American Racehorse - November/December 2014

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w w w .AMERICANra ce horse. c om NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014

Covering the Thoroughbred industry in Texas, Oklahoma and around the region

In This Issue: • Tips for Buying and Selling at Auction • Is Your Mare Overdue? • The Pure Competition of Racing • How to Transport Horses Safely


A Division of Center Hills Farm

Classic Connections

Horses by Mighty Acres stallions won big in the Oklahoma Classics at Remington Park! OKC Turf Classic Stakes

1st Robbytyme (by KIPLING) • Owner: Darrell Williams

Oklahoma Classics Lassie Stakes

1st Zealous Vision (by THE VISUALISER) • Owner: Center Hills Farm and Big Sugar Racing 3rd Rich Uncle (by SAVE BIG MONEY) • Owner: Big Sugar Racing

Oklahoma Classics Starter Allowance Stakes

2nd Kips Hog Wild (by KIPLING) • Owner: Center Hills Farm 5th Highway Fiftyfour (by KIPLING) • Owner: James Cameron

Oklahoma Classics Distaff Sprint Stakes

3rd Mama’s Mad Money (by SAVE BIG MONEY) • Owner: Big Sugar Racing

Oklahoma Classics Distaff Turf Stakes

5th Harpers Princess (by KIPLING) • Owner: Larry and Carol Wilkerson

Oklahoma Classics Distaff Stakes

5th Pets Superstar (by RA RA SUPERSTAR) • Owner: Larry and Carol Wilkerson

Oklahoma Classics Cup Stakes

5th Ted’s Folly (by WILD TALE) • Owner: Harmony Stables

Look for the Mighty Acres Consignment at the Heritage Place Thoroughbred Sale on December 13 in Oklahoma City • Yearlings by Kipling, Save Big Money, The Visualiser, Toccet, Air Commander and Notional • Mares in foal to Kipling, Save Big Money, The Visualiser and Toccet

Mighty Acres

675 W. 470 Rd. • Pryor, Oklahoma 74361 Phone: 918-825-4256 • Cell: 918-271-2266 • Fax: 918-825-4255 www.mightyacres.com



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In This Issue:

JULY /AU GUS

AHO MA IN TEXA S, OKL RED INDU STRY

s for the Layman Big • Prepurchase Exam Track Rider Won • Oklahoma BushIRAs and S Corps • Understanding

T 2014

THE REG ION AND ARO UND

SUBSCRIBE TODAY! American Racehorse covers the racing and breeding industry in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina and provides you with the news and information you need to know! Each issue features articles on horse health, secondcareer racehorses, horsemen and horses in the region and more, plus breeding, racing and sales news.

HOLIDAY ORNAMENT SPECIAL! ••• Subscribe to American Racehorse for two years for only $79 and get a free ornament – just push the button and the gates spring open and the bell sounds! It makes a great gift and even has its own tin storage box. (Horses not included)

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AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014


my golden song

Unbridled’s Song – Golden Par, by Gold Meridian

A prolific sire of stakes horses, MY GOLDEN SONG has four stakes winners in 2014 alone, including one of the nation’s top 3yo fillies in FIFTYSHADESOFGOLD, a Grade 3 winner and multiple Grade 2-placed earner of $420,521 2015 Fee: $4,000 MY GOLDEN SONG

Unbridled’s Song – Golden Par, by Gold Meridian

SILVER CITY

First foals arrive in 2009! MY GOLDEN SONG retired with earnings of $101,050 from six starts with two wins at Aqueduct and Belmont Park.

Unbridled’s Song – Proposal, by Mt. Livermore

Far and away the leading freshman sire in Texas, SILVER CITY has eight winners from 12 starters in his first crop, including PROMISE ME SILVER, winner of the $108,300 Debutante Stakes at Churchill Downs, and From a female family known for its soundness –Silverhill, dam is GOLDEN PARrunner-up ($318,636), in the Grade 3 Bashford Manor, also at Churchill

MY GOLDEN SONG finished third to Kentucky Derby (G1) winner BARBARO in the Holy Bull Stakes (G3) and fourth the G1 winner FIRST SAMURAI in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2). By proven sire UNBRIDLED’S SONG, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and sire of 71 stakes winners, including G1 winners UNBRIDLED ELAINE, OCTAVE, SPLENDID BLENDED, POLITICAL FORCE, FIRST DEFENCE, BUDDHA, MAGNIFICANT SONG and SONGANDAPRAYER, and 2008 Kentucky Derby (G1) runner-up EIGHT BELLES.

a multiple stakes-winner and graded stakes producer who won nine of 26 starts.

2015 Fee: $3,500

VALOR FARM Inquiries to Ken Carson P.O. Box 966, Pilot Point, Texas 76258 Phone (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 E-mail: kencarson@valorfarm.com • Website: www.valorfarm.com Accredited Texas Stallion • Nominated to the Texas Stallion Stakes Series and Breeders’ Cup

early flyer Gilded Time – Bistra, by Classic Go Go

A leading juvenile and overall sire, EARLY FLYER has sired 28 stakes horses with average earnings per starter of nearly $38,000 2015 Fee: $2,500

CROSSBOW

BERNARDINI – FOREST HEIRESS, BY FOREST WILDCAT

Out of multiple graded SW FOREST HEIRESS (earner of $419,201 w/ a 105 Beyer), who is a full sister to WILDCAT HEIR from the family of Preakness winner LOUIS QUATORZE and AWESOME GEM ($2.9 million in earnings). 2015 Fee: $1,500

JET PHONE Phone Trick – Jet Route, by Alydar

From only eight starters this year, JET PHONE is the sire of two stakes winners, including TTA Sales Futurity winner W V JETSETTER, who finished third in the Grade 2, $300,000 Saratoga Special in New York 2015 Fee: $2,000

The Estate of Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. Ken Carson, General Manager Donny Denton, Farm Manager • David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian Post Office Box 966 • Pilot Point, Texas 76258 (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 www.valorfarm.com • www.facebook.com/valor.farm

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 3


ABOUT AMERICAN RACEHORSE American Racehorse (formerly Southern Racehorse) covers Thoroughbred racing and breeding in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina. The magazine reaches more than 6,000 readers and is mailed to all members of the Texas Thoroughbred Association, Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma, Alabama HBPA, Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Horsemen’s Association, Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Association, Georgia Horse Racing Coalition, North Carolina Thoroughbred Association and South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association, plus more than 1,200 Louisiana horsemen. That makes it the largest racing and breeding magazine in the region by far. For more information or to inquire about advertising, contact Denis Blake at (512) 695-4541 or visit www.americanracehorse.com.

CONNECT WITH AMERICAN RACEHORSE HHH

Online: www.americanracehorse.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/americanracehorse Twitter: @AmerRacehorse Email: info@americanracehorse.com Phone/Text: (512) 695-4541 Fax: (512) 870-9324

Published by Pangaea Enterprises LLC d/b/a American Racehorse American Racehorse P.O. Box 8645 Round Rock, TX 78683

Contributing Writers Virginia Heizer Jos Mottershead Shelby O’Neill Fred Taylor Jr.

Physical Address American Racehorse 1341 Meadowild Drive Round Rock, TX 78664

Photographers Denis Blake Amber Chalfin Coady Photography Dustin Orona Photography Getty Images Betty Gillis Horsephotos.com Merri Melde Stunning Steeds

Editor/Publisher Denis Blake info@americanracehorse.com Art Director Amie Rittler arittler3@gmail.com

Cover Photo Betty Gillis

Copyeditor Judy Marchman Copyright © 2014 American Racehorse All rights reserved. Articles may not be reprinted without permission. American Racehorse reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy for any reason. American Racehorse makes a reasonable attempt to ensure that advertising claims are truthful but assumes no responsibility for the truth and accuracy of ads. 4

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014


WHAT’S INSIDE

American

Racehorse November/ December 2014

29

Auction advice from the experts

Departments Fast Furlongs State Association News The Marketplace Classifieds

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Features Buying and Selling at Auction: A Primer 29 Regional sale companies offer their advice for new consignors and buyers The Long Haul 37 Mario and Dee Espin of Santa Fe Equine share their top transport tips World-Class Operation 41 Eric and Randi Moreau-Sipiere base their international breeding, racing and shipping business deep in the heart of Texas

41 From the heart of Texas to the Middle East 44 What makes horse racing special

Selling the Game: Pure Competition 44 The rich history of Thoroughbred racing and the thrill of competition make our sport unique Tax Talk: Year-End Tips 48 What horsemen need to know about reducing tax liability by lowering taxable income Autumn Action 50 September and October featured the heart of Remington Park’s stakes schedule, highlighted by the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby, plus a recap of Retama Park’s stakes Another True Classic 52 C.R. Trout scores a trifecta in the Oklahoma Classics, including a repeat effort by Imahit Is My Mare Overdue? 54 The foaling date for a mare is not an exact date but rather a range of some 50 days AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 5


Eureka Thoroughbred Farm Proudly Standing Some of Texas’ Most Exciting Stallions EXPECT A LOT

Awesome Again – Tizamazing, by Cee’s Tizzy

A full brother to Preakness Stakes (G1) winner OXBOW

2015 Fee: $1,000

MR. BESILU

A.P. Indy – Balance, by Thunder Gulch A $4.2 million yearling out of a half sister to the great ZENYATTA

2015 Fee: $2,000

THE HUNK

Speightstown – Penniless Heiress, by Pentelicus

A stakes-winning son of a champion sprinter and half brother to top stallion WILDCAT HEIR

2015 Fee: $1,500

Eureka Thoroughbred Farm

Inquiries to Bill Tracy 6476 U.S. Highway 290 E. • Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Phone: (830) 688-1709 Email: info@eurekathoroughbreds.com Website: www.eurekathoroughbreds.com Accredited Texas Stallions • Nominated to the Texas Stallion Stakes, Iowa Stallion Stakes and Minnesota Stallion Stakes 6

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014


River Oaks Farms

Standing Oklahoma’s Leading Stallions CHITOZ Forest Wildcat – Wichitoz, by Affirmed

A lightning-fast son of FOREST WILDCAT

2015 Fee: $2,000

LATENT HEAT Maria’s Mon – True Flare, by Capote

Oklahoma’s leading 2014 sire by progeny earnings

2015 Fee: $3,500

ORATORY Pulpit – Arrested Dreams, by Dehere

New to Oklahoma for 2015

2015 Fee: $3,500

READ THE FOOTNOTES Smoke Glacken – Baydon Belle, by Al Nasr (Fr)

Oklahoma’s #3 sire by progeny earnings

2015 Fee: $3,500

RIVER OAKS FARMS INC. P.O. Box 97 • Sulphur, Oklahoma 73086

Inquiries to Lori or Francisco Bravo • Ranch: (580) 622-4412 Francisco: (940) 367-4457 • Lori: (940) 356-4380 • Fax: (580) 622-4411 Email: riveroaksfarms@aol.com • Website: www.riveroaksthoroughbreds.com Accredited Oklahoma Stallions • Nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, Iowa Stallion Stakes and Minnesota Stallion Stakes AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 7


POMEROY / TWO PUNCH LIL, BY TWO PUNCH | 2015 Fee: $2,500 Stands & Nurses

We began the Breed Secure program in 2012, and those who supported stallions like Into Mischief, Temple City, and Warrior’s Reward now have offspring by arguably three of the hottest young sires in North America. It puts breeders in a good position to enter the market with a product that is likely to be in demand, and do so with no burden of the stud fee as risk.

Introducing to

LOUISIANA Spendthrift

Call Mark Toothaker today at (859) 421-0151 to learn how Spendthrift’s BREED SECURE Program can benefit you.


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ILLEGAL DOPING MEETS ITS MATCH Trainers Praise Natural Alternative By: Mark Hansen

The pressure to win is so enormous that many horsemen resort to whatever it takes to get a piece of the purse or a decent sale…even if it means putting their horses’ lives in mortal danger by doping them with illegal synthetic erythropoietin (EPO) drugs to boost endurance. Veterinarian Gary Smith said, “It’s a problem all over the industry. There is no way horses should be put on (synthetic) EPO.” So how do racers win? How do you gain a competitive edge without harming your horses or risking your livelihood? The answer may be found in a safe all-natural horse supplement that supports natural EPO function. Why is EPO boosting so critical? Just like in people, a horse’s muscles require oxygen for fuel. Red blood cells are the body’s oxygen-carrying cells. A higher red blood cell count = more oxygen = more muscle energy. Elevated muscle energy helps the horse perform harder, faster and longer during endurance events. All horses naturally produce EPO in their kidneys to stimulate production of new red blood cells from bone marrow. In short, EPO is a natural “blood builder.” With EPO doping, trainers try to boost the EPO effect to get a winning performance every time. They use a synthetic EPO (recombinant human EPO), even though the side effects can harm the horse. That’s one reason why it’s illegal. Fortunately there’s another option. EPOEquine® is a safe, highly effective natural dietary supplement scientifically engineered for performance horses. A Kentucky trainer who refused to give out his name, said, “I don’t want my competition to know about this.” He found EPO-Equine® to be

so effective that he’s dead set against disclosing who he is, who his horses are, or even where he trains and races. He first started ordering a single jar of EPO-Equine® once a month. Now he’s ordering several CASES each month. And he won’t tell BRL exactly why. He said respectfully, “Sorry – no way.” Bioengineers at U.S. based Biomedical Research Laboratories (BRL), first discovered a completely natural EPO-booster for human athletes (and it’s working miracles for top athletes and amateurs around the world). Seeing these results, horse trainers contacted BRL and asked about using this natural formula for their animals. That’s when the BRL team dug deeper and discovered a proprietary, horse-friendly strain of a common herb that promotes optimal bloodbuilding results. EPO-Equine® is based on the blood-boosting abilities of a certain strain of Echinacea that’s astounding researchers and trainers alike. (It’s not a strain you can find at the local health store.) Veterinarians at the Equine Research Centre in Ontario, Canada ran a double-blind trial investigating the blood building properties of the active ingredient in EPO-Equine® in healthy horses. For 42 days, one group of horses was supplemented with the active ingredient in EPOEquine® and another group of horses was given a placebo. The supplement delivered significant blood building results, increasing red blood cell count and hemoglobin levels. Researchers also observed improved blood quality and increased oxygen transport in the supplemented horses. Improved blood levels leads to elevated exercise physiology and performance. The patent-pending formula in EPO-Equine® contains a dozen different herbs, antioxidants and anti-inflammatory components combined to promote natural red blood cell production…for remarkable speed, strength and stamina right out of the gate. Trainers find it easy to add just 1 scoop (3.2 grams) of EPO-Equine® to the horse’s daily feeding routine in the barn or on the road. Within a few weeks of daily use, you can expect to see increased red blood cell levels with no undesirable side effects. An increase in red blood cell levels can improve muscle performance, supercharge endurance, and enhance recovery after hard exercise. Nothing else is scientifically proven to deliver these benefits in a completely safe and natural formula. Compared to the cost of veterinarians, drugs, icing, tapping the knees, and putting the horse on Bute; or even the consequences of being banned for synthetic doping, EPOEquine® is very affordable at the low price of just $59.95 per jar. Or save $180 if you are ready to commit to a larger trial of 12-jar case for just $539.55 with FREE shipping. EPOEquine® can be ordered at www.EPOEquine.com or 1-800-557-9055, and comes with a 100% money-back satisfaction guarantee.


fastfurlongs Top Texas-bred Fiftyshadesofgold Retired from Racing Fiftyshadesofgold, last year’s Texas Champion 2-Year-Old Filly and one of the nation’s top 3-year-old fillies this year, has been retired from racing. The Texas-bred ran in the Grade 3 Dogwood Stakes at Churchill Downs on September 20 and came back sound after the race. However, her left foreleg swelled up mid-week and an ultrasound revealed a significant tear in her suspensory. “She was certainly one of the best I’ve ever trained,” said trainer Bret Calhoun. “She was the total package—a grand individual, was very fast and could carry it, a great mind and a big heart to go with it. I regret that she didn’t get the Grade 2 stakes win when she had the rough trip last summer in the Adirondack at Saratoga and didn’t get the Grade 1 win in the Test when she drew the tough inside post and was beaten a length and two noses.” Bred by the late Clarence Scharbauer Jr., Fiftyshadesofgold was born and raised at his Valor Farm near Pilot Point, Texas. The filly is now owned and was raced by Scharbauer’s son, Douglas. “Of course I’m disappointed that her racing career is over, but more than that, I’m so glad that she is sound and can go on to the breeding shed,” said Scharbauer. “Given her talent and looks, I think she will make a great broodmare.” Fiftyshadesofgold is a daughter of Valor Farm stallion My Golden Song out of Hadif Cat, a mare by former Valor stallion Hadif. Fiftyshadesofgold earned $420,521 with a record of 9-4-1-1 and stakes victories in the Eight Belles (G3) and Debutante stakes at Churchill Downs and the Two Altazano division of the Texas Stallion Stakes at Sam Houston Race Park.

