Dosage Classifications and the Centre of Distribution

I do not doubt that there may be some confusion among Dosage newcomers in relation to the stallion classifications on my Key A-NZ Sires List. Every Dosage introduction ever written, makes mention of the fact that the stallion rankings are divided into the five major aptitudinal classifications, namely, Brilliant, Intermediate, Classic, Solid and Professional.

Why then are some stallions classified into two categories, such as Brilliant/Intermediate or Classic/Professional, I hear you ask, and more importantly, what does it mean ?

The answer has more to do with modern Dosage and the formulae invented by Dr. Roman to calculate the Dosage Index and Centre of Distribution, than with Varola's original work. It is in fact the Centre of Distribution which gives us the clearest picture of the subtleties between, not just five, but in fact the twelve different Dosage classifications available to us.

The basis of the Roman CD formula is that each Dosage stallion classification represents a point along a line from the point +2 through zero to a point at -2, where +2 represents the extreme speed wing and -2 the extreme stamina wing and zero a perfect balance between the two.

Now, if we take each Dosage classification in ascending order of stamina, the effect on the CD, in particular, will show up clearly, I hope. Calculation of the CD is done by taking the sum of twice the Brilliant points plus the Intermediate points minus Solid points minus twice the Professional points and dividing the result by the total points in the Dosage Profile. Clear as mud.

For the purpose of this illustration, the Dosage contribution is deemed to be in the first generation (16 points).

BRILLIANT (eg Vain, Pakistan)
16-0-0-0-0
DI: Inf.
CD:2.00

BRILLIANT/INTERMEDIATE (eg Without Fear, Kaoru Star)
8-8-0-0-0
DI: Inf.
CD:1.50

INTERMEDIATE (eg Vice Regal)
0-16-0-0-0
DI:Inf.
CD:1.00

BRILLIANT/CLASSIC (eg Showdown, Sovereign Edition)
8-0-8-0-0
DI:3.00
CD:1.00

INTERMEDIATE/CLASSIC (eg Twig Moss, Faux Tirage)
0-8-8-0-0
DI:3.00
CD:0.50

INTERMEDIATE/SOLID (eg Better Boy, Whiskey Road)
0-8-0-8-0
DI:1.00
CD:0.00

CLASSIC (eg Sir Tristram, Summertime)
0-0-16-0-0
DI:1.00
CD:0.00

CLASSIC/SOLID (eg Mellay, Sea Anchor)
0-0-8-8-0
DI:0.33
CD:-0.50

CLASSIC/PROFESSIONAL (eg Zabeel, Sobig)
0-0-8-0-8
DI:0.33
CD:-1.00

SOLID (eg Balmerino, Noble Bijou)
0-0-0-16-0
DI:Inf.
CD:-1.00

SOLID/PROFESSIONAL (eg Stage Door Johnny)
0-0-0-8-8
DI:Inf.
CD: -1.50

PROFESSIONAL (eg Le Filou, Zamazaan)
0-0-0-0-16
DI:Inf.
CD: -2.00

The CD ranges from Brilliant at +2 to Professional at -2.

Where the CD is not altered with increasing stamina, the DI is.

Mathematician, I ain't,and I hope you have all stuck this one out to the end, with the vague promise of opening the door to further understanding.