I have a grade mare (15.1h sorrel) who I was able to find out is a grand sire to shining spark on her top side. I use this mare for barrels but she has been getting pretty sore from being navicular so I haven't been running her as much. Therefore I've been considering breeding her. I definitely would like a barrel horse so want to breed accordingly. My mare is very ratie and runs consistently in the 3D (this is partly due to me still learning as well as the whole navicular issue). She has an awesome mind though and is super smart as well as super sweet. She's a little hot at times but doesn't try anything. I had an offer to breed her to a stud by Hollywood dun it but I'm not sure if this combo would have any speed. There's also Woodbridge near my house that would add a lot of speed but is pretty expensive. Any advice is appreciated! 

You mention that mare is likely a granddaughter of Shining Spark.  That means only 25% of mare's genes coming from SS.  Would be nice to know more about the other 75% to select a stallion.  You also mention that mare is grade.  This does not impact the quality of the mare at all, but does make offspring more difficult to sell for significant sum - or recover breeding fees from a proven stallion.  You also mention that mare is 3D, due to many reasons including jockey.  This will not add value to her offspring either.  Therefore, i would recommend breeding her only if you intend to keep and ride the resulting foal.  This foal will likely not create any financial return unless it goes on to create its own performance record.  I would guess a mare with SS fairly close in pedigree also has cow or reining bloodlines in remainder of pedigree.  Not too many speed horses bred to SS.  Therefore, i would tend towards more running type sire.  Given the limits on the saleability of this foal, i would probably stick to lower cost sons of proven stallions and hope to catch lightning in a bottle.  However, much of this depends on your desire for the foal.  Do you also trail ride, team pen, rope, or do other events on your horses?  If so, you might go to a stallion that has proven himself in those areas.  Also, if your desire is to have a young prospect to go and compete at higher level in barrel racing, you might want to consider buying a well bred prospect.  If you are patient and open to variety of proven bloodlines, you will often find a weanling or yearling for less than you can breed, gestate, foal, and raise your own.  Good luck.  

I agree with the answer above, but I would also like to add that navicular is a heritable condition and can be passed down to offspring. I wouldn't recommend breeding her based on the knowledge that the resulting foal could also end up with navicular issues, as well as the previous poster's answers. I'm sorry if that's not what you want to hear, but that's my opinion.

Okaym I'll try it.

Thank you for the advice! I'm aware that since she's grade it makes things a lot more difficult and less profitable. I love this mare though and would love to have a baby from her that I could hang onto. It's interesting to hear about the whole navicular being genetic issue as that's something I wondered about. I guess it's a gamble to breed this mare but I'm also a betting woman ;)

Personally , I wouldn't breed her at all. There are a lot of nice horses out there. Your better off finding a colt to start and bring along that has the bloodlines you desire. Save your mare for the races with the best ground and added money. Make every run count and consult with a vet for best treatment options. Get a young one going. 

I did not know that it could passed on. Very interesting and definitely good to know. I had my eye on a filly but I do know the mare is unusable because of very bad navicular issues... gonna be a pass. Thank you for sharing.