California Thoroughbred West Coast Thoroughbred Farms 2012/2013

IntroFarmSupp 9-19-2012 918am:Layout 1 9/19/12 9:19 AM Page1

WEST COAST THOROUGH OAST THOROUGHBRED FARMS 2012/2013 T

www.ctba.com

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012 39

Ballena Vista Farm Now And The Future Are Exciting Times At Ballena Vista Farm

Ballena Vista Farm boasts a world-class facility and showcases the best stallion roster in the state with Tribal Rule and Benchmark ranking among California’s top four leading sires by money won in 2012.

Rounding out the roster are third-year sires Dixie Chatter and Idiot Proof, both grade I winners who will have their first crops to the races next year.

Currently second on California’s general sire list with progeny earnings of more than $2.8 million, Tribal Rule continues to dominate West Coast two-year-old sire standings, leading all sires in 2011, and again in 2012, by earnings and winners.

The Storm Cat son was California’s leading freshman sire in 2006, and with Georgie Boy’s grade I Del Mar Futurity win, he topped the two-year-old sire list the following year. Tribal Rule’s on-track success is reflected in the sales ring, as his 2012 two-year-olds in training average of $52,667 is more than eight times his stud fee.

Dixie Chatter, a grade I winner by Dixie Union, earned $484,606 in three stakes-winning seasons, and received the second-highest weight among colts and geldings ranked on the 2007 Experimental Handicap. His first-crop yearlings include a California-bred filly out of Miss. Eulee who sold for $85,000 at Fasig-Tipton’s July Sale this year.

Benchmark, a three-time grade II winner by Alydar, was California’s leading sire of two-year-olds in 2003 and 2005. A perennial sire leader by winners and races won, Benchmark has progeny earnings of over $1.8 million in 2012, and is fourth-ranked on the California general sire list. His 33 stakes winners include grade I winners Brother Derek, Idiot Proof and Silent Sighs.

A grade I-winning-millionaire, Eclipse Award finalist and track record-holder, Idiot Proof will stand his third season in 2012, as a partnership of Don and Karen Cohn, the owners of Ballena Vista, and Martin and Pam Wygod. A precocious two-

40 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012

year-old, Idiot Proof won his June 2006 Hollywood Park career debut by nearly eight lengths. Breeders are excited to see his first-crop juveniles race in 2013.

Ballena Vista Farm encompasses more than 220 acres consisting of pastures irrigated by numerous fresh-water wells and individual paddocks (grass or dry) of varying sizes, all with wood four-rail fencing and V-mesh wire for safety. There is also a quarter-mile training track with a starting gate and a six-horse Claydon indoor exerciser to help meet all your equine needs.

New for the 2013 breeding season is a state-of-the-art breeding complex, including an eight-stall stallion barn, adjoining grass turn-outs, covered round pen, laboratory, and a breeding shed to accommodate the high standards of excellence required by our resident stallions. Additional pastures are being added in the upcoming year.

Ballena Vista has at its helm Manuel Ochoa, whose career spans 40-plus years in the California industry. Manuel has assembled a team of industry professionals: Becky Ocampo (Office Manager); Jeanne Davis (Sales and Marketing); Miguel Jimenez (Broodmare Manager); Frank Ochoa (Operations Manager); and Marcelino Gordillo (Facilities Manager). Together the team has more than 100 years of hands-on Thoroughbred experience.

We pride ourselves on providing the best possible care for mares and foals, breaking and training of young horses, sales preparation and rehabilitation of injured horses. There are personnel available around the clock for constant supervision of your equine athletes. In depth and meticulous attention is given to every detail of our equine residents and Ballena Vista Farm stands by its motto “Integrity, Commitment, Compassion . . . It’s All Here.”

Please visit our web site www.ballenavista.com for more information and photos.

www.ctba.com

Brazeau Thoroughbred Farms A New And Exciting Option For California’s Thoroughbred Breeders Brazeau Thoroughbred Farms, LP, located in the beautiful Diamond Valley area of Hemet, California, is set on a picturesque hill near the huge Dominigoni dam that houses California’s largest man-made lake.

With 85 acres of continuously farmed land and sitting on the site of many past Thoroughbred breeding farms, Brazeau Thoroughbred Farm or BTF as it is called by many, is a new and ever expanding, full-service facility.

Purchased in March of this year, by Paul and Aileen Brazeau, long-time Thoroughbred owners who previously had Delta Farms in Rancho Santa Fe, the farm is managed by partner Nadine Anderson. BTF has grown and transformed extremely quickly, from a once neglected and run down ranch, to a busy, beautiful and re-energized property. Everything on the farm has been torn down and replaced or rebuilt, all with great attention to detail and comfort for the horses.

The farm has a Eurosizer, seven eights of a mile track with an uphill gallop and starting gates, oversized training stalls, two round pens and a bull pen, multitudes of small lay-up pens, and many turnouts. The large pastures for broodmares and young horses are in the process of being seeded and will be beautiful green fields in a few months. The freshly revamped farm offers a full lineup of services including, breaking and training, sales preparation, lay-ups, breeding, foaling and boarding.

One of the biggest projects, after the completion of the new barns at BTF, is the planting of alfalfa fields. With a huge abundance of excellent water from two high yielding wells, BTF plans to grow and cut enough alfalfa each year to satisfy the needs of the farm’s horses. With this kind of self sufficiency, BTF will not feel the strain of escalating hay prices, and will enjoy an ongoing stability with their own quality hay.

The training barn at BTF currently has 35 horses under tack, with many of these vanning up to either Hollywood Park or Santa Anita Park for works, then coming home. With the excellent surface of the track at home, the horses can be conditioned to be race ready and spend less time sitting in stalls at the racetrack. The goal of everyone at BTF is to make each and every horse in it’s care as happy and healthy as possible, the large staff is spearheaded by manager Nadine

www.ctba.com

Anderson, a past licensed trainer who has a deep and loving respect for the Thoroughbred racehorse.

