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On the Fate of the Holy Bull Male Line

The impressive Suburban Handicap (gr. II) victory of Mucho Macho Man on July 7 is in interesting juxtaposition to the pensioning of his grandsire, Holy Bull, which was announced one day later.

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Mahubah's Corner: Star Guitar

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter
The Guitar Hero video game franchise has been exceedingly popular...But it probably isn't half as popular in Louisiana as the state's own four-legged "guitar hero," Star Guitar.

Class Dismissed - By Richard Zwirn

While Avalyn Hunter takes a rather hopeful view on whether high-class racemares make the best producers in her piece "From Fame to Foals" (The Blood-Horse of Feb. 12, page 390 ), sad to say, I am a bit more skeptical.

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Jessica Is Back, Brings the Family With Her

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter
Although she descends from an important early American female family, Jessica Is Back is the sole grade I-winning representative of her dam line's branch in a half-century.

Improving Roan Inish Ready to Take on Colts

Roan Inish has the stamina and class to take on the boys in the July 4 Queen's Plate, the first race in Canada's Triple Crown.

Peppi Knows Two-Turn Racing

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter
Stephen Got Even's rising star Peppi Knows scores his first 2-turn stakes victory in the Whirlaway Stakes. Is it a sign of Triple Crown potential?

Breeding Pattern Hits Mark: M One Rifle

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter
Fred Hooper's unique Florida bloodlines pair with distinctly California stock in an equine East-meets-West story.

Great Runner, Grand Bloodlines, Good Ba Ba

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Three times is impressive in any race; Good Ba Ba's three-peat in the group I Hong Kong Mile was an even greater feat because it came against some of the world's best racehorses.

The Usual Q. T. Hot in California

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Winner of both the Oak Tree Derby (gr. IIT) and Hollywood Derby (gr. IT) in November, this Unusual Heat gelding typifies the best of California breeding.

Medaglia d'Oro has a Passion for Gold

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

A win in the group I Criterium de Saint-Cloud sets up Passion for Gold as an early favorite for the French classics next year-and also validates Medaglia d'Oro as a sire who can produce top colts along with his abundance of black type fillies.

Claiborne Happy to Accept Blame

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

With Claiborne bloodlines on the top and bottom, Fayette Stakes (gr. II) winner Blame has a pedigree many generations in the making.

Jackson Bend Takes Florida

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Inspiring hope for small breeders is juvenile standout Jackson Bend, whose durability and precocity combined are traits this Florida homebred inherited from both sides of his pedigree.

Storm Cat Leaves a Market in Transition

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

It seems appropriate that the once-perennial leading commercial sire, Storm Cat, bow out while the Thoroughbred market redefines itself.

Dublin Elicits High Hopes for Young Sire

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

By first-crop sire Afleet Alex and from the successful family of Sunday Evening comes Dublin, winner of the historic Three Chimneys Hopeful Stakes (gr. I).

D'wildcat, Smarty Jones 2YOs Take Saratoga

Strong pedigrees link Saratoga's first two juvenile stakes winners of 2009 - but will genes be enough to keep Backtalk and D'Funnybone in stakes contention after their 2-year-old campaigns?

Bullsbay Confirms Tiznow/Turkoman Affinity

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Stamina influence Tiznow again matches with a speed-oriented Turkoman-line mare. Whitney Handicap (gr. I) winner Bullsbay joins Colonel John as elite runners bred on the cross.

Funny Moon Bred on Miler-Over-Stamina Model

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Funny Moon's big win in the grade I CCA Oaks exemplifies an American breeding pattern of miler speed over stoutness.

Sariska's Pedigree Combines Speed, Stamina

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

A female-line descendent of the top sire-producing mare Selene, Sariska adds the group I Irish Oaks to her impressive record. Here is an example of a stamina-oriented damline infused with raw speed.

Fame and Glory Across the Pond

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Montjeu has enjoyed considerable success as a sire of Classic horses. Irish Derby winner Fame and Glory adds to his sire's tally-while also tying in this year's theme of German bloodline influences.