Amber Chalfin

Fiftyshadesofgold winning the Grade 3 Eight Belles at Churchill Downs.

Getty Images

Oilman and Horseman Nelson Bunker Hunt Dies at 88

Hunt with Queen Elizabeth in 1974. Nelson Bunker Hunt, a successful oilman and Thoroughbred breeder and owner, died October 21 at the age of 88. 10

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014

A prominent horseman nationally and internationally, Hunt also participated at a high level in Texas, where he served as a director for the Texas Thoroughbred Association and earned that association’s T.I. “Pops” Harkins Award for lifetime achievement in 2004. He won an Eclipse Award as the nation’s leading breeder three times in the 1970s and 1980s, and he campaigned numerous top horses including Exceller, Dahlia and Vaguely Noble. At one time he reportedly owned more than 600 horses at his Bluegrass Farms in Kentucky, and although he left the sport for a time, he returned later in life and won leading owner titles at Sam Houston Race Park and Fair Grounds. He is survived by his wife, Caroline, and his children, Betsy Curnes, Ellen Flowers, Mary Huddleston and Houston Hunt.


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Sam Houston Announces $1.7 Million Stakes Schedule Sam Houston Race Park will kick off its 22nd live racing season Friday, January 16. The 2015 schedule has been approved by the Texas Racing Commission and begins with the 32-day Thoroughbred meet. The 2015 Thoroughbred stakes schedule will offer nearly $1.7 million in purses and starts with Texas Champions Weekend, featuring the best Texas-breds competing over two days in seven divisions. Opening night will feature fillies and mares in three stakes: the $50,000 San Jacinto Turf Stakes, $50,000 Yellow Rose Stakes and $50,000 Bara Lass Stakes. Saturday will feature colts and geldings in four stakes: the $50,000 Star of Texas Stakes, $50,000 Richard King Turf Stakes, $50,000 Spirit of Texas Stakes and $50,000 Groovy Stakes. Sam Houston President Andrea Young confirmed that the Houston Racing Festival will return Saturday, January 24. The richest day in Texas Thoroughbred racing will feature four stakes, including the $400,000 Houston Ladies Classic, $200,000 John B. Connally Turf Cup (G3), $75,000 Frontier Utilities Turf Sprint and $50,000 Allen’s Landing Stakes. Proceeds from the Houston Racing Festival will once again benefit the Houston affiliate of the Susan G. Komen foundation. Stakes races will continue every weekend during the meet

with the $50,000 Tomball Stakes on January 31 and the $50,000 Bucharest Stakes on February 7. The Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes Series on February 14 will feature the $75,000 Two Altazano division for fillies and the $75,000 Jim’s Orbit division for colts and geldings, plus the $50,000 Jersey Village Turf Stakes. February 21 will feature the $50,000 Sam Houston Sprint Cup. The Maxxam Gold Cup Racing Festival will take place February 28 and feature the $100,000 Maxxam Gold Cup, $50,000 Jersey Lilly Turf Stakes and $50,000 Texas Heritage Stakes. A new face will also be part of the Sam Houston team, as Fred Hutton, currently the director of racing at Zia Park, will serve as the track’s racing secretary. A longtime racing official and former jockey and trainer, Hutton has previously held racing secretary roles at Zia Park, Prairie Meadows and Remington Park. Hutton will also continue in his current role at Zia Park. Friday and Saturday post times for the 2015 Thoroughbred meet will be 7 p.m. and 6 p.m., respectively. Daytime racing at Sam Houston will continue every Monday and Tuesday afternoon with a 1 p.m. post time. For a complete stakes schedule, go to shrp.com. AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 11


ASMUSSEN HORSE CENTER AND EL PRIMERO TRAINing CENTER CONGRATULATE

THE UNSTOPPABLE UNTAPABLE!

Steve Queen

The unquestioned best filly or mare in the country, the 3-year-old untapable defeated older foes in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Distaff for her fourth Grade 1 win of the year after taking the Kentucky Oaks, Cotillion Stakes and Mother Goose Stakes. Congratulations to trainer Steve Asmussen, owner Ron Winchell, manager David Fiske and jockey Rosie Napravnik on an amazing campaign with six wins and earnings of $2.8 million. Also congratulations to those connections on the success of TAPITURE, who finished second in the Grade 1, $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile. A fourtime graded stakes winner, TAPITURE has banked nearly $1.4 million in his career. untapable and TAPITURE are just two of the hundreds of success stories to come through the El Primero Training Center program. Contact us today to get your horse on the road to success!

Keith Asmussen

Dr. Steve Velasco, veterinarian P.O. Box 1861 • Laredo, TX 78044 • Phone: 956-723-5436 • Fax: 956-723-5845 Email: kaasmussen@aol.com • Website: www.asmussens.com


EL PRIMERO TRAINING CENTER is renovated and ready to give your race prospect the opportunity to be on this list. Our riders make the difference!

5 Eclipse Award-Winning Champions 3 Breeders’ Cup Winners 13 Millionaires 75 Graded 200 Stakes Stakes Winners Winners

H H H

H H

Standing at Asmussen Horse Center in 2015

Offering the best value in the region with both stallions standing for a $1,500 fee

INTIMIDATOR Gone West – Colonial Play, by Pleasant Colony Eight 2yo winners already in 2014!

LITTLEEXPECTATIONS Valid Appeal – Mepache, by Iron Constitution

THE LEADING 2YO SIRE IN TEXAS BY WINNERS (8), EARNINGS ($233,426) AND STAKES HORSES (4) Keith Asmussen

Dr. Steve Velasco, veterinarian P.O. Box 1861 • Laredo, TX 78044 • Phone: 956-723-5436 • Fax: 956-723-5845 Email: kaasmussen@aol.com • Website: www.asmussens.com


ff New Faces, Locations and Winners for Regional Stallions

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014

earner is multiple Texas champion Worldventurer. Named Texas Champion 2-Year Colt/Gelding in 2012 and the Texas Horse of the Year and Champion 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding in 2013, Worldventurer has banked $266,975. Worldventurer sold for $150,000 early in his 3-year-old year at Fasig-Tipton Texas. For more information, contact Key Ranch at (254) 527-3679 or visit keyranch.com. Graded stakes winner and graded stakes sire Scrimshaw has been relocated to Donna Keen’s Keen Farms in Burleson, Texas, near Dallas. He will stand for a $1,500 fee as property of Shirley Browne. Scrimshaw formerly stood at Double S Thoroughbreds in Poynor, Texas.

Mr. Besilu Undefeated as a 2-year-old, Scrimshaw became a leading contender on the Triple Crown trail with a three-length victory in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes (G2) at Keeneland. The son of Gulch went on to run in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, and the D. Wayne Lukas-trained runner closed to finish third in the middle leg. A top 10 Texas stallion, Scrimshaw has sired eight stakes horses, including Grade 3 winner Mr. Rod, Group 3 winner Uomo in Frac and five-time stakes winner Nomorewineforeddie, with total progeny earnings of more than $4.5 million. For more information, contact Donna Keen at keenfarms@outlook. com or call (817) 689-1214. Foreign Policy, a son of Danzig out of a multiple Grade 1-winning

Stunning Steeds

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Moro Tap

Courtesy Double Infinity Ranch

September and October were busy months around the region, with a plethora of stallion news as horsemen prepare for the 2015 breeding season. Moro Tap, a graded stakes-placed son of North America’s leading sire Tapit, has been retired to stud and will stand the 2015 breeding season at Double Infinity Ranch in Sulphur Springs, Texas. Moro Tap will be the first son of Tapit to stand in Texas and the top stallion’s most accomplished son in the region. Tapit, who stands the 2015 breeding season for a $300,000 fee, has sired the earners of more than $66.5 million. Moro Tap, a $350,000 2-year-old purchase out of the stakes-winning Silver Ghost mare Ghost Dancing, earned $161,816 during his career with turf victories at Keeneland, Churchill Downs and Kentucky Downs. He also finished third in the Grade 3 Louisville Handicap at 1 ½ miles and faced Horse of the Year Wise Dan in the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic. His stud fee will be $2,500, and Double Infinity Ranch will be offering a limited number of shares in Moro Tap through its “Breed to Infinity” program. Visit doubleinfinityranch.com or call (903) 8857280 for more information. Mr. Besilu, the son of A.P. Indy who sold for $4.2 million as a Keeneland yearling, has been retired from racing and will stand at Mike Grossman’s Eureka Thoroughbred Farm in Fredericksburg, Texas. He will stand for a fee of $2,000. Mr. Besilu made headlines in 2010 when he sold for the highest price of any North American yearling since 2006 and the highest ever for an offspring of leading stallion A.P. Indy. Mr. Besilu’s dam is three-time Grade 1 winner Balance, a millionaire by Thunder Gulch. Balance is also a half sister to three-time Eclipse Champion Older Mare and 2010 Horse of the Year Zenyatta. In a career limited by injury, Mr. Besilu hit the board twice before being retired. Eureka Thoroughbred Farm also stands new Texas stallions The Hunk and Expect a Lot. For more information, call (830) 688-1709 or go to eurekathoroughbreds.com. Laurie’s Rocket, a two-time stakes winner at Oaklawn Park, will now make his home in Arkansas as a stallion at McDowell Farm in Sparkman. His fee has been set at $1,000, and he will stand as the property of Willis Horton, who campaigned the son of Bluegrass Cat. Laurie’s Rocket hit the board in 12 stakes during his career and notched victories in the Hot Springs Stakes and Bachelor Stakes at Oaklawn. All told, he banked $515,858 with a record of 35-6-5-8 compiled mostly against elite sprinting company. For more information, contact Bill McDowell at (870) 366-4377. Top Texas stallion Wimbledon has been sold to Texan Jack Cook and will stand the 2015 breeding season at Joe Kerby’s Key Ranch near Salado, just north of Austin. A former leading freshman and secondcrop sire in the Lone Star State, Wimbledon will stand for a fee of $2,000. Wimbledon previously stood at Valor Farm near Pilot Point. A son of multiple Grade 1 winner Wild Rush, Wimbledon won or placed in seven of 11 starts, including a victory in the Louisiana Derby (G2) that made him a favorite for the Kentucky Derby (G1) before he was retired due to a minor injury. Wimbledon has nine stakes horses to his credit, and his leading


mare, has been moved to Francisco and Lori Bravo’s River Oaks Farms in Sulphur, Oklahoma. The stallion will stand for a fee of $1,250 as property of Scattered Acres LLC. Foreign Policy’s sire, the undefeated Danzig, was one of the sport’s most prolific stallions and his current top sons at stud include Exchange Rate, Hard Spun and War Front. From a limited number of starters to date, Foreign Policy is the sire of two-time stakes winner Foreign Sultress, who has banked nearly $180,000, and stakes-placed Cheyenne Blues, an earner of $54,608 this year. Foreign Policy’s dam is the Cryptoclearance mare Strategic Maneuver, who in a span of four months won four graded stakes as a 2-yearold in New York: the Schuylerville (G2), Demoiselle (G2), Frizette (G1) and Matron (G1). Strategic Maneuver produced Grade 2 winner Cat Fighter and Group 3 winner Ishiguru, and her eight yearlings sold at auction brought a total of more than $6 million. River Oaks Farms is also home to stallions Latent Heat, Read the Footnotes, Chitoz and Oratory. For more information, call (940) 3674457 or visit riveroaksthoroughbreds.com. Grade 1 winner and prominent Louisiana stallion El Corredor, the sire of six Grade 1 winners and the earners of more than $34 million, has been relocated to stand in Turkey. El Corredor was purchased by Tevfik Celikoglu in a deal negotiated by David Tillson of The Stallion Station @ Copper Crowne in Opelousas, Louisiana, Marie Yoshida of Winchester Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, and Jean-Pierre Deroubaix, French Bloodstock Agency, France. Yoshida commented, “El Corredor will continue his fantastic career in Turkey, and Mr. Tevfik Celikoglu once again added a wonderful proven sire to the Turkish stallion ranks. The Turkish Thoroughbred breeders fully appreciate the quality of El Corredor, and he will cover some of their best mares in the years to come.” Oklahoma stallions Waupaca and Affirmatif, who both stand at Caines Stallion Station near Wynnewood, were represented by their first winners in September at Remington Park. Networked, an Oklahoma-bred filly by Waupaca, scored a game victory on September 10 in a maiden special weight. Bred by Conrad

Caines and trained by Bret Calhoun for owner Wes Melcher, Networked earned $20,446 for the victory. The 2-year-old filly sold for $17,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Texas Yearling Sale. Waupaca, a son of Forest Wildcat, won six stakes during his career and hit the board in 11 others for earnings of $558,816. He won at least one stakes in four consecutive years from ages 3 to 6 while having most of his success on the turf. Two days after Networked won at Remington, Affirmatif’s son V B and Me did the same in his debut for owner, trainer and breeder Michael Biehler. Ridden by Luis Quinonez, the Oklahoma-bred gelding drew clear to an easy 5 ¾-length victory. Then on October 17, Affirmatif was represented by his first stakes horse when his daughter Dancing Diva finished second in the Oklahoma Classics Lassie Stakes. That effort helped put Affirmatif atop the state’s freshman sire standings through the end of October. Affirmatif is a son of Unbridled’s Song who hit the board in 10 of 13 starts with a stakes victory at Pimlico Race Course and three stakes placings, including a second in the Hill Prince Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park. Affirmatif is from the female family of champion sprinter Rubiano and leading sire Tapit. In other stallion news, JEH Stallion Station’s Oklahoma Division announced it will move operations from the current location in Wynnewood to the former Oklahoma Stud Ranch near Purcell beginning with the 2015 breeding season. “We are very excited about the move,” said Jim Helzer, owner of JEH. “Oklahoma Stud is one of the best facilities in Oklahoma and it will help us to continue the outstanding service that JEH customers expect.” Located in the heart of horse country, Oklahoma Stud Ranch is a sprawling 450-acre facility with a rich history of many racing and show champions. The farm is located 35 miles south of Oklahoma City, just off of Interstate 35. JEH is expected to have its 2015 stallion battery on the premises by December 1. For additional information, contact JEH General Manager Andrew Gardiner at (903) 564-1630 or (940) 300-9097 or visit jehstallionstation.com.

