I’m sure not be the only one who was somewhat taken aback when I read the pedigree details of Drakenstein Stud’s very smart juvenile won at Kenilworth on Saturday. By Antonius Pius from an own sister to his mother, Catchascatchcan.
I would be grateful for your insight and comments on the mating as if correct it is a serious piece of inbreeding the like of which we used to hear of in days gone by. It looks to have worked as she can certainly get along.
Bob Woodham – via email
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Ed comment: Drakenstein filly Arria (likely to have been named after her namesake in ancient Rome) is inbred 2×1 to full sisters. Such inbreeding is unusual, mainly because commercial breeders do not practice this. Your reference to days gone by may well have had something to do with geography and limited travel opportunity, causing close relatives to meet more often. Conventional thinking is that this kind of inbreeding is ‘too close’, whatever that means – breeders of racing pigeons would certainly disagree. Interestingly, there are several closely inbred yearlings (although not 2×1) in the Book One sale – the sale supplement gives some examples.
