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Ribot - Horse of the Century
Federico Tesio passed away on May 1, 1954, without
witnessing the success of what many consider to have been the horse of
the century. “My aim,” Tesio wrote of his start in 1898, “was to breed
and raise a racehorse which, over any distance, could carry the heaviest
weight in the shortest time.” Ribot most closely personified
Tesio’s lifelong quest for a “superhorse”. Ribot was unbeaten in the 16
races he ran, including Great Britain’s most important event, the King
George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes as well as twice winning
France’s Arc de Triomphe. |
Federico Tesio will undoubtedly be
remembered as the greatest Thoroughbred breeder of the 20th
century.
He never had a large number of mares in his stud at any
given time, did not spend a great deal of money on bloodstock and sold
most of the best horses he bred.
Yet the blood of the horses he
bred is found in about 75% of today's Thoroughbreds. His book Breeding
the Racehorse will give you an insight into
his ideas and theories.
He
discusses the hybrid nature of the Thoroughbred, the independence of
inherited characteristics, breeding for speed, endurance, heredity in the
direct line, plus much more.
One of the techniques used by Federico was
that of line breeding. |
Frederico Tesio said in
his book 'Breeding the Racehorse,' "It is an interesting fact
that every now and again two particular strains are found to
give their best results when crossed with each other.
Generally this is first discovered by chance, then other
breeders follow up the initial success until that particular
cross becomes the fashion."
Tesio goes on to explain further. "In seeking an
explanation for these 'nicks' of certain bloodlines, we must
first of all be careful not to take the word 'blood' in its
original biochemical sense. In the study of breeding problems
we must understand that among higher animals reproduction
starts from the penetration of the female germ-cell by the
male germ-cell. The die is then cast. From that moment on,
except for an accident or disease, nothing can change the
bodily or energetic makeup of the future animal."
Although Tesio was writing about Thoroughbreds, his
theories and principles apply equally to all breeds. Whether
you are breeding Morgans, Arabs, American Quarter Horses, or
Thoroughbreds, sound planning, plotting nicks, and luck play
equal roles in the raising of quality horses. |
