Can anyone tell me what happened...

[3kidsandahorse]

When I was 12ish and a horse-crazy kid, I remember the big-time horses as being Sky Watch, Imperator, Belle Elegant, etc. Being bored today, I went to ASHA and looked at CH Sky Watch's get. I didn't know that he had some offspring with Belle Elegant, and I was anticipating some big-name coming from that union.

Well, no. As a matter of fact, very few of his get really did much from what I can tell. Belle Elegant did OK with Chubasco but some of the other sires she was crossed with were big names (Korageous Kalu) and produced nothing of note.

I understand that bloodlines aren't always the reason. I have a horse that should really be big-time based on bloodlines but she isn't. Yet. But she's got talent, she just needs...well a different mindset would be good, but we're working on that!

Anyway, can someone who was into breeding at that time tell me what happened to some of the big names?

[D_BaldStockings]

In a nutshell: you can't judge the book by the cover.
OR If it were easy to breed a great horse to a great horse and get a great horse, breeding would be much simpler.
Breeders all try to get the best mates possible, but we are only human and not prophetic; and the spark of greatness is very elusive. Only hindsight lets you know you had a great sire or Blue Hen mare.
It is kind of analgous to panning for gold, a very promising stream may come up empty or the vein you find may peter out. Then again you may (rarely) hit the motherlode! Of course, you had better be looking for gold in likely places or you will pass it right by :-)
Mary

I think, from what I'm seeing, a few sons of Sky Watch are doing better at passing on the talent. Sometimes greatness skips a generation...

And I'm continually amazed at the mares that consistently pop out champions! Mares that never showed, just had a life as a broodmare. What did the breeder see in them as young fillies that made them decide to breed, instead of train and show them? Where did they get their crystal ball to know how great they'd be? Was it happenstance? Too many colts to work that year so they bred the fillies instead of breaking them? Or did they see something special in them? Hmmm....

[CHCrystal]

Sky Watch decendents do seem to be getting better, especially through Castle Bravo.

That's a great question, Tiffany. It would be great to know the story behind some of those great mares.

-Crystal

[attafox]

I've also heard that Skywatch granddaughters have proven to be good broodmares ... haven't done the research to justify it. However, you are correct - Skywatch didn't seem to throw himself. OTOH, I'm not sure we'll ever see that again ...

[Poppins]

Originally Posted by attafox

However, you are correct - Skywatch didn't seem to throw himself. OTOH, I'm not sure we'll ever see that again ...

Secretariat didn't replicate himself either. . .

Maybe genetics reaches a peak with horses like that and it CAN'T be replicated? Hmmm...

[albert]

that is interesting and like was said:"Secretariat didn't replicate himself either."
We have a Skywatch grandson that is a freak

[3kidsandahorse]

What kind of freak?

Maybe it's a crapshoot. You breed them to see what you'll get; 10% of the time you get something good. I don't think I would make a good breeder, as I have one that should be doing well but underperforms.

Wing Commander, Supreme Sultan, etc seem to have done pretty well replicating themselves. Maybe it's the minds, not the physical ability? Like they produce nut cases that can't perform in the show ring? Or maybe the horses are pushed so much to "fulfill your destiny" that they pretty much go nuts? I can relate to that...

Interesting points made.

[Brutus]

Belle Elegant DID turn out to be a good producer.

Belle was bred to Kalu and produced Belle's Bewitched. I don't believe that mare ever showed but was rumored to be gorgeous and was bred very young. Belle's Bewitched had CH Mercer Raceabout, Gotta Lotta Charm, WC Pisgah Pike, RWC Oceanfront, RWC CH Belleavanti, Bit Of Charm, and Charmed and Bewitched.

Belle also had some other good offspring--three babies that were "CH" is awfully good