Sharkbite is a stakes winning and talented son of Redoute’s Choice, in turn, the leading stallion son of Danehill. He hails from one of the most active families in the Stud Book, that of the Champion 2yo filly Sookera. His family is one of early speed that matures into classic contention at three so there is scope to be very hopeful that with the right pedigrees to him he will prove an outstanding stallion.
With his pedigree structure, Sharkbite is ideally-bred to cross with mares from the Sir Tristram line, including through Zabeel (Octagonal & Lonhro), Kaapstad, Sovereign Red, Military Plume, El Qahira, Marauding, Grosvernor and Dr. Grace. From the same female line as Sir Tristram, comes Star Way, and Redoute’s Choice has grade one winners out of mares by both that horse and his son, Sky Chase. Quality mares by Star Way’s son Telesto look particularly interesting.
Sharkbite has Northern Dancer 4S x 5S x 6D x 5D. We are seeing more and more horses with multiple Northern Dancer strains (Forensics is one example) and breeding back selected Northern Dancer strains should work well here. Mares carrying Nijinsky II’s genetic relative Storm Bird should work well, mares by the likes of Bluebird, Hennessy (his son Johannesburg appeals immensely), Catrail, Giant’s Causeway and Tale of the Cat look to have particular appeal. The Minstrel is a three-parts-brother to Nijinsky II and close genetic relative to Storm Bird, and should work well here. He is represented in Australia by Palace Music and Masterclass with the latter having particular appeal as his dam is a sister to the third dam of Redoute’s Choice.
With his pedigree laden in the blood of Nijinsky II, mares by sons and grandsons of Mr Prospector look well suited. One in particular is Thunder Gulch who is out of a mare by Storm Bird (a close genetic relative of Nijinsky II). Mr. Prospector line stallions which bring in Nijinsky three-parts-brother The Minstrel, such as Zafonic and his son Xaar look to suit well, the latter in particular as he comes from the same female family as Redoute’s Choice. On that Umatilla, a half-brother to the dam of Redoute’s Choice, and out of a Nijinsky II mare, which should be very good here. Of other Mr. Prospector line stallions which have stood in Australia it is worth considering sons of Machiavellian (Street Cry and Vettori), Distorted Humor, End Sweep, Secret Savings, Geiger Counter, Real Quiet and Unbridled’s Song.
Outside of the previously mentioned Xaar, Masterclass and Umatilla, there is a good opportunity to inbreed to the high quality Best In Show family. Redoute’s Choice has sired stakes winners out of mares by Last Tycoon, whose sire, Try My Best, is from the same family as Redoute’s Choice. Mares by Just Awesome appeal as do mares by Nureyev’s son Spinning World (and his son Thorn Park). Additional broodmare sire lines worth considering include mares by Sharpen Up line horses who might be found include Famous Star, Daggers Drawn (by Diesis), College Chapel (by Sharpo), Keen and Switch in Time. Halo also has appeal. He can be found in good quantity via Sunday Silence (who is broodmare sire of a Redoute’s Choice graded stakes winner), More Than Ready and Don’t Say Halo (broodmare sire of Redoute’s Choice grade one winner). Mares by Roberto line stallions Red Ransom, his son Charge Forward and At Talaq would also suit. This would create an inbreeding to Roberto but as Sookera was a Champion at two, it looks to have considerable merit.
Considering other domestic sire lines Redoute’s Choice has stakes winners, one grade one, out of mares by Snippets. With the multiple strains of Nijinsky II in Sharkbite’s pedigree, mares by Snippets and his sons, Pins, Spartacus and Snowland look to appeal greatly. Mares by Rory’s Jester; Century through Centaine and Rubiton; Zedative and his son Strategic also appeal and may add a little more speed into the pedigree. In general we would advise against using the currently available strains of Star Kingdom as they have disappointed with Redoute’s Choice and his sons to date although Hurricane Sky (by Star Watch, by Bletchingly) is a three-parts-brother to the dam of Redoute’s Choice and would be interesting to use here.
Analysis by Byron Rogers and Alan Porter of Pedigree Consultants.
