There are all number of examples of half-brothers to famous horses at stud. Full brothers are not quite as common but if there is a hint of "champion" in the pedigree then the odds will be on a brother (even if sporting a lesser or no race record) appearing in a breeding shed in some part of the country. Breeders then gamble on genetic replications (at a much reduced price) and stud masters benefit from the marketing wave that usually attaches to the more famous sibling.

Some Australian examples of this include: Geronimo (who rides on the coat tails of his full sister Dane Ripper); Eagle Eyed and Nuclear Freeze (Danehill); Rock of Cashel (Rock of Gibraltar); Platinum Scissors (Redoute's Choice); Dane Supreme (Langoustine and One World); Niello (Lonhro); Pride and Glory (In Command); Saithor (Summer Squall); Shrewdy (Camarena); Untouchable (Camarena); and Vice Admiral (Dehere).

Meanwhile European Breeding News reports that another full brother to a name many will be familiar with - Giant's Causeway -sired his first winner from his first crop on Wednesday. FREUD's daughter My Interpretation won by a length and a quarter over an extended mile on the turf at Saratoga. On its own the news would struggle to get a press mention. Linked to a stallion that is leading the second season sire chart in Europe at the moment however... guaranteed coverage.

Of note, whilst some may argue that the chances of a lesser known stallion emulating the stud success of a champion full brother are very slim - one can take some comfort from the example of Fairy King (a non-winning full brother to Sadler's Wells) who sired Encosta De Lago - a stallion who has well and truly stamped his mark as a leading Australian sire.