Dosage: Pedigree & Performance
Main Menu         Search

Dosage of Steeplechase Champions Since 1948

The following table displays the Dosage figures for American steeplechase champions since 1948.  The relatively low DI and CD figures result from significant chef-de-race contributions to the Solid and Professional aptitude groups and are generally consistent with the longer distances of steeplechase races.  However, the DI distribution of these champions reveals some unusual and surprising patterns.

The DI distribution is bimodal with the vast majority (69.8%) of the champions having a DI of less than 2.00.  Among open SWs, only 30.4% have a DI below 2.00   Surprisingly, another 19.0% of the steeplechase champions have a DI above 4.00 (about the same as open SWs at 19.4%) while only 11.1% have a DI in the typical middle distance range of 2.00 to 4.00.  50.2% of open SWs fall in the DI 2.00 to 4.00 range.  Thus, there appear to be predominantly two types of pedigree associated with top-class performance in American steeplechasing.  The first is the endurance-oriented pedigree in which strong stamina influences prevail, consistent with competitiveness over marathon distances.  The second is the sprint type pedigree in which inherited speed is dominant.  Although the latter at first may seem to contradict suitability for long-distance events, handicappers have observed the successful transition of many sprinters on the flat to racing over jumps.  The rationale is that the typical pace of American steeplechase races is not so demanding that sprinters are inevitably at a huge disadvantage.  It may be that their increased agility and quickness over the hurdles compensate for stamina limitations.  Thus it appears the desirable qualities of stamina and jumping ability can be expressed individually, often shifted more to one trait than the other.  The small number of middle distance pedigrees among these champions is certainly surprising considering just over 50% of North American open stakes winners on the flat since 1983 have a DI between 2.00 and 4.00.  The year 2010 saw only the third steeplechase champion since 1968 having a pedigree within the DI 2.00 to 4.00 range while the 2011 champion was the third in five years with a DI over 4.00.

* The data for open stakes winners is for 1983-2011.