“Interestingly, soundness was never an issue as far as I could remember. Trainers generally commented that they were sound enough (and they liked soft turf) and one of his (Unbridled Song) better horses Omnitrader had 119 lifetime starts.
Byron Rogers
Pedigree Consultants LLC Australia”
I have one I really like so I have been thinking a bit too much on the subject of “What’s not to like about Eurosilver?‘ The forum came out strongly against this horse given the reputation of unsoundness in Unbridled Song…hence the “don’t buy or breed to a son, daughter or relative of such breeding.” I say, if they are poorly made, crooked, or crazy, of course don’t breed that horse (or buy that horse if you want to compete it) no matter what its bloodline or breed. However, the statistics for Unbridled Song and his get don’t make a good case for completely throwing the baby out with the bath water. This bloodline is strong in the work ethic category. These are bloodlines that the average consumer at one time could not touch. This is also the bloodlines that still have some size to them, unlike many of the other lines that are starting to look more and more like quarter horses.
Yes, several high profile breakdowns are horses sired by Unbridled Song, highest profile being Eight Belles. From my perspective, work ethic, rideability, stoicism, and a desire to please make a recipe for this kind of problem that cannot be measured statistically. Slow horses that don’t want to work usually don’t go lame or compete or even get out of the barnyard. I don’t disagree that American TB needs to return to a soundness based program of breeding, but don’t think it is going to happen. One breeds or buys a young horse in the five to six figure range, you expect to make money in today‘s environment. The days of the old money rich breeding and waiting to see if one of their hundred head is going to win the Derby, and not worrying about the rest producing is OVER. Racehorses are alongside slot machines, an investment that is expected to make a return, not be a loss.
This discussion of high profile breakdown is not even really taking into consideration the changing track surfaces and how that effects soundness over time for the past few years.
Anyway, we are hearing the death knell of an industry that we sport horse enthusiasts have so long taken for granted. And I hope that the folks that do breed for sport will still consider these types of bloodlines as valuable when it does end. They are “commercial” for a reason. I will tell you that a fit racehorse that is 16.2 to 17 hands has to want to be cooperative when it is in the stall and going to the track to even get to the races. We hear much about this horse or that one that was or is difficult, but overall, these horses that are successful in large numbers are rideable and biddable. From my seat, on their backs, it’s the “cheaper” bred thoroughbreds that would hurt you.
I am so glad for folks who have continued and are continuing to breed Thoroughbreds for sport. It has been an un-glamorous job. I have no ability in that direction, and I cheer you all on. Just don’t forget, and the clones continue to prove it strongly, nature produces individuals with individual personalities and inclinations. You can encourage it with best to best, but you never know what is going to hit the ground until it does, and from breeding to competition is A LONG TIME. Breeding is and will continue to be an art, not a science, and requires a healthy dose of dream to actually come to fruition as a Secretariat or Gem Twist.
