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American
Classic Pedigrees (1914-2002)
Avalyn
Hunter
Pub Date: May 2003. Winning
a Triple Crown race -- the Kentucky Derby, Preakness,
and Belmont Stakes -- is the ultimate goal for Thoroughbred
owners and breeders. These races are considered “Classics”
for their challenging nature and prestige, and only the
cream of the horse crop attempt all three. Owners and
breeders have long puzzled over the pedigrees of the Classic
winners, trying to find the key to the same success. However,
the fates surrounding the breeding of racehorses are fickle
and while certain stallions and mares do rise to the top
as brilliant progenitors, more often than not, it seems
that good runners, even Classic winners, come from out
of nowhere, at least as far as the pedigree is concerned.
In American Classic Pedigrees, author Avalyn Hunter
examines the pedigrees of the winners of the five American
Classic races from 1914 to 2002: the Kentucky Derby, Preakness
Stakes, Belmont Stakes, Kentucky Oaks, and Coaching Club
American Oaks. In addition to tracing each horse’s
sire line and female family, Hunter gives an insightful
look at how each horse has contributed -- or not -- to
the Thoroughbred breed. Readers can trace the rise and
fall of various sire lines through the decades as Hunter
shows how the Thoroughbred breeding market often dictated
which bloodlines had a stronger chance of surviving and
gaining prominence.
Also
included in this invaluable reference tool:
- A
statistical appendix with information on the level of
inbreeding present in these Classic winners; racing
class of the Classic winners' sires and dams; which
sire lines have produced the most Classic winners; Bruce
Lowe family numbers; etc.
-
Four-cross pedigrees of each Classic winner
- Glossary
of important historical names found in these pedigrees
This
landmark work is an important resource for pedigree analysts
and breeders everywhere who continue to the quest to breed
a Classic winner -- a horse like Secretariat, Man o’
War, or Seattle Slew.
The
author:
Avalyn
Hunter became a fan of Thoroughbred racing as a child
after seeing Secretariat’s Triple Crown victory.
By age fifteen she had begun studying pedigrees as a hobby.
American Classic Pedigrees is her first book and
the culmination of her pedigree research. Hunter, who
resides in Florida, also has written award-winning fiction
short stories about horse racing.
Q&A
with Avalyn Hunter
Praise
for Avalyn Hunter and American Classic Pedigrees:
"Avalyn
Hunter has managed to combine the chronicles of American
racing and American breeding into a rare mix that will
appeal to the fans of the sport as well as to pedigree
junkies. Rather than the usual flat recital of who won
what, we are treated to new angles and research on who
these champions were and where they came from. Their stories
are related in Ms. Hunter's easy style, which puts the
horses, their ancestors, and their influence on the breed
in a pleasant and refreshing perspective."
-- pedigree consultant Anne Peters, co-author
of Patterns of Greatness II
****
"Takes
a fresh look at equine bloodlines that have produced champion
runners and gives us a history refresher to boot."
-- Ryan Conley, Ocala (Fla.) Star-Banner
****
"This
is a book for those who want to delve deeper into the
mysteries of the American racehorse. There are many clues
contained therein for the dedicated sleuth."
--
Susan van Dyke, Washington Thoroughbred
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Hardcover
6 x 9
792 pages
b&w photos throughout
5-cross pedigrees throughout
Product #B11-1073
List Price: $50.00
ISBN: 1-58150-095-5
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