Oaklawn to Offer Lasix-Free Incentives in 2015 Charles J. Cella, president of Oaklawn Racing & Gaming, has announced that the Arkansas track in 2015 will offer purse bonuses for horses that run and win without Lasix. The Oaklawn Lasix-free bonus program will provide a 10 percent bonus to the winner’s share of the purse for all horses that run and win without Lasix. This means Oaklawn’s Lasix-free incentives will range from $1,080 for its minimum purse of $18,000 up to $60,000 for the $1 million Arkansas Derby (G1). The total potential bonus supplement will be $1.4 million. Further, Cella said Lasix-free bonus payments will be provided by Oaklawn itself and will not come out of the purse fund. Cella called the program “experimental” and said he hopes it will inspire more owners and trainers to race their horses without Lasix. “We know some horses do indeed need Lasix in order to run to potential and I want to make this very clear: We are not advocating that horses who need Lasix, race without it,” Cella said. “However, it is also our belief that many of the horses running on Lasix may not need it. We think it is in the best interest of the sport and the breed to find a way to have more horses run without Lasix. Our hope is this program

will be a step in the right direction.” The race day use of Lasix (also called Salix or furosemide) has been allowed in the United States since the early 1970s. Although the vast majority of Thoroughbreds race on Lasix, The Jockey Club and a number of the sport’s prominent owners and trainers have come out in support of reduced use of Lasix on race days. Cella said if the results are encouraging, he would hope other tracks might consider similar programs. “We don’t know if this will work or not,” he said. “We’re trying to do the right thing. And we want to send a message that if you have a good horse that does not need Lasix, come to Oaklawn. If the program does work, we’ll share the results with other tracks and racing jurisdictions, and we’ll build on it here at Oaklawn.” Oaklawn’s 2015 racing season will run January 9 to April 11. Arapahoe Park near Denver last year launched a similar program that encouraged trainers to go beyond the letter of the law and race their horses without any of the currently legal race day medications in Colorado, including Lasix and phenylbutazone (“bute”). AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 15


ff

Yearling Sales Across the Region Post Mixed Numbers Following record-breaking numbers at the Carter Sales Co.’s OKC Summer Sale and a steady performance by the Silver Cup Yearling Sale in Colorado, both in August, four more auctions were held during September and October in Louisiana and Texas with mixed but mostly encouraging numbers. Equine Sales Company in Opelousas, Louisiana, held two recent sales, and both posted impressive numbers. The September 3 Consignor Select Yearling Sale, which featured a supplement of racing age horses from Coteau Grove Farms, recorded a total of 142 horses sold for $1,782,400, an all-time high for the sale company. Of that total, 135 yearlings sold for $1,475,400 with an average of $10,929. Seven horses of racing age sold for $307,000, an average of $43,857. The combined average price was $12,552. Those figures far outpaced the first yearling sale held by Equine Sales Company in 2012, and the total for this year’s yearling and racing age sale eclipsed the $1,714,300 gross from last year’s sale. That auction recorded an average price of $12,987 with a smaller catalogue. In the racing age portion of the sale, the stakes-winning filly Afternoon Tango, by Afternoon Deelites, brought a bid of $100,000 from Big Aut Farms. She was consigned by Select Sales, agent for Coteau Grove Farms. Another Coteau Grove horse, Chocopologie, a son of Candy Ride (Arg) who broke his maiden by 17 ¾ lengths just before the sale, went up to $140,000 but was bought back by his owners. Following the auction, the Louisiana-bred was reported as a private sale for $150,000 to Preston Stables LLC. In the yearling portion of the sale, a Louisiana-bred filly by Drosselmeyer sold for $80,000 to Laroux Stables from the consignment of 4M Ranch, agent, as the highest price. The October 26 Open Yearling and Mixed Sale posted enormous gains in average and gross compared to last year’s sale. This year’s auction offered 122 head, compared to 176 last year. All told, 92 horses sold this year for $579,900 with an average of $6,303. Last year, 98 head sold for a gross of $232,700 and average of $2,374. This year’s auction posted a gain in average of 165.5 percent, while the gross jumped 149.2 percent. The buy-back rate also improved significantly,

coming in at 24.6 percent compared to 44.3 percent last year. While the highest price at last year’s auction was $17,000, a total of five horses—all broodmares—eclipsed that mark this year. Topping the sale at $32,000 was Diva from Dixie, a 5-year-old daughter of Dixieland Band in foal to Tale of the Cat. Steve Holliday purchased the mare from the consignment of Energy Solutions Consultants LLC. For hip-by-hip results for both sales, go to equinesalesofla.com. The Fasig-Tipton Texas Yearlings and Fall Mixed Sale, held October 13 instead of its traditional date in August, reported 114 horses sold for $687,900, for an average of $6,034. The buy-back rate was 33.3 percent from 171 horses offered at the Texas Thoroughbred Sales Pavilion on the grounds of Lone Star Park. Stoneview Farm, agent, consigned the sale topper, a Texas-bred yearling filly from the first crop of Trappe Shot who sold for $50,000 to Grand Oaks. The second-highest price was another Texas-bred yearling filly, this one a daughter of Jet Phone who sold for $30,000 to Double Infinity Ranch from the consignment of Tommy and Wyndee Eastham’s Legacy Bloodstock, agent. From a smaller offering of only yearlings at the 2013 sale in late August, a total of 97 head sold for $1.25 million with an average of $12,939. Go to fasigtipton.com for complete results. The Breeders Sales Company of Louisiana Yearling Sale, held at the Ike Hamilton Expo Center in West Monroe on September 23, was topped by a $100,000 Louisiana-bred yearling colt by Yankee Gentleman. The February foal was consigned by Select Sales, agent, for Coteau Grove Farms and purchased by P. Dale Ladner. From 172 head offered, 120 were sold for $1,544,900. That represented a 23 percent decrease in gross sales compared to last year, and the average of $12,874 was a drop of 9.3 percent. The buy-back rate was 30.2 percent from 23.8 percent last year. For complete results, go to louisianabred.com. The region’s final sale of the year is the third annual Heritage Place Fall Thoroughbred Sale in Oklahoma City. The auction is set for December 13 at 11 a.m. To view the catalogue or for more information, go to heritageplace.com.

A Winning Catch

Photographer Betty Gillis captured Retama Park outrider Jonathan Boxie and Proteus as they teamed to run down and catch a loose horse during morning workouts. A former racehorse, Proteus enjoyed a successful career on the Louisiana circuit where he won two races and earned more than $50,000. An injury cut short his career, but after a stay at Remember Me Rescue in Texas, he is shining in his second career. 16

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014



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State Association News TEXAS THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION NEWS Historical Racing Dealt a Setback in Latest Ruling After reviewing previously filed legal briefs and hearing oral arguments on November 10, Travis County District Court Judge Lora Livingston ruled from the bench that the Texas Racing Commission does not have the authority to implement rules for historical racing terminals, thereby granting the plaintiff’s motion for summary judgment. A formal letter of judgment will be filed, after which the time period begins when an appeal can be filed with the 3rd Court of Appeals in Austin. Once the legal team and industry participants have had the opportunity to meet and discuss further options, updates will be forthcoming. In October, a coalition of Texas horse owners, breeders and trainers retained the services of Austin attorney Robert Hargrove to represent horsemen in legal matters pertaining to historical racing terminals in the state. The coalition includes the TTA, Texas Quarter Horse Association and Texas Horsemen’s Partnership, which represents owners and trainers of all racing horse breeds in the state. The TRC on August 29 passed rules for historical racing, which is a form of pari-mutuel wagering that allows players to wager on previously run races. On October 2, a Travis County District Court Judge declined to issue a temporary restraining order requested by charitable bingo interests and the Kickapoo Traditional Tribe of Texas in their suit against the TRC relative to historical racing terminals. In September, a State District Judge decided not to issue an injunction requested by State Representative Matt Krause (R-Fort Worth) seeking to prevent the TRC from implementing rules for historical racing. For the latest updates on historical racing, go to texasthoroughbred.com.

TTA Online Stallion Season Auction Thanks to the generosity of stallion owners across the region, you have the opportunity to purchase a 2015 breeding season at a special price through the TTA’s online auction. Proceeds benefit the TTA’s Political Action Committee, General Fund, Texas Thoroughbred Educational Fund or The Paddock Foundation. The first round of bidding ended on November 3, but a wide variety of stallions are still available. Visit texasthoroughbred.com to view the available seasons.

TTA Board of Directors Election

THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA NEWS

All Texas Thoroughbred Association members are reminded that voting is underway for the TTA Board of Directors election. All ballots must be received in the TTA office by December 15. Current TTA members should have received a ballot and bios of all candidates. Contact the TTA office at (512) 458-6133 for more information. Following are the candidates for this election: Statewide Nominees: Mike Danapas, Ed Few, Danny Keene, Tom Keith, Wes Melcher, R.L. Rieger, Brent Savage, Fred Taylor Jr. Central Region Nominees: Tom Bradfield, DVM, Tracy Sheffield East Region Nominees: Teofilo Mallet, Hal Wiggins

Heritage Sale, TRAO Meeting Set for December 13

December 31 Deadline Reminder Horsemen are reminded that December 31 is the deadline for a variety of TTA races and Texas-bred accreditations. Accreditation Deadlines December 31 is the deadline for accrediting yearlings (foals of 2013) at the TTA member rate of $200 ($250 for non-members). The fee to accredit foals of 2013 after December 31 is $1,500 for TTA members ($1,550 for non-members). Be sure that mares that will foal in Texas in 2015 are Texas accredited and that Accredited Texas-bred race fillies have been converted to breeding stock before they foal to be eligible for Accredited Texasbred breeder awards. 22

Racing Deadlines December 31 is the deadline to: 1) Nominate eligible foals of 2014 to the Texas Stallion Stakes Series for $100. 2) Nominate eligible foals of 2013 (not previously nominated) to the 2015 Texas Stallion Stakes Series for $500. 3) Nominate eligible Fasig-Tipton Texas sale graduates and Accredited Texas-bred foals of 2013 to the 2015 TTA Sales Futurity ($100,000 estimated per division). Accredited Texas-breds that did not go through a Fasig-Tipton Texas sale must be nominated by berth. Contact the TTA office if you need a berth. 4) Nominate accredited stallions that will be standing in Texas in 2015 to the Texas Stallion Stakes Series for the 2015 breeding season. Remember, foals by stallions nominated to the Texas Stallion Stakes for the season in which those foals were conceived need not be foaled in Texas to be eligible for the Texas Stallion Stakes Series. All deadline dates are email, fax or postmark dates. Contact Jennifer Gibbs at the TTA office for more information at jenniferg@ texasthoroughbred.com or (512) 458-6133.

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014

The third annual Heritage Place Fall Thoroughbred Sale is scheduled for Saturday, December 13, at 11 a.m. in Oklahoma City. For more information or to view a catalogue, go to heritageplace.com or call (405) 682-4551. The 2014 TRAO General Membership Meeting will also be held December 13 starting at 9:30 a.m. at Heritage Place. All members are encouraged to attend. If you have any questions, please contact the TRAO office at (405) 427-8753.

TRAO Newsletter To get important news out to members as quickly as possible, the TRAO will no longer be publishing a monthly newsletter. Instead, we will begin sending out weekly e-newsletters with the most up-to-date news. To receive the weekly newsletter by email, please contact Tammy Wright at twright@traoracing.com. Archived newsletters are available on the TRAO website at traoracing.com.


Nomination Forms for Oklahoma Stallion Stakes Nomination forms for the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes for the 2015 breeding season (foals of 2016, race year of 2019) have been mailed out and are also available at traoracing.com. All nomination payments must be postmarked by December 31. No exceptions. If you have any questions, please contact the TRAO office at (405) 427-8753.

How Much Can an Accredited Oklahoma-Bred Earn? As much as $3.2 million has been paid in one year to owners, breeders and stallion owners of accredited Oklahoma-bred horses. Oklahoma state law provides for the incentive funds and prescribes the purposes for which the money will be paid out by the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission (OHRC). Owners, breeders and stallion owners have earned in excess of $38 million from the inception of the program in 1984. For complete information on the Oklahoma-bred program, please refer to chapter 75 of the OHRC Rules of Racing or contact the OHRC at (405) 943-6472 or ohrc.org.

