Best broodmare's are inbred to a Blue Hen mare within 4 gens

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A great broodmare is much more than a mare with a fashionable pedigree or an impressive race record. She is the foundation upon which future generations are built.

We assess a broodmare from three perspectives: physical quality, genetic composition and female-family strength. The objective is to identify mares whose overall genetic and physical architecture gives them the potential to consistently produce high-class racehorses.

Physical quality is fundamental. A broodmare should ideally possess the size, substance, balance and athleticism capable of producing a well-conformed, functional athlete.

We examine height, length, bone, shoulder, hip, back, neck, limbs, depth and overall balance, while also considering the mare's ability to complement the physical characteristics of the stallion selected for her.

A mare does not have to be perfect. In fact, a carefully chosen stallion can compensate for certain weaknesses. What matters is understanding what the mare brings to the mating and what the stallion needs to add.

A broodmare's value lies not only in the names on her pedigree, but in the relationships between those names.

We examine her inbreeding, linebreeding, cross duplications, sex-balanced linebreeding and the concentration of influential ancestors across multiple generations.

We also analyse Dosage Profile, Dosage Index and Centre of Distribution, together with our wider pedigree metrics, to understand the balance of speed, stamina and other inherited influences within the mare.

The purpose is to establish her genetic identity before deciding which stallion can complement and enhance it.

One of the most revealing questions we ask is:

How much proven breeding power exists behind the mare?

We examine the first five generations of the pedigree for Blue Hen Mares — exceptional producers whose descendants have repeatedly generated stakes winners, Group and Grade performers, champions and important breeding stock.

We also identify Elite Stallions within those five generations and examine how their influence has been transmitted through the pedigree.

A mare descending from a family containing multiple proven producers and elite sires may possess a genetic foundation considerably more valuable than her own race record alone would suggest.

We also consider the potential presence and transmission of the Large Heart Factor (LHG) within the pedigree.

Particular attention is given to important ancestors and female families associated with the Large Heart theory and to the way those influences are transmitted through the X chromosome.

We do not regard LHG as a guarantee of racing ability. Rather, it is considered alongside pedigree structure, physical characteristics and other genetic indicators when assessing the mare's breeding potential.

The tail-female line is one of the most important components of a Thoroughbred pedigree.

We trace the direct maternal line through the mare's dam, second dam, third dam and beyond, identifying the family number, significant branches and the quality of the females that have preceded her.

Particular attention is paid to whether the maternal family has demonstrated the ability to produce class repeatedly and across generations, rather than simply producing one exceptional individual.

A strong female family can provide a genetic foundation that continues to influence a breeding programme for generations.

Ultimately, we do not believe that any single factor defines a great broodmare.

Size without pedigree is insufficient.
Pedigree without physical quality is insufficient.
A strong female family without genetic compatibility is insufficient.
A favourable genetic profile without racing ability or athleticism is insufficient.

The exceptional broodmare is where these elements come together.

We therefore assess the physical individual, the genetic composition, the Large Heart Factor, the five-generation pedigree, Blue Hen Mares, Elite Stallions, family number and tail-female line as one integrated breeding proposition.

The question is not simply:

“Is she a good broodmare?”

It is:

“What does she possess genetically and physically — and what is the right stallion to unlock her full breeding potential?”