BloodHorse.com | Horse Racing News

Balistroika, Dam of Russian Rhythm, Dies

Successful Brushwood Stable broodmare Balistroika, dam of English classic winner Russian Rhythm, died at age 24 on Oct. 7 after colicing. Brushwood owner Betty Moran reported the death of her homebred mare.

Top International Sire Royal Academy Dies

Coolmore Stud's world-class stallion Royal Academy, who has been represented by more than 160 stakes winners, died Feb. 22 at Coolmore Australia due to the infirmities of old age. He was 25.

English Stallion Shahrastani Pensioned

Shahrastani, who won the 1986 Ever Ready Derby Stakes (Eng-I) and the Budweiser Irish Derby (Ire-I), has been pensioned from stallion duty at Walton Fields Stud near Leicestershire, England.

Playing on Some Themes with The Minstrel

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Alan Porter's focus this week is the interbreeding of close genetic relatives The Minstrel and Nijinsky II, as exemplified by recent stakes winners A Little Warm and Malibu Prayer.

Great European Trainer Vincent O'Brien Dies

Vincent O'Brien, widely acknowledged as the greatest European trainer ever, died June 1 at the age of 92 at his home in Straffan, Co. Kildare, Ireland

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.

Look Here Was Bred for 12 Furlongs

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

The Juddmonte Epsom Oaks (Eng-I) victory of Look Here (GB) may have been a surprise to the bettors, but her staying ability should have been no surprise. In the male line, she is the fourth generation to prove able to win at 12 furlongs or better in group I-quality company.

Roshani Possess the Best of Her Family

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Roshani is one of only three graded stakes winners produced by crossing a sire from the Nijinsky II line with daughters of Deputy Minister. Clearly, Roshani inherited the best from the paternal and maternal sides of her pedigree. The daughter of Fantastic Light was sold for $135,000 as a racing/broodmare prospect at the 2007 Keeneland January mixed sale. She has now earned $320,550.

Doing Her Young Sire Proud

MAHUBAH'S CORNER, by Avalyn Hunter

Proud Spell stamped herself as a top contender for the Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) by winning the 8.5-furlong Fair Grounds Oaks (gr. II) in 1:44.01, a shade faster than the 1:44.44 that Pyro ran in the Louisiana Derby (gr. II). She is the leading runner to date for the second-crop sire Proud Citizen. Considering Proud Citizen ran better at 3, more of his runners are expected to blossom this year. Keep an eye in particular on those horses whose dams have Northern Dancer blood.

Realizing a 20-year-old Prediction

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter

More than 20 years ago in Ken McLean's book "Tesio - Master of Matings" he predicted that the combination of Nijinsky II and the similarly bred Storm Bird would one day be a potent one. At the time, Storm Cat -- Storm Bird's most important stallion son -- had yet to cover a mare. McLean also predicted these sires would be most effective when they had receded to the third and fourth generations of a pedigree. What has come to pass is a cross that has produced 120 stakes winners, of which 60 are graded stakes winners and 20 are grade I winners.

Harlan's Holiday's Next Generation

PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter

Harlan's Holiday, who currently ranks second on the leading freshman sires list, is one of several grandsons of Storm Cat who are proving themselves as sires. His top runner to date is Into Mischief, winner of the CashCall Futurity (gr. I) at Hollywood Park on Dec. 22. Harlan's Holiday has also been represented by stakes winners Tasha's Miracle, Bear Holiday, P.S.U. Grad, and Harlan's Song.

Shadeed, English Champion, Dead

Shadeed, an English champion miler and successful sire, was euthanized Nov. 13 because of complications from illness.

Florida Stallion Sword Dance Pensioned

Sword Dance, the sire of 19 stakes winners, has been pensioned at Gilbert Campbell's Stonehedge Farm South near Williston, Fla., because of fertility problems.