Just found this article. Some recent results both support this observation and give a counter example. Federal Judge's dominant run in the Phoenix highlight the Army Mule-Friesan Fire-A.P. Indy-Seattle Slew line, where Friesan Fire is obviously the weak link.
On the other hand, while a little early to tell how well he'll turn out, it's starting to look like Tiz the Law-Constitution-Tapit-Pulpit-A.P. Indy-Seattle Slew may well be a six generation line of quality sires.
I would not say that Tiz the Law is a “counter example.” He was very well received at stud as a Classic winner. His sire is a top sire in KY. friesan Fire, in contrast, stood for $3,000 in MD.
I meant Tiz is a counter to the idea that a sire line has trouble remaining strong for more than four generations, not that he wasn't expect to do well. I do agree with your premise in general, but occasionally we can see longer strings of top sires occurring, too. Six generations of top class sires, assuming Tiz proves to be one, is not very common.
Another European example of sire line detours: Dark Angel/Acclamation/Royal Applause/Waajib/Try My Best/Northern Dancer
Just found this article. Some recent results both support this observation and give a counter example. Federal Judge's dominant run in the Phoenix highlight the Army Mule-Friesan Fire-A.P. Indy-Seattle Slew line, where Friesan Fire is obviously the weak link.
On the other hand, while a little early to tell how well he'll turn out, it's starting to look like Tiz the Law-Constitution-Tapit-Pulpit-A.P. Indy-Seattle Slew may well be a six generation line of quality sires.
I would not say that Tiz the Law is a “counter example.” He was very well received at stud as a Classic winner. His sire is a top sire in KY. friesan Fire, in contrast, stood for $3,000 in MD.
I meant Tiz is a counter to the idea that a sire line has trouble remaining strong for more than four generations, not that he wasn't expect to do well. I do agree with your premise in general, but occasionally we can see longer strings of top sires occurring, too. Six generations of top class sires, assuming Tiz proves to be one, is not very common.