Alabama HBPA News

Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Horsemen’s Association News Razorback Races Debut at Remington Park

Dustin Orona Photography

The Magic City Classic and Kudzu Juvenile for Alabama-breds are fast approaching. Both races are to be run Friday, December 12, at Fair Grounds Race Course and Slots in New Orleans. The Kudzu Juvenile has a purse of $25,000-guaranteed and includes a $10,000 supplement from the Alabama HBPA. The race is for 2-year-olds and will be run at 5 1/2 furlongs with a limit of 12 starters. The Magic City Classic is $50,000-guaranteed and includes a $5,000 supplement from the Alabama HBPA. It is for 3-year-olds and up and will be run at one mile and 70 yards. The Alabama HBPA supplements were necessary to keep the purses at past levels due to the declining revenues received by the Birmingham Racing Commission, which sponsors the races. The Alabama HBPA will once again reimburse up to $500 in travel expenses for horses finishing fourth and below. Expenses should be submitted to Nancy Delony, 3221 Ridgely Drive, Birmingham, AL 35243. As of November 3, 2014, the $10,000-guaranteed AL HBPA Purse Supplement has been awarded. We do this on a first-come, firstserved basis and are pleased to have had such a good response this year and look forward to 2015. – Nancy Delony, Executive Director

Dustin Orona Photography

Magic City Classic and Kudzu Juvenile Information

In the $50,000 Razorback Futurity, Touchdown Arkansas scored a surprising 29-1 upset as the longest shot in the field. Ridden by Bryan McNeil for trainer W.T. Howard, the bay colt by Artie Schiller took the lead on the turn and went on to win by 1 ¼ lengths in 1:11.19 for six furlongs. Bred by Lewis Mathews Jr., the colt runs for Mathews and Frank Fletcher Racing Operations. Touchdown Arkansas, who earned $85 in his only other start after fading to finish 10th against maidens at Remington, collected $30,000 for the win. Mark Breen’s Indygo Bo, a son of Indygo Shiner bred by McDowell Farm, took second as the 1-10 favorite. The colt broke his maiden at Arlington Park and then finished sixth against allowance foes at Keeneland. Southern Springs Stables’ homebred All Aboard, a Silver Train gelding who won a $50,000 maiden claimer last time out at Keeneland, finished third. The $50,000 Lady Razorback Futurity featured a showdown between favorites Patchofbadweather and Auntcris’sshoes, and at the wire Patchofbadweather prevailed by 1 ¾ lengths. Piloted by Glen Murphy for trainer Karl Broberg and owner Flurry Racing Stables Inc., the daughter of Storm and a Half stopped the timer at 1:12.61. Patchofbadweather, who was bred by John Anthony, had finished second to eventual stakes winner Seriously Silver in a Remington maiden race in October. Her earnings now stand at $35,515 after two starts. Ben Soto’s Auntcris’sshoes, a filly by Commander’s Shoes bred Touchdown Arkansas by Philip Longtin, finished second to hit the board for the fourth consecutive time. She broke her maiden at Louisiana Downs and has earned $30,100 with a record of 5-13-0. Sanders Brothers’ homebred first-time starter Be My Caro- Patchofbadweather line, by Storm and a Half, finished third.

Arkansas-bred Stakes Schedule at Oaklawn The Oaklawn Park stakes schedule for 2015 will feature nearly $7 million in stakes purses, including four races for Arkansas-breds. For more information, go to oaklawn.com or atbha.com. 2/28 - Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes, 3yo & up, 6F, $75,000 3/27 - Arkansas Breeders’ Stakes, 3yo & up, 1 1/16M, $75,000 3/28 - Rainbow Miss Stakes, 3yo fillies, 6F, $75,000 3/29 - Rainbow Stakes, 3yo colts & geldings, 6F, $75,000

After being held for 20 years at Louisiana Downs, the Razorback and Lady Razorback futurities for Arkansas-breds shifted to Remington Park, and this year’s editions on November 8 featured a big longshot and a heavy favorite. AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 23


State Association News Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Association News Congratulations to Our 2014 Stakes Winners Ingrid Knotts Stakes: Fast Puff – Breeder David Robertson Jr., Owners David Robertson Jr. and Kenneth “Butch” Gleason Aspen and Mount Elbert stakes: Get Happy Mister – Breeder Willard Burbach, Owner Annette Bishop (Tangarae LLC) CTBA Derby: Mr Wild Kitty – Breeder Menoken Farms, Owner Lynne McGregor CTBA Lassie Stakes: Crazy Cora – Breeder Willard Burbach, Owners Jerry and Beverly Slaughter CTBA Futurity: Sky T – Breeder Glen Scott, Owner Richard Lueck Spicy Stakes and CTBA Breeders Oaks: Bridlewood Angel, Breeder/Owner Doyle Huber Silver Cup Futurity (fillies division): Ms. Battlefield – Breeders Greg Lebsock and Sandra Kutz, Owner Sandra Kutz Silver Cup Futurity (colts/geldings division): Red Carpet Runner – Breeder Mark Hillman, Owner Annette Bishop (Tangarae LLC)

Georgia Horse Racing Coalition News The Time Is Now for the Sport of Horse Racing in Georgia! Our mission is to work with our state leaders to pass legislation allowing pari-mutuel wagering in Georgia in order to encourage and support a statewide horse racing industry that will bring jobs, tax revenues and tourism to our communities. 1. The Team: Leading Business Executives and Horse Owners 2. New Jobs: Thousands of Racing, Breeding, Farming, Hospitality, Tourism, et al. 3. Tax Revenues: Up to $75 Million for the HOPE Scholarship, Transportation and Other Critical Statewide Projects 4. Privately Financed: No Taxpayer Dollars Required to Build World Class Racing and Entertainment Complex 5. 72% Voter Support: Per 2012 Landmark Communication Survey of Georgia Voters 6. Pari-mutuel Wagering (Similar to Bingo): Self-sufficient Without Casino Gambling 7. Out-of-state Wagering: Accounts for 87% of Monies Wagered (6% On Track, 7% In State) 8. Regional Advantage: Georgia Offers the Ideal Location for the Sport of Horse Racing 9. Established Equine Industry: Existing 180,000 Horse Population, $500 Million+ Economic Impact and Demographics Provide Solid Foundation for Success 10. Partnerships: Racetrack Chaplaincy of America and Old Friends Thoroughbred Aftercare 11. Funding: For UGA Equine Veterinary School and Thoroughbred Retirement Programs

North Carolina Thoroughbred Association News Message from the President We had a great turnout at the North Carolina State Fair’s “Year of the Horse” celebration held at the horse complex next to the fairgrounds. Our booth got a lot of action, and we helped Blue Bloods Thoroughbred Adoption and Placement Inc., which received some inquiries about horses they had for adoption and a donation. This is a great organization for us to help because of the job they do and the dedication they have to help our retired friends find a good home and a new 24

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014

occupation. I would like to thank Elizabeth Macdonald, Dora Alcon and all the rest of the volunteers from Blue Bloods that manned the tent and for the horses they brought for the Parade of Breeds. Included here are photos of the booth and Cymry Flood on Boots. I would like to thank all the volunteers from the NCTA, who also helped man the booth, for all their time and help: Deb Tucker and Chris Stiller who came all the way from the Charlotte area, Christy Suits, Lawson Walston, Beth Muirhead and Stephanie and Bailey Autry. It was a great job done by all. Be sure to mark calendars with the date of our awards banquet: January 24, 2015, at Bennett-Bunn Plantation. The event will include dinner, a speaker, a silent auction, a gathering of friends, a beautiful historical plantation and great food and spirits. Please join us to celebrate our winners and a great year for NCTA members. Event time will be announced on the invitations.

Breeding News

Jim Jones reports that at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling sale in Maryland he sold a Friesan Fire colt named Sugar Fire for $25,000. The yearling was owned jointly by Jim and Country Life Farm.

Racing News

We have decided to return to showing the racing news by owner/breeder, so everyone can more easily see how each owner’s or breeder’s horses are doing. STEVE LAYMON: Steve owns all of his horses in partnerships and has done very well in the last few years. Dayatthespa, a 5-year-old mare by City Zip, was again a winner at Keeneland on October 4 in the $400,000 First Lady Stakes (G1), and then she went on to capture the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1). Running for the partnership group of Steve, Bradley Thoroughbreds and Ronald and Jerry Frankel, she has won 11 of 18 starts with earnings of nearly $2.3 million. She took the spotlight again at the Fasig-Tipton November Sale, when the partnership group sold the former $50,000 yearling purchase for $2.1 million to Stonestreet Farm. Although a return to the track has not been ruled out, her new owners have indicated she will likely move on to a career as a broodmare. Steve also bred and owns with his longtime partner John Eaton the 3-year-old filly Daring Kathy, who won the $90,000 Cellars Shiraz Stakes at Gulfstream Park West on October 18. Little Journey, who finished third in an allowance/optional claimer at Belmont Park on October 8, runs for Steve in partnership with Michael Pietrangelo, Gary Pitts and Marshall Gramm. JIM CHANDLEY: Jim has been a longtime member of the NCTA and


is having a great year with many of the horses he has bred, most of them with bloodlines from his stallion Misbah who stands in Pennsylvania. Missdixieactivist was a winner at Penn National on September 26 and again on October 23, both against allowance foes. She was bred by Jim out of a Misbah mare. Michael’s Tribute, a Misbah filly bred by Jim, was second in claiming races at Penn National on September 21, October 15 and November 8, as well as third in a claimer there on October 30. Taliesin, another Misbah runner bred by Jim, was second at Belterra Park in a claiming race on October 9. Yet another offspring of Misbah bred by Jim, Muy Man, ran third at Finger Lakes on October 14 in a claiming race. DENISE WALSH (NEVER BETTER STABLES): Compass Rose won a maiden special weight at Keeneland on October 12. The 3-year-old Mr. Greeley filly was bred by Timber Bay Farm (owned by Denise’s father) and is owned by Denise’s Never Better Stables. We wish her much luck with this filly. BILL THOMPSON: Trawee was a winner at Keeneland in a maiden claiming race on October 12, winning by 10 ¾ lengths. She raced for Bill in partnership with Wind River Stables, Summergrove Farm and J. Dixon but was claimed out of the race. BETH MUIRHEAD, FRANK CONIGLIO AND SIDNEY RITMAN: These three bred a wonderful 2-year-old filly named Cheers for Sidney, who was born on Sid Ritman’s birthday and that’s how she earned her name. She was a six-length maiden special weight winner at Indiana Downs on October 8. Cheers for Sidney is owned by the trio along with Richard Rendina. BETH MUIRHEAD: Beth bred Double the Cheers, who won a maiden special weight race at Indiana Downs on October 14. The 2-yearold Concerto colt is owned in a partnership that includes Beth and David Benge. Beth also is the breeder of More Than Special, who ran second at Woodbine on October 1 in a claiming race, losing by a nose. Another horse bred by Beth, Special Congrats, ran third in a claimer at Parx Racing on October 25. GEORGE AND STEPHANIE AUTRY: Saluda, a 2-year-old filly owned by the Autrys, ran third at Belmont on October 13 in a maiden claimer and second in a maiden claimer at Aqueduct on November 5. HUBERT VESTER: Hubert bred Bet U Cant Find Me, who ran second at Finger Lakes on October 25 and again on November 10 in claiming races. Sconnie Nation, also bred by Hubert, ran second at Keeneland on October 8 in a claiming race. JOHNNY EASON: Johnny owns Tobias in partnership with Rafael A. Fernandez LLC. The Arch gelding ran third at Keeneland on October 12 in an allowance race. NANCY SHUFORD: A homebred for Nancy, Miramichi was third at Parx on October 21 in a claiming race. Nancy also bred Incremental, a colt who ran third at Delta Downs in the $200,000 Jean Lafitte Stakes on October 25.

South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association News Effort Underway to Bring Pari-Mutuel to South Carolina The SCTOBA continues to support the efforts of the Georgia Horse Racing Coalition to bring pari-mutuel racing to that state, and we are also uniting with the Palmetto Agribusiness Council to try to get pari-

mutuel passed in South Carolina. This could eventually help fund a breeding program, even without live racing. “Now that South Carolina has the lottery, there is no reason not to take the next logical step and legalize pari-mutuel,” said SCTOBA Director Kip Elser. “Legalization alone, even without investment in betting facilities or racetracks, enables the state of South Carolina to share in the revenue generated by South Carolinians when they bet on their phones or through their computers. It is a very easy win-win proposition that would benefit agriculture, wildlife, land conservation and a myriad of other needs within South Carolina. Studies have shown that when attached to the lottery, pari-mutuel wagering generates its own turnover and adds significantly to the gross turnover in the lottery.” “South Carolina has historically been a horse racing state,” said Cot Campbell of Dogwood Stable. “Some of the early, prestigious race meetings took place here, and some of the greatest racehorses that ever lived have come from the numerous training centers in the state. Some aspect of legalized pari-mutuel wagering would be very beneficial for further popularizing the area for training and would increase the amount of Thoroughbred breeding in South Carolina. Obviously, many jobs would be created.”

Grads of Webb Carroll and Elloree Training Centers Out in Force at the Breeders’ Cup The Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Santa Anita had a distinct South Carolina flair as a number of horses who received their early training in the state competed on racing’s biggest day. Webb Carroll Training Center graduate Goldencents, owned by W.C. Racing and trained by Leandro Mora, made headlines again by winning the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1) for the second consecutive year before heading off to the breeding shed. The bay colt by Into Mischief banked $3,044,000 in his stellar career with seven wins and seven seconds from 18 trips to the post. Four Elloree Training Center grads ran during the Breeders’ Cup, and while none hit the board, that’s still an impressive feat. The runners were Danny Boy in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1) for trainer Dale Romans and owner Donegal Racing, Finnegans Wake in the $3 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) for trainer Peter Miller and owner Donegal Racing and Rockingham Ranch, and in the $2 million Juvenile Fillies (G1), Puca for trainer Bill Mott and owner Donegal Racing and Christina’s Journey for trainer Dale Romans and owner GSN Racing LLC. Frank Jones Jr.’s Flying Tipat would have become the fifth Elloree grad if she had drawn in to the Juvenile Fillies Turf as an also-eligible.

www.americanracehorse.com AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 25


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A.P. Indy - Lovely Regina, by Deputy Minister

By Red Hot Sire of Sires A.P. INDY. Three-Parts Brother to Champion BERNARDINI. There are 4 Stakes Winners from the A.P. Indy line in his immediate family, including 2012 Grade 1 SW LOVE AND PRIDE ($985,760, by A.P. INDY), sold for $4,900,000 at 2013 Fasig Tipton Kentucky Sale. Second Dam is Grade 1 Winner & Broodmare of the Year CARA RAFAELA ($884,452) 2015 Fee: $2,000 LIVE FOAL Stands & Nurses Nominated to Breeders’ Cup, OK Bred Program, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa Stallion Stakes.

NOTIONAL

In Excess - Truly Blessed, by French Deputy

Brilliant Miler From Sire Line of Indian Charlie. 1st Crop- $50K SW, $60K SP, Can SP 2nd Crop- 10 Wnrs, 3 SHs, 2 SWs #1 Third-Crop OK Sire by 2014 Earnings, Winners, SWs #2 OK Sire Overall by 2014 Winners. Top FOUR OVERALL OK Sire by 2014 Progeny Earnings. Sire of 12% Stake Performers. Oklahoma’s Leading Juvenile Sire by 2014 Stakes Horses 2015 Fee: $2,000 LIVE FOAL Stands & Nurses Nominated to Breeders’ Cup, OK Bred Program, Oklahoma , Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa Stallion Stakes.

OMEGA CODE Elusive Quality - Tin Oaks, by Deputy Minister

Sire of More U.S. Winners than Any Son of Elusive Quality FIFTH Ranked Sire by 2014 OK Bred Earnings 2014 Stakes Performers incl.: ALPHA AND OMEGA ($120,654), 2 1/2- length winner of Remington’s $50,000 Tishomingo S. in 2014 & 3- length winner of the $64,000 OK Stallion S. (C&G div.); returning Grade 1 winner SIGNAL ALERT; Zeta Zody, placed in Remington’s $50,000 Te Ata S. 78% runners in first six crops 2015 Fee: $2,000 LIVE FOAL Stands & Nurses Nominated to Breeders’ Cup, OK Bred Program, Oklahoma, Illinois, Kansas, and Iowa Stallion Stakes

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Buying and Selling at Auction:

A Primer

Courtesy Heritage Place

Built in 1978, Heritage Place is best known for American Quarter Horse auctions but now hosts a Thoroughbred-only sale each December.

