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You Can Lead a Horse to Mares, But You Can't Make Him Sire
Champion War Emblem isn't so studly
By Katherine Thompson
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Posted Apr 28, 08 9:34 AM CDT
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(Newser)
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War Emblem was a champion on the track, winning the 2002 Kentucky Derby, but as a sire, the racehorse is nowhere near as surefooted. Though surrounded by mares, War Emblem hasn't produced a live foal since 2005, and in more than five years at Shadai Stallion Station in Japan has mated only 70 times, the New York Times reports.
“We know he is fertile, but he has no interest in mares,” said Shadai's director. The reluctant champion has cost the stable up to $55 million in stud fees, though the few progeny War Emblem has produced have shown great promise. "It’s very abnormal to have no sexual interest in mares," says an expert. "I've never seen anything like it."