Category Archives: Sharpen Up

Field of chestnut Gold…Cyllene 1895

18 Friday Apr 2025

Posted by in Argentina, race horse breeding, Sharpen Up, Sir Tristram, The Thoroughbred Link

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , , , ,

In early days pursuing The Thoroughbred interests, there went forum outcries to the Phalaris disease. https://www.pedigreequery.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=11081, phalaris lines spell speed at the expense of soundness

Obviously, Phalaris male line made hay…(Nearco)

From insight the remarkable threshold, the male line at grand-father Cyllene is unbelievably staggering. Getting my hands to 1960 New Zealand stallion registries, the spell-binding breeding significance of Cyllene descendants was and is still not to be missed. His lines are seriously present.

Cyllene – Captivation sire of Kircubbin sire of Chateau Bouscaut sire of *The Phoenix & Chanteur

Cyllene sire of Cylgad, sire of Kassala, sire of Pappageno II

Cyllene sire of Bridge of Earn, sire of Bridgemount sire of Foxbridge

Cyllene sire of Polymelus

Cyllene sire of Cicero, sire of Friar Marcus

Cyllene sire of Lemberg

Cyllene sire of Helicon

Cyllene sire of Cellini

Cyllene sire of Minoru, sire of daughter Serenissima dam of SELENE

Phalaris – Pharos sire of Firdaussi

Fairway, sire of Fair Trial: his full brother Pharos sire of Nearco

The Phoenix, best son of Chateau Bouscaut won the Irish 2,000 Guineas and Derby

By references (three stallion registers) what was apparent, then the major influences, to line @Teddy, the strain @ Carbine descendants (Spearmint) and with Hyperion from his dam @Selene (further to her sire-son influences Sickle, Pharamond, Hunter’s Moon )to another @ Bay Ronald’s line through son Dark Ronald & his son Gainsborough.

At tail-male Cyllene to a Teddy cross was ‘pre-present’ to Argentina genetic-giant British Empire (GB) 1937. He was bred by Lord Glanely and sent to Argentina 1940. He won four races as a 2 year old. The Teddy daughter Rose of England won the Oaks. His son Equinox (ARG) cross broodmare sire is Hunter’s Moon (Selene), further distaff influence Carbine (Clemence) +2×3 Hampton by Lord Clifden ex The Slave, Martha Lynn.

The Teddy male-line with Spearmint cross (daughter Plucky Leige) produced Bull Dog (FR) 1927 & Sir Gallahad (FR). Half-Brother Admiral Drake (FR) by Craig an Eran (GB) has broodmare sire Cyllene.

The ‘link’ between Teddy and Cyllene is Bend Or/Tadcaster back to distaff Clemence/Martha Lynn family assigned family 2-h. The Bay Ronald link and tail-line to these superior individuals is back to The Slave distaff of Martha Lynn. (n.b. whilst Martha Lynn families has L4 haplotype, I suspect the predecessor was also part G Haplotype – a formative cross sub-variant type to many Horse breeds.

An Australian Hall of Fame chestnut Heroic was the leading sire in Australian 7 times in succession. Heroic’s racing record speaks for itself – 1st: AJC Champagne S., AJC Derby, VATC Caulfield Guineas, VATC Caulfield S., MVRC W.S. Cox Plate, VRC Newmarket H., WmtnRC Underwood S., AJC Breeders’ Plate, VRC Maribyrnong Plate, Tatt’s NSW Chelmsford S., VRC Ascot Vale (2yo) S., AJC Autumn S., VATC Memsie S. (x2), AJC Cumberland S., MVRC William Reid S., VATC St. George S., VRC King’s Plate, WmtnRC C.F. Orr S.

Remarkably Heroic has 3Sx3 Cyllene, 3x Hampton by Lord Clifden from The Slave/Martha distaff + 4x Bend Or/Tadcaster as prior mentioned. https://www.pedigreequery.com/heroic

TBL favourite character Court Martial (Fair Trial) by @Winkiepop distaff many a time profiles to Australian bred – do note Court Martial has >> 5×5 Cyllene + 5×5 Bay Ronald.

5×5 Cyllene + 5×5 Bay Ronald. Broodmare sire of Lyphard!