In charge of breaking and exercising the horses in training, Jesus Lopez has worked with Nadine for over seven years, and broke the great Bob Black Jack under Nadine’s guidance, when they were at Getaway.

Managing the office and all the special projects, is longtime horsewoman, Marci de la Torre. With a background in farm management and an owner and breeder herself, Marci has been instrumental in getting all of the construction organized and the various projects up and running.

Cheyenna Ortiz does all the trimming and shoeing, as well as assisting with breeding and handling the weanlings, and she often works directly with the farm veterinarian, Dr. Hugh Gibbs. Head contractor Al Bryant has done the construction on every building, barn, stall, fence, gate, post, and anything that has been redone, rebuilt, or torn down and removed. Quite an undertaking, but the makeover has been so worth it! The website will soon post an excellent potfolio of before and after photos.

The stallion roster presently has one name on it, Best Minister. A stakes winner from the family of the multiple grade I winner Winter Memories, and by sire of sires Deputy Minister, Best Minister has sired the multiple winners Best Logic, Jules Gold and My Royal Knight. He will soon be joined in the stallion barn by the recent winner A Kings Life. Just a four-year-old and still on the track, “Kings” is a son of the sire Silic (Fr), and a half-brother to stakes-placed Overextended.

His dam, a Gulch daughter, is a producer who is out of the stakes-winning Dixieland Band mare, Dixieland Dream.

When crossed with daughters of Best Minister, Kings will add the Sadler’s Wells blood that will make a pedigree very close to that of Winter Memories. A Kings Life will stand for a complimentary fee to all approved mares for 2013.

The future looks very bright for all involved with BTF. With the addition of a turf gallop and an aqua tread already in the works, and the good mare Molly’s Prospector (dam of Bob Black Jack) in foal to Unusual Heat, as well as 15 other mares due for 2013, and 26 weanlings who look fabulous, Brazeau Thoroughbred Farm has a lot to look forward to.

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012 41

E.A. Ranches The Auerbach Family’s 1,000-Acre Full-Service Facility

Few Thoroughbred operations in California have the size and facilities comparable to E.A. Ranches. Built on 1,000 acres in Ramona (60 miles east of Del Mar), the expansive, sweeping pastures of E.A. Ranches offers young horses the room to run and grow on a magnitude uncommon to the Golden State.

Ernest Auerbach, who passed away at the age of 93 in February of 2010, created E.A. Ranches around the belief that the early development of horses—exercise, nutrition, close attention and care—are fundamental to success at the racetrack. It is designed to maximize spaciousness and safety, with an eye on efficiency and beauty.

Under the direction of Farm Manager Marguerite Eliasson, E.A. Ranches offers the full range of equine services, including broodmare care, lay-ups, breeding, foaling, sales preparation, breaking and training. Accommodations range from individual grass turnout paddocks to 20-acre pastures for mares and foals, with the large fields averaging 10 or fewer horses. The farm facilities include: a 16-stall breeding barn; two broodmare and foaling barns, with 16 stalls and 10 stalls, respectively; and a pair of 15-stall and 14-stall yearling barns. The training center has a five-furlong track, a starting gate, both a 24-stall and 12-stall training barn, plus 45 large outdoor paddocks.

As an additional training resource, the farm offers four miles of maintained jogging trails over varied terrain. These beautiful tree-lined trails can provide an excellent physical and mental break in the routine of young horses, and have been credited with the successful rehabilitation of numerous older racehorses.

Dr. Gary Cranney is the veterinarian at E.A. Ranches, while an equine nutritionist monitors the feed and evaluates the nutritional program on a regular basis.

E.A. Ranches is located within minutes of Ballena Vista Farm and Golden Eagle Farm and can provide a home-base for your mare during the foaling and breeding season.

The farm will stand seven stallions in 2013: Game Plan, Rocky Bar, Chattahoochee War, Spensive, Soul of the Matter, Drum Major and Anziyan Royalty. Representing a number of different sire lines, they provide breeders with a wide variety of options.

Game Plan, by five-time champion sire Danzig out of Easy

42 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012

Goer’s brilliant full sister Cadillacing, by Alydar, currently boasts 23 stakes winners and 25 stakesplaced runners. A leading West Coast all-weather surface sire and with overall earnings of more than $12.2 million, his top runners include the grade I winner Mistical Plan ($816,790).

Rocky Bar, whose five crops of racing age have already produced the $437,126-earner Carlsbad, a multiple graded stakes winner in Southern California. The grade III-placed stakes-winning son of In Excess (Ire) will stand his second year at E.A. Ranches in 2013.

Chattahoochee War, a grade I-placed graded stakes-winning son of War Chant who earned $553,416, relocated to E.A. Ranches for the 2012 breeding season. His initial crop are twoyear-olds of 2012.

Spensive, a grade II-placed stakes-winning son of Ponche, by perennial leading sire Two Punch, relocated to E.A. Ranches for the 2011 breeding season. His first full crop are three-yearolds of this year, and already include a couple of winners.

Soul of the Matter, by Private Terms, is a grade I winner of $2,302,818 whose progeny, including this year’s grade I-placed stakes winner Mobilized, have earned more than $12.6 million.

Drum Major is the only graded stakes-winning son of Dynaformer standing in California. The $423,836-earner’s initial crop are yearlings of 2012.

Anziyan Royalty, a grade II-placed stakes-winning son of Anziyan, by Danzig, relocated to E.A. Ranches after the 2012 breeding season. He currently has four crops of racing age.

E.A. Ranches takes great pride in the number of top Southern California runners who have graduated from its program. California champion Belle’s Flag ($570,297) and local graded stakes winners Queen of Wilshire ($441,102), Lottery Winner ($487,425), Grab the Prize ($322,690), Tres Paraiso ($361,375) and $329,699-earner Star Cross (Arg), amongst other leading performers, were all either foaled, raised and/or trained at E.A. Ranches and serve to validate the effectiveness of its methods.

