All Equine All The Time

Champion Classic Empire is giving Pioneerof the Nile another chance at a Derby victory. With only a few days left until this year’s Kentucky Derby, the field is mostly set with 20 horses already guaranteed a spot and four others hoping to get in if there are any withdrawals in the coming days. Unlike last year where two stallions had three starters each in the field, no stallion this year has more than one entry. One of last year’s two stallions may not even have a representative in the field this year with Uncle Mo’s (Indian Charlie) Royal Mo sitting in 21 st on the points list (all signs indicate he’ll be entered in the race as an also eligible) and Tapit (Pulpit) only has one entry in Tapwrit. As always, here are a few pedigree facts as we go into one of the biggest races on the U.S. racing calendar every year.  Note: This blog was posted before the Derby draw and also-eligibles here refers to the horses who are 21-24 on the points list and would be on the AE ...

While there is a long time until the final International Federation of Horseracing Authorities' (IFHA) Longines World’s Best Racehorse Rankings of the year, the first edition of 2017 was a win for the Mr. Prospector sire line with two racehorses sired by his grandson and great-grandson tied for the top spot. Released on Thursday, it was no surprise to see Arrogate (Unbridled’s Song) and Winx (Street Cry) both earning ratings of 127, four points ahead of third placed Hartnell (Authorized). In all, six of the 28 ranked horses trace back to Mr. Prospector through their sires while seven of the ranked horses’ broodmare sires also come from that particular sire line. Hussonet (Mr. Prospector) proved to be the most popular close link through broodmare sires with two of the ranked racehorses out of Hussonet mares. Winx (IFHA/ © bradleyphotos.com.au ) Unbridled’s Song was the only Mr. Prospector descendant  to both sire a ranked horse and the dam of another ranked horse with h...