Happy New Year! This is probably the last time we can get away with saying this, but it is great to be in 2026 with lots to be excited about for the upcoming arrival of the turf season!

January's Runner Highlights

MADMAN had been knocking on the door and finally broke his maiden status on 7th January at Kempton Park.

The three year old son of Due Diligence rallied hard to bring home our first win of 2026 under Alec Voikhansky. The pair teamed up for the six furlong trip and sat behind the leaders waiting for their gap. Once it arrived, they took the win by almost two lengths. MADMAN is by Due Diligence, out of the Swiss Spirit mare, Amoreena and he is owned by Mr T D Ward.

SPOTLIGHT: Selecting A Stallion

Our new mini series will be looking at various different topics over the next few months and focusing on a wide range of industry news as well as interesting racehorse-specific subjects. If you have any suggestions for the series or if there is something that you would like to know more about, then please do let us know by emailing [email protected]  

With the official start of the new breeding season on Valentine’s day - February 14th, we will be focusing on what factors need to be considered when selecting a stallion for your mare.

Selecting a stallion can be a daunting task for anyone in the world of bloodstock. The outcome which every breeder would like to achieve is of course, breeding a stakes winner. There are many stallions to choose from and not just within the UK. There are successful racehorse stallions standing around the world including Ireland, France, America, Australia and Asia! Many breeders opt for a stallion who they believe is good value and may be closer to home as the mare will need to travel to the stud to be covered by the stallion.

The first step in selecting a stallion is to analyse your broodmare. By doing this, you can match a stallion to the mare that will have complementary attributes. There are 3 things to focus on:

• Pedigree analysis - evaluating the bloodline to get the best genetic mix, whilst reducing inbreeding;

   

• Physical conformation - matching the mare and stallion to enhance the athletic potential of the foal and minimise physical flaws;

   

• Proven success - if the foal will be sold at auction, choosing a stallion with commercial appeal (maybe a freshman sire with a strong race record) or a stallion with high performing progeny (from an established stallion) that are highly regarded and can be sold potentially for a higher price or breeding on the same lines as good racehorses. For example, FRANKEL (multiple Group 1 winner) is by Galileo, out of a mare by Danehill. Should your mare also be by Danehill, and you choose a stallion by Galileo, you will be breeding on the same lines as Frankel or 69% winners to runners, and one of the best crosses in breeding.

Pedigree analysis is a foundational tool for breeders as the family tree can suggest the genetic potential of the progeny. This is estimated to contribute between 35% - 50% to overall racing performance (Science insights, 2025).

Breeders obviously shy away from inbreeding as it can increase the chance of having genetic defects in the foal, but there is a certain level of inbreeding far back in the pedigree which is ‘acceptable’ and can lessen the danger of defects whilst concentrating on the best genes. For example, ENABLE (11-time Group 1 winning mare) was inbred in the 2nd and 3rd generation (3 x 2) to Sadler’s Wells (pictured below with pink highlights). This inbreeding helped focus the best genes to create an outstanding racehorse, but it won’t always be the case for every foal.

Pedigree analysis on both the dam and the sire side is important. Every modern thoroughbred and therefore racehorse (due to the registration of the foal at Weatherbys) can be traced back using the stud book to three ‘foundation’ sires of the breed. These horses were specifically selected for their ‘ideal’ traits to create the modern thoroughbred such as speed, stamina, and conformation. This topic is one that I will go into more detail in another newsletter.

The physical conformation of the mare, stallion and resulting foal is another important factor. If the foal is to be sold at auction, either as a foal or as a yearling, then it will be critiqued for its functional suitability and soundness for racing. The foal should have a well-proportioned body, a deep girth and a strong back with a sloped shoulder angle so an efficient long stride can be supported. The hindquarters should have a good angle from the hip to the hock to create power, which will be supported by the muscle development. The legs should be perfectly aligned as structural flaws such as crooked knees and poor pastern angles can increase risk for injury in racing.