Regional sale companies share their advice for new consignors and buyers • By Shelby O’Neill

Unless you race every horse you breed or breed every horse you race, you’ve likely found yourself in the market to buy or sell a yearling, 2-year-old in training, broodmare or racing age horse. While private horse sale transactions take place every day, many prefer public auctions, which offer a wide selection, secure financial transactions and a comfortable, even exciting, atmosphere. There are plenty of options in this region, including Carter Sales Company, Equine Sales Company, Fasig-Tipton Texas and Heritage Place, among others. If you’ve never bought or sold at auction before, the sales ring might seem like an intimidating place. That’s why American Racehorse asked officials at several of these regional sale companies for a behind-the-scenes glimpse into how much work goes into putting on a sale, as well as their expert advice for auction newcomers. Heritage Place is in its 36th year of operation, and while it is better known as one of the premier venues for American Quarter Horses, the Oklahoma City auction house has been expanding its presence in the Thoroughbred world. In addition to its fall mixed sale, which includes both Quarter Horses and Thoroughbreds, it hosts a mixed-age Thoroughbred-only sale that coincides with Remington Park’s closing weekend in December. The 40-acre Heritage Place facility includes a 1,000-seat air-conditioned auditorium and a walking ring all situated under one roof. Carter Sales Company, which also holds its auctions in Oklahoma City, has offered a yearling sale each summer since 2007. In recent years, that yearling sale has been followed by a horses of racing age session at the Oklahoma City State Fairgrounds. Fasig-Tipton Company Inc. has been operating for more than a century, and its Lone Star State AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 29


Courtesy Equine Sales Company

Equine Sales Company is the newest player on the auction scene, having begun operations in 2012.

Foster Bridewell, Sales Director, Equine Sales Company: If you’re doing a good job, you’re working all the time, whether out in the field meeting with the breeders, inspecting yearlings or building relationships. On the flip side, you’re at the races talking to prospective buyers. It doesn’t all fall into your lap; you have to go out and try to gather business. We do farm visits, look at what people have to offer and try to give them sound advice. We can’t predict what a horse is going to bring at auction, but we can try to help them. Then we get the contracts in house, and our office manager processes paperwork and submits it to The Jockey Club. Then The Jockey Club writes the catalogue pages, and we get proofs on that and then build the catalogues as far as assigning hip numbers. We mail it out to prospective buyers and try to make everyone aware of when our sale is. We book hotel rooms for them and fill out pre-authorized buyer registrations. Basically, we try to make buyers feel as comfortable as possible.

outpost will soon be closing in on two decades of operation. FasigTipton Texas is headquartered on the grounds of Lone Star Park in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and hosts two Thoroughbred sales each year—a 2-year-olds in training sale in the spring and a combination yearling and mixed sale in the fall. Equine Sales Company is a newer company, Regional Sale having held its inaugural sale in 2012. Located Companies in Opelousas, Louisiana, the company offers Breeders Sales Company of Louisiana three Thoroughbred sales throughout the year, louisianabred.com (504) 947-4676 beginning with a spring 2-year-olds in training sale, a late summer consignor select yearling Carter Sales Co. cartersalesco.com sale and a fall open yearling and mixed sale. (405) 640-8567 Other options in the region include the Equine Sales Company equinesalesofla.com Silver Cup Yearling Sale held each summer at (337) 678-3024 Arapahoe Park near Denver, the Breeders Sales Fasig-Tipton Texas fasigtipton.com Company of Louisiana yearling sale in West (972) 262-0000 Monroe, Louisiana, and the Stars of TomorHeritage Place heritageplace.com row juvenile sale at Evangeline Downs. (405) 682-4551

What advice do you have for someone buying at auction for the first time?

Tim Boyce, Director of Sales, FasigTipton Texas: One thing about sales and racing is that they’re parallel worlds and not directly connected, which is something buyers have to be aware of. It’s important that you have good advisors so you gain some experience in getting the right people around you and trusting their judgment. We have a repository in operation, and it’s important for people to make use of it. Unfortunately, people get scared away from good horses by what people are told are Silver Cup Yearling Sale in the X-rays, which is why it’s prudent to go What goes into putting on cotba.com (303) 294-0260 and have someone look at the X-rays for you. a sale? Stars of Tomorrow/ If you’re pinhooking (buying a horse with the Spence Kidney, General Manager, HeriStemmans Inc. stemmans.com intent to resell, generally yearlings to resell as tage Place: The basics are getting your con(337) 316-2696 2-year-olds), it’s different, but most are buying signment forms out, cataloging horses and doing pedigree research. We put an emphasis on contacting breeders to race here in this region, so they can be a little more forgiving in the and visiting with our TRAO (Thoroughbred Racing Association of repository. Kidney: Contact TRAO or our sale company and get with a trustOklahoma) board members. We stay in front of those people and let them know that we’re out there and try to support anything they worthy agent who can help you or assist you in making decisions to have going on. We own our facility, and maintenance on that is a purchase or preview horses. If you’re looking at horses of racing age, definitely consult with the trainer you plan to use. Trainers are invaluyear-round project. Terri Carter, Sales Manager, Carter Sales Company: It’s a lot of pa- able resources for preparing a horse to race, so it’s good to work with perwork. People don’t know how much paperwork you have to do, from a trainer to select a horse as well. Bridewell: First of all, get a plan together. Figure out what direcgetting the consignors’ stuff to you to advertising to getting the catalogue out. We mail out a lot of catalogues. We rent our facility, so we have to tion you’re going in. Are you buying something to have fun with schedule that and get that set up. We have a dinner and music, so it’s a fun at the racetrack, or are you looking for eventual residual value as a broodmare prospect or stallion? Review the catalogue in advance, and event for horse people since a big part of racing is the social aspect. 30

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014


Fasig-Tipton Texas has sold many of the highest-priced horses in the region.

Denis Blake

create a short list. You may want to employ an agent who has a track record and can supply references. They typically charge 5 percent for acting as an agent. If you’re serious about a horse, you may want to have a veterinarian check the horse out.

What tips would you give to newcomers to selling at auction?

the cheapest one that’s the best one for your horse. You want someone who is in the market and has been in the market for a while. Look at the prices for their horses and where those horses have gone later. You want someone whose mindset is that they’re in it for the long haul. Bridewell: You want that relationship between a sale company and a seller to be as transparent as possible, which is why we’re up front about what the fee is, the minimum commission, barn placement, the hours horses are available for inspection, what’s paid within 30 days, the ads we have in which magazines and who our buyers are.

Kidney: Number one, I would encourage them not to be intimidated. We can walk them through the process. We consider the horse industry to be breeders of all sizes, shapes, colors and dollar figures. Number two, What fees should someone be aware of when if not equipped to do it themselves, I would encourage them to seek out consigning a horse? the services of a professional consignor. Kidney: Our process is very simple. It’s a Carter: Decide at the first of the year which flat $500 catalogue fee, and we charge a 5 perhorses you’re going to sell and start prepping cent commission or 5 percent of the last bid them then. You have to start feeding these on the horse. We don’t have any hidden fees. horses early to make them into big strong We keep it straightforward and simple and try animals that present themselves well. You to provide an affordable venue for everyone don’t have to start with hands-on training as regardless of what they’re selling. much as you need to put them on a feeding Carter: There’s an entrance fee and the program so you’re getting the best animal you commission, and some sales require different can present there. You have to be prepared veterinary tests that can cost more or take lonand know the value of your horse. I think ger to get. Sales companies are pretty even in you’re very wise to visit with people to see their fees, but you can shop around for the what they think of your animal. consignor’s day rate. You have to be aware that Carter Sales Company Boyce: When you’re breeding your horse, introduced a $25,000 bonus it takes time to get a horse presented right and decisions at the time of conception have to be this year to any sale that consignors work really hard for you. graduate who wins the Clever made in conjunction with the market. Is this Trevor Stakes at Remington Park. Boyce: There’s your standard fee for conDenis Blake sire going to be desirable in three years? That’s signing and then there’s the per diem fee (for consignors) that’s what the gamble is. Young sires are good for breeding if they’ve had a little higher at the sales because there’s a lot more upkeep on a some racing career or breeding behind them mainly because they haven’t horse at the sale. A racing stable typically has one groom for every proven themselves poorly. Is your sire going to be young or a blue chip four or five horses, but at the sale, you’re going to want a groom sire? The downside of breeding to a second-year sire is you’re taking for every two horses. It’s a highly labor-intensive time, so you want all of the gamble. If you spend $10,000 for the sire, you’ll show some that per diem rate to be high so you know that it’s going to be a appreciation right away if his runners are doing well. Very few sires actufirst-class outfit. You want to know someone is always going to be ally make it in the market sense. Look at California Chrome; he’s the perthere to show your horse when someone comes by. That will pay fect example of everything the market says not being true. When choosdividends down the road. If you’re worried about $10 or $20 per day, ing a consignor, ask for recommendations and price them. It’s not always then you probably shouldn’t be taking a horse to market. AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 31


WIMBLEDON (G2)

Wild Rush – Strawberry Clover, by Darn That Alarm

• WIMBLEDON flashed immense talent as a racehorse, drawing clear to win the Grade 2

Louisiana Derby and defeating eventual millionaires BORREGO and POLLARD’S VISION, making him one of the top favorites for the Kentucky Derby before retiring with a minor injury. • WIMBLEDON was the leading first crop and second crop sire in Texas and is the sire of nine stakes horses, including 2013 Texas Horse of the Year and 2012 Texas Champion 2-Year-old Colt/Gelding WORLDVENTURER, an earner of $266,975 who sold for $150,000 at Fasig-Tipton Texas as a horse of racing age. • WIMBLEDON is also the sire of stakes winners DAPHNE ANGELA and CHICKS A FLYIN, both with earnings in excess of $200,000. • 108 BEYER FIGURE • $443,818 IN EARNINGS

2015 FEE: $2,000 – LIVE FOAL Property of Jack Cook

KEY RANCH

32

Inquiries to Joe Kerby 1849 Lindemann Rd. #900 • Salado, Texas 76571 Phone: (254) 527-3679 Email: keyranchmail@cs.com • Website: www.keyranch.com Accredited Texas Stallion • Nominated to the Texas Stallion Stakes Series

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014


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TEXAS’ NEW YOUNG GUNS

Eureka Thoroughbred Farm, centrally located in Fredericksburg, Texas, is proud to introduce THE HUNK , MR. BESILU and EXPECT A LOT for the 2015 breeding season.

EXPECT A LOT William Jones Miller

THE HUNK

Awesome Again – Tizamazing, by Cee’s Tizzy

Lea Watson

Speightstown – Penniless Heiress, by Pentelicus 2015 Stud Fee: $1,500/LFG William Jones Miller

2015 Stud Fee: $1,000/LFG

MR. BESILU

A.P. Indy – Balance, by Thunder Gulch

2015 Stud Fee: $2,000/LFG

Eureka Thoroughbred Farm

Inquiries to Bill Tracy 6476 U.S. Highway 290 E. • Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Phone: (830) 688-1709 • Email: info@eurekathoroughbreds.com • Website www.eurekathoroughbreds.com

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 33


DOCTOR CHIT

War Front – True Gritz,

by

Yes It’s True

New to Oklahoma for 2015, a brilliantly fast son of WAR FRONT! A stakes winner at Belmont Park and Grade 2 placed at Saratoga, DOCTOR CHIT flashed tremendous talent as a sprinter; he ran six furlongs in 1:08.90 at Belmont!

DOCTOR CHIT’S sire, WAR FRONT, is one of today’s

hottest stallions and will stand the 2015 breeding season for a fee of $150,000. DOCTOR CHIT is among his most talented sons to enter stud. His female family includes top sprinter and accomplished stallion MR. GREELEY. Don’t miss your chance to breed to DOCTOR CHIT in his first season in Oklahoma!

2015 FEE: $2,500 – LIVE FOAL Property of Dream Walkin’ Farms

ROYAL VISTA RANCHES

Inquiries to Laura Erickson 26822 State Highway 59 • Wayne, Oklahoma 73095 Phone: (405) 449-7575 • Fax: (405) 449-7474 Email: royalvistaranches@valornet.com • Website: www.royalvistaranches.com Accredited Oklahoma Stallion • Nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes

34

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014


SEBASTIAN COUNTY Hennessy – Double Park (Fr),

by

Lycius

A young stallion with tremendous potential! SEBASTIAN COUNTY was a versatile and talented racehorse

who won a stakes at Oaklawn Park and placed in five other stakes from six furlongs to 1 1/16 miles, including the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Futurity. A son of HENNESSY, whose sons at stud include JOHANNESBURG and HENNY HUGHES, SEBASTIAN COUNTY is a full brother to top stallion CACTUS RIDGE. His dam placed in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Oaks and also produced stakes winner and Grade 3-placed HARRIETT LANE.

SEBASTIAN COUNTY’S first crop will hit the track in 2015! 2015 FEE: $2,500 – LIVE FOAL Property of Dream Walkin’ Farms

ROYAL VISTA RANCHES

Inquiries to Laura Erickson 26822 State Highway 59 • Wayne, Oklahoma 73095 Phone: (405) 449-7575 • Fax: (405) 449-7474 Email: royalvistaranches@valornet.com • Website: www.royalvistaranches.com Accredited Oklahoma Stallion • Nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 35


2015 State City • Affirmatif

Every paid breeding receives a second breeding at half price to Affirmatif or State City (interchangeable)


The

Long

Haul

Mario and Dee Espin of Santa Fe Equine offer their top transport tips • By Shelby O’Neill

Whether you are transporting horses yourself or hiring the services of a company with an eight-horse trailer, there are some basic tips that can help ensure a smooth journey.

Strangely enough, Mario Espin has his early days as a bareback and bronc rider to thank for his four-decades-and-going-strong horse transport business. He rode the rodeo circuit in the 1970s and ’80s, which gave him the opportunity to haul his first horses. “Bronc riders would go to the rodeo with just a pickup truck, and some ropers asked if I would take some horses from Idaho to Bend, Oregon, for them,” Espin recalled. “So I hitched up a trailer to my F-150, left Lewiston, Idaho, and drove to Bend, Oregon. I got bucked off that day, and a professional bronc rider’s paycheck looks like zero when you get bucked off. These guys paid me $300 to haul their horses. That was the first time I was ever hired, and a light bulb went off in my head.” From there, word of Espin’s nascent transport business grew until eventually his rodeo gigs ended with hauling horses into the barn instead of mounting a bronc. With 25 to 30 rodeos in one month alone, Espin worked hard and saved up to buy his first stock trailer in 1979. “As I got older, I needed a part-two career,” he said. “I knew how to travel from the rodeos, and I discovered early on that racehorses travel frequently. Little by little, I became a racehorse transport guy.” Initially his transport schedule revolved around taking Quarter Horses out of the Montana area to New Mexico for racing or to Florida and Kentucky for breeding. It was trips to the latter two states that inspired Espin to dream of more possibilities for his growing business. “Seeing the modern-day Thoroughbred farms in Ocala and Lexington opened my eyes to the price point of the Thoroughbred industry,” he said. “I was already living in the Arctic cold climate of Montana, which has two seasons—August and winter. All my customers in Ocala were in T-shirts, shorts and flip-flops. Going over two mountain passes in Montana, I realized it was time to make a transition to Florida.”

