News Bits

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Golden Pal owes his name to John Mabee’s mentorship to Golden Pal’s owner/breeder Randall Lowe

SKIP DICKSTEIN/TIM LANAHAN

Golden Pal, winner of the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint (G2T) at Keeneland Nov. 6, has a name that should conjure up familiarity for California breeders. Randall Lowe, who bred and races the 2-year-old colt, named him for Golden Eagle Farm and Best Pal.

T e late John and Betty Mabee led California breeders for many years and raced in the name of their Golden Eagle Farm in Ramona. T eir f nest runner was the durable and popular Best Pal, three-time California-bred Horse of the Year (from 1990-92), and a member of the National Museum of Racing Hall of Fame. Best Pal earned $5,668,245 during the 1990s and is still the third-leading Cal-bred earner of all time, behind California Chrome and Tiznow.

Following Golden Pal’s Breeders’ Cup win, Lowe specif cally mentioned how he named the horse.

“I named him after my mentor, a gentleman named John C. Mabee, who taught me all about breeding and what to look for, how to do things,” Lowe said.

Lowe bred Golden Pal in Florida, but the colt has California roots. He is by Uncle Mo from Lowe’s homebred Midshipman mare Lady Shipman, whose stakes wins include the 2016 Royal North Stakes (G3T). Lady Shipman is out of the Cal-bred mare Sumthingtotalkabt.

QUALIFYING CLAIMING LEVELS The following claiming levels for California owners premiums and stallion awards are currently in effect:

■ Finnegans Wake to Whitehouse

Finnegans Wake will move to Whitehouse Ranch for the 2020 breeding season and stand for a $3,000 fee. Sandee Wilkinson manages the Stockton ranch. An 11-year-old son of Powerscourt—Boat’s Ghost, by Silver Ghost, Finnegans Wake earned $1,594,665 on the racetrack. He won the 2015 Woodford Reserve Turf

© BENOIT PHOTO

Classic (G1T), San Marcos Stakes (G2T), and San Gabriel Stakes (G2T); 2014 Hollywood Turf Cup (G2T); and 2014 Arlington Handicap (G3T).

Finnegans Wake is a half brother to stakes winner Puca, and his f rst foals are 2-year-olds of 2020.

Nancy Probert, who owned and operated Rancho de los Aviadores in Annapolis, Calif., died Nov. 8 at her home. She was 87.

Probert’s grandmother introduced her to racing, while her mother was a movie star who was in several westerns and her grandfather was also in the f lm industry. Nancy began breeding Thoroughbreds in the early 1960s and became a member of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association in 1963.

Probert met her late husband, Dick, co-owner of Catalina Airlines, when she took a ride on his seaplane to Catalina Island. He later hired her as a stewardess on the “Mother Goose,” the company’s four-engine Sikorsky fl ying boat.

They eventually married and blended their love of aviation and her love of horses with their farm. In 1975 the couple purchased 160 acres that included both an airstrip and plenty of room for horses. The Proberts also enjoyed many of what they termed “aviation adventures” together.

Through the years the Proberts kept a small band of mares that created the foundation of Nancy’s yearling market program. She supported the sales every year, often with a consignment to the CTBA Northern California yearling sale. Her niece, Colleen Turpin Boyce, helped Nancy develop the farm and the broodmare band.

Horses the Proberts bred include multiple stakes winner Bon’s Joy and stakes-placed Cagey Native, both California-breds. In partnership with Robert Cowley, they bred stakes-placed Comic Queen. With Cowley they also bred Workin’ Lady Lee, one of trainer Jeff Bonde’s f rst stakes winners.

In addition to Boyce, Probert is survived by her sister, Shirley Watkins; another niece, Karen Thyarks; and her nephew, Kevin Ochsner.

Rex Dahlberg, who owned Dahlberg Farms in San Miguel with his wife, Nancy, died Oct. 10 at his home in Santa Rosa Valley. He was 82. Born in Salt Lake City, Dahlberg met Nancy after he returned to Utah from serving in the Army, stationed in Hawaii. She lived in Southern California but was attending Brigham Young University. They married in California in 1963 and raised three children while Rex worked in the savings and loan business. He later started a real estate development company.

The Dahlbergs bred and raced many California-breds, including Candy Factory and Sensitive Soul. Candy Factory, a 2001 daughter of Seattle Bound—D. J’s Chocolate, by Vigors, won fve of 13 races and earned $257,377. Sensitive Soul, a 2005 daughter of Bernstein—Kindred Soul, by Woodman, won the 2008 Magali Farms Stakes at Hollywood Park.