Re-evaluation upon Cyllene – Bay Ronald and affinities Teddy & Selene goes central. Our antipodean great sire Sir Tristram (Sir Ivor) tail-male Polymelus/Cyllene – 2x Princequillo >Minoru/Cyllene + Bayardo/Bay Ronald + Selene distaff. Sir Tristram’s best son Zabeel from Lady Giselle 2x Hyperion/Selene + 3×4 Sunny Boy > Teddy, 3x Bay Ronald + distaff Friar Marcus/Cicero/Cyllene.

What’s the Nutshell?

Since research here has of late, explores G haplotype in connection of formatting superior Types it is pretty much conclusive what the superior, bred Elite direction is. However, hooking into G Haplotype prepare to be befuddled at Ped. Tables, with literature side-stepping the greater picture; a hybrid-Thoroughbred framework as alone Northern European British bloodstock recorded goes clearly not that simple.

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/Haplogroup-tree-of-HVR-1-sequences-from-the-studied-horses-Mutations-were-shown-on-the_fig2_3255114

What we need to realize and exploit where probability arises….its pretty obvious by now why, to the Galileo potency. There are more…

As much taken by this sire Isfahan (Ger) https://www.ohlerweiherhof.de/deckhengste/deckhengst_isfahan.php the key-markers are reasonably evident. Leading Juvenile sire in England, among the leading Broodmare Sires in N.A. — Sire of 83+ SW and 10 Champions – headlines 4×4 Sharpen Up, himself of the Sickle/Selene tail-male 5×3 Hyperion/Selene + Carbine (fam.2-h) thru Felstead & Bois Roussel, sire Atan distaff 3rd dam by Fairway, Fair Play through Discovery, Rocchetta’s 4th dam by Pharos. The ‘band’ of ‘G’ genetic Players are all to see viz. Bay Ronald/Dark Ronald ie Birkhahn (Ger), Sickle (particularly Sea Bird),

In an era when we rarely concern ourselves with names beyond the fifth generation, we hardly ever encounter Cyllene. He is further back in pedigrees, and it is no exaggeration to state in all pedigrees. His Derby winners played their part, but the star turn was unquestionably Polymelus, five times champion at stud and sire of Phalaris, the most influential of all 20th century stallions. by Tony Morris https://www.thoroughbredracing.com/articles/3714/tony-morriss-100-shapers-breed-sire-who-became-staple-ingredient/

Cyllene a symmetrical chestnut colt, inherited a wonderful temperament. Cyllene sired four English Derby winners in 1909 and 1910 and also led the Sires List in Argentina. He was a horse that could accelerate more than once during a race and he was able to pass this gift to many of his progeny, especially to his tall son Polymelus. Ken McLean – Quest for a Winner

Cyllene never stops… to be one of the most penetrative potent influences ever and to end this dissertation (its never completed) the most important dam-line to sires in making is designated Reine-de-Course mare Striking (family 1-x). https://www.pedigreequery.com/striking To be Noted, Fair Play – Spearmint – Teddy – Cyllene

⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️

2019 Japan Champion Two-Year-Old Colt 2020 Japan Champion Three-Year-Old Colt 2021 Japan Champion Older Horse 8th Japanese Triple Crown winner (3rd undefeated winner) – Contrail (JPN)

https://www.pedigreequery.com/contrail10

Additional research

https://www.tbheritage.com/Portraits/Cyllene.html

Elmalka (GB) filly by Kingman

11 Saturday May 2024

Posted by in New Zealand racehorses, race horse breeding, Sharpen Up, The Thoroughbred Link

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

3yo filly, 1000 Guineas G1 winner, Elmalka – (Kingman – Nahrain ex-Selkirk) – Pedigree ,

This Tesio line champion was gifted with uncanny acceleration

La Mer – Jack Glencarry, The Great Decade of NZ Racing 1970-1980

Elmalka’s 4th dam – New Zealand Horse of the Year La Mer. She had verve and spirit and boasted a fantastic pedigree which was steeped in talent derived from Senor Frederico Tesio’s breeding skills. She would sprint and stay and possessed an uncanny acceleration. She won 24 times from 43 starts.

The New Zealand purchase of Olgiata by Wanganui breeders Mr and Mrs Jack Alexander whom specifically sought Tesio lines, where their chosen mare, was so named after a Tesio property in South Italy. On pedigree Olgiata was a gem. Her background was indicative of Tesio’s propensity to buy and sell stock in his overwhelming desire to upgrade the breed.

