Breeding Analysis

Breeding Analysis

Metrics Equine utilizes the same growth curve programs to determine the breeding potential of broodmare and stallion prospects. These projections can be made with reasonable certainty as early as when a horse is a yearling or a 2-year-old.

For example, clients who breed for the marketplace but who want to continue to build a broodmare band from their own bloodlines will often place higher reserves at the sales on fillies whose biomechanical profiles show very good probability of broodmare success. On the other hand, some buyers of fillies are often more inclined to pursue prospects whose racing biomechanics are good but whose breeding biomechanics may be better than those of other fillies with similar pedigrees and racing biomechanics. There are also those who specialize in buying colts who also have promising profiles as stallion prospects.

Metrics Equine analyzes the computerized growth curve data of a filly or broodmare to determine her specific biomechanical properties that might be compatible with those of stallions in the region and stud fee range desired by the client. This is accomplished in two ways: By written or verbal reporting on the strengths and weaknesses of the individual, and by running her profile through OptiMatch, a computerized program that determines a biomechanical efficiency score for each of those matings. Generally speaking, a score lower than 96.5 is not considered acceptable. Broodmares are rated from A through F based on the percentages of stallions who match her individual biomechanics.

Here are two examples of actual broodmare analysis and results from our files. The first was for a mare who was purchased at the age of 10 and who'd produced several foals who were unraced at the time. Her Racing Rating was C+ - she was lightly made and had some mechanics that were more suitable to turf, and others more suitable to dirt. She won two races during her career. Her prospects as a broodmare, however, were rated as Good (B):

Despite conflicting elements for racing, (this mare) actually has some nice properties to pass onto her foals. She has good stride extension and power...symmetrical length compared to height, and decent power through her rear triangles which, though off balance for racing, are easily corrected by most stallions. As a result, she shows somewhat surprising strength as a broodmare candidate, matching well (OptiMatch Score = 96.5 +) with 49.3% of the stallions in Kentucky with stud fees of between 10k and 50k. Her score with (the stallion) to whom she is in foal, is an excellent 96.9. The OptiMatch Scores for three other stallions to whom she was bred are similarly good--96.8, 96.6, 96.5; The negative here is that she is lightly made and might pass that on to the majority of her offspring, which would then require that they have good cardio systems.

This mare has produced eight foals to date, all winners of three or more races, all with earning above or within a fraction of the average for the breed. The foal she was carrying became a stakes winner.

On the other hand, here is a report for a filly who was bred by her owner and sold for decent money with the knowledge that she was not an exceptionally good racing or broodmare prospect.

This filly's breeding potential is severely compromised by her short legs and poor stride characteristics, either of which would be a problem if they were not coupled with the other. Both give real problems because stride is the toughest thing to correct in any mating. She does not score the minimum 96.5 with any stallion in any category in Kentucky--indeed, she is well below that with her best matches...it will require that great care be taken to seek a mid-sized, somewhat leggy, stallion when she goes to stud to see whether or not her first few foals have better balance.

This filly won one race of modest value and has produced five foals to race thus far. Her first was by a stallion who quite coincidentally scored 96.4 with her on OptiMatch, the only stallion who came close to the acceptable 96.5. That foal turned out to be her best runner, earning twice the national average in restricted company before being injured. Two others won in modest company, two are still maidens.

Metrics Equine analyzes the computerized growth curve data of a colt to determine his specific biomechanical properties that might be compatible with those of various books of broodmares assembled by biomechanical profiles. This is accomplished by running the colt's profile through a program which is similar in design and function to the OptiMatch program by determining a biomechanical efficiency score for each of those matings. As in testing for broodmare prospects, a score lower than 96.5 is not considered acceptable.

Stallions prospects are generally analyzed in the year they go to stud so that broodmare owners get a "Sneek Peek", so to speak, of which ones are more compatible with their mares well before any of a stallion's offspring are born. Many clients have thus spotted very promising stallion prospects early and have invested in them or utilized them for profit, while also spotting highly touted prospects that are incompatible with their mares, many of which turn out to be disappointing sires

In the first decade of our existence, Metrics Equine has correctly predicted the likelihood of success or failure for approximately 90% of all the stallions that have retired to stud in Kentucky at a stud fee of $10,000 or higher with similar results for those that stood for lower fees and for those that entered stud in other states or countries.