Aqlaam

As I have backed myself into a corner with this fellow on here before I shall attempt to not Volte Face right now!

9 starts was as much as he could manage despite being given 3 seasons at the game so you can not go there confident of soundness. Many documented problems and he does seem to have inherited Rainbow Quest fraglity (Imitation, the sincerest form of flattery Prima )

Whether you think Persian Punch's soundness will come through - but if I was using him it would be Punch's late maturing dour stayer bit that I bet I'd get! - is up to the mare owner. It's not a female family to inspire confidence.

He was a VERY expensive foal though and is always held as very good looking. Right now that seems to be what the market sees and I expect that will continue until his first runners do ( or don't) hit the track.

Every chance of making money i.m.o. but every chance of not doing your mare much good in the long term too.

You choose!

Did anybody have the chance to assess his stock at the foal sales? They sold well but the standard of the pedigrees was high so perhaps the results are slightly misleading.

truhoncho Being a deceivingly attractive son of commercial Oasis Dream and being a GR1 winner I completely agree with Pot M' summery.With any breeder wishing to breed for sales or to race one of the most important aspect's when selecting stallions is soundness..........Aqlaam has a well documented history of unsoundness,I remember Dec' sales 09 when he was in NMKT ready for viewing or should I say should of been ready to view but the sad fact was he was not ready for viewing because he was on box rest,that spoke volumes for me he was a horse I did have on the list but he was taken off as imo he's not good enough to use,being so unsound despite his tough very commercial sire.
One perhaps more important issue with Aqlaam is his fertility plenty of mares were scanned empty plenty of mares were moved on his first season couple that with his unsoundness and I'll leave you to come to your own conclusion.We often hear people saying things like "its a no brainer".......for me it is!

I'd forgotten Prima Donnas story on going to see Aqlaam. Not sound enough to manage a 15 metre walk (what, you expected him to turn round and come back? ) and a halt. It really isn't a great start is it!

No its not great is it,and looking at a few of his foals at the sales I'd doubt he will figure much in the 1st season sires table as for me they all looked very backward.What's obvious after speaking to some commercial breeders at the time was almost all I spoke to could only see Oasis Dream,amazing really its no surprise why there are so many bad horses bred.This is where an opportunity was missed with Captain Gerard,he would of been the first son of OD at stud and he was a good 2 y'old and he certainly was sound first yearlings this year would of been flying off the shelves even if they were a bit small..........perhaps I should go into the stallion marketing business after all.

I recall PDs comments from posts last year, it seems that the sales haven't changed any minds. Regardless of the logic, I think he will have a full book of decent mares this year again, as you say OD is the key factor.

I hope it's not too late for CG as i intend to use him this year.

I saw a few CGs, not noteworthy.  For one who beats the commercial drum loud PD I cant see this as a rich seam to mine.  11 colts and none more than 15k. Compare to Kheleyf (£1k more) - 11 colts sold twice the median. Nothing against the horse or his potential sire ability but cant see why he'll get good enough mares to make mark on track and boost sales. 

I thought Aqlaam foals were quite classy looking, partly why I'm buoyed about Showcasing who is an even better looking Oasis Dream.

I think I was getting my years wrong with Aqlaam. Use him 2012 commercially and you get to sell following his 1st 2yo's (as a foal) or 3yo's (yearling). Mmm. Not for me! Mind you, I'm due a clear out so he could be one to sell a mare covered by as presumably he's a good bet for some smart yearlings - as long as they don't go light and leggy. I wonder if he was that way as a yearling? Perhaps so as I wouldn't have thought Haggas got the very best Shadwell yrlgs that year.

truehoncho, are you looking for a real cheap cheapie in 2012? I do think that C G is quite a scary gamble.

I think that you would probably screw Richard Kent down for a single mare on his sires as well as you could if you offered him two. Always try to do whats best for your mares - shop around!

yer ma, potm,

i saw CGs foals and didn't think they were too bad. They weren't as well bred as the Kheleyf's in fairness. I bid on one of them that went for 12k. I am gambling on him getting plenty of 2yo winners. I also like showcasing and may have a mare for him if i can get him  cheaper than advertised.

i may have a NH mare for multiplex which i hope would get me a good deal on CG.

Yes that's what I thought truehoncho, hence my slight concern! I think linking mares to save a few quid here and there is something that requires a LOT of thought. At that level your stud fee is a relatively small proportion of the over all expense involved and to just pull 500 quid off a very expensive pastime, well it's nice to do, but it really wouldn't influence me one jot in what is a process way too complicated to compromise.
HOWEVER, when so much is impossible to quantify, forecast, judge in any way infact, who's to say we shouldn't just polish up that pin
I imagine there will be a little room for movement with Showcasing, but I just wonder if he's a slow burner that will get noticed by a few more people this year. I can see me returning too.

Not a bad idea to get together to provide a little wiggle room. Have used one or two Whitsbury stallions in the past and always got a better deal for more than one mare.
Stupid question, but am I too late to book an Aqlaam? Hadn't thought of using him next year until his foals sold so well.

No idea, ring'em Wily - and report in here, ofcourse!