Emergent German Thoroughbred Bloodlines

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

The German Thoroughbred is a stouter, more stamina-oriented version of the breed in England, France, or the U.S. The possibilities for outcross - and just plain high quality - make German bloodlines sought after in the West.

Belmont Contenders: Pedigree Profiles

Insight into the pedigrees of this year's Belmont contenders is only a click away. This easy-to-read report includes pedigree analyses from Alan Porter and Avalyn Hunter. Order your copy today and separate the contenders from the pretenders.

Royally-bred 'Leopard' Eyes Queen's Plate

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Canadian-bred A.P. Indy colt Eye of the Leopard just broke his maiden in mid-May, but his classy pedigree makes him a good bet in upcoming Canadian Classics.

'Big Horse' Boost for First-Crop Sires?

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Thanks to Mine That Bird and Rachel Alexandra, respectively, both Birdstone and Medaglia d'Oro have achieved the distinction of becoming Classic sires with their first crops. But how much of a boost will it really give them?

Preakness Contenders: Pedigree Profiles

Insight into the pedigrees of this year's Preakness contenders is only a click away. This easy-to-read report includes pedigree analyses from Alan Porter, Avalyn Hunter, and Tom Hall. Order your copy today and separate the contenders from the pretenders.

The Stars Aligned

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

The first Saturday in May is a red-letter day on the American racing calendar Derby Day. But it is also an important day in European racing as the European Classic season kicks off with the Two Thousand Guineas. This year's Guineas was won by Christopher Tsui's Sea The Stars (IRE) and was quite as memorable for the connections of the winner as for the winner himself.

Kentucky Derby Contenders: Pedigree Profiles

Insight into the pedigrees of this year's Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) contenders is only a click away. This easy-to-read report includes pedigree analyses from Alan Porter, Avalyn Hunter, and Tom Hall. Order your copy today and separate the contenders from the pretenders.

Mahubah's Corner: Unrivaled

For Sunday Racing Co., life could not be better. The partnership heads into the Derby with a colt that was not only sired by one Derby winner but is half-brother to another - talk about pedigree. And that colt won his final pre-Derby race impressively April 19 to establish himself as the probable favorite for the big race.

Taking Revenge

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Leading Kentucky Derby candidate I Want Revenge is an outcross within 5 generations, partially due to the Argentinian breeding of his dam, but also because of Stephen Got Even's unusual pedigree.

Mahubah's Corner: Hold Me Back

With his victory March 21 in the Lane's End Stakes (gr. II), WinStar Farm's homebred Hold Me Back answered one big question but raised three more. Whether he has the class to be competitive with this year's better 3-year-olds is no longer in doubt.

A Horse of a Different Color

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

When White Beauty arrived into the world in the spring of 1963, what she portended to breeder Herman Goodpaster was trouble. At the time, The Jockey Club did not accept "white" as a color for registration, and there was serious doubt as to whether a pure Thoroughbred could be white.

Mahubah's Corner: What a Pear

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

What a Pear has just served notice that Stardom Bound will have competition in the sophomore filly division this year.

Mahubah's Corner: Sibling Rivalry

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

The recent debut of Nicanor, full-brother to Derby winner Barbaro brings up the question, 'How often do siblings come even close to measuring up to a top horse's talents?'

Breeding Two-Year Olds

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

On January 18, 2009, Smarty Jones became a "grandpa" when his 3-year old daughter Jonespartyofwon produced a filly in Pennsylvania. Is breeding a filly as a 2-year-old a good idea?

Friesan Fire: The Big Thaw

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

In the case of Friesan Fire, understanding was a little slow in coming, but Larry Jones' patience seems to be paying off. On pedigree, Jones had every reason to be confident that Friesan Fire would eventually come around.

Daiwa Scarlet World Tour '09?

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter Daiwa Scarlet (JPN) staked out a place among racing's queens with a victory in the prestigious Arima Kinen (Jpn-I). Just the fourth female to win the race, her victims included just about every top Japanese male still in training, including 2007 Arima Kinen winner Matsurida Gogh (JPN); 2008 Japan Cup (Jpn-I) winner Screen Hero (JPN), and 2006 Japanese champion 3-year-old male Meisho Samson (JPN).

