Question about first year sires

[Merlinsky]

Originally Posted by Rileyoriley

Didn't they try this with Bertrando at one point?

Looks like it. He had surgery on a knee and went back to race in 1994, winning the Goodwood. His first crop was born in 1995, so they must've used the time off to do some breeding.

But yeah, one thing I've heard is not just the studdish behavior, it's gaining weight on their front end. Is that accurate? I believe that the filling out up front and additional muscle is supposed to put more strain on their forelegs. I could be making all this up in my head, but that's what I seem to remember.

I know Citation was out for a year and came back, but I don't gather that he was bred to mares that time.