I have a 2013 TB mare that I want to breed. I intend to use a recipient mare so my mare can continue competing (as an eventer). She has lovely bone, lovely confirmation and I would like to breed her to a sport horse or a warm blood type stallion. I prefer a US based stallion for breeding simplicity. I’d like to know what stallions might be best for a mare with her bloodlines. I’d also like to know any thoughts suggestions are warnings anyone might have.
Is she eventing?
What would you like to improve on her?
She’s really lovely, so that’s a tough question to answer. She’s balanced, with good confirmation & is a quick learner. She’s 16.2, and I’d prefer no taller than her. I’m looking for a stallion that’s known to produce good jumpers/eventers when crossed with a TB, or with a TB pedigree like hers.
I always recommend Saketini, but he’s by Bernardini (by A.P. Indy) so he’s out. Maybe @EventerAJ who stands Saketini might have another idea for you.
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The resulting foal would be 3x4 AP Indy, which is acceptable to me (though I respect if that’s too close for others’ liking), and also 4x5x5 Mr P.
I have a stunning filly by Saketini out of a Sightseeing (Pulpit) mare, who is 3x4 AP Indy.
I think AP Indy is desirable to double up for sport horse breeding, with his brains, movement, and uphill type. Distorted Humor can bring a little bit tough temperament (strong opinions), big strong hind end but sometimes heavy in front. Hopefully Mineshaft improved some of that, but Bernardini will also reinforce the mind and balance the front end.
OP, if you want to stay full TB, Saketini could be a good choice for you. He is proven eventing up to Prelim (& 1.20m jumping, schooling 3rd level) himself, has sired two FEH champions, one who was 3rd in FEH Championships, and a YEH winner who was 3rd in the US Event Horse Futurity last year. All full TBs. They are smart, kind, willing horses who move and jump well. Size ranges between 16h-16.3, big framed for TB. He stands in FL, available live cover (for JC registration) or AI.
More info at saketinistallion.com or on his Facebook page facebook.com/saketinistallion
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Thank you so much for so much detail!
Your mare is beautiful 
I think I prefer a WB or sport horse type to cross with my TB mare, but I’ll definitely keep Saketini in mind.
Do you have a conformation photo? The more information you provide about the mare, the more meaningful the feedback.
Saketini is one of my favorite TB stallions standing for sport. I don’t think 3x4 to a stallion like AP Indy is too close, though I prefer not to double up on his sire Seattle Slew unless it’s through AP Indy. Just personal preference; obviously some horses have made it work through other SS sons like Capote or Slew City Slew. AP Indy is a very good sport line in his own right with good dispositions (imo) and sporty movement.
I would think with that pedigree, you may have a mare that could improve in the neck connection and in the fundament. I’d be looking for a stallion known to pass on a powerful, correct hind end and at minimum, a stallion that improves movement over a variety of mares.
If you want a sporthorse I would personally look at breeds and then individual stallions that have a proven history of making a nice, sound TB cross on a TB mare. I’d be looking at Trakehner, ISH or Selle Francais or SHBGB. Then looking at individual stallions that have crossed well on TBs without needing to do a second generation to get the desired sporthorse. Off the top of my head the only straight WB/TB cross on a TB mare at the top that I can think of is Cooley Rosalent who on paper is mostly SF on top.
Go onto Horse Telex and look how people are breeding horses like Colorado Blue or Cooley Rosalent with full TB close up vs a horse like Lordships Graffalo where the TB influence has been consistently introduced for decades vs JL Dublin who is much more typical “WB”. Then also think about how exciting you want your life to be for the first several years this horse is under saddle before choosing a stallion.
As an aside your mare is very typical american breeding and you likely won’t see tons of those TB bloodlines in modern top horses as you look around, more likely to see Shaab, Rock King, Ben Faerie, Master Imp etc. Just something to keep in mind when comparing.
