Originally Posted by
BenScadden
Obviously I'm biased ... but our Jeremes Jet yearling colt is one of the best-looking horses we've bred. He has great depth, an attractive head and is a beautiful, smooth mover. That doesn't mean he'll be able to run but I reckon it's a pretty good starting point. I'd be very surprised if he doesn't make some kind of racehorse.
Mango, there was a good article in Hoof Beats a month or two back on Artsplace and Western Hanover and their impact on standardbred breeding.
I was lucky enough to see Artsplace race - and he really was the horse of a generation. Amazingly tough, great speed and great gait - something he has passed on to many of his progeny.
Western Hanover had great top-end speed and was a great horse in his own right ... but, in my opinion, there have been few better pacers than Artsplace. I think people forget just how good he was. Haven't said that, I believe any criticism of Western Hanover is totally unfounded. Maybe some of his progeny have been a touch too 'fragile' and 'hot' ... but it seems Western Ideal, who I also was lucky enough to see race, has added that bit of stoutness and positive attitude, quite possibly through his dam's sire, Abercrombie. And iit looks like those traits have been passed on to Rocknroll Hanover and some other of his sons.
It's going to be an interesting few years to see how these new kids on the block shape up.