2. Marhoona is linebred 4 x 4 to Dancing Show whereas Tempted is free of any close duplications. Perhaps we should have co-champion 2YO Fillies? Within the Law, runner-up in the Champagne Stakes Gr1, is probably third best juvenile filly. BBBB