Like any proud parent, we are currently trawling the stud directories for suitable "husbands" for our breeding stock. He has to be strong and of good character and have good prospects! I wonder if my prospective in-laws looked at me in the same way when I married my wife Sarah? I remember my father-in-law looking at me in disbelief and saying "You want to do what- are you mad?" when I announced my intentions. 18 years later and I think if we were horses we would be considered a pretty good match. A few unplaced finishes along the way but all in all we could give Sea the Stars a run for his money!
However, for fear of putting my marriage on the rocks - I have to get the choice right for Fangfoss Girls, our mare. My wife can put up with me rolling in late from the pub or spending too much time at work, but woe betide me if I make a wrong call with the horses - her children! (Which must be rather disconcerting for our human offspring) And of course at the moment the market is uncertain to say the least. Class, as ever, will always retain its price, but how do you foresee what makes class in two years time? How do we know if the levy will be so eroded that prize money makes ownership even more unpalatable? Fangfoss Girls is a winning sprint filly with 2 wins and 4 places at 2 years old - well bred from Monsieur Bond, stakes winning progeny of the Danehill Dancer line. So it should be simple - find a stallion which throws precocious, fast youngsters and job done! If only it were that simple. And that is just the first one - what about our Theatrical filly for 2011 breeding season and beyond?
I thought it was bad enough trying to vet my daughters would be suitors but horses really do give you sleepless nights. Anyone with any ground breaking advice then step forward....don't be afraid.
No comments:
Post a Comment