Shorblue (AUS) (15112)

We head to the southern hemisphere, by request, for our next sire. Shorblue (AUS) has an interesting pedigree. He was pretty solid on the track and that interesting pedigree brings to mind some interesting dam sire combinations. His first crops are just starting to run in real life and his first few sim crops have been small but for the most part productive.

Real Life-  Shorblue (AUS) is by Bluebird. His dam sire is Buena Shore (descended from Bold Ruler) and his dam’s dam sire is Newtown Wonder. All in all it is a fairly obscure pedigree especially on the dam side. His dosage index is 3.80 indicating some speed and some stamina. He ran that way winning races from six furlongs to a mile and a quarter on his way to earning over three hundred thousand in purses. He was a G3 three winner on the track before being retired due to an injury.

There is not a lot to go on with what types of mares he is being bred to in real life but I would imaging inbreeding to Northern Dancer is one angle that breeders will try. The dam side of his pedigree really appeals to me. It is on one hand classy but on the other hand obscure with sires that are not so well known. The choices of dam sires that would seem to fit well with Shorblue are nearly infinite.

Sim Life – Shorblue (AUS) has twenty-seven sim runners. No stakes winners but he does have a stakes placed runner. Of the twenty seven only two allowance runners. We have out work cut out for us with guy. I am very surprised his runners do better on the dirt than the turf. I think his pedigree is pretty turfy so that is a bit of a surprise. To this point his runners have higher speed figures in sprints but that may be because simmers are not stretching his offspring out.

He has eight two year olds. Three of which have put up 70+ speed figures which is pretty solid. Another three have run in the 60’s speed figure wise with just two that have not reached the 50 speed figure mark. Those are solid statistics, he is producing usable runners that can earn you bps.

Sometimes with runners like this you can say they do not see many good dam sires. Shorblue (AUS) has been used with a few nice dam sires including Danehill four times. Seeking the Gold, Mr. Prospector three times, and Miswaki once. You might say “if cannot produce with those dam sires there is no hope for him.” I would say not so fast.

You may read where I do not like mares no matter what the breeding that did not run well on the track. This is a good sample from one sire that somewhat proves to me at least that these type mares should be avoided Roman Hill (Danehill) was used twice. She was 1 for 18 on the track with a career best 85 speed figure. In fact she only had one other start where she earned another speed figure over 80, she mostly ran in the 60’s. Tango Moving (Danehill) had two career wins in 100 starts. She did produce several 90+ speed figures but the two wins really stand out. Plus both of these Danehill mares excelled on the dirt.

Mother Project (Mr. Prospector) was unraced. She is older with only two foals neither that good. That mare was worth taking a chance on she just has not produced to this point. Pharbidwa Alphabet (Mr. Prospector) was 0 for 13 on the track. She has produced three runners over all her runner with Shorblue (AUS) is the only one that has not done well. Doctor Glory (Mr. Prospector) was winless in three starts. She has produced two runners neither very good. Miss Red (Miswaki) was winless in one start only one foal by Shorblue (AUS).  String Jessie (Seeking the Gold) was 0 for 2 on the track with one other foal that is winless in ten starts.   

Bad mares with bargain breds are a recipe for a bad runner. Top sires may be able to produce with mares like this but even then I do not like breeding to them. While those dam sire names look flashy Shorblue has still not really be given a chance with top dam sires.

Breeding Suggestions – Stay away from unproven retired mares. If they did not run well on the track and do not have a history of producing good runners pass on them. This pedigree really opens itself up to some nice dam sire combinations. Shorblue (AUS) is cheap enough at the end of the week adding a Danehill or Mr. Prospector when breeding from scratch is not really that big of an expense.

For inbreeding to Northern Dancer I think grandsons will probably work best to get a nice balanced 4X4 inbreeding. I would like to see what a scratch breeding with Danehill would produce. I prefer those dams sires that will add a little turf influence like Stravinsky, Green Dancer, Royal Academy, Theatrical (IRE), El Prado (IRE), Caerleon, and Belong to Me.

Adding Mr. Prospector back to Shorblue (AUS) is a good cross. Here though I would want to try to use sires that could add a little turf influence. Machiavellian, Jade Hunter, Miswaki, Cryptoclearance and Seeking the Gold seem solid choices. I also like adding Seattle Slew back to Shorblue (AUS) with Septieme Ciel, Event of the Year, and Slewpy.

I really like going back to the Roberto sire line. Dynaformer, Kris S., Lear Fan, Red Ransom, and Silver hawk. Blushing Groom (FR) and his sons would also seem to fit pretty well with Shorblue (AUS) like Rainbow Quest, Candy Stripes, Nashwan, Rahy, Runaway Groom, and Blushing John.

There are several sires that sound like a good fit as well like Sunday Silence, Affirmed, Deisis (GB), Sharpen Up (GB), Mill Reef, Riverman, Irish River (FR) Shirley Heights, and Darshaan. Adding Ribot, or Damascus in the dam’s dam sire spot will fit well with any of the dam sire choices.

Shorblue (AUS) (15112) X   Stravinsky (11609) X Roberto (5367)

Shorblue (AUS) (15112) X Red Ransom (5208) X Miswaki (4027)

Shorblue (AUS) (15112) X Irish River (FR) (3037) X The Minstrel (6552)

Shorblue (AUS) (15112) X Silver Hawk (5844) X Candy Stripes (951)

Bargain Bred – Shorblue (AUS) is a good candidate for bargain breeding. He gets down to about 40 bps at the end of the week. I would keep with the same types of sire lines.

Shorblue (AUS) X Sunshine Forever (6351) X Crystal Glitters (1416)   

What to Expect – Shorblue (AUS) is very likely to produce solid two year olds and early bloomers. His production so far has been best on dirt but I think he probably will produce better turf runners if given a chance. Adding stamina to him is likely to get you a route runner. Storm Bird is one of those hidden stamina influences. He produces fast runners but he does very well with classic distance horses. Be sure to try your runner on both surfaces and even if they excel at sprinting stretch them out.

 Winter break is upon us and I will be hard at updating my website with this year’s articles. You will probably see the odd article or two over the break. As always if you have any questions, comments, or sire requests please drop me a line at mcbwildcat@aol.com. Be sure to reference the Breeding Corner. Good luck and good breeding!