Courtesy Santa Fe Equine

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 37


who’s there who can take the million-dollar horse they bought someplace,” Espin said. “We tied those things together.”

Courtesy Santa Fe Equine

Find the Right Transporter

Mario and Dee Espin While in the early days Espin’s business was simply known as Kit Horse Transport (owing to his nickname of Kit), the move to Florida inspired a new official name for the business—Santa Fe Horse Transport—in honor of Lake Santa Fe, where Espin set up his new home base. Soon, Espin married Dee, and she joined the business too, tackling the behindthe-scenes work while Mario was out on the road. “I think it’s fun when we Google our customers and find out who they are,” Dee said. “We’ll look up a horse’s name and see that horse has made over a million dollars. It’s always fun to see a different side of who it is we’re handling. We watch them run and send texts back and forth when they’re at the Kentucky Derby or the Belmont or the Preakness.” In fact, Santa Fe has been the transport of choice for many horses that compete on the Triple Crown trail. “My favorite thing about the business is handling the high-quality athletes that I deal with,” Espin said. “I have a very niche business on purpose. We want to do what we do very Patience is one of the well for a few customers versus trying horse. to be everyone to everybody. We want to be the Rolex of watches, not the Timex. Some of my customers have been with me for more than 30 years.” The Espins’ success has allowed them to expand their transport business over the years to include appraisals and bloodstock agent services under the Santa Fe Equine banner. “Everyone knows we attend these sales on a regular basis, and customers needed two things—a good eye for horses and someone 38

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014

The Espins have specialized in Texas, Louisiana and Oklahoma horses with weekly trips from Ocala to Louisiana and Texas, as well as Oklahoma and New Mexico, depending on the season. With that many trips under their belts, the Espins are well acquainted with all the ins and outs of interstate transport and happily offer advice for anyone who might be wondering how to find a good horse transport company. “For new horse owners that are new to transporting, look for reputable companies,” Dee said. “Look for people who are insured, and don’t feel stupid about asking whatever questions you want. This is your prize horse. Check that the business is fully DOT (Department of Transportation) compliant.” She also pointed out that prices that seem too good to be true probably are. “People will get quotes on shipping a horse, and it’s just a pickup truck with a little back trailer that’s just going to go pedal to the metal and not stop,” she said. “They don’t care if your horse drinks or not. They don’t care that your horse hasn’t gone to the bathroom for 12 hours and could mean that it’s colicking.” To avoid bad situations like those, Santa Fe has a facility at the Evangeline Training Center in Carencro, Louisiana, so that horses are only in the transport van for no more than 11 hours at a time. “We have our own stalls kept under lock and key and unload there,” Mario said. “It allows me to get proper sleep. We feed at 5 a.m., load by 6 a.m. to maximize the cool hours of the day. We can be to Houston by 10 a.m., and the horse isn’t stressed. Also, remember not to use Google Maps as your idea for how long shipCourtesy Santa Fe Equine ping is going to take. Those times keys to loading a are for a Honda Civic driving at the speed limit, not for a horse trailer.”

Getting Ready to Go When it comes to getting horses prepared for the trip, Espin suggested starting with the basics. “Paperwork is always number one,” he said. “Florida is the toughest state to transport in and out of. You need a blood certificate and a Coggins, which must be marked or with photos. The photo must match. The temperature of the horse is a must, too. If we omit any of those things,


it’s only going to cause issues at the Florida border.” Espin’s second tip for transport is true whether it’s a racehorse or a pleasure horse in the back of the transport van. “A naked horse travels a whole lot better than a horse that shows up with all that stuff you bought off the magazine,” he said. “Do not put on shipping boots, and do not ship them with anything on them, including tail wraps, mane wraps or leg wraps. Because my horses are traveling no less than 700 miles, you do not want to leave leg wraps on them. Naked horses travel best. “They’re just horses; they don’t know they’re expensive, and all those other things can cause injuries, so just let the horse be a horse,” he added. “Also, do not oil horses. Save yourself $100 and a vet call. Don’t grain a horse before they’re picked up. Let them be. I personally believe that 24 hours before, give them the good quality hay they’ve been on all along and then a small reduction the night before on grain. We want bellies to be as unlikely to colic as possible, and they’re not going to starve to death. We keep hay in front of them the whole time.”

Getting There Safe and Sound The preparation tips above echo Santa Fe’s primary philosophy, which is that it’s all about the horse, not about the time of arrival. “If your horse steps off the trailer and she can only walk on three legs, that’s all you’re going to remember, not that she was on time,” Espin pointed out. To keep horses safe and comfortable throughout the journey, Santa Fe uses floor-to-ceiling partitions with three-quarter-inch thick rubber mats that make

up the bottom quarter of the panel, so horses can’t damage their shoes or hooves. “The horse isn’t going to have a gash because there isn’t any metal exposed,” Espin said. “No more than an hour after we’ve loaded, we unclip everybody, and now the horses are free to move their heads up or down. We don’t keep horses tied to the trailer during the trip. Some of them are immature, and it’s critical that we keep them looking forward. No horse can see another horse, so they’re looking out the window, like tourists.” The trailer is equipped with cameras with wide-angle lenses that cover every compartment, so Espin is able to see each horse in its entirety throughout the duration of the trip. Because he makes these trips so often, he knows the perfect quiet and safe places to stop, drop the windows and let the horses socialize. “I love on them between their eyes and make eye contact with them all,” Espin said. “I always wear glasses and my hat, so they learn to recognize me as the person who is going to take care of them. I give them each a flake of high-quality Timothy hay out of Arizona, and they eat it like candy. We hang buckets of water and talk to them, quieting the nervous ones. This settles the horses almost immediately.” This step is repeated every three to four hours throughout the journey to keep the horses happy and—above all else—healthy. That’s why, according to Espin, the success or failure of any transport can be measured very simply and easily. “Owners who are transporting their horses need to pay attention to four things,” he said. “Your horse needs to eat, drink, pee and poop. If your horse is doing those four things during travel, your horse is traveling fine.”

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 39


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SUBSCRIBE TODAY! American Racehorse covers the racing and breeding industry in Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina and South Carolina and provides you with the news and information you need to know! Each issue features articles on horse health, secondcareer racehorses, horsemen and horses in the region and more, plus breeding, racing and sales news.

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AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014


World-Class Operation Eric and Randi Moreau-Sipiere base their international breeding, racing and shipping business deep in the heart of Texas

By Shelby O’Neill

Courtesy Centurion Stud

N

ot many Texans speak with French accents, but Eric Moreau-Sipiere does. He comes from a long line of equestrians dating back to Louis XIII, and his family had already gotten involved with Thoroughbred racehorses and Arabian show horses by the time they left France for Brenham, Texas, in 1979. In the years that passed, Eric and his wife, Randi, crisscrossed the country as their equine business took them to California, Iowa and Florida before they put down roots in the East Texas town of Como, situated about halfway between Dallas and Texarkana, in 2003. “We like the weather and the southern hospitality,” Randi said. “Plus, with the three first-class racetracks here, we can keep most of our horses near home for racing.” That home is Centurion Stud, the 90-acre farm where the Moreau-Sipieres, alongside their daughter, Vanessa, breed and raise both Thoroughbreds and Arabians for the racetrack. Eric credits his Gallic roots for the farm’s historical name. “When I was a kid, being French, I was always fascinated by the Romans and the Gauls and all that history,” he said. “Centurion was always the synonym of a leader and always a friend and someone with a lot of courage and stamina. I felt it was a strong name to reflect the mythology of the farm.” So Centurion Stud is a Roman-named farm run by a French-Texan family, and the international ties don’t end there. Another reason the Moreau-Sipieres chose Texas is because it’s the perfect gateway to the international horse market. For more than 20 years, they’ve exported horses overseas, primarily to the Middle East, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco and Oman. AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 41


“Being in Texas, we do quarantine at our farm and fly the horses out of Houston,” Randi said. “This past fall and spring, we handled a couple of large groups of mares and stallions out of the Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton sales, and we also handle many Arabian race, endurance and show horses. Since November 2013, we’ve exported more than 50 horses.” On the list of horses they’ve exported, you’ll also find the names of Centurion Stud homebreds. When the Moreau-Sipieres transitioned from Arabian show horses to Arabian and Thoroughbred racehorses in the late 1990s, they began receiving inquiries from the Middle East about their bloodlines. As their client roster grew, so did their clients’ desire for Thoroughbreds, which led the couple to get more involved in Thoroughbred bloodstock. “So in addition to our Arabians, we also now deal a lot in Thoroughbreds,” Randi said. “Without a doubt, it has been and continues to be a heavy learning process for us in studying the bloodlines.” They also enjoy the opportunity to show their international clients their world-class operation at Centurion Stud, as well as their adopted home state. “Texas is not just a state; it is a state of mind,” Randi said. “Our clients love to visit Texas, where they can see real cowboys and enjoy a good steak.” More often than not though, the trips are outbound ones from Centurion. Eric, Randi and Vanessa are all certified animal flight attendants, and one of them always travels with the horses to their destination to make sure the trip goes smoothly, as well as the horses’ arrival to their new home. Because they primarily ship to the Middle

East, their heaviest export season spans from September through April. Needless to say, they spend many hours in the air, averaging two trips overseas per month. Those trips have helped foster relationships with a number of prominent owners in the Middle East, including Sheik Joaan Bin Hamad Al Thani of Qatar and his Al Shaqab Racing. “Sheik Joaan purchased an Arabian several years ago through us, and he ran in the Arabian Dubai World Cup race,” Eric said of the horse that went on to become the Sheik’s first Arabian champion and now stands at Centurion Stud under their management. Centurion is also home to two other Arabian stallions and a string of Arabian broodmares. The Moreau-Sipieres breed Arabians at the highest levels, and horses they’ve bred have won numerous Darley Awards, which are the Arabian equivalent of the Eclipse Awards, as well as state championships in multiple divisions. “To us, the Arabians and Thoroughbreds go hand in hand,” Eric said. “They’re still the same horses because quality is quality. We’re probably the only farm in America that has them both at such a high level. We’re a little bit different.” On the Thoroughbred side, Eric and Randi have recently been involved in the U.S. campaign of 2011 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) runner-up Force Freeze, who Eric managed for one of his Middle Eastern clients. In his four other U.S. starts, Force Freeze won two stakes, including the Grade 2 Gulfstream Park Sprint Championship. “Going to the Breeders’ Cup with Force Freeze was a pretty incredible experience,” Eric said. “We’ve been to the Dubai World Cup [in the Dubai Golden Shaheen]. It would be a thrill to win a Dubai

At Centurion Stud, owners Eric and Randi Moreau-Sipiere have developed a strong breeding operation for both Arabian and Thoroughbred racehorses.

Courtesy Centurion Stud

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AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014


Courtesy Centurion Stud

Centurion Stud serves as a quarantine facility for horses headed overseas, and the Moreau-Sipieres travel with them to ensure their safe arrival. World Cup race. We really want ourselves and our clients to have “I’ve been involved with horses since my early teenage years,” Randi the caliber of horses that can go anywhere around the world and be said. “My specialty is reproduction and also scheduling and managecompetitive.” ment of the export business. Eric handles the marketing of the horses. The couple had that goal in mind when Our daughter naturally grew up around the they began their Thoroughbred operation horses and is involved in all aspects as well.” with a yearling daughter of Bernstein named Eric’s siblings also continue the equine Bern Me Baby, who broke her maiden in legacy established by their family generaTexas at Retama Park before being sold to tions earlier in France. His brother, Xaviinterests in Qatar and raced in England. er Moreau, runs Moreau International Their first crop of homebreds will hit the Bloodstock in Ocala, Florida, and is track this year and includes an Include colt heavily involved in Thoroughbreds, named Winclude, as well as juveniles by including as breeder of the multiple Grade Sky Mesa, City Zip, Two Step Salsa and 1-winning filly Bushfire and, most recently, Sharp Humor. The members of their curof this year’s Fountain of Youth (G2) winner rent yearling crop are by Stephen Got Even, and Florida Derby (G1) runner-up Wildcat Pomeroy, Valid Expectations, Half Ours, Red. Eric’s sister, Sylvie Collier, is married Lone Star Park Regal Ransom, U S Ranger and City Zip, to Bill Collier, DVM, of Collier Equine Vet Eric (left), Randi and Vanessa (right) while their 2014 foals are by Mizzen Mast, Moreau-Sipiere receive a trophy from Texas Service, an equine veterinary practice near Hat Trick, U S Ranger, Songandaprayer and Arabian Breeders Association President Ed Houston. Wilson for a stakes win at Lone Star Park. Hold Me Back. As the Moreau-Sipieres wait for their first “All of our mares are Texas-accredited, and we look forward to generation of homebreds to hit the track, they continue to dream big our first accredited Texas-bred foals to hit the track,” Randi said. for the future of Centurion Stud. “Our goals are to concentrate on our breeding programs, watch our “We breed primarily to race, not for the auction market. With our babies be brought up on their way to a hopefully successful race career, connections overseas, we have good luck to sell privately.” Centurion Stud is without a doubt an international enterprise, but continue to develop new friendships throughout the world and enjoy each day with our family and our wonderful horses,” Randi said. its heart is the family running it.

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 43


Selling the Game: Pure Competition

The rich history of Thoroughbred racing and the thrill of competition make our sport unique By Fred Taylor Jr.

Horsephotos.com

This is part one of Selling the Game, a series of articles about the excitement of Thoroughbred racehorse ownership and how to attract new owners, by Fred Taylor Jr. He is the founder and managing partner of Mojo Thoroughbred Holdings LLC, which operates Mojo Racing Partners offering affordable opportunities for newcomers and veterans to become involved in Thoroughbred ownership. Taylor serves as a liaison to the Department of Transportation for a major airline and was a co-recipient of the Allen Bogan Memorial Award from the Texas Thoroughbred Association for member of the year.

The stretch battle between Tiznow (inside) and Giant’s Causeway in the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Classic at Churchill Downs exemplified the competitive spirit of the Thoroughbred.