Manager Marguerite Eliasson invites the public to arrange a visit to E.A. Ranches or for information to call the farm at (760) 789-1498 or alternatively contact her via e-mail at earanches@aol.com, or visit the E.A. Ranches web site at www.earanches.com.

www.ctba.com

Harris Farms Classic Production From Harris Farms Programs An outstanding stallion roster highlights Harris Farms’ commitment to California’s breeding industry. Each year, over 350 broodmares pass through our breeding shed, the first step in a comprehensive program which has produced numerous world-class competitors.

Unusual Heat, California’s leading sire since 2008, with over $35.5 million in lifetime progeny earnings, heads the Harris roster for 2013. Swiss Yodeler, a perennial leading juvenile sire with earners of over $23.8 million, and Lucky Pulpit, California’s leading freshman sire of 2010, are important contributors to the success of the breeding programs. Grade I winner Heatseeker joins our other promising young stallions and sires Thorn Song, Lucky J. H., Desert Code and Tizbud.

This high level of success on the racetrack and from our breeding shed continues to be the primary goal at Harris Farms, which has accounted for 29 California divisional champions, 19 California Cup champions, and six Horse of the Year honors for the farm and its clients. Stakes-class runners and $250,000-plus winners raised and/or trained at Harris Farms have amassed earnings exceeding $39 million.

Thoroughbred stars who trace their roots to Harris Farms include 2000 Eclipse Horse of the Year Tiznow, the only two-time winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (grade I), Breeders’ Cup Sprint (grade I) runner-up Soviet Problem, grade I winners Alphabet Kisses, Healthy Addiction, Greg’s Gold, Cost of Freedom, Thor’s Echo and Nashoba’s Key, and grade II winners Unzip Me, Ceeband, Compari, Continental Red and Moscow Burning.

The Harris Farms Horse Division dates back over 40 years to the vision of John Harris and his father Jack, both cattle ranchers, farmers and horsemen who wanted to devote part of their operation to the breeding, raising and training of Thoroughbred racehorses. The horse division represents just one area of the larger Harris Ranch operation, which also operates California’s largest cattle feed yard, as well as thousands of acres planted in almonds, vegetables and citrus.

The acclaimed Harris Ranch Restaurant and beautifully appointed Harris Ranch Inn provide a welcome oasis to weary travelers along I-5, and also serves as a gathering place

www.ctba.com

for important political, social and charitable events attracting a wide audience. Harris Farms is not just a Thoroughbred nursery, it is a California institution, providing thousands of jobs to the state’s vital Great Central Valley.

Currently, Harris Farms’ horse division includes the 320-acre main farm located north of Coalinga, just east of the I-5, as well as the 200-acre part of the Harris River Ranch devoted to horses. The main farm boasts a full commercial facility, offering a wide range of services, from breeding and foaling to breaking and training, for both Harris Farms and its many loyal clients.

The pastoral Harris River Ranch, where John and Carole Harris make their home, is located 50 miles east of the main farm. The rich, sandy loam soil and underlying limestone work with ideal water conditions to nourish 200 acres of large, expansive pasture conducive to the proper growth and development of weanlings and yearlings. Cared for by River Ranch manager Laurie Brown, her assistant Craig Allen and the River Ranch staff, young horses are well prepared for the rigors of the racetrack or the sales ring. Both the main farm and the River Ranch cater especially well to young horses, together totaling 520 acres of lush, irrigated pasture that provide the ideal environments for future stars to grow and develop into sound and healthy racehorses.

President and owner John Harris entrusts his horse division to a loyal and committed group of hard-working employees. The Harris team is led by General Manager David McGlothlin and farm trainer Per Antonsen, both of whom have been with the farm since 1981. Dr. Jeanne Bowers serves as the farm’s resident veterinarian. Other key members include Raul Rosas, assistant farm manager and stallion manager, and assistant trainer Lisa Torres-Antonsen. Dr. Raquel Herrero and Dr. Virginia Castillo Hernandez assist with the veterinary team and Patty Lagden leads the foaling crew. The courteous administrative staff consists of: office manager Janie Davis; Debbie Correia, administrative assistant to John Harris; accountant Brooke Fry; and receptionist Randele Gibson. All are ready to field any questions or requests you may have about our operation. Please feel free to call. Also schedule an appointment to tour the facilities, or visit the Harris Farms web site at www.harrisfarms.com.

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012 43

Legacy Ranch The Jewel Of The Foothills

Legacy Ranch is now in the seventh year of operation at its beautiful Northern California facility in Clements, approximately 45 minutes southeast of the Sacramento Airport and at the base of the Sierra Foothills.

With 145 acres of lush green pastures, spacious barns and an expansive five-eighths of a mile training track, its residents and clients couldn’t be happier. Owners Pete and Evelyn Parrella are fortunate to have some of California’s most notable owners and trainers as clients. Some of the services offered are breaking, training, lay-ups, breeding and foaling.

Legacy offers the outstanding stallion Papa Clem for the 2013 breeding season. Everyone is looking forward to some great racehorses from this sire. The farm is hopeful that Papa Clem will give the California breeding and racing industry the boost it has needed.

A homebred millionaire for Bo Hirsch, Papa Clem entered stud at Legacy Ranch in 2010. He boasted an 89 percent infoal rate for his first two crops and covered 66 mares this year.

By leading sire Smart Strike, sire of two-time Eclipse Horse of the Year, Curlin, as well as champion turf horse English Channel and 2010 Preakness Stakes (grade I) winner Lookin at Lucky, Papa Clem has proved to be an exciting addition to California’s stallion ranks.

