Throughout history, since man first tilled the soil and farmed the land, the principle of resting the soil to allow it to regenerate has been practiced.
The fallow-year foal – or more correctly, the after fallow-year foal – the term post-barren ill reflects the status, for “barren” with its meaning of “incapable of bearing fruit… offspring” is the ultimate degradation of a mare. Fallow, however, with its connotation of resting and rehabilitating to produce more fruitfully is both more accurate and, as will be seen, pointedly correct. Nonetheless, “post-barren” is, by acceptance, the terminology, and is used here to describe a year when barren seed has fallen on fertile ground.
Breeders, by and large are not at ease with the barren mare. Like any other factory owner, they do not like to see a machine lying idle, particularly one which simultaneously cost money. And they are painfully aware of the reticence of prospective buyers towards a mare which has rest years.
Whatever… the following does suggest that this principle would benefit the thoroughbred industry, producing, conceivably a generally higher quality animal – but, of course, that assertion is purely speculation.
Post-barren foals, and the influence they have played in the scenario and development of the thoroughbred was never a conscious thought or aim, but rather, a consequence of passing observation.
Whilst researching “The Great Stallion Book” and later “Peerage of Racehorse”, and sometimes scanning the breeding records of mares, passing mental note was made of post-barren foals.. filed in the back of mind. Conscious was not awakened until it was noted that Hyperion was of this pause – and it was noted it only to add to his comments within “Peerage.”
Again, without seeking to research this occurrence, it fell that Man O’War , likewise, was the result of this post-barren syndrome. Again it was noted only as a matter of interest within the comments of “Peerage”.
Then, following Man o’War, Brantome surfaced as a post-barren foal. This was eye-opening, for like Man o’War and Hyperion, he dominated his generation – but, nonetheless, it was still was not anything to lie awake at night musing over.
But, sub-consciously alerted to this assumption, suddenly indeed, an eye-opener, for Nearco, (1935) also was of this incidence. In 1934, his dam, Nogara, was barren to a cover by Blenheim; but to her 1935 cover by Pharos… behold Nearco.
Hyperion, Man O’War, Brantome, Nearco insinuated into mind a theory or possibility that assuredly will never be the wont of breeders… I suppose a “post-barren theory.” Of course, it is not a theory pursued, and now comment of it is for any breeder who has a mare which has missed to her service, or for prospective buyers of yearlings. The point of notice was that many of the great racehorses/stallions/mares were the result of a year’s rest from the factory.
Without respite, and from the past, Chelandry surfaced as a post-barren foal. This could not just be a coincidence. Chelandry, of the Family No. 1, branch of Paradigm, sits easily as the most productive of the several branches which descend from the immortal Paradigm/Paraffin limb of the No. 1 Family, a Family branch which, by merit, excites both and eye and mind.
So to the first recognised of this cynosure – Hyperion. His dam, Selene, in 1929 was barren to a cover by Phalaris; in 1930, to a cover by Gainsborough, was conceived Hyperion.
Hyperion, a physically small Arab-like individual, with an Arab head, and, who like the Arab, had 17 ribs, was the darling of the racing aficionados of the 1930’s, the “giant” of his time, whose defeat in his final race, the Ascot Gold Cup left a sense of mourning over the racing scene in England. Following his retirement, at his court he bequeathed to his offspring all the qualities breeders sought. He has, of course, been the subject of several books, his name constantly revered as a source of quality in the thoroughbred, six times the Leading Sire on England; and the Leading Sire of Broodmares three times. In following decades his name became synonymous with all that is best in the thoroughbred. Certainly, his striking success, has to air the question, did the fallow year enjoyed by his dam bequeath him with an “X” factor. Ten years later, Selene, in 1939, was again barren, and to a cover by Precipitation, in 1940, she bred New Move. With WW II about to break with its fury on England, New Move never saw a racecourse – but in the paddocks, she bred ten foals, nine racing, with eight being returned winners (or 88.88% winners to runners).
Man O’War preceded Hyperion by 13 years. A racehorse ne plus ultra, Man O’War, left an impression on the American Turf, which rivals impressions left by Carbine and Phar Lap in Australia, and those names distinctive on the English Turf, Isinglass, St Simon, Cyllene, et al, this list a history of the Turf in names of horses and the deeds they accomplished. Despite all the pretenders, the likes of Secretariat and Seattle Slew, Man O’War remains the finite American racehorse. And despite being used almost as a private stallion, he performed “miracles” at his court. It is not inconceivable that he would have rivalled Hyperion as a stallion had he been given opportunity. But, for him was the lot almost of private stallion, serving, largely, only the mares of his owner. Despite this, from just 379 foals, he sired 64 stakes winners. The post-barren foal theory hardens.
Brantome (1931), in France, who dominated his generation as absolutely as did man O’War in America, surfaced as a post-barren foal, his dam, Vitamine. A high-class, brilliant racehorse, his career at stud suffered with the onset of World War II. Nonetheless, he sired the Classic winning Vieux Manoir; and was the dam-sire of Auld Alliance, dam of the Kentucky Derby winner. Tomy Lee (who, incidentally, descends from Chelandry).
Nulli Secondus… Probably only the name of Nearco has rivalled Hyperion in the minds of racegoers worldwide, his name familiar to all within the racing industry… and to many without. Undefeated winner of his 14 career starts, he is lauded as the sire of Nasrullah, and of Nearctic, and grandsire of the omnipresent Northern Dancer, sire of Sadler’s Wells.