The Purest Form of Competition

Season Greetings, American Racehorse readers! I’m excited to share with you my thoughts about what’s right with the sport of horse racing, particularly the thrill and excitement of Thoroughbred ownership. We have a wonderful opportunity ahead of us to introduce horse racing and racehorse ownership to thousands of people who may not otherwise be thinking about the sport as a practical hobby. Before we dive into what I call the “how to” logistics of racing and ownership (costs, roles and responsibilities, and strategies), in this issue of American Racehorse, I want to focus on the fundamental elements that form the passion for the game, particularly the three things that make this sport unique: the spirit of pure competition, the unrivaled history of racing and the sanctity of the breed. I hope you enjoy this first op-ed and will take part in the discussion. And, of course, I wish you and your family Happy Holidays!

Thoroughbred racing is the most thrilling and personally satisfying sport that anyone can participate in because genuine competition is at the core of its very existence. Consider this: “The field comes off the turn; Tiznow on the outside, Albert the Great along the rail; the two of them continue to go at it. Here comes Giant’s Causeway for Ireland on the outside. They’re coming into the final furlong; Tiznow tough as nails, Giant’s Causeway on the outside. Giant’s Causeway and Tiznow battling head-to-head, in a heart-pounding, pulsating stretch drive…and Tiznow prevails! Tiznow has won it by a nose over Giant’s Causeway!” That was legendary track announcer Tom Durkin’s description of the stretch run of the 2000 Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs. Reading those words again still raises the hair on the back of my neck because that race is one of the greatest moments in the history of horse racing. When Giant’s Causeway drew up to Tiznow and those two horses battled head-to-head that November evening under the Twin Spires, it was the culmination of over 300 years of Thoroughbred history—in that moment, the very essence of why this sport exists was on full display. That race is a quintessential example of pure competition. And it, like many races before and after, is the paramount reason why people go to the races and own racehorses (or at least take an ownership interest in a racehorse). As a writer for the Daily Iowan named Tork Mason once asked about horse racing: “Honestly, is there a purer form of competition?” One of the many great things about horse racing is that these thrilling moments happen over and over again. Every day of every meet in every year, horse racing serves up another purely competitive moment for us to enjoy. As an event, the Breeders’ Cup features some of the best horses from around the world, and the 2000 Classic turned out to be a showcase of Europe’s greatest champion, Giant’s Causeway, competing in the cathedral of racing, Churchill Downs, against America’s top talent that year, including Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Fusaichi Pegasus, defending Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Cat Thief and Tiznow, a gutsy horse from California with tons of stamina who rose up to prove he was the best in the world. (He would do so the following year, as well, to become the first, and only, two-time Classic winner with a scintillating victory at New York’s Belmont Park the month following the September 11 attacks.) The 2000 Breeders’ Cup Classic isn’t the only race ever run that has generated such a thrilling experience, but I think that race is one of the extra-special moments in horse racing history to capture the sport in all of its glory.

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Horse Racing Transcends the Ages

sire in large part due to his tail-male descendants, Flying Childers and Racing horses is timeless—as a sport, it has transcended the ages. For Eclipse. Of the three foundation sires, the Godolphin Arabian had the most as long as man has been competing against his fellow man, he has also been using horses in his quest for glory. Racing horses is older than all colorful journey into the annals of Thoroughbred history. The Godolmodern-day sports—it’s even older than the ancient Olympic Games phin Arabian is believed to have been foaled in Yemen in 1724 and then (which are presumed to have begun in 776 BC). Horse racing is the only given as a gift to King Louis XV of France. Legend has it that the colt did sport to have been embraced and enjoyed by both ancient and modern not find favor with the king and subsequently became a cart horse before being acquired by Edward Coke, who then sent the horse to his estate in civilized societies around the world. The concept of racing horses dates back to the ancient Greeks and England. After Coke’s death in 1733, the horse was acquired by the 2nd Romans (and likely the ancient Egyptians). There have been many depic- Earl of Godolphin. Another part of the legend holds that the horse was tions of chariot races on ancient pottery, and the first written evidence considered to be too small to be a stallion and was first used as a “teaser” of the sport is said to have appeared in Homer’s The Iliad (the modern (the horse that excites the mare before she is covered by the stallion) and dating of the book is approximately 1240 BC) when he describes a race that after one of his own offspring turned out to be a successful runner, that was organized by the Greek hero Achilles for the funeral games of the Godolphin Arabian became a stallion in his own right. The latter part is certainly true. Patroclus and was won by another Greek hero, Diomedes. While the Godolphin Arabian’s progeny didn’t flourish in Europe, The ongoing desire to use horses to produce a competitive experience many great American racehorses can trace their tail-male roots directly carried forward for several millennia after the Greco-Roman period. In England, flat racing (races over a distance with riders on the horses’ back to him, including Man o’ War, War Admiral, Seabiscuit and Tiznow. According to a recent genetic study, all of the approximately 500,000 Thorbacks) dates back to at least the 12th century. By the late 17th century, oughbred racehorses in the world today are thought to have descended from based on public popularity and the support of English monarchs who 28 ancestors that were born in the 18th and 19th centuries. Research furfancied the competition, horse racing became sanctioned and standardther indicates that 13.8 percent of all modern Thoroughbred pedigrees can be ized with the creation of published records of racing events, purses oftraced to the Godolphin Arabian and 6.5 percent to the Darley Arabian when fered and handicapping (both in terms of adding weight to equalize the horses’ chances during a race, as well as bookmakers’ incentives provided all lines of descent (maternal and paternal) are taken into consideration. It’s also believed that up to 95 percent of modern Thoroughbreds can be traced for wagers being made). back in their tail-male line to just one stallion: the Darley Arabian. In addition to developing the breed, the English also started the recordThe Sanctity of the Breed During the 17th century, the Thoroughbred breed was developed by keeping standards in their General Stud Book (GSB) for producing offspring that would carry forth the bloodline’s distinctive several generations of British monarchs who acquired Aratraits. These standards were carried over to the American bian colts to be bred with English mares for the purpose of Stud Book, which is maintained by The Jockey Club, as creating a superior flat racehorse. The breed standards were well as to many other countries that have Thoroughbred set in the early 18th century and still represent Thoroughracing and breeding. breds around the world today. Even though other commercialized means of proThoroughbreds were designed to run fast and mainducing livestock are available, Thoroughbred registries tain their speed over a long distance. To this end, they around the world remain united in the strict adherence to are tall (average of 16 hands or 64 inches at the withers) the traditional manner in which Thoroughbreds have to with long, lean legs. Their shoulders and hindquarters are be reproduced—by live cover of a stallion to a broodmare muscular, and their chests are wide and deep to accom(i.e., artificial insemination, cloning and other forms of modate their massive lungs. These equine creatures were genetic replication are prohibited). Only a Thoroughbred intentionally bred to be sleek so they could cover a route is allowed to be mated with another Thoroughbred to be of ground faster than their predecessors, who were stockier Fred Taylor Jr. officially registered in the GSB or with The Jockey Club and designed to be work or war horses that pulled carts or for racing or breeding. As such, there is no way to produce an “exact went into battle carrying soldiers clad in full armor. Of the Arabian horses acquired during the late 17th century and copy” of a successful racehorse. By design, Thoroughbred offspring, even from the same sire and dam early 18th century, three are considered to be the “foundation” sires of the breed: the Byerley (also Byerly) Turk, the Darley Arabian and the combinations, are not intended to be like products coming off of an assembly line. Young racehorses may have the same bloodlines, but, like Godolphin Arabian. The Byerley Turk is believed to have been captured by Captain Robert human children, their levels of talent and ability will be different. In this Byerley at the Battle of Buda in 1686 and served as Byerley’s mount during regard, the competitive spirit of each racehorse remains unknown and the Williamite War in Ireland, including the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, untapped until it begins training or even until it breaks from the gate in before he went into stud service. Racehorses descending from the Byerley its first race. It’s all part of the great game of horse racing and one of the reasons why it has intrigued humans for hundreds of years. Turk include Jigg, Herod, Diomed, Sir Archy, Boston and Lexington. If you have a topic you’d like to see Fred cover, a comment on attractIn 1704, Thomas Darley bought an Arabian colt in Aleppo, Syria, and shipped him back to England as a present for his brother. The horse stood ing new racehorse owners or a memory you would like to share about as a stallion to the family’s private mare, but he also was offered to outside your favorite “competitive” racing moment, send an email to info@ mares. The Darley Arabian became the leading sire in Great Britain and americanracehorse.com. Part two of the series will be published in the Ireland in 1722 and is considered the breed’s most important foundation January/February issue. AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 45


Graded-Stakes Son of Tapit $350,000 Two Year Old Triple Digit Speed Figures Bred by Edward P Evans


AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 47


Tax Talk:

Year-End Tips

By Virginia Heizer

Basic year-end tax planning involves the timing of expenses or deductions, as well as the timing of income, in order to reduce your tax liability. With this in mind, the most important thing you can do as a business owner is to update your accounting records and estimate the profit or loss for your business. If you operate as a sole proprietor, S corporation or partnership, your business income will flow to your individual tax return and impact any other sources of income, like your spouse’s salary or gains on the sales of stock investments. Understanding how much you will earn this year and the next will put you in a position to save yourself the most in taxes. Unless you expect to be in a higher tax bracket in 2015, then the best strategy is to lower your income in 2014.

Methods to Lower Taxable Income for Small Businesses

Your small business taxable income can be lowered by increasing purchases before year-end. In 2014, you can expense equipment purchases up to $25,000 under the Section 179 expense deduction. (Note: The $25,000 for 2014 is a huge drop from the $500,000 allowed in 2013.) So consider buying a truck, tractor, computer or other equipment before January 1. Purchases of new capital assets still get a 50 percent bonus depreciation expense in 2014. Another thing to do is stock up on supplies, like feed and supplements. For a cash-basis taxpayer, you need to buy and pay for purchases before year-end. The date of payment is when cash is tendered, a credit card is charged or a check is mailed (even if the check isn’t delivered until the next year). So you should date and mail checks to the vet and van company on or before December 31. You can use this same strategy to pay the state estimated income taxes (if applicable) by sending the state’s fourth estimated tax payment in December rather than January. Another way to lower your business’ taxable income is by decreasing sales, which can be done by postponing the date of a sale. If you are selling a horse for a gain, then request that the deal be made in January. If you are selling a horse for a very large gain, then you can arrange an installment sale so the income is spread over several years. A like-kind exchange is even better when you trade your breeding stock for another owner’s stock and avoid a gain on the sale.

Methods to Lower Taxable Income for the Individual

Individuals can lower their taxable income by increasing certain deductions before year-end, such as the following examples: • Paying tax-deductible expenses in December, including property taxes, a state’s fourth estimated tax, medical bills and charitable donations, • Increasing IRA contributions,

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AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014


• Selling stocks that have lost value (for a maximum net loss of $3,000), and • Paying college tuition. In addition, individuals can lower their taxable income by decreasing their income. This can be done by waiting until the following year to sell stocks for a gain and waiting to take IRA or other retirement distributions. Taxpayers affected by the alternative minimum tax need to consider that tax savings are reduced for medical expenses, state and local taxes, property taxes and miscellaneous itemized deductions. If you have high income, you will need to visit your tax preparer for the best possible tax strategy. High-income taxpayers run into higher

MATTHEWSBURG

Ghostzapper – Romantic Comedy,

by

A.P. Indy

The only graded-stakes winning son of

GHOSTZAPPER in the region!

tax rates and additional tax rules, including a phase out of itemized deductions and personal exemptions. Congress has let many popular tax breaks expire in 2014, such as the state sales tax deduction used by filers in Texas, which doesn’t have a state income tax. But Congress has been known to make lastminute changes. Once you have an idea of your income for the year, most of the strategies listed above are simple. The sooner you form a year-end strategy, the more time you will have to achieve success. H Virginia Heizer has been a Certified Public Accountant since 1987. As a former tax auditor, she has a wealth of knowledge about tax-saving opportunities. For more information, please visit HeizerCPA.com or email virginia@heizercpa.com.

A top sprinter and G3 winner, MATTHEWSBURG is by Horse of the Year GHOSTZAPPER (sire of the 1-2 finishers in the 2014 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint) out of a stakes-placed A.P. INDY mare. 2015 Fee: $2,500 LIVE FOAL SWIFTRUN THOROUGHBREDS Bulverde, Texas Inquiries to Dale Swift (901) 487-1086 or swiftrun_thoroughbreds@yahoo.com

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Through October of this year, HTC-trained horses have already earned $4,208,289 with several stakes winners! In 2013, HTC-trained horses earned over $3-million!

• Why choose HTC? • • HTC is located near Tulsa and an easy haul of less than 12 hours to 12 tracks, including Remington Park, Will Rogers Downs, Fair Meadows, Lone Star, Sam Houston, Retama and Oaklawn • Approved for official timed workouts • Completely railed, professionally-maintained training track is 40’ wide and 6 furlongs with a 350-yard chute • 152 stalls, each 11’ by 12’ • Round pens, sand pen, walkers and starting gate usage included with stall rental

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34396 S. 4220 Road • Inola, OK 74036 • 918-843-2301 (cell) • 918-543-6940 (office) info@HarmonyTrainingCenterOK.com • www.HarmonyTrainingCenterOK.com AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 49


Autumn Action September and October featured the heart of Remington Park’s stakes schedule, highlighted by the Grade 3, $400,000 Oklahoma Derby, plus a recap of Retama Park’s stakes TONITO M.