In 2009, he defeated that year’s three-year-old champion Summer Bird in the grade II Arkansas Derby and was a very troubled fourth in the Kentucky Derby. His female family speaks of three generations of top graded stakes horses. His

44 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012

dam, Miss Houdini, was a grade I-winning juvenile in her second start, the Del Mar Debutante Stakes. Papa Clem’s second dam, the brilliantly fast Magical Maiden, won the Hollywood Starlet Stakes at two and Las Virgenes Stakes at three, both grade I events.

Pete is currently the Vice President of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) and as if that doesn’t keep him busy enough, he also oversees Parr Lumber Company—his international wholesale lumber and plywood distribution center located in Chino, California. Ev sees to it that everything from marketing and aptly naming the horses to staff relations runs smoothly. She also oversees the operation of the Legacy Ranch vineyard, “Legends and Vines.”

The Hadley family has been with Legacy Ranch for 28 years. Shaun Hadley is the Ranch Manager and on-site trainer. He makes sure that every horse leaving the ranch is in the best racing condition possible and ready to run on any track in the country. His wife, Anita, directs the successful breeding program, as well as the care of mares and foals. Their daughter Roxann, is the track outrider, helping coordinate the morning workouts and adding her personal touch to the sales preparation program.

For more information regarding Legacy Ranch and its services, please contact Shaun Hadley at (209) 712-8943 or the office at (209) 759-3315. Please visit Legacy Ranch’s web site at www.legacyranchinc.com. Everyone there looks forward to hearing from you.

www.ctba.com

Los Laureles Training & Equine Therapy Center Historic California Farm Showcases New Faces

What do you get when you combine a historic property, a rehabilitation center, a class trainer and an operation that finds new careers for ex-racehorses?

You get the Los Laureles Training and Equine Therapy Center, which offers all of those things and more. The massive, 724-acre facility is located at the old Windfall Farms, formerly Creston Farms and originally Cardiff Stud Farm, a sprawling Kentucky-style property with plenty of room for horses to roam. Large, irrigated pastures highlight the farm, as well as a six-furlong training track complete with starting gate.

The farm was initially developed into its current world-class state in the 1980s, and was purchased by longtime Jeopardy host Alex Trebek during the 1990s. Trebek sold it in 2005, and while there was concern that the farm would be developed for housing, it is now safe thanks to Angie Hager and Mike Scully, who moved from San Francisco and joined forces with renowned trainer Carlos Cabello in April, to bring this farm to fruition.

Cabello recently moved from Dignitary Downs in Temecula to join the Los Laureles team. The patient trainer has a unique, quiet style of breaking and schooling, and often uses hill work as a method of strengthening muscles. He is known as being one of the better “get ready” trainers in the state of California, earning him the nick name “The Best in the West.”

Thanks to the expansive facility, Los Laureles offers foaling services and boarding for broodmares, yearlings and weanlings, as well as sales preparation. Retirement and pasture board is also available. “We feed all of our horses Triple Crown product as well as Platinum Performance,” Hager said. The horses want for nothing at this majestic Paso Robles farm, located in the heart of wine country.

www.ctba.com

Scully, a 25-year veteran of the horse industry, has trained over 40 national show champions. Hager worked in human and sport rehabilitation for 20 years and has competed as a three-day eventer.

The combination of rehabilitation therapy and equines unites her two passions.

“Mike and I have spent a lot of time working closely with veterinarians to research protocols,” Hager said. The farm offers an Aquapacer underwater treadmill for fitness and muscle strength and a Vibration Therapy plate for tight muscles and joints. “Most of the horses cross train with the water treadmill as part of their program,” Hager explained. The undervalued water exercise is an indispensable tool when it comes to customizing fitness workouts for each horse on an individual basis.

“We use heart-rate monitors to evaluate conditioning, as well,” Hager added. Other services offered to horses in training or on lay-up include time in the Equi-Gym, massage, ultrasound, laser therapy or acupuncture.

It is such a destination that the non-profit organization CANTER is now using it to house ex-racehorses waiting to be adopted out to new homes.

“We joined with Los Laureles three months ago,” said its Executive Director, Ali Dacher, “and we are very excited about it. They have an amazing facility with everything in one place.”

CANTER, which began in Michigan in 1997, has affiliates all over the country. They list adoptable horses on the internet, and can be reached online by visiting www.canterusa.org.

To learn more about Los Laureles Training and Equine Therapy Center, visit www.horserehabilitation.com or contact Hager at horserehab@gmail.com.

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012 45

Lovacres Ranch Lovingier Family Developing A Farm With An “Altitude” Lovacres Ranch is into only its sixth year of operation at its current Warner Springs location, and it is still expanding.

Put into service late in the summer of 2007, the 520-acre layout includes the old Folgner Ranch and remains a work in progress. “The six-furlong training track is in full use, full time,” said owner Terry Lovingier, “and we have broken more than ©Mesaros 100 horses on it during the first three years.”

Lovingier is enchanted by the beauty of the setting.

“I don’t like to brag,” he said, “but I think this is one of the prettier farms in California. We have all new fencing and the lay of the land is beautiful, set in rolling hills and full of beautiful old oak trees.”

The owner, whose father, Russ, remains active on the farm, describes the location as follows: “If one is coming here from Murrieta or Temecula, we are about eight miles from Warner Springs. We’re at 3,500 feet elevation and the horses love it. I’ve never seen happier horses. And training at an altitude is good for them, too.”

“When you come up to the crest of the hill just before our place, it is spread out in front of you.”

The farm is nestled in an area at the base of Palomar Mountain and has a staff of 25.

Most of the pastures are at least five acres in size, and in spots, says Lovingier, deer often graze right along with the horses.

Lovacres is a full-service facility, offering breeding, foaling, boarding, breaking, training and sales preparation, and will stand a trio of stallions for the 2013 breeding season.

