Tuesday, December 16, 2008

My big buy in Fort Worth

I booked two breedings for 2009 to a horse I really really like, and wanted to breed to this year, but could not since we cannot use frozen semen. He was showing so much, we would have had to rely on it so he had to get cut from my lineup. But after showing and winning all year, including the World Championship last month, he is retired to stud and we could get in. So we did!


They made such a great offer to breed two mares that we could not pass it up. This list of his earnings from this year is not complete, as the total is actually a little over $163K--with $115K of that coming just this year.

His pedigree fills all my requirements to stay true to my breeding theory or plan or whatever you want to call it. His sire is the best in the business but I like to focus on the dams--I think they are the difference in studs. Sophisticated Catt has a great one in Shania Cee who won the Futurity her 3 year old year, won more than 400K, and was Horse of the Year.

Her dam Lynx Melody, won the Futurity when she was three as well, and won the Derby and was World Champion mare. She is also in the top 5 of all dams ever as far as producing winners goes--with produce of over $1.2 million. Not only have her direct offspring been amazing, she has also produced mares that have produced huge winners as well.

The third dam, Trona, is nothing to sneeze at either, producing almost $400K of earners back in the days when that was nearly impossible to do--when purses were much smaller, and mares could only have one baby per year and not as many as they want like they do now.

Obviously, I cannot say enough about the dam line in this horse, as it is what got my attention in the first place. When a pedigree is as packed as this one is, you are stacking the deck in your favor.

It was so crazy and crowded, that I only got a couple shots of him. He is awful cute though, on top of everything else. He is only 14 hands, but that is all right--I was actually a little surprised to hear he hit that much. He was good natured too, but as a young horse, I do not expect them to be crazy ol cranks like a lot of studs turn into as they age. He loved up on me some. Of course he did, I was writing him a check!

I could not get back far enough to get a better shot than this, as we were working in the aisles. As it was, I think I tripped over someone else's display to get this shot.


But you know I am not above thievery--so I lifted these photos off of his website, which is http://www.brightstoneranch.com/sophisticatedcatt.html

These are some show photos from this year. The photogs markings are on each shot, for credit






Now to decide who to breed to him--what I was thinking to do was use Haidagirl, but the owner may have talked me out of her in favor of using some Smart Little Lena mares. I will figure it out though--that is half the fun.

I am really excited about these breedings--I love getting in on a new up and comer early on in the game--everything about him says he should be a big time sire some day. Nena has a baby coming by him next year, too, so I will get to eyeball one right as we are breeding to him, that will make it even more fun

13 comments:

Kristina P. said...

I know nothing about animal breeding, but that is a beautiful horse!

Carrie said...

WOW!!! FANTASTIC!!!

He is stunning!! And what a great show career he has already.

I am sure whoever you pick to breed to him you will have a powerhouse baby.

Holly said...

wow wow wow, I can see why you like him so much!

You've taught me well Paige, I also go right down the mare line to see what is there. Genetics aside (tho they are great on this one), the mares have a big influence on their babies. What they teach them, how they raise them.

Since I'm only just now learning about cutting, I am going to rely on you to get the data (LTE and such) for me.

Holly said...

went and saw the vids at his website.

impressive indeed.

Vodka Mom said...

wait a minute, WHICH stud were we talking about????

Vodka Mom said...

wait a minute, WHICH stud were we talking about????

Anonymous said...

Ya got me! I'm with you! Whatever you say and them "dams" will be appropriate, great and whatever.

It does sound exciting though!

Horse Student Carol and enjoy

Anonymous said...

Congrats! He is beautiful.
Love,
Mom

CountryDiva Danielle said...

We have a Sophisticated Catt baby due this coming year!! He is lovely!!

BrownEyed Cowgirl said...

Oh girl, I am so with you on the importance of the mare. But what is the point of having a wonderful mare if you cannot pick out a beautiful stallion to complement her.

I LOVE HIM!!!

Kalin said...

Ooh, he's a pretty boy and looks like he might have a little talent, too. ;)

Jennifer said...

Fully agree with you on the dam's importance! After all, it does take two...

Jodi said...

This is VERY EXCITING, Paige!

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