Our very best race mares, and there has been some champions, the majority have very poor breeding records, some have been complete duffers.

There are numerous theories that can be applied; the most likely, hard racing against continuous strong opposition, surely has to take its toll.

The top race mares give it all, that is why they become champions, but at a cost, on retirement basically they are worn out, they still remain fertile, but fertility doesn’t come into the picture.

This is a multimillion dollar business, the commercial breeders, particularly in New South Wales, are at the helm, the capitol investment is mind boggling, and it is not going to go away.

When investors are willing to throw millions of dollars into an industry, and it’s a gamble, the gravy train will keep rolling along.

Those that were champion race mares are not wanted by the major studs, they are worn simply out, they have little more to give.

Tranquil Star was a classic example, she won 23 races including a Caulfield Cup, 2 Cox Plates, 32 placings and unplaced 56 times.  

After she retired, a stud career was awaiting, she reared nine foals of which seven raced.

Fortunately we rarely see acts of cruelty to that magnitude these days, racing is better administered.

The best race mares, more often than not, rarely produce the best foals, it just doesn’t happen; they have no more to give.

Flight had a busy racing career but nothing to compare with Tranquil Star, her only recorded daughter was Flight’s Daughter by Helios, she never raced.

Sir Brian Crowley sent Flight’s daughter across to Baramul Stud where Star Kingdom stood, she produced Skyline in 1955, and Sky High in 1957, each won a Golden Slipper and a Derby.

In the thirties we marvelled at Peter Pan winning the Melbourne Cup twice, little did we know in 50 years hence, a mare named Makybe Diva, would win the Cup three times. However, sadly she will never be remembered as a brood mare.

Wakeful produced Night Watch, winner of the Melbourne Cup long before the advent of Group racing and Black Type was introduced to racing; only two mares have been afforded

Group 1 status, Chicquita, she produced Eskimo Prince who won the Golden Slipper Stakes Group 1, and Miss Finland who is the dam of Stay With Me, she won the 1000 Guineas Group 1

Makybe Diva with her latest foal at Vinery