In any family household you can often hear statements, "He got that from his father", or "You inherited that from your mother".

On good days you may overhear, "Taking after your old man eh, son", or "You got that from my side of the family".

Breeding in horse racing follows a similar train of thought. Experienced horse breeders try to create the perfect foal by breeding the best stallions to the best mares. A horse's family racing history is the key to breeding. For breeders, the study of bloodlines is their way of life.

Studying and tracing a horse's family tree is crucial in breeding. Finding that perfect Sire (father) and Dam (mother) combination in order to produce a top rated racehorse champion is the goal of every breeder.

Breeding and raising a foal is very hard work, but the end result can be electrifying. The most coveted moments for a breeder is the breathtaking sight of a mother and her foal running playfully over a farm of green pastures.

THOROUGHBRED:

• The Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society
  1-403-229-3609
• The Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association
  1-403-263-7499

STANDARDBRED:

• The Alberta Standardbred Horse Association
  1-403-263-8903

QUARTER HORSE:

• The Alberta Quarter Horse Racing Association
  1-403-543-8953