Before Storm Cat was Mr P (who was the sire of Conquistador Cielo) and the big daddy of "priceless" stallions, Northern Dancer. The shift to a commercial approach to breeding took place in the 80's and has continued. When horses like Secretariat were syndicated it was understood that the shareholders were going to raise and race the bulk of their baby "Big Reds." In fact some commercial breeders were NOT permitted to buy shares because of fears about such enerprises hurting Sec's value if there was a perception that folks were "selling off" the Secretariat babies.
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