Laragh Should Be Dangerous in '09

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Laragh's victories, most recently in the grade I Hollywood Starlet Stakes Dec. 13, have helped seal her sire Tapit's position as the leading freshman sire and juvenile sire of 2008. Laragh has won on synthetic surfaces and turf and could be equally dangerous as a sophomore on dirt in 2009.

Nothing Like Old Fashioned Talent

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Old Fashioned won the Remsen Stakes (gr. II) impressively and seems ready to add to his family's already sterling reputation. The son of Unbridled's Song is out of Collect Call, who decends from the family of notable producer Maggie B.B. This family has produced eight champions.

Well Positioned for More

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Deja vu? It may feel that way for Paul Pompa, Jr. Last year, he sold a 75% interest in Big Brown to IEAH Stables after the colt broke his maiden. Now the phones are ringing with offers again thanks to Well Positioned, who cruised to a 14 ¼-length maiden victory Nov. 22 at Aqueduct.

Chocolate Candy Ready for Sweeter Rides

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Chocolate Candy's record-setting win in the Real Quiet Stakes could be a sign of bigger things to come in 2009 from the son of Candy Ride (ARG).

Even Top Mares Can Be Risky

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Broodmares could wear the same warning as mutual funds: past performance is not an indicator of future results. Several top-selling broodmares that had produced multiple graded stakes winners before being sold never repeated their success for their new owners.

Crowded House a Euro Classic Hopeful

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Crowded House raised his profile as a contender in next year's European classics when he won the Racing Post Trophy (Eng-I) on Oct. 25. The question is whether his sire Rainbow Quest can add distance to the colt's speed-oriented female side.

BC Pedigree Profile: Henrythenavigator

Kingmambo excelled at a mile on the track but his offspring have shown a mix of speed and stamina. Henrythenavigator, a three-time group I winner, is among Europe's leading milers this year. He is the sixth group winner and third classic winner produced from the cross of Kingmambo with Sadler's Wells daughters.

BC Pedigree Profile: Mr. Nightlinger

Mr. Nightlinger picked a good year for a strong improvement in form. The son of Indian Charlie could soon find himself in the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred championship, contesting the inaugural Turf Sprint.

Dream Empress Could Shine at BC

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

It's a bit of a guess who will handle Santa Anita's Pro-Ride surface the best on Breeders' Cup World Championship Day. Dream Empress seems in a good position heading into the Bessemer Trust Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I) because she has won over a synthetic track and has won at 8 1/2 furlongs. And, she is by Bernstein, who is proving to be a talented sire on two continents.

Delightful Kiss Is Going the Distance

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Hobeau Farm owner Jack Dreyfus as been three-times blessed with Delightful Kiss, recent winner of the Turfway Park Championship Stakes (gr. III). The colt is a fourth generation homebred, a graded stakes winner, and now a Breeders' Cup Marathon contender.

Pedigree is Magic on Turf

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Magical Fantasy chose a big race to break into stakes company in North America. After two modest showings in graded stakes at Hollywood Park, the daughter of Diesis rolled to a two-length victory at odds of over 42-1 in the Del Mar Oaks (gr. I). No one has to look too deep in her pedigree to see her affinity for the grass.

Winchester Among World's Top Turf Horses

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Winchester, winner of the Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) is part of an exceptionally strong contingent of European turf runners this year. The son of Theatrical may be headed for the Emirates Airline Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT). If he wins, Theatrical will become the first Turf winner to sire a Turf winner.

Sky Mom is More Fight Than Flash

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Sky Mom is perpetuating the momentum that's been building steadily for the progeny by the late Maria's Mon. Recently the winner of the grade III Arlington Oaks, Sky Mom is also proving that highly fashionable pedigrees are required to produce top-class runners.

Forever Together a Rising Star

In just her third start on grass, Forever Together announced her arrival in the turf female division with a visually impressive win July 26 in the Diana Stakes (gr. IT) at Saratoga.

Evening Attire, Solid and Sharp

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Evening Attire remains at the top of his game, having just qualified for the Breeders' Cup World Thoroughbred Championships by taking the "Win and You're In" Greenwood Cup Stakes at Philadelphia Park.