Run The Numbers

The use of the term blue hen to describe an influential mare on the pedigree page can be somewhat cavalier in modern bloodstock reporting and analysis. But the stats don’t lie when it comes to two key maternal ancestors in the damlines of Saturday’s two Group 1 winners at Caulfield.

Only a select number of horses have won Group 1 races in five consecutive Australian racing seasons. Mr Brightside became the fourth in the past 35 years with his victory at Flemington on Saturday.

The win of Baraqiel in the Moir Stakes not only enhanced the remarkable record of his dam, Angel Of Mercy, but the legacy of two of Arrowfield’s most influential stallions of the 21st century, Snitzel and Hussonet.

With four stakes winners, including a Group 1 victory, it was a bottle green blitz for Yulong across Australia on Saturday. Recent history suggests that with 29 Australian stakes wins in the past 13 months, it might be a scene we get well used to by the end of the racing season.

With the breeding season days away from starting, Run The Numbers ponders the question of whether the best time to breed to a stallion is actually his first season at stud.

With Via Sistina chasing history as the first eight-year-old mare in 80 years to win an Australian Group 1 race, Private Eye has already set the standard for that age group in the PB Lawrence Stakes. Run The Numbers looks at the recent Group 1 record of horses aged eight and older.

With the breeding season only weeks away and more than 20 stallions set to make their debuts at stud in Australia, this week’s Run The Numbers looks at what size book is best in a first season.