Awesome Gambler, who won the 2007 Alydar Stakes and is the only son of Coronado’s Quest standing in California, was California’s leading freshman sire of last year. Among his earners of more than $1 million in 2012, is the 2011 California Champion Two-Year-Old Female, Willa B Awesome, the winner of this year’s grade I, $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks whose broodmare sire is the pensioned Lovacres sire Nineeleven. Out of an unraced Deputy Minister mare, Awesome Gambler is also the sire of 2011 graded

46 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012

stakes-placed winner River Kiss and 2012 stakes-placed winners Awesome Annie and Awe’ Some Kitten.

Bushwacker, by Outflanker out of the two-time winner Musical Score, retired to Lovacres in 2010.

The 2007 Vernon O. Underwood Stakes (grade III) winner earned $285,840. Owned by trainer William L. Currin in partnership with Alvin Eisman, Bushwacker was bred to more than 50 mares in each of his first two seasons at stud.

Time to Get Even also made his stud debut at Lovacres in 2010, when he was bred to 48 mares. The winner of the 2007 Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes (grade III) is a son of Stephen Got Even and Tomisue’s Pleasure, by Seeking the Gold.

The first Lovingier venture was a partnership among Lovingier, his father, and his brother, Dan. They bought a ranch outside of Waco, Texas, and began breeding Quarter Horses. At one point, Terry Lovingier and his brother Dan bred and sold a son of Strawfly Special who later won the 1996 AllAmerican Futurity at Ruidoso Downs as Streakin Flyer.

The Texas ranch was sold that same year, and Terry and his father moved their stock to property they owned in Murrieta and that became the nucleus of Lovacres Ranch. They put their Quarter Horse business aside and began breeding Thoroughbreds.

The Lovacres operation usually develops between 50 and 100 foals each year and they are broken and trained at the farm. Those deemed saleable will be prepped for sale at the farm while others figure to head for the racetrack. The Lovacres Ranch homebreds Willa B Awesome and Unhitchthetrailor were the respective winners of last year’s $89,900 Barretts Debutante Stakes and $87,800 Barretts Juvenile Stakes.

Lovingier operates Lovco Construction Inc., a Signal Hill, California, firm that is involved in maintenance of oil refineries. Lovingier, who holds a civil and environmental engineering degree from University of California Irvine, lives in Los Alamitos with his family.

www.ctba.com

Magali Farms A Proven Formula For Success

Magali Farms is located in the heart of the magnificent Santa Ynez Valley. Its 238 acres of lush, irrigated pastures and beautiful landscaping provide a picturesque setting beneath the gentle slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains.

Magali Farms is a full-service facility offering breeding, training, sales preparation and recuperation for lay-ups.

The main barn, situated amid the 158 acres that make up the farm’s breeding operation, is considered the jewel of Magali Farms with its classic early California Spanish architecture and graceful landscaping.

The main barn houses the farm’s offices and features complete laboratory and breeding facilities, as well as deluxe stalls, including foaling stalls equipped with video cameras and monitors. The barn’s design ensures the utmost comfort and safety of each horse with its wide aisles, well-ventilated, oversized stalls, automatic fly control system, wash bays, sun pens and individual grass paddocks for daily turn-outs, especially for the lay-ups.

The farm features more than 11 miles of quality four-rail wood and mesh fencing surrounding each of the irrigated pastures. The horses flourish in this pastoral setting that allows for plenty of room to roam and graze in pastures ranging in size from two to 40 acres. Every paddock and pasture is individually fenced with wide alleys separating each from the next. Each pasture has its own covered feeding shelters with automatic watering systems Magali’s training center is located on 60 acres adjacent to the breeding center. A deluxe 45-stall barn is the centerpiece. The barn is spacious, light and well-ventilated.

It features large, windowed stalls with overhead fans and

www.ctba.com

an automatic fly control system. There are also 38 outside covered stalls, irrigated paddocks, a 62-foot covered round pen, a 250-foot by 150-foot outdoor arena, an Equi-Cizer, and a five-eighths of a mile training track with gates and banked turns.

With Magali’s top of the line training facilities, your horse can be kept in light, moderate or full training and conditioning and still have the chance to ‘let down’ a bit and be turned out each day to enjoy grass pastures. The environment at Magali also allows a horse to just enjoy a ‘refresher’ from the daily rigors of racetrack living and still be kept in condition. The farm’s knowledgeable staff works closely with your veterinarian and trainer to follow through on each stage of their recommended rehab schedule.

The goal of Magali Farms is to provide a comfortable, clean and quality environment for each horse on the grounds. Quality feed, deeply bedded stalls, irrigated pastures and an attention to detail by the farm's experienced staff are examples of the quality services provided for each horse at Magali.

The farm is home to: grade I-winning millionaire and graded stakes-producing Good Journey; and dual graded stakes winner Decarchy, out of the 2002 Kentucky Broodmare of the Year, Toussaud. Fellow stallions Atticus, Global Hunter (Arg), Mr. Broad Blade and Roi Charmant also call Magali Farms home.

Manager Tom Hudson invites you to call (805) 6931777 and schedule your visit to the farm to tour the facilities and meet the staff. Check out the Magali Farms web site at www.magalifarms.com.

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012 47

Milky Way Farm 100-Acre Facility In Temecula Since 1967 Now Specializing In Thoroughbred Horses This year Milky Way Farm surpassed even our best expectations. Our breeding program, headed by Dr. Steve Colburn, began very busy and never slowed down. One Man Army and Roman Commander had tremendous foals born this year. The biggest excitement was the arrival of the first foals sired by Sundarban, a winning son of A.P. Indy out of a Storm Cat daughter of Sky Beauty, who joined our stallion roster in May of 2011. This year, Sundarban’s wonderful acceptance by California breeders resulted in a book of 48 mares. The successes of A. P. Indy as not only the sire of sires but as the broodmare sire of some of this year's finest race horses, has been a dominate theme in Thoroughbred world The Temecula Valley is located between the major racing centers of Southern Calfornia and has a long history with horses and farms. The farm was founded by Leland and Esther May Mekeel in 1967, and evolved into one on the largest Arabian farms in California. The farm covered upwards of 350 mares per year, as well as delivering 100 or more foals per year.

