BREEDING FORUM

Posted: **Tue Aug 01, 2017 11:43 am**

For years I’ve analysed pedigrees on paper/screen.
Early in 2017 I wrote programs to analyse pedigrees, comparing them to ratings. The results were favourable.

Now I want to buy an inexpensive filly for breeding (€10k or less).
Question 1) Can anyone give me an idea of how much it should cost to board out a filly annually in Ireland?
Question 2) Any suggestions on where/who?

My idea is to go to Tattersalls yearling sales at Fairyhouse in September and buy.
I know little or nothing about conformation, but I am not buying to race.

There are about 750 lots on offer.
My idea is to figure out which of those lots would combine best with the approx 400 stallions at stud in GB/IRE.
As I am writing this my PC is running a program of 296,000 test-matings (750 x 400).
When it has finished I will look at the results and make a short list of the best.

This approach would produce a foal when the filly is a 4yo (breed her at 3yo)..
That means three years of boarding out.
Question 3) Should I buy a broodmare to save the three year wait?
Question 4) What about buying a foal? Are they cheaper? Looking at sale process they seem to cost much the same as yearlings.
I sent an e-mail to one boarding farm but as yet no reply.

Other than recommending checking myself into a mental home any advice?