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Originally Posted by Balletto
If you go through the stakes fields at Keeneland for Saturday you'll notice an unusual amount of horses who carry the Rasmuessen (sp?) Factor, the practice of inbreeding to outstanding females within 5 generations.
This is still, like most breeding, a theory. But I must admit, its one that has proven its mettle in my mind. I found it interesting that there are so many in this weekend.
Do you think more breeders are utilizing it more? Or is it more of a lack of genetic diversity that is leaving little choice but to cross the same lines over and over again?
Furthermore, it seems some of the cheaper (in price and quality of the breeding stock in the pedigree) stakes participants are carrying the RF and have obviously proven to be successful at a relatively top level. Might be a good thing to keep in mind for a small breeder.
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Rasmussen did not invent inbreeding to females, he just gave it a name. Using full or half-siblings for inbreeding has a very old pedigree <joke>. Boussac used it (check out Tourzima), the original Aga Khan used it (check out Gallant Man), US breeders of a half-century ago were putting together the full brothers Sir Gallahad III and Bull Dog with abandon. Go back to the 1800s - the damsire of Wise Counsellor, Russell (a SW and winner of 19 races), was by Eolus out a mare by Scathelock, these being half-brothers, both out of the mare Fanny Washington. If anything, old-time breeders inbred more closely than we consider acceptable today and that includes to females.
Take a look at George Pope's genetic masterpiece, his homebred Hillary, for an extreme example of inbreeding to superior females.