Over the years, the farm focus has changed. With encouragement from neighbor Dan Schiffer, Milky Way has become a full-service Thoroughbred facility. A large portion of the 100-acre facility is dedicated to the farm philosophy of providing the best possible care of the horses as well as taking care of their owners. We strive to keep in close contact with our owners and make sure they know we welcome their input into their horses well being. Milky Way also encourages them to visit the horses as much as possible.

The farm is comprised of three-to four-acre pastures which are planted each year for seasonal grass. The broodmares who reside year-round on the farm or those arriving for stallion service, seem to really enjoy the serenity of the large pastures.

During foaling season, our broodmares are monitored around the clock by our foaling staff. A new foaling facility was built in 2011. In addition, weather permitting, we also have a grass paddock, used exclusively for the foaling mares to give them more room to maneuer during delivery. After weaning and basic training, foals are turned into large fields in small groups to grow. Yearlings are either prepared for the yearling sales ring or sent out for basic saddle work.

Milky Way’s lay-up program provides several options to

48 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012

meet the needs of each individual horse. In addition to stall care, it has 24x24 paddocks, as well as 100x100 for some time off to rest or recovery from an injury.

Milky Way has been so fortunate through the years to have many wonderful horses and owners.

Begining with horses from the Charlie Whittingham barn in the 1970s to the incredible clients of today, Milky Way is so grateful for the wonderful clients, owners and trainers that have entrusted us with the care of their broodmares, stallions, young stock and race horses. Our special owners include Crystal Valley Farm, Jeff Stiefel, Kendell Mann, Davonne Stables, The Hat Ranch, Dan Schiffer, Mel, Anabelle and Gary Stute, Black Diamond Racing and Brown Family Racing, just to name a few who have made our lives here so special.

The stallions One Man Army, Roman Commander and Sundarban made the breeding season a dream come true for us. The roster of mares for the stallions this year included stakes winners, as well as mares who have produced winners, stakes winners and graded stakes winners. The best stallions in the nation were represented on the farm by their daughters, including Kingmambo, Distorted Humor, Giant’s Causeway, Dixie Union, Dynaformer, Unusual Heat, Malibu Moon, In Excess (Ire), Yankee Gentleman, Groovy, Skywalker and Bertrando, to mention but a few. Milky Way’s lay-up program has had great success this year, with several horses returning to the winner’s circle at Santa Anita Park, Hollywood Park and the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, we are so very proud of these horses.

Milky Way enjoys being in the horse business. The staff has years of experience. Linda Madsen has been with horses all her life; learning and growing with each new experience. As members of the California Thoroughbred Farm Managers Association (CTFMA), with Linda currently in her fourth term as Vice President, Milky Way is able to discuss, share and incorporate ideas from other farm managers into its program.

Each year is a new beginning in the world of livestock.

Each foaling season brings new hopes and dreams for the future. We are totally committed to the horse industry and plan to be here for a long time.

www.ctba.com

Old English Rancho Home Of Eclipse Award Winner Acclamation & One Of California’s Most Historic Thoroughbred Farms The famed Old English Rancho has returned back to its glory days due to its six-year-old homebred Acclamation, the 2011 Eclipse Champion Older Male and California Horse of the Year who boasts $1,958,048 in earnings and a seven-race winning streak, including two 2012 grade I victories, going back to May of last year.

Old English Rancho’s 400-acre spread in Sanger, located 15 miles east of Fresno, is home to one of the state’s most historic and successful Thoroughbred breeding establishments. Even though it moved almost lock, stock and barrel to the Central California location a number of years ago, Old English Rancho had operated the area as a breaking and training ground for its yearlings for some 40 years prior to that.

With its administrative headquarters still in Ontario, Old English Rancho didn’t miss a stride in its move, continuing the success it has known from its beginnings just prior to World War II. At peak time, the farm is home to more than 300 horses.

A key factor in the farm’s success over the years has been its stallion roster, which currently features Vronsky, Cyclotron, Held Over Again, Surf Cat and Big Bad Leroybrown.

Vronsky’s progeny have earned more than $2.1 million and include the 2012 grade II winner Norvsky ($616,444), third-crop sire Cyclotron’s eight winners from 10 starters include a stakes victor and Held Over Again’s first crop of foals are three-year-olds of this year. Surf Cat, a six-time grade II-winning millionaire, has two-year-olds of 2012, while stakes winner Big Bad Leroybrown entered stud at Old English Rancho this year.

In about 1948, Old English Rancho originally put down its Southern California roots and imported a stallion from England. That was when Ellwood B. Johnston, well-known as “The Pie Man,” took his fortune and invested it in Thoroughbred horses. He wasn’t alone in the endeavor—partner Ted Tepper joined him. The pair first bought 37 acres of land in Chino and then 120 acres in Corona.

They stood Old English as their first stallion, prompting

www.ctba.com

Oscar Otis of the Daily Racing Form to tag the operation “Old English Rancho.” The name had a special ring to it, so it stuck.

In 1955, Johnston bought a parcel of land adjacent to Ontario Airport and turned it into the Old English Rancho, as most California horsemen know it today under the ownership and management of The Pie Man’s son E.W. “Bud” Johnston and his wife Judy.

