The breeders I've talked to have been happy to refer me to someone else who is planning a litter in my general timeframe, or willing to contact the other breeder/s for me and send my puppy application on for me. Which is nice, so I'm not constantly filling out a bajillion of those things.
As far as you putting them down as a reference, I wouldn't unless they specifically DID recommend another breeder to you or DID say to put them in your references. Then I would say that in my main letter/email. "Hello! My name is --- and [breeders such and such] recommended I talk to you" and go on about the usual of what you want/circumstances, so on.
And I say that because I've walked into some serious political crap before (unknowingly). And that's awkward. You can never really tell which breeder has bad ties with another breeder, especially if they are both quite professional. But if they recommend each other to you, then no problem.