Olgiata was by Acropolis fron Tesaura, by Niccolo dell’ Arca from Tokamura, by Navarro from Tofanella, by Appelle. Her 3rd dam, Tofanella, was an example of Tesio’s trading predisposition. Tofanella was bought as a yearling in England by Tesio. As a racehorse Tofanella won three times in Italy and once in Germany before retiring to stud. She was a shy breeder but her offspring were all class. They were headed by the Italian Derby and St Leger winner, Tenerani who later won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Goodwood Cup in Britain just after WWII. He was at stud in England and Italy and gained racing immortality by siring for Tesio the unbeaten Ribot considered in some quarters to be the greatest racehorse produced in the 2oth century.

As a racehorse Olgiata was no champion when compared with her illustrious forebears, but those Tesio talents were only resting in her genetical composition. On reaching Wanganui, New Zealand, Olgiata produced a filly foal to Worden II. Named La Balsa, she was speedy and fiery, but experienced a hip-injury and retired to stud without ever racing. Her first foal, by Battle-Waggon, was sold to Australia where she raced as Beach Manner and won races.

Mr Alexander next put La Balsa to Copenhagen II, the mating which was to produce La Mer. By Royal Charger, Copenhagen II was a prepotent type with the flair to revive talents seemingly lying dormant in various pedigree.

Copenhagen II (Royal Charger) photographed in England in the mid 1950’s. By late 1979 Copenhagen II had captured seven New Zealand financial sires’ premierships, including four general titles and three juvenile titles, and his progeny had amassed over $2.5mill in prizemoney in Australia and New Zealand to late 1979. (photo credit/info *Ross du Bourg)

While being broken in, La Mer began to really impress. She had brains and quality. I knew then we had a real racehorse on our hands – Malcolm Smith (trainer) recalls. La Mer distance wins, 1400m -2000m.

 "she (La Mer) can be expected to influence the international thoroughbred scene for many years". (Jack Glengarry)
La Mer photo credit: Century of Champions – Mark Taylor

******

ELMALKA

Juddmont sire Kingman – https://www.theirishfield.ie/bloodstock/stallion-reviews/sire-review-kingman-standing-at-banstead-manor-stud-808298

Dam, Nahrain G1 winner at 3 years and 4 years at 2000m.

Elmalka dam Nahrain winning 2011 Prix De L’Opera. Dam of Benbatl (Dubawi).

Elmalka – 5×3 Sharpen Up & 5×4 Mill Reef

❤️💥🐴 Sharpen Up by Atan, a family 2f assigns #Haplotype L1a. Of same haplotype, has Gone West +2x Round Table> Artaius sire of Eljazzi 2nd dam Invincible Spirit & Caerleon sire of Generous

again, Haplotype L1a belonging to family 9c, as named 4x Royal Charger, 9x Nasrullah male-line > 2xMill Reef, 5x Fair Trial, 6x Mahmoud, 8x Mumtaz Begum, 7x Mumtaz Mahal et al

To Sharpen Up: Hyperion son 3x Rockefeller @ 5×6 Carbine – 3x Musket, 7x Harkaway, 6x Martha Lynn & 25x Birdcatcher from great ancestral mare Guiccioli (n.b. her details @ Harkaway article viz. Curlin (US).

Swinging back to La Balsa by Worden (by Wild Risk, a St Simon male line from dam Sans Taras from Tara. Tara, dam of Norseman > Nebbiolo (Selkirk). Like rarity gold, Tara strain(s) (imo) are unmatched. Why? i) by Teddy ii) 4×4 Orme from Angelica, daughter of St Simons dam St Angela. When St Angela/Angelica go its big-time potency.

The Minstrel from Fleur from Flaming Page & Nijinsky from dam Flaming Page – an ancestral contribution strikes distaff, Birdcatcher & Martha Lynn.