Dustin Orona Photography

$400,000 Oklahoma Derby (G3) • Remington Park 3-year-old colt by Rock Hard Ten out of Esther’s Big Band, by Dixieland Band Owner: M. Racing Group • Breeder: Menard Thoroughbreds Inc. and Hilbert Thoroughbreds Inc. (Kentucky) Trainer: Jerry Hollendorfer • Jockey: Rafael Bejarano

OKIE RIDE

Dustin Orona Photography

$50,000 Remington Park Turf Sprint • Remington Park 7-year-old gelding by Candy Ride (Arg) out of Tic Tic, by Geiger Counter Owner/Breeder: Richter Family Trust (Oklahoma) Trainer: Kenneth Nolen • Jockey: Cliff Berry $50,000 Te Ata Stakes Remington Park 3-year-old filly by Pollard’s Vision out of Lively, by Louis Quatorze Owner: Big Sugar Racing LLC Breeder: John James Revocable Trust (Oklahoma) Trainer: Timothy Martin Jockey: Ramon Vazquez

Dustin Orona Photography

BAYERD

Dustin Orona Photography

Dustin Orona Photography

LIVELY VISION

ALPHA AND OMEGA

$75,825 Kip Deville Stakes Remington Park 2-year-old colt by Speightstown out of Cherokee Jewel, by Cherokee Run Owner: Clark Brewster Breeder: Alpha Delta Stables LLC (Kentucky) Trainer: Steve Asmussen Jockey: Rosie Napravnik

$50,000 Tishomingo Stakes • Remington Park 3-year-old gelding by Omega Code out of Holy Belle, by Holy Bull Owner/Breeder: Robert Zoellner (Oklahoma) Trainer: Donnie Von Hemel Jockey: Luis Quinonez Stallion Omega Code stands in Oklahoma at Rockin’ Z Ranch

MICO MARGARITA

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AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014

Dustin Orona Photography

$150,000 Remington Park Sprint Cup • Remington Park 4-year-old colt by Run Away and Hide out of Wide Range, by Mineshaft Owner: J. Kirk Robison Breeder: Ron Kirk and Greg McDonald (Kentucky) Trainer: Steve Asmussen • Jockey: Rosie Napravnik


FAST N FINE LOOKIN

Dustin Orona Photography

SERIOUSLY SILVER

Dustin Orona Photography

$50,000 E.L. Gaylord Memorial Stakes • Remington Park 2-year-old filly by Zensational out of Silent Treatment, by Glitterman Owner/Trainer: C.R. Trout Breeder: Turner Breeders (Kentucky) Jockey: Alex Birzer

Dustin Orona Photography

$50,000 Flashy Lady Stakes Remington Park 3-year-old filly by Forestry out of Somethingintheway, by Unbridled’s Song Owner/Trainer: C.R. Trout Breeder: Hermitage Farm LLC (Kentucky) Jockey: Jareth Loveberry

RIDGEOFSTONE

$50,000 Ladies on the Lawn Stakes Remington Park 7-year-old mare by Sand Ridge out of Happy Giggles, by Upmost Owner: Al and Bill Ulwelling Breeder: Chris Watson (Oklahoma) Trainer: Mike Biehler Jockey: Jareth Loveberry

EXPECT ROYALTY

Coady Photography

Coady Photography

$50,000 Fiesta Mile • Retama Park 4-year-old filly by Valid Expectations out of Autumn Sky, by Skywalker Owner/Breeder/Trainer: Leroy James Pollok (Texas) Jockey: Iram Diego

MAGNA BREEZE

$50,000 Texas Horse Racing Hall of Fame Stakes • Retama Park 4-year-old gelding by Magna Graduate out of Flashbulb Breeze, by Peruvian Owner: William Butler • Breeder: Joanne Schapiro (Texas) • Trainer: Mike Maker • Jockey: Ernesto Valdez-Jiminez

Congratulations also go to the following stakes winners: CROWN THE KITTEN • $100,000 El Joven Stakes at Retama Park Owner/Breeder: Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey (Kentucky) • Trainer: Wesley Ward • Jockey: Rafael Hernandez

RIGHT ON KITTEN • $100,000 M2 Technology La Senorita Stakes at Retama Park Owner/Breeder: Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey (Kentucky) • Trainer: Mike Maker • Jockey: Rafael Hernandez PURE TACTICS • $80,850 Lure Stakes at Santa Anita • Owner: Nita Winner LLC Breeder: Donald Eberts (Texas) • Trainer: Leandro Mora • Jockey: Rafael Bejarano

MOLLY’S HONOUR • $55,000 Chaves County Stakes at Zia Park • Owner: Joey Keith Davis Breeder: Bradford Thoroughbred Farm (Texas) • Trainer: Chris Hartman • Jockey: Enrique Gomez

GREENGRASSOFYOMING • $100,000 Remington Green Stakes at Remington Park Owner: Patricia’s Hope LLC • Breeder: Stone Farm LLC (Kentucky) • Trainer: Michael Tomlinson Jockey: Brian Hernandez Jr. SHANON NICOLE • $200,000 Remington Park Oaks at Remington Park Owner/Breeder: Connie Apostelos (Kentucky) • Trainer: Mike Maker • Jockey: Rosie Napravnik AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 51


Another True Classic C.R. Trout scores a trifecta in the Oklahoma Classics, including a repeat effort by Imahit

Photos by Dustin Orona Photography

To win a race as the owner, trainer and breeder of a Thoroughbred is a difficult feat indeed, from planning the mating and raising the foal to developing the racehorse and ultimately ending up in the winner’s circle. C.R Trout did that not once but three times in the Oklahoma Classics on October 17 at Remington Park on the night offering more than $1 million to accredited Oklahoma-breds in eight stakes. His trifecta was highlighted by Imahit defending his crown in the richest event on the card, the $155,500 Oklahoma Classics Cup. Following is a recap of all the stakes winners.

IMAHIT

$155,500 Oklahoma Classics Cup 5-year-old gelding by Whywhywhy out of Halo Hit, by Sahm Owner/Trainer/Breeder: C.R. Trout Jockey: Jareth Loveberry

BRINGINGINTHELUTE

$129,425 Oklahoma Classics Distaff Turf 4-year-old filly by Midnight Lute out of Starry Pie, by Pioneering Owner/Trainer/Breeder: C.R. Trout Jockey: Luis Quinonez

SHOTGUN KOWBOY

$85,500 Oklahoma Classics Juvenile 2-year-old gelding by Kodiak Kowboy out of Shotgun Jane, by Siphon (Brz) Owner/Trainer/Breeder: C.R. Trout Jockey: Luis Quinonez

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AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014


ROBBYTYME

$126,700 OKC Turf Classic 6-year-old gelding by Kipling out of Sooner Wampum, by Post Up Owner/Breeder: Darrell Williams Trainer: Kenneth Nolen • Jockey: Jose Medina Stallion Kipling stands in Oklahoma at Mighty Acres

DIAMOND DISCO

$115,000 Oklahoma Classics Distaff Sprint 5-year-old mare by Diamond out of Alley’s Account, by Alamocitos Owner: Danny Caldwell • Trainer: Federico Villafranco Breeder: 7 Cedars Farm • Jockey: Ramon Vazquez Stallion Diamond stands in Oklahoma at Oklahoma Equine

CHIFFOROBE

$122,800 Oklahoma Classics Sprint 4-year-old gelding by Nobiz Like Shobiz out of Aletha, by Conquistador Cielo Owner: Paul Sinclair • Trainer: Jody Pruitt Breeder: Chris Duncan and Elizabeth Valando Jockey: Lindey Wade

OKIE SMOKEY

$137,500 Oklahoma Classics Distaff 3-year-old filly by Cavvy out of Spooky Okie, by Silver Ghost Owner/Breeder: Richter Family Trust Trainer: Carlos Padilla • Jockey: Bryan McNeil

ZEALOUS VISION

$85,500 Oklahoma Classics Lassie 2-year-old filly by The Visualiser out of American Sound, by Awesome Again Owner: Center Hills Farm and Big Sugar Racing LLC Trainer: Timothy Martin • Breeder: Center Hills Farm Jockey: Alex Birzer Stallion The Visualiser stands in Oklahoma at Mighty Acres

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 53


Is My Mare Overdue? The foaling date for a mare is not an exact date but rather a range of some 50 days

Merri Melde

By Jos Mottershead

“Is my mare overdue?” This is one of the most commonly asked questions of the foaling season, and it’s often precipitated by the misbelief that 340 or 341 days of pregnancy duration represents a “due date.” Not so. The average duration of gestation is anywhere between 320 and 370 days, so a mare at 345 days is not “overdue,” but well within the normal range. The foaling date is picked by the foal, who dictates when he or she is sufficiently developed and ready to be born, not by the mare owner who is watching the calendar on the wall. It should also be noted that the terms “premature,” “dysmature” and “postmature” refer to the condition of the foal at birth and not to the gestational duration. Following are several important facts to consider about gestational lengths.

Foals born prior to 300 days are unlikely to be viable. Why? Their lungs are not fully developed and they will not be able to breath. Unlike similar premature situations with humans, the use of a surfactant in the foal to assist with development and breathing has not proven successful. Note that this refers to a normal, healthy pregnancy. Mares that manage to support to term a pregnancy threatened by a condition such as placentitis may have a shorter-than-normal pregnancy duration and yet still present a viable foal. It is unusual that the gestational period will be less than 300 days in this case, but it can happen. This is thought to be a result of elevated cortisol levels due to fetal stress, causing accelerated fetal development. 54

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014


Foals born after 300 days but prior to 320 days are at risk of being born in a premature condition. Premature foals will require neonatal intensive care. The closer to 300 days the foaling, the more intensive the needed care will be. As mentioned above, foals born from mares that suffered from infectious placentitis during pregnancy may be born between days 300 and 320 and yet not show prematurity, as there is an accelerated developmental rate in utero with many of these foals. The average range of gestation is between 320 and 370 days. The often heard numbers of 340 or 341 days are accepted as the most common foaling days, but they are not a “due date,” merely an average. Foaling after 370 days of gestation is not uncommon and usually does not represent a problem. The longest live foal delivery on record is 445 days! Foals born after a prolonged gestation are often small in size as a result of delayed uterine development but rarely present foaling problems. There are also several other important points to consider regarding gestational periods and foaling. If a mare displays severe signs of discomfort at any point during her pregnancy, then she should be evaluated by a veterinarian immediately. These signs are not represented by a mare looking miserable, but rather by colic-like symptoms or extreme depression (no interest in feed, turnout, other animals, etc.). Induction of foaling simply because it is convenient for the mare

owner, manager or veterinarian and not because of the presence of a medical problem with the foal or mare is not recommended. Induction of foaling results in a higher-than-normal number of dystocias (presentation problems), premature foals and premature placental separations (“red bag” deliveries). Foaling should not be induced except in the face of a very clearly defined medical need and only under strict veterinary supervision. Mammary gland development is a common sign of impending foaling, however, an absence of mammary development in concert with prolonged gestation may indicate a problem with endophyteinfected fescue toxicity. In these cases, immediate veterinary involvement should be sought, as drug therapy (domperidone) and other protocols (removal of the animal from the endophyte source) can be used to reverse the symptoms. To confuse the issue, some mares do not show mammary development prior to foaling and yet have not been exposed to endophyte-infected fescue. Remember, horses are not humans. They have different needs, and while the gestational period for humans is quite closely defined, there is a wide range of “normal” for the equine. Lack of sleep and worrying about mares and foals is just part of foaling season for most horsemen, but concerns about the exact number of days in a pregnancy need not be a part of that. H Jos Mottershead is the owner and co-operator of Equine-Reproduction.com LLC, which operates a website of the same name and offers a variety of equine services at its facility in Wynnewood, Oklahoma.

RIVER OAKS FARMS INC. The Premier Thoroughbred Farm in Oklahoma proudly offers: u Stallion Services u State-of-the-art mare and foal care, including foaling with mare and foal boarding u Breaking and training u Sales prep – yearlings and 2-year-olds in training For information:

River Oaks Farms Inc. Owners: Lori, Natalie and Francisco Bravo

p.o. box 97 sulphur, oklahoma ranch: (580) 622-4412 • fax: (580) 622-4411 • francisco: (940) 367-4457 • lori: (940) 356-4380

www.riveroaksthoroughbreds.com AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014 55


BIG BAND SOUND Bernstein – Ensnare, by Seeking the Gold

•An accomplished sprinter, BIG BAND SOUND proved his soundness by racing to age 6 while hitting the board in more than half of his starts on turf, dirt and synthetic surfaces • A Grade 2 winner who placed in three other graded stakes before retiring with earnings of more than $400,000 • BIG BAND SOUND is the result of the remarkable breeding program of Ogden Mills Phipps, who bred each of his first four dams. BIG BAND SOUND’s dam, the SEEKING THE GOLD mare Ensnare, produced three stakes horses and produced the dam of G3 winner FASHION ALERT and G2 winner RENEE’S TITAN, who is also by BERNSTEIN and sold for $1.1 million at Keeneland November 2015 FEE: $2,500 - LIVE FOAL

Payable when foal stands and nurses (special consideration to approved mares; multiple mare discount) Property of a Syndicate Standing at:

GULF COAST EQUINE

Inquiries to Anna Paul or Ray Paul 545 Muscadine Road, Sunset, Louisiana 70584 Office/FAX (337) 662-2425 Anna (352) 342-5737 • Ray (318) 578-1866 E-mail: gcequine@yahoo.com Website: www.gcequine.com


FLORIDA CHAMPION 3-YEAR-OLD MILLIONAIRE MULTIPLE GRADE 2 WINNER Hutcheson S-G2, in first start at 3 Ohio Derby-G2, by 4 lengths Gulfstream Park H-G2, 103 Beyer

GRADE 1 STAKES-PLACED 2nd, by only 1/2 length in the $600,000 Metropolitan H-G1

2nd, to Kentucky Derby winner BIG BROWN in the Florida Derby-G1

WINNER AT 2, 3 & 4

Won MdSpWt first time out at 2 Multiple Grade 2 winner at 3 Grade 2 winner at 4

SIX TRIPLE DIGIT BEYERS 107 in the Metropolitan H-G1

SW ON DIRT & TURF

Multiple stakes winner on dirt 7 furlongs to 1 1/8 mi. Stakes winner on turf at 1 1/16 mi.

PRECOCIOUS FAMILY

Half-Brother to OVERDRIVEN - Undefeated 2YO Graded stakes winner of the Sanford S-G2.

First Starter ELECTRIC KISS MdSpWt winner in career debut at LA Downs!

FREE to all stallions 352-342-5737

SMOOTH AIR

Smooth Jazz - Air France, by French Deputy 2015 fee: $2,500 LF (payable when foal stands and nurses) Multiple mare discounts are available Special consideration to approved mares BOARDING

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GULF COAST EQUINE LLC • 545 Muscadine Rd., Sunset, LA 70584 Inquiries to: Anna Paul (352) 342-5737 • Ray (318) 578-1866 E-mail: GCEquine@yahoo.com • www.GCEquine.com I S A L E S R E P R E S E N TAT I O N

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CONSIGNMENT


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AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014

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60

7S Racing Stables............................59

Harmony Training Center...............49

Rockin’ Z Ranch..............................28

Affirmatif/State City........................36

Heritage Place................................47

Royal Vista Ranches.................34, 35

Aragon Nutraceuticals...................33

Inside Move.....................................58

Tara Sanders Racing.......................60

Asmussen Horse Center............12, 13

JEH Stallion Station................. IBC, BC

Santa Fe Horse Transport..........19, 59

Big Band Sound...............................56

Lane’s End Texas...............................1

Smooth Air........................................57

Biomedical Research Laboratories.....9

Mallory Farm....................................58

Stephenson Thoroughbred Farms....58

Century Acres Farm........................39

Matthewsburg.................................49

Trainer/Assistant Trainer Wanted....60

Channon Farm LLC.........................58

Moro Tap....................................17, 46

Turnkey Training Facility For Sale....18

Cytowave..................................26, 27

Mighty Acres.................................. IFC

Uncle Abbie Breeding Share.........60

Equiwinner........................................11

My Pal Charlie.................................20

Valor Farm..........................................3

Eureka Thoroughbred Farm.......6, 33

New York Breeding Farm For Sale.....58

Wes Carter Training Stable.............59

EuroXciser.........................................58

Paradise Farm Inc...........................59

Wimbledon......................................32

Flashpoint...........................................8

Pelican State Thoroughbreds........58

Winners Circle..................................59

Foal to Yearling Halter....................58

Red Earth Training Center..............21

Grade 1 Promotions........................60

River Oaks Farms Inc...................7, 55

AMERICAN Racehorse • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2014




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