How does Sixties Icon get so many sprinters?

Probably putting him to exclusively fast, precocious mares. His sire Galileo also produced the fastest horse of them all and others like Rip Van Winkle and New Approach who were very good 2-y-os and very effective at a mile at 3.

People who are amazed at things like this do not have a clue about genetics.

thx bert, you got me there.

Prospective optimum distance is a not a simple equation that can be gained by looking at Dam and Sire optimum distances. If it was this easy you would never get full siblings that relish different distances.

It is partly down to the individual differences in the strands of the DNA associated with distance. Also the horses training regime will play a part.

It is for this reason why you get Derby winners breeding stacks of speedy 2yo's and Oasis Dream breeding some really good stayers. Its largely in the DNA NOT the tattersalls page.

bert, would you agree that, having shown his ability to get fast 2-y-os and his progeny being likely to stay further over time, Sixties Icon represents excellent value at 8,500 pounds? It seems to me that when he gets better class mares he could sire something good.

8,500 looks more than reasonable. The great thing about these Sires that have won Group races over 12f+ but can still produce speedy types is that they are considered unfashionable. If Sixties Icon had of won a Group 2/3 at a mile or below AND made the start he has at stud, what would his fee be? 20k I reckon.

I would guess that the stud are keen for him to make his mark as a flat sire - normally Leger winners end up as NH sires. Interesting how many Sixties Icon´s Mick Channon has had, he´s obviously a fan.