Tesio in his unique way, states:

He said, rightly, that a horse is evaluated by its pace, when it is better understood how it pushes with its hindquarters https://chavaliernet.wordpress.com/2019/01/19/federico-tesio-torino-17-gennaio-1869-milano-1-maggio-1954-omaggio-a-colui-che-ha-inventato-il-purosangue-nel-mondo-con-una-intervista-a-pio-bruni-uno-degli-ultimi-che-lo-ha-conosciuto/

We can believe Tesio may wryly muse Elmalka, back to La Mer, back to Olgiata back and back to “The first six names of Ribot’s pedigree are all creations of the Wizard, in the first 14 there are as many as 11. That is what breeding! That’s why Ribot is his masterpiece, all his own, absolutely”. (ref. https://www.cavallo2000.it/article/federico-tesio-ribot-e-lallevamento-del-purosangue

********

Additional:

(n.b. Royal Charger influences top and bottom via, Turn-To & Copenhagen II to Hong Kong gelding Super Joy N Fun by What’s the Story, won on debut. Super Joy N Fun, Pedigree here)

Kingman son King of Comedy from a Selkirk dam stands at Novara Park, New Zealand

Ribot

@ TBL

Luxembourg (IRE)

06 Friday May 2022

Posted by in Byerly Turk, genotype breeding, race horse breeding, Sharpen Up

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

, , ,

Check out the calendar-date for the Epsom Derby and to favourite contender Camelot’s 3yo colt Luxembourg (IRE).

Luxembourg’s latest run to finish 3rd from rear in the 2000 Guineas field shows lots of promise to make it a Derby win. (race video)

A lot like grand-sire (Montjeu IRE) the powerful drive & as does Luxembourg’s power stride has that similarity.

Great things to come, his hindquarters look spectacular!

Luxembourg’s maiden grade dam Attire; by the wonderful Danehill Dancer, her sire bloodlines, are ones we highly value anywhere.
Danehill Dancer – a Champion 2YO in Ireland, Champion sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 2009 and Champion broodmare sire in Great Britain and Ireland in 2016. DD’s dam by Sharpen Up (Leading Juvenile sire in England, leading Broodmare Sire, Sire of 83+ SW and 10 Champions) daughter, further b/lines Caro, Dancer’s Image and Olympia are influential traits.

Breeder/producer Attire has produced G2 winner Leo de Fury (Australia) and G3 placed filly Sense of Style (Zoffany). Luxembourg has a yearling full-brother, where he was Magnier sold – €1,200,000.

On pedigree matters – Luxembourg brings 3×4, double Danehill, – yet what compels, are greatest veins deep. Extraordinary inheritance familial: the critical mass building in/thru/up equals = superior genotype. They are Ksar daughters ie Wood Violet, Advertenaia (+ more etc).

The Bruleur line had a powerful post WWII revival in France with the outstanding Tourbillon, who threatened to become, at a time, the dominant influence in world breeding. Its offensive has since ebbed, it is still diffused at the highest level in most breeding areas.

Varola

Ksar sire of Tourbillon (Marcel Boussac foundation sire) to his sire Bruleur, grandsire Chouberski they’re majorly dynastic influential and of descendant to Byerly Turk (book)

The potency as seen to Lyphard’s dam Goofed (5×5 Chouberski) and Brazil bred, multiple G1 winner & classic sire Troyanos (Bruleur) 7S x 8D x 6D x 9D x 9D. 

(n.b. I since found template pedigree a perfect example, the Francois Dupre (& FR breeder of Tantieme) mare named Solitude. Notable wins Prix Morny (FR-G1), Poule d'Essai des Pouliches (FR-G1), Prix Saint Alary (FR-G1). Oddly (?) her sons, 1 sent to Japan and the other Lavinsky (IRE) came to New Zealand! )

Ksar spend 13 years at stud in France and then went to America, where he died three years after arrival, too soon to have an effect on American breeding.

*Leicester – Bloodstock Breeding

French genetics and French history: Count Evremond_de_Saint-Alary – breeder

photo credits above – https://harasdesaintpair.com/history

Luxembourg – Ksar – 9d x 9D x 8d x 9d, Tourbillon – 9S x 9S x 8D x 9d x 9D

Ksar‘s line compound & those daughters shall impact like a tsunami.

Ksar was one of the chief architects of the excellence of the French middle distance Classic thoroughbred that was to be revealed in such sensational fashion…

Peter Willett


Luxembourg’s grand-sire Montjeu – fierce

The ideal that the French breeder aimed at from the 1860’s to the 1950’s was the horse capable of excelling over 3000 metres in June of his three year old season. They where Ajax, Teddy, Bruleur, Alcantara II, La Farina, Sardanapale, Ksar, Brantome, Sicambre, Vieux Manoir, Djebel and Tantieme – all bred with that ideal in mind.

Peter Willet

for mine…

TBL