CommunicationsSeedstock EDGE | “For the Record” | “The Pinnacle” | |
| Seedstock EDGE Seedstock EDGE main | Seedstock EDGE archives Advertising rates/deadlines | Mail dates Subscribe today! | Seedstock EDGE staff |
April/May 2005 Issue
Heart of a champion
by Darrell Anderson
Most of us have used the term “heart of a champion” to describe the mental attitude and toughness possessed by an individual or team in a sporting event. It is that extra edge that some competitors seem to hold over the competition as the race or game comes to the final seconds.
It might be described as “desire” or “will to win” and is usually thought of as a nebulous, intangible attribute that is difficult to measure or even define.
At least, that was the assumption until they autopsied the great thoroughbred Secretariat. As most of you sports enthusiasts remember, Secretariat was perhaps the greatest horse of all time. He won the Triple Crown in 1973 – the first time in nearly a quarter of a century.
While doing so, he set a new track record at the Kentucky Derby, a new track record at the Preakness Stakes, and a new world record at the Belmont Stakes. His performance at the Belmont may well be the greatest single achievement by any athlete in the past 50 years, as he beat the very best horses in the world by an unbelievable 31 lengths!
Think about that – 31 lengths. If I remember it correctly, he was stretching his lead with every stride.
He was the epitome of a horse with the “heart of a champion.” Ironically, when Secretariat died in 1989 at Claiborne Farms in Kentucky, his autopsy revealed that his heart weighed about 22 pounds – a normal horse’s heart weighs 8.5 pounds. Wow! He was a “big-hearted” champion – literally.
The story gets even more interesting, and relates to the breeding of hogs today.
After extensive genetic research, it was determined that this incredible heart is a genetic trait carried on the X chromosome. It is a sex-linked trait passed down the female line – stallions can pass it on to their daughters, but not their sons.
Even more interesting: in researching the genetic lineage of this trait, the first reported case of an unusually large heart was traced back to a horse called Eclipse that was foaled in England in 1764. His heart weighed 14 pounds, more than double the normal weight of hearts of that time period.
And as you’ve guessed, Secretariat and many other famous track winners could be traced directly back to Eclipse.
By now, I’m sure you’re thinking I will now give my impassioned plea to continue to record those hogs, as you never know when you’ll want to go back 240 years to uncover some unique genetic trait.
That’s not a bad message, and I do think this story is a strong example of the benefits of keeping up the pedigree base of your herd. But believe it or not, that’s not the main point of this editorial.
Remember, the first crop of foals sired by Secretariat was considered by most to be a failure, as few stakes winners were produced. Now we know why: the one trait that made him a champion was only passed on to his daughters, not his sons.
As a result of this sex-linked genetic trait, most large-hearted sires that were successful racehorses have a consistent pattern of producing better daughters than sons. Here comes the main point – they are not truly appreciated until 10 or 15 years later, when their daughters begin to produce outstanding racehorses.
Do you see the connection to our business today?
How many times have we tried to evaluate the success or failure of a new herdsire or A.I. sire by his first pig crop or first hog show, or by how many top-selling pigs he produced?
Is it possible that maybe their daughters, kept back for replacements, will truly have the generating power that could impact not only your herd, but maybe even the entire breed?
In my position, I have the chance to see several five-generation extended pedigrees every week. It’s always interesting to see how boars that many have said were no good have been utilized in building the foundation of some of the best breeding hogs in all four of our breeds.
My entire professional life has revolved around the pedigreed livestock industry, and yet the study and application of it continues to amaze me.
Let me encourage you to study pedigrees, identify breed-building sires and design a program around them.
And above all, be patient. You never know when you’re working with an animal with the “heart of a champion.”