Nearly 500 stakes winners have been foaled and raised at the historic farm, such as Ruth Lily, Real Good Deal and Generous Portion, as well as the subsequent Californiabred champions Something Lucky, Stylish Winner and Somethingmerry. The farm also bred the brilliant filly June Darling, along with 2002 Golden State champions Above Perfection and Disturbingthepeace. Other recent graduates of the farm include the grade I winners Georgie Boy, Golden Doc A and Unusual Suspect, grade I-placed stakes winner Bel Air Sizzle and grade II winners Burns, Lethal Heat, Pretty Unusual and Tucked Away, as well as 2009, 2010 and 2011 stakes winner Excessive Passion.

Old English Rancho has also been home to some very successful stallions over the years. They included Unusual Heat, The Pie King, Lucky Mel and Windy Sands, as well as Fleet Nasrullah who sired such fine offspring as Century, Coursing and Fleet Treat, along with the leading stallions Don B. and Gummo, the latter of whom was the sire of Ancient Title and Flying Paster.

The great traditions of Old English Rancho’s past are maintained by Bud Johnston to this day. The family and farm personnel, headed by Patsy Berumen and Jonny Hilvers, the latter of whom represents the fourth generation of Johnston family through his father Peter who is married to Bud and Judy’s daughter Mary, continue their successful methods of breeding, hands-on treatment of mares and foals, prenatal care, feeding and training at the new site.

Primary among their efforts is to ensure that Old English Rancho continues as a major player in the future, in both the breeding and racing spheres of the local industry.

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012 49

Pegasus Training & Equine Rehabilitation Center Care Without Compromise

Unparalleled care and cutting-edge technology come together at the Pegasus Training & Equine Rehabilitation Center, located in Redmond, Washington, just outside of Seattle. The 100acre facility promises “care without compromise” of the equine athlete, both racehorses and sport horses.

Renowned heart surgeon and Thoroughbred owner Dr. Mark Dedomenico, a 40year veteran of the racing game, is the genius behind the equine center. He is most recently famous for the exploits of his $3,279,520-earning filly Blind Luck, the 2010 Eclipse Champion Three-Year-Old Filly, but also campaigns the likes of Washington Bridge and City to City. Attuned to the needs of horsemen and world-class athletes, Dedomenico had long envisioned building an equine paradise. The Pegasus Center is the realization of that dream.

Pegasus combines state-of-the-art medical treatments with leading exercise and therapy methods to return horses from injury to their peak fitness. Veterinarians and trainers across the country choose Pegasus for its spectacular facility, advanced equipment and dedicated staff.

The farm’s beautiful barns feature 12x12 box stalls with SoftStall mats and automatic fly spray systems. Security cameras and fire and water alarms have been installed, as well. The barn aisles are paved with rubber bricks for both cushion and traction. There are eight large, flat pastures, seven smaller grass pastures, and 10 sand paddocks, all of which are separated by grass lanes for optimum safety.

Head trainer and Director of Horse Operations, Mike Puhich, trained horses in California, Kentucky, New York and Texas before moving to the farm, and won the Lone Star Derby in 2005 with Southern Africa. He has a wealth of options available on the Pegasus Center’s grounds: the farm has a beautifully-maintained five-eighths of a mile Polytrack training track, an indoor area with the same footing, and seven EuroCisers, including an indoor, heated one.

Pegasus offers both an equine swimming pool and an Aqua-Tred for low-impact exercise that maintains muscle

50 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012

tone and cardiovascular fitness. The 16-foot deep pool has automated chlorination and pH systems to keep bacteria from the water, and is tested daily.

Both forms of water exercise can be used in conjunction with the center’s Hyperbaric Oxygen Chamber.

Pegasus is one of the few rehabilitation centers that boasts such a chamber, which has been proven to promote healing by increasing the amount of oxygen in the bloodstream. In addition to bone or soft-tissue trauma, various other ailments are treated with Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, such as colic, ulcers and pulmonary bleeding.

Pegasus also uses an Equine Solarium, which uses heat from infra-red lights to stimulate blood flow and improve circulation. The lights are also used to quickly dry a horse after aquatic therapy.

A horse’s training regiment is designed to fit its individual needs. Cross-training—the use of more than one method of exercise—is often employed, giving the horse more methods for reaching their peak. This also reduces the risk of injury from repetitive exercise and develops muscles in more areas of the body, quickly.

Puhich is not the only equine expert on hand.

Rehabilitation Manager Jason Orman trained horses in the United States, but also in Saudi Arabia and Singapore. He was responsible for the early achievements of graded stakes winners Laura’s Lucky Boy and Rock Hard Ten. Consulting Surgeon Dr. C. Wayne McIlwraith graduated with a veterinary degree from Massey University in New Zealand in 1971.

He has amassed numerous honors of the years, including an induction into the University of Kentucky Equine Research Hall of Fame in 2005.

Pegasus offers breaking and training at a day rate of $57, but swimming pool or underwater treadmill therapy can be added to the horse’s program for $65 per day. For more information, please call (425) 898-1060 or visit the farm online at www.pegasustrainingcenter.com.

www.ctba.com

Rancho San Miguel Quality Stallions Highlight This Breeding And Sales Prep Operation Rancho San Miguel is one of the leading stallion stations in California. The farm, nestled in the coastal foothills northwest of Paso Robles, is blessed by cool evening breezes off the Pacific Ocean.

Its central location allows the farm to serve clients from both the northern and southern regions of the state.

Rancho San Miguel is led by its General Manager of over 25 years, Clay Murdock. In addition, the on-site veterinarian, Dr. Joseph (Jake) Lynch, Amanda Poore, Kasia Tomaszewic, Jorge Cruz, Dogie Lujan and Mary Ann Waiton make up the outstanding management team that insures quality care is provided to all horses on a daily basis.

The Rancho San Miguel stallion roster consists of: Comic Strip, Marino Marini, McCann’s Mojave, Onebadshark, Sierra Sunset, Slew’s Tiznow, Southern Image, Storm Wolf and The Pamplemousse.

