The headline above is a question that we here at Harnesslink get asked repeatedly in the weeks leading into the New Zealand and Australian harness racing yearling sales each year and this year has been no different.
As we try to explain to people, everyone has a different view on what makes or breaks a pedigree and how their preference can be influenced by their opinion of the stallion and not the maternal family involved.
We rarely find ourselves in full agreement with people on this matter which is not surprising when you consider the variety of bloodlines offered at New Zealand sales these days.
We are never afraid to state our opinion and looking at this years catalogue we came to a decision pretty quickly and conclusively.
Lot 460 at The New Zealand Premier Sale in Christchurch on behalf of Cavalla Bloodstock a filly named Pearl White has as good a pedigree page as you will find in any sales catalogue worldwide.
She is a daughter of the champion sire Artsplace who has lifetime figures as a sire that are just mind blowing.
*Total Stakes won worldwide of over $182,000,000
*18 $1,000,000 winners
*468 $100,000 winners
*48 in 1:50 or better
Artsplace is now dominating the broodmare ranks in the same fashion with numbers that are hard to comprehend.
*Total stakes worldwide of over $345,000,000
*11 $2,000,000 winners
*42 $1,000,000 winners
*849 $100,000 winners
*1452 in 1:55 or better
Pearl White is a daughter of the very quick Western Hanover mare West End 1:52.4 ($139,346) who was stakes placed at three before being imported downunder by Cavalla Bloodstock.
West End made a healthy $85,000 when sold at Harrisburg as a yearling
The second dam of Pearl White is the Matt's Scooter mare Grand Lady who also went 1:52.8 on the way to earning $235,571 but it is in the breeding barn that she has established herself as one of the best broodmares anywhere in the world in the last twenty years with a string of outstanding progeny.
One of the all time great racemares in Glowing Report 1:49.4 ($2,095,144) was the best of them and being by Artsplace, she is a three quarter sister to Pearl White.
Another three of her progeny have broken the 1:50 mark and all of them were involved on the Grand Circuit in North America.
*Perfect Union 1:49 ($723,598) – By The Panderosa
*Urgent Action 1:49.6 ($699,700) – By Artsplace
*Get It Now 1:49.8 ($406,984) – By Western Hanover
Another three quarter sister to Pearl White in the Artsplace mare Must See 1:52 ($487,122) is the dam of the brilliant racehorse and now sire, Well Said 1:47.6 ($2,569,342).
Yet another daughter in Subtle Charm 1:55.6 has already produced Jazz Band 1:51.4 ($407,084) and Scandalous Hanover 1:49.3 ($363,570) to just keep the roll going.
So Pearl White is a three quarter sister to Glowing Report 1:49.4 ($2,095,144) and a three quarter sister to Must See 1:52.4 ($487,122), the dam of Well Said ($2,569, 342)
It is a world class pedigree and convinced us very quickly to make Pearl White our selection for the best bred yearling at this years sale.
To view the New Zealand Premier Sale catalogue click here.
Harnesslink Media