In addition to attending racing at Santa Anita, Del Mar, and Hollywood Park, Rex enjoyed summer racing at Wyoming Downs.

Dahlberg is survived by his wife of 57 years and their three children, Steve Dahlberg, Tammy Hoy, and Debbie Dahlberg-Sivertson, as

Photo © Ron Mesaros

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well as three grandchildren, brother Jack Dahlberg, sisters Joy Orton and Jana Figueroa, and numerous nieces and nephews.

Paul Haaland, owner with his family of the California stallion Prospect Park, died Oct. 15 in San Diego at age 48. He had battled glioblastoma brain cancer for 15 months.

Paul’s father, David, taught Paul to read the Daily Racing Form at age 6. Paul and his wife, Virginia, named their PVNC Stables for the family’s initials— Paul, Virginia, and daughters Nora and Charlotte.

Born in Portland, Ore., but raised in San Diego, Paul studied engineering at Colorado State University, attending on both an academic and golf scholarship and earning a degree in civil engineering. He prepared infrastructure for solar felds in Imperial county and the San Joaquin Valley, and he and Virginia raised their daughters in San Marcos.

The family began their foray into racehorse ownership via partnerships, being involved with California-bred multiple stakes-placed Takeo Squared and stakes-placed Kelli’s Smile.

They bought Martin and Pam Wygod’s homebred Prospect Park privately in Kentucky as a stallion prospect in 2018. Now 8, the son of Tapit—Quiet Romance, by Bertrando, won the 2015 La Jolla Handicap (G3) and placed in fve other stakes for earnings of $539,770. He stands at Harris Farms in Coalinga, and his frst foals arrived this year.

“He was a great horse and was really loved by a lot of people during his career,” said Paul in a member profle in this magazine last year.

At the time, Virginia said that standing Prospect Park gave Paul enthusiasm and helped him battle his illness.

“The miracle about all this horse stuff,” Virginia said, “is that it would be a much heavier experience for him if he didn’t have this thing to think about, and be excited about.”

In addition to his wife and daughters, Haaland is survived by his father, mother Joanne, and two sisters and their families.

The world knew Alex Trebek as the longtime, popular host of the television game show “Jeopardy.” But in California horse racing circles, he was known for his ownership of Creston Farm in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Trebek died Nov. 8 in Los Angeles at age 80 after a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

Born in Canada, Trebek was a radio news host and then segued into hosting television game shows. He hosted several, including “High Rollers,” before beginning the relaunch of “Jeopardy” in 1984 that continued through this fall television season. Trebek won daytime Emmy Awards seven times for his work on “Jeopardy” and was one of the most popular game show hosts ever.

Trebek owned Creston Farms, previously Cardiff Stud Farm, in Paso Robles. Horses Trebek raced in the Creston name included Reba’s Gold, winner of the 2003 Seabiscuit Handicap (G3) at Bay Meadows and an earner of $717,422. Creston stood several stallions during the time Trebek owned the property.

Bloodstock agent and California breeder Adrian Gonzalez worked at Creston as the stallion manager and later leased some of the acreage as part of his Checkmate Thoroughbreds operation.

THIS MONTH IN HISTORY

10 YEARS AGO

Both Cat’s Cradle and Ultra Blend were top California-bred racemares, Cat’s Cradle in the 1990s and ULTRA BLEND more than a decade later. Ultra Blend captured the $80,400 Cat’s Cradle Handicap Dec. 12, 2010, at Hollywood Park. Favored at 13-10 and ridden by Joel Rosario, Ultra Blend raced in ffth early in the 71⁄2-furlong race and closed three wide to win by 31⁄4 lengths in 1:29.76 over Word Association. Art Sherman, who would go on to train stellar Cal-bred California Chrome, conditioned Ultra Blend for owner Nels Erickson. Bred by BnD Chase Thoroughbreds and Elven Adams, Ultra Blend (Richly Blended—Ankha, by Desert Classic) eventually earned $1,015,646. She brought $700,000 from Katsumi Yoshida when sold at the 2011 Fasig-Tipton fall mixed sale. 25 YEARS AGO

