female horses - sire/dam question

[railman305]

Basically which is better, to have a good sire with a weak dam or a good dam with a weak sire?
Which is more important in regards to females, the sire or the dam?

thanks

[slewis]

Basically which is better, to have a good sire with a weak dam or a good dam with a weak sire?
Which is more important in regards to females, the sire or the dam?

thanks

The answer is neither, but especially not the first.

If you have a good sire and breed to a mare that has no proven production in her family, (siblings, 2nd, 3rd generations) your wishin' on a prayer.

But the most important thing you need to consider when you breed is finding a mare that has substance in her pedigree (not necessarily herself being a good racehorse, but what has her family accomplished) AND MATCHING that mare to a bloodline that has proven success. (Northern dance, Mr.Prospector, etc.)
The next thing I look for is a presence of speed in the sire (on top) and distance in the mare (your foundation).
I've posted on this subject before and although I haven't bred many I ALWAYS try to buy or breed for distance.