Friday’s WSJ had an article explaining the bloodline of the Kentucky Derby racehorses. Every horse in this year’s Kentucky Derby is a descendant of Native Dancer who raced in the early 50’s. The article questioned whether the sport has become too reliant on one set of genes.
Because of heavily muscular legs and a jerky running style Native Dancer and his descendants have trouble with their feet. And over-breeding has made the problem worse.
Barbaro was a great-great-great-grandson of Native Dancer.
IIRC, Native Dancer is not the only stallion to have passed on his delicate legs to his progeny. I think Bold Ruler was up there too. Horses who have had a bunch of breakdowns in their racing careers, all too often, are retired to stud and used to breed. IMO, this is risky, but then again, I am not a horse owner.
I think thoroughbreds are beautiful, but even if someone gave me an off-the-track retired thoroughbred for free, I'd be very cautious about the deal.
I'm no expert on horses... however, *if* I had the money to have any horse I wanted, I'd probably et one of the so-called "European warmblood" horses, or maybe a Friesian, as they seem to have better, stronger bones in their legs (among other reasons). They're big and strong enough to carry a big person, and they seem more durable to me than thoroughbreds.