Branches of Allegretta's family tree fruitfully entwined

It was never going to take long for breeders to start experimenting with inbreeding to Allegretta, quite simply because of the number of opportunities available.

Allegretta, of course, is the source of one of the most successful stallion families of the modern era – primarily through her Arc-winning daughter Urban Sea, the dam of Galileo and Sea The Stars among others. But then Allegretta herself also foaled King's Best; is the granddam of Tertullian and Anabaa Blue; and the third dam of Tamayuz. Between them, those stallions have sired no fewer than 87 Group 1 winners (the bulk, in fairness, credited to Galileo) including ten this year.

With several of those horses – notably Galileo – represented by a growing number of sons at stud, there was always the likelihood that inbreeding to the great mare would gain further prominence over time. And so it has proved, with this season developing into something of a turning point.

Urban Sea's 1993 Arc success was only the tip of an icebergCredit: Unknown

The Lombard mare appears twice in the background of Prix Corrida winner and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud third Armande, by Sea The Stars and out of Alpine Snow, a Listed-winning granddaughter of Allegretta.

Then there is Sheikh Hamdan's homebred Prix de Cabourg winner Tantheem, by Teofilo and out of the Listed-placed Riqa, a member of the Tamayuz branch of the Allegretta family. Riqa is also the dam of Deauville maiden winner Murafrif (by Sea The Stars) and a half-sister to the Listed-placed Saraaba (by New Approach), both of whom are also inbred to Allegretta.