California-bred PIRATE’S REVENGE closed her illustrious racing career with a victory in the $106,900 Bayakoa Handicap (G2). Facing four others, including odds-on Urbane, Pirate’s Revenge raced in fourth early in the 11⁄16-mile race under jockey Chris Antley. She came on strongly to draw off and defeat Urbane by 31⁄2 lengths in 1:414⁄5. Longshot Ashtabula fnished third. Ron Ellis trained Pirate’s Revenge for owner/breeders Martin and Pam Wygod. A 4-year-old daughter of Pirate’s Bounty—Symbolically, by Flying Paster, Pirate’s Revenge was foaled at the Wygods’ River Edge Farm in Buellton. She won nine of 20 races, including that year’s Milady Handicap (G1) and four other stakes, fnished second six times and third once, and earned $521,025. 50 YEARS AGO

WINDY TIDE was a well-traveled California-bred, racing throughout his native state, as well as at Agua Caliente in Baja California and even fnishing third in the 1969 Arlington-Washington Futurity in Illinois. He earned his only stakes victory, however, at Bay Meadows in Northern California, capturing the Tropicana Handicap there Dec. 5, 1970, while ridden by Robert Nono. Owned and bred by Mr. and Mrs. Duke Sugich, Windy Tide defeated To Market Jr. by a head in the 11⁄16-mile Tropicana, with Hungry Harry a nose back in third. Jerry Fanning trained the 3-year-old son of leading California sire Windy Sands. Windy Tide was out of the Cal-bred Depth Charge mare Quick Tide. His state-bred roots went deep, as the second dam, stakes-winning Jerry Lee, was also a Cal-bred.

Each year California adds a new group of stallions to join those already producing good California-bred runners. Te 2021 class brings a variety of bloodlines from which mare owners can choose.

Ocean Breeze Ranch in Bonsall has undergone major changes in its stallion roster for 2021. Square Eddie has reigned there for years as a leading California sire, but he has been pensioned. His son Mrazek now stands at the farm, along with major winner Pavel. In addition, I’ll Have Another, whose frst California foals arrived this year, has moved to Ocean Breeze.

Pavel brings an outstanding race record to his stud career. He earned $2,090,351 while winning the 2018 Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) and 2017 Smarty Jones Stakes (G3). He raced throughout the U.S. and twice traveled to Dubai, fnishing fourth both times in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airlines (G1). Pavel’s graded stakes-placings include a second to Accelerate in the 2018 $1 Million TVG Pacifc Classic Stakes (G1).

Pavel is a 6-year-old son of Creative Cause—Mons Venus, by Maria’s Mon. He is a half brother to Caracortado, the Cal-bred champion 2-year-old male and 3-year-old male.

Paul and Zillah Reddam raced Pavel, Mrazek, and I’ll Have Another, and they bred Mrazek in California. Out of the Wild Rush mare Heckuva Rush, Mrazek won the 2015 Graduation Stakes and 2016 Tor’s Echo Handicap. Named for Petr Mrazek, a hockey player for the Detroit Red Wings, Mrazek, now 7, earned a total of $312,304.

Te year Mrazek was foaled, California Chrome began his amazing career, and while that all-time leading Calbred earner stands in Japan, California

ANNE M. EBERHARDT

Globe-trotting Pavel, a grade 1-winning son of Creative Cause, will stand at Ocean Breeze Ranch

Mrazek

© BENOIT PHOTOS breeders have access to his full brother, Faversham.

Cal-bred Faversham will stand the 2021 breeding season at Daehling Ranch in Elk Grove, having covered a few mares privately in late spring of 2020. Perry Martin and Steve Coburn bred the 2015 son of Lucky Pulpit— Love the Chase, by Not For Love, just as they did California Chrome. Love the Chase is a two-time California Broodmare of the Year.

Tough hampered by injury, Faversham won twice and earned $81,086. Art Sherman, who trained California Chrome, trained Faversham during the frst part of his career for Martin and Martin’s wife, Denise.

Another Cal-bred, Terry Lovingier’s homebred graded stakes-winning Phantom Boss, is going to stud at Lovingier’s Lovacres Ranch in Warner Springs. A 3-year-old son of Shackleford—Bossy

Belle, by Street Boss, Phantom Boss won the 2019 Bashford Manor Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs and earned $171,954 during two seasons of racing. He was named champion Cal-bred 2-year-old male of last year.

G. G. Ryder, still another graded stakes-winning Cal-bred, will stand his frst full season at stud at Ellen Jackson’s Victory Rose Toroughbreds in Vacaville. Te son of Chhaya Dance—Stormy Gigi, by Storm Boot, raced eight seasons, fnishing his career at age 9 early this year at Golden Gate Fields with his 64th start. Twice G. G. Ryder won the All American Stakes at Golden Gate, and he also captured the 2015 San Francisco Mile Stakes (G3T) and Bull Dog Handicap for total earnings of $747,819.

