Sometimes in the thoroughbred industry certain aspects of racetrack results can easily be explained. On other occasions, variables can be interpreted and logic applied to understand a result in hindsight. Then, there are things that cannot be explained, dissected or debated, you simply have to acknowledge that it happens, nobody knows why, it just happens and those who understand that it does happen and embrace the trend are very well rewarded.
It's taken Dean Watt of Dynamic Syndications over 30 years of bloodstock dealings and research to gain the access and then interpret the mystique and the impact that genetics plays in the thoroughbred industry.
There used to be a saying in the thoroughbred breeding industry "Bred the Best with the Best and hope for the Best". That was terrific if breeders wanted short term commercial gains on their progeny but ultimately, it sent breeders into financial shortfalls and buyers of these resultant yearlings financially embarrassed a lot quicker.
Another great saying is there are "Lies, Lies and Damn Statistics".
The fact is that stats don't lie. So those who ignore or disregard stats do so at their own wallet's peril.
Classically, one of the most successful breeding "nicks" in the Australian Stud Book was replicated yet again on Sunday at Flemington, in Victoria's first 2yo Stakes Race of the season when the Torryburn Stud bred colt Cambiaso won the Herald Sun Superracing Stakes LR over 1000m.
Cambiaso is by More Than Ready ex Flying Alpha (by Flying Spur - a son of Danehill and grandson of Danzig).
This cross is one that is rated an A + + +.
Simply, when More Than Ready as a sire, is mated with a broodmare specifically by the Danzig / Danehill / Flying Spur sireline, the propensity to produce quality stakes winners is statistically increased much higher than More Than Ready with any other sireline that More Than Ready will cover.
The fact is nobody truly knows why? Simply, the statistical fact is observed and then utilised by those professional bloodstock participants who are aware of the statistics. The breeding cross on it's own is no guarantee of success. However it's a vital indicator to potential stakes winners and when it is used with other selection criteria based upon horse husbandry skills, veterinary advise and experience the odds are stacked in your favour.
The facts are simple ! This breeding cross is now responsible for 13 Stakes Winners which includes 4 individual Gr1 winners:
Gr1 winners Perfectly Ready, Sebring, Benicio, Dreamaway
Gr2 winners Elite Falls, Ready To Please
Gr3 winners Augusta Proud
Listed winners Cambiaso, Deloraine, Hot 'n' Ready, Mahisara, Miss Challenge, Readyor.
What's not in dispute is that it works. Sunday's winner was a planned mating by Torryburn Stud's owner John Cornish (ATC Chairman). The colt was sold at the Magic Millions.
Horses do not know how much buyer's paid for them. This business is about buying sound horses with size and scope, good conformation to withstand the rigours of racing and that are passed by a veterinarian with regard to conformation, x-rays and endoscopic evaluation. However many horses pass this criteria. The secret or the art of buying yearlings to have success in later years is also to combine this with genetic factors that are known to produce a higher incidence of stakes winners.
At Dynamic we spend countless hours reviewing statistics of stakes results from all over the world to better understand breeding trends. This is a vital edge that we have and explains why we have such a fantastic strike rate that is without peer in our sector of the industry.
Earlier this year Dynamic Syndications purchased a yearling filly by More Than Ready from the mare Sonny and Spur (by Flying Spur). This is the identical breeding pattern to Sunday's Stakes Winner Cambiaso and identical to Stakes Winners Sebring and Hot 'n' Ready.
We also know that our filly has broken-in like a superstar and will be aimed at the big 2yo races in the Autumn. She will be our final syndication later this year.