An Update on Sadler's Wells and Ela-Mana-Mou
by Steve Miller

Supplemental:

Since I wrote the chef-de-race appraisals on Sadler's Wells and Ela-Mana-Mou last August/ September, both horses have, as anticipated, marginally increased their average winning distances (AWDs) in recently published samples (Weatherbys' Statistical Record - Annual issue 1998, published January 1999).

Sadler's Wells has increased his AWD from 11.0 furlongs (from a sample of 407 winning performances of his offspring) to 11.1 (from a sample of 447). The updated figures saw an increase to 362 winners at 10 furlongs plus (from a previous year's total of 329), 191 at 12 furlongs plus (from 170), and 64 at 14 furlongs plus (from 53).

Sadler's Wells, of course, won his seventh consecutive sires' championship (and eighth in all) in 1998 (by total money won, Great Britain & Ireland) - beating Alzao and Nashwan into second and third places - despite the fact that his 1998 3-y-o crop was less than half the number produced in 1997. He also won the 2-y-o sires' championship, stepping up from sixth place in 1997. He finished third in the maternal grandsires list, the area in which he has received most criticism in the past. He also won the sire's championship in France.

Ela-Mana-Mou stepped up his AWD from 11.8 furlongs (from a sample of 242 winning performances) to 12.0 (sample 261). The breakdown saw an increase to 167 winners at 11 furlongs plus (from 151 previously), 153 winners at 12 furlongs plus (from 138), and 92 winners at 14 furlongs plus (from 80).

Ela-Mana-Mou has a particularly high concentration of Cup and staying Stakes winners compared with other leading sires. Of the 70 leading stallions included in the Weatherbys' Stallion Book only two (Old Vic and Slip Anchor) have higher AWDs from much smaller winning samples (both now on 12.4 furlongs).

Ela-Mana-Mou appeared in 49^th position on the leading sires' list from 58^th spot in 1997. 

Steve Miller February 1999