Which sires are more likely to succeed than others? It's a question broodmare owners ask themselves at this time of year as they seek to shorten the odds in their quest to find a first season sire that might one day be a champion sire.
The final Group I event of the Australian racing season was run at Eagle Farm last Saturday with victory going to three year-old Dehere (USA) filly Pear Tart, who delivered a valuable result for her owner Patinack Farm, so we decided it was time to reflect and see just who dominated at the elite level in 2011/2012 and where our Group I stars were sourced.
Champion sire Redoute's Choice celebrated his 84th stakeswinner at Randwick on Saturday when Maules Creek drove home along the rail to win the Listed Randwick City Quality.
Talented Jet Spur three year-old Biggles snared his first Black Type success in the Listed BRC Gold Edition Plate at Eagle Farm, the victory throwing the spotlight on his yearling half-brother who is headed for the 2012 Inglis Sydney Classic Yearling Sale.