The final component in the factors to consider is the proven success for both the mare and stallion. If the mare was successful on the racetrack, ideally by winning and/or acquiring stakes success, then she is likely to pass these successful genes onto the foal. By pairing a successful mare with a successful stallion, there is increased probability that the favourable genes are passed on to the progeny.

Next month, we follow on looking at breeding thoroughbred’s in the world of racing and we plan to discuss the new emerging stallions for 2026.

References:

The Science and Process of Thoroughbred Breeding - ScienceInsights

How Inbred Is Enable • Raceform

Form to Function Conformation: Part 3, Body CavvySavvy.com - We Know Working Horses

Join The Party! 

We have the perfect subscription for that horse lover in your life and now is the time to join! For an annual fee of just £75, the subscriber will join our 2 year old racehorse as he embarks on a brand new journey into training!

The ‘Join The Party’ Subscription gives a unique insight into behind the scenes of a racehorse stable following the life of a racehorse as he makes his way through training and learns all about what is needed to become a racehorse. He should make his debut on the racecourse in the summer and the lucky subscriber will have the opportunity to attend. They will receive an Owners & Trainer’s badge to get exclusive access into the owners area of the racecourse, make their way into the parade ring, meet the jockey to talk race tactics and have a post-race debrief - hopefully in the winners’ enclosure!

With this fun subscription, there is also the opportunity to visit your horse at the stables, meet the team and watch your horse on the gallops!  Our first stable visit of 2026 is being held on Valentine’s day - 14th February.

All for just £75 for the year and runs from January - December 2026 so now is the perfect time to get involved!

Get in contact today to find out more or visit our ONLINE SHOP to buy now!

THE RACING DAMES

If you're passionate about horse racing and looking for a unique way to indulge in the sport while making new connections, The Racing Dames offers a perfect blend of excitement, elegance, and camaraderie.

This all-female horse racing club invites women to enjoy the thrill of the races at some of the country's top courses, with the added luxury of sipping on exquisite rosé, courtesy of their partnership with the premium female-founded brand, PINK DIESEL.

As a member, you'll not only enjoy the vibrant social scene but also have the extraordinary opportunity to be involved with your own racehorse. It's an invitation to embrace the best of racing, friendship, and fine wine—an experience that's as exhilarating as it is sophisticated.

And to top it all off, you will be following the 3 year old filly, DARN HOT DAME, who hails from a top class family. Her dam, Quenelle, has already produced a Listed winner and is a half sister to the multiple Group 1 winning mare, Ouija Board. Darn Hot Dame is also GBB registered, meaning that she can win an extra £20,000 per race!

Join us today for £100 a month to become part of this exclusive community where the love of the sport meets the joy of shared experiences.

 
HORSES FOR SALE

At Whitehouse Stables we have a selection of different ownership options to suit everyone’s budget. This could be the purchase of a horse outright, or maybe even a smaller share. Please see below a selection of horses on offer at the moment - head to our website or email [email protected] for more information!

PEABERRY (Caturra ex Vetlana)

LAST 10% REMAINING! Purchased at Tattersalls Ireland Yearling sale, this strapping colt is a solid son of Caturra, the exciting first season sire. He is out of the proven Vale Of York mare, Vetlana, whose progeny include 3 winners from 3 runners and this colt is the same cross as ACKLAM EXPRESS, the multiple Gr. 1 & 2 placed sprinter.

10% left - buy in now! Share prices ex VAT include all fees until May 2026.

5% = £1,500 & 10% = £3,000

Sergei Prokofiev ex Exacting Filly

Just 25% left! This sharp 2yo type is registered for the valuable £20k GBB scheme and her dam, Exacting, is a proven 2yo producer (Doitforandrew RPR 95) and is from a family of good sprinters including DISTINCTIVE, winner of the Gr. 3 Clyde Stakes, and MGHEERA, winner of the Gr. 3 Prix St George & Gr. 2 Temple Stakes.

Share increments of 12.5% (£4,004.38) available ex. VAT - includes all fees until May 2026!