Linda Madsen is adding Sawyer’s Hill to her Milky Way Farms in Temecula for 2021. A half brother to grade 2 winner Yaupon, Sawyer’s Hill

COADY PHOTOGRAPHY

Phantom Boss

VASSAR PHOTOGRAPHY

G. G. Ryder is a 9-year-old son of Spring At Last— Modifcation, by Vindication. He won six of 25 races and fnished second in the 2014 Del Mar Derby (G2T) and Twilight Derby (G2T), earning a total of $366,705.

Stakes-placed Modifcation is a half sister to stakes winners Sky Alliance and Classic Alliance. Modifcation’s yearling daughter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah sold for $1.2 million at this year’s Keeneland September yearling sale.

Irish-bred Originaire will stand the 2021 season at BG Toroughbreds in Hemet. He began his career in England and raced for BG Stables in this country. A 4-year-old son of Zofany—Polly Perkins, by Pivotal, Originaire earned $308,158. He placed in fve graded stakes, including a second to United in the 2020 John Henry Turf Championship (G2T) .

To be held online this year via Starquine Begin: Monday, December 14th 8:00am End: Tuesday, December 15th at 8:00pm

Seasons will be sold with no guarantee. Proceeds from the auction benefit the CTBA’s Political Action Committee Fund, which works in support of legislation to favorably impact California breeders. For More Information Please Contact Christy Chapman at CTBA (626) 445-7800 x247 or christy@ctba.com

*GRAZEN season restricted to black type mares or black type producing mares only

ACCLAMATION BOLD CHIEFTAIN CAPITAL ACCOUNT CAT BURGLAR CITY WOLF CLUBHOUSE RIDE COACH BOB CONQUEST FARENHEIT DESERT CODE FAVERSHAM FIGHTING HUSSAR FULLBRIDLED G G RYDER GATO DEL ORO GIG HARBOR GRAYDAR GRAZEN* GOVENOR CHARLIE IDIOT PROOF JERANIMO KAFWAIN KING OF JAZZ LAKERVILLE

MAJESTIC HARBOR MANY RIVERS MINISTERS WILD CAT MISREMEMBERED MISTY’SGOLDENTOUCH NORTHERN CAUSEWAY OM PROSPECT PARK QUINDICI MAN RICHARD’S KID ROUSING SERMON RUMPUS CAT SIERRA SUNSET SLEW’S TIZNOW SMART BID SMILING TIGER SMOKEM STAY THIRSTY TAMARANDO TEXAS RYANO UNUSUAL HEATWAVE VRONSKY WINNING CAUSE

To further assist the membership of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) and subscribers of its offi cial publication, California Thoroughbred, this monthly editorial page provides readers with updates about the association’s current policies, latest news, and upcoming events in the Golden State.

T e annual California T oroughbred Breeders Association Stallion Season Auction will be held online beginning Monday, Dec. 14, at 8 a.m. through Tuesday, Dec. 15, at 8 p.m. Proceeds will benef t the CTBA’s Political Action Committee fund, which works in support of legislation favorably impacting California breeders. Seasons will antee. T e preview will begin Friday, Dec. 11, and the auction will be held via Starquine. For more information, please check the CTBA website (www.ctba.com) or contact Christy Chapman at CTBA, 626-445-7800 x 247 or Christy@ctba.com.

The CTBA will again offer special holiday subscription rates for California Thoroughbred. Get an entire year of news and features about the California breeding and racing industry at only $40 for one gift subscription or two for $60.

These rates are only good until Dec. 24. Mail, call, or fax your name, address, and phone; the name and address of the people you wish to give subscriptions to; and how you would like the gift card to read to:

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED 201 Colorado Place Arcadia, CA 91007 626-445-7800 x 221 Email: vivian@ctba.com

120 acres of irrigated pasture * Individual paddocks and stalls * Midway between Santa Anita & Golden Gate * Since 1984 * Boarding $14.00/day Hay twice/day & Grain * Vaccinations, Worming & Farriery

STANDING STALLIONS ELUSIVE WARNING Elusive Quality – Valid Warning, by Valid Appeal

28799 Hwy. 145, Madera, CA 93636 (559) 660-6182

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