" A few historians suggest that the real improvement of the thoroughbred breed was mainly the result of favorable genetic influence from the selection of mixing or crossing the very best winning female line . . . Bruce Lowe outlined 54 female lines (taken from the General Stud Book) that were designated as the primary foundation families. He was an Australian pedigree researcher and his theories were given worldwide publicity. By nominating these 54 female lines which stood for the best potential winning families, Bruce Lowe . . . More or less directed breeders to avoid all other lines in the Stud Book. By rating each family (based on a study of the number of winners of classic and stakes races) Bruce Lowe put a number against each female family. The family with the best produce record of major winners was given pride of place and called the Number 1 Family. The next best was called the Number 2 Family, etc. If one cares to examine the first General Stud Books . . . It is remarkable how many entries were representatives of mediocre female lines. Bruce Lowe's major contribution was to define the best families and number them; unfortunately, some of his theories were illogical and unacceptable when he began to lay down laws about breeding the racehorse. " Quest for a Classic Winner, Ken McLean " . . . Bruce Lowe seemed positive that the No. 9 family of mares could never produce a good sire. Within a few years, there appeared from the No. 9 family Cyllene, . . . Star Shoot, . . . Dark Ronald and Fair Play . . . (The Devil's Dictionary refers to positive as 'Mistaken at the top of one's voice.')"

Sire Lines, Abram Hewitt