Nogara was again barren in 1936 and 1937 to covers by Ortello and Cranach, but in 1938 conceived to Cranach, her foal, Niccolo dell’Arca. In the shadow of Nearco as both a racehorse and stallion (but then most are), he raced unbeaten at three years, including among his victories the Italian Triple Crown (the Premio Parioli, the Gran Premio del Re Imperatore and the Gran Premio del Fascio); and was not without noteworthy success at stud.
Tenerani (1944), was another of this ilk. Conqueror of Arbar for the Ascot Gold Cup, a tussle which brought both to the brink of collapse, even Tenerani of bottomless stamina, reeling from the exhaustion of the “duel.” Of course, and in time, he sired the great and unbeaten racehorse, Ribot.
One could interrupt at this somewhere, and say the point has been made. But no…
Sicambre (1948), the produce of Sif in 1951, following a year’s rest, proved the best of his generation, unbeaten winner at three years of Chantilly’s Prix du Jockey Club; the Leading Sire in France in 1966; and three times the Leading Sire of Broodmares.
Mill Reef (1968), winner of 12 of 14 starts, including Epsom’s Derby Stakes and Longchamp’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe; and England’s “Horse of the Year, 1971? was another post-barren prodigy
This is not, however, a European phenomenon. In America, mares which have enjoyed a fallow year have produced foals which have peppered and highlighted the racing scene there. Citation (1945), winner of the American Triple Crown, and the first horse to amass $1,000,000 in stakes earnings, was of this favour, whilst.Buckpasser Affirmed, Spectacular Bid, Forego and Holy Bull- all acclaimed American Horse of the Year – give credence to a speculation that the post-barren foal is “Blessed”.
In Australia, a like catalogue of names synonymous with excellence surfaces, Heroic (recall, his grandam, Chelandry, was also a post-barren foal), Flight, Shannon, Tulloch, Todman, Sky High, Daryl’s Joy, Show Gate and Leilani, are names around which racing has spun when they were centre stage.
All of the above and those names which follow are the result of but of passing research and observation. Casting eyes, as if drawn, lit on post-barren horses – a litany of names which preclude this phenomenon being passing chance.
Ergo… If the above is not overwhelmingly compelling evidence that there are benefits undreamt in the fallow year mare and the post-barren foal, the list below will convince even the most sceptical, that nature has a more positive input into the breeding mechanism which man, for all his machinations, cannot control beyond acknowledging and acquiescing to the claims of nature.
This catalogue of prominent names underlines and hardens a view that the mare who enjoys a year of rest from permanent and ongoing pregnancy, will reward the racing industry with prized offspring.
This list surfaced from little-more than passing research is selective and numbered countless more high profile animals. Initially, I intended to include those colts, fillies, stallions and mares who appear in “Peerage” These included some 92% of the in excess of 250 names. Perforce, it was necessary to pare this list to practical proportions.
My, if might so describe it, expertise, ended with the realisation. To those I have gone to discuss this seeming mise-en-scene, all are surprised without being surprised. That is, the knowledge surprises them, but they find easy reason to account for what is, from where I stand, thought provoking portent. One, a Mrs Teena Blundell, who has spent her lifetime at the front and end line of the breeding process, gave me good and sound reason for the “miracle.” In a nutshell, and with eminently acceptable “sweet reason”, she explained (or as I understood), that among other things, the mare was less tired and jaded… that natural vitamins and calcium within the host body, the mare, have time to build-up, and then to be freely passed on to the foal, which has been nurtured within a uterus which has had time to tone-up and to become firmer… that the colostrum, the “liquid gold” which a mare produces only in the first 24 hours following birth, is to the eye, richer and more gold, and its recipients are then favoured
If there is a theory in this, it has, then, substantial backing, for the above named and below mentioned horses have deeply scored the Turf in this 20th century. But, iterating, this “theory” was largely concluded from observation and passing research. But, to my mind, it has more relevance and more profundity that the host of breeding theories trundled out – and even in casual reference, has more body. To justify it as a path along which to travel, then breeding records would have be researched, and time and disinclination for this task precludes this writer…
… And, despite all, and the foregoing, it will never eventuate as a theory of choice. Breeders are without sentiment and are ruled by economics. A barren mare is a cost grudgingly borne. For the breeder, ten foals, in ten years, animals which do no more than grace the racing scene is more acceptable that five post-barren foals, although one might be a Hyperion or Nearco. And they would need more convincing argument than the above to follow this path. This is not a criticism of breeders – more an overview that our God, the Lord Dollar, dictates, and as obedient subjects we bend the knee. But it does suggest for breeders a marketing ploy for any post-barren foals…
For the buyer of yearlings it is a salient pointer. Away with the fashionable and the “nicks”. The fallow-year foal offers an exciting alternative.
Looking without seeking other examples, more post-barren animals emerged, runners of quality and class, such that the search concluded almost as it began. The renowned Gondolette, barren to Swynford in 1914, covered by the same stallion in 1915, conceived the One Thousand Guineas winner, Ferry; and five years later, barren again in 1920, in 1921, again to a cover by Swynford, produced Sansovino, winner in 1924 of Epsom’s Derby Stakes.
Finally… one should premise the thought that first foals are also post-barren foals… but of this, more later.
