We love Thoroughbreds and in the course of our life we have galloped racehorses, worked with OTTBs to learn to be show hunters and field hunters, and one very memorable year, we worked with Concisely, by Cormier  out of a mare named Marcelene, who ranks as one of the best jumpers we have ever had the pleasure of riding (funny story about that very opinionated mare some other post). In the course of our love affair with Thoroughbreds – flat track racehorses and steeplechasers over hurdles and timber – and all the stories we have researched and written, there is one element that stands out: the sire is very important, but the dam contributes just as much, often more, to the foal. A good mare with an average stallion can produce lightning in a bottle, so to speak.