Comic Strip, by Red Ransom out of the winning Saratoga Six mare Now That’s Funny, was a graded stakes winner on both dirt and turf. Comic Strip has progeny earnings of over $7.2 million.

Marino Marini, a son of Storm Cat out of the grade I winner and $1,460,992-earner Halo America, was graded or group-placed on both dirt and turf, in the United States and Europe. His progeny have lifetime earnings of more than $7.2 million and 2012 earnings over $1,000,000 lead by the dual stakes winner Starlight Magic.

McCann’s Mojave, California’s champion older male of 2004, by Memo (Chi), won five of his six first starts and retired with 12 wins from 35 starts. He won a total of eight stakes races on dirt, turf and all-weather over five consecutive years. McCann’s Mojave’s lifetime earnings are more than $1.5 million. His first foals are two-year-olds in 2012.

Onebadshark, by Diligence out of Color Unlimited,

www.ctba.com

was a dual stakes winner who earned more than $200,000 during his career and set a new track record as a two-year-old at the Solano County Fair running five furlongs in :56.73, which still stands.

Sierra Sunset, a grade II winner by Bertrando out of Toot Sweet, stood his first year at stud in 2012.

He was on the board in nine out of 14 starts, four of which were black-type wins with earnings of more than $450,000.

Slew’s Tiznow, by Tiznow out of Hepatica, is a record-setting, grade I-performing dual stakes winner. Slew’s Tiznow is a full brother to record-setting, multiple graded stakes winner Slew’s Tizzy. Slew’s Tiznow will have his first foals in 2013.

Southern Image, by Halo’s Image out of Pleasant Dixie, won six out of eight starts, three of which were grade I wins, including the Malibu Stakes and the Santa Anita and Pimlico Special Handicaps. Southern Image was California’s leading third-crop sire with progeny earnings of more than $2.3 million for 2011, led by chief earner Calibrachoa.

Storm Wolf, a graded stakes winner by Stormin Fever out of Exclusive Rosette, won by no less than six lengths in three out of five starts. He broke his maiden at Santa Anita by seven lengths, came back to win an allowance by 7 1/2 lengths and then won by six lengths in the grade II Lazaro Barrera Memorial Stakes at Hollywood Park. Storm Wolf’s first crop are two-year-olds of 2012.

The Pamplemousse, by Kafwain out of Comfort Zone, won three of five starts, including Santa Anita’s Sham and San Rafael Stakes, both grade III events. He was the odds-on favorite for the garde I Santa Anita Derby before sustaining a career-ending injury. The Pamplemousse’s first crop are foals of 2012.

Rancho San Miguel’s goal is to attract the highest quality stallions and broodmares, providing them with the best care possible. We are dedicated to outstanding quality service and look forward to serving you.

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012 51

SK Racing Stable A Peaceful and Tranquil Farm: Perfect For Rehabilitation Or Just Growing Up

©Siobhan DeLancey

Nestled in the rural community of Valley Center and within stallion rich San Diego County is SK Racing Stable. The acquisition of this beautiful 35-acre facility has enabled SK Racing Stable to consolidate its breeding and nursery/lay-up programs into one location and to expand its ability to offer outside services.

A more peaceful farm would be difficult to locate. Creeks, waterfalls, bridges, gardens and birds abound the property while mature oak trees provide natural shade. Horses are content here and thrive in the tranquil setting.

The farm boasts a rich history originating as Jackson’s Arabian Nursery in the late 1960s. In 1985, the property was sold and renovated, becoming the distinguished breeding and racing operation of Valley Creek Farm.

Famous residents of the farm have included Lady’s Secret, the 1986 Eclipse Horse of the Year and 1992 Hall of Fame inductee, and Snow Chief, the 1986 Preakness Stakes winner and Eclipse Champion Three-Year-Old Male, as well as the California Horse of Year from 1985 to 1987. Lady’s Secret, who lived out her years on the property, has a beautiful Memorial Garden in her honor.

SK Racing Stable is excited about restoring and preserving the tradition and history of its predecessors while attaining excellence themself. Being a semi-private farm and as a Thoroughbred breeder and owner herself, farm owner Shirley Kimball knows the importance of running a cost-effective, efficient farm while not jeopardizing the welfare of the horse.

An avid horse lover since childhood, Shirley has spent years trail riding, playing polo and riding hunters and cross-country.

She graduated from the University of California, Davis with a BS degree in Zoology. She left her position as Senior Program Manager at Qualcomm Inc. to pursue her passion of raising Thoroughbred racehorses. Combining her extensive business knowledge with her horse expertise, she is uniquely able to provide clients with quality care while watching their dollars. She enjoys being part of the day-to-day operation of the farm.

Owning and operating SK Racing Stable is a dream come true.

It isn’t just the beautiful location and quality care that makes SK Racing Stable so ideal, it’s also the expert staff. Onsite farm manager Eduardo Serrato boasts over 15 years of farm and racetrack experience. His expertise is in the handling of young and/or difficult horses.

52 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012

One of the farm’s niches is accommodating horses who don’t fit into the larger operations. In addition to the individualized care the horses receive, it is the staff’s understanding of horses and the ability to allow them to be themselves, that sets SK Racing Stable apart.

Specializing in mare/foal care, the farm has plentiful pastures dedicated to broodmares, foals, weanlings and yearlings. There is a training/sales preparation area where initial ground work is done with yearlings. It is complete with a barn, a Eurociser and simulated gate and trailer training structures.

Another one of the farm’s strength is its rehabilitation and lay-up program. The farm has various sized stalls, pens and paddocks to accommodate all phases of lay-ups, and has been very successful in nursing horses back to health from severe tendon bows, fractures and colic surgery.

As a foster facility, many retired racehorses have called SK Racing Stable home while transitioning both physically and mentally from race track life. Events such as barn decorating and open houses have been hosted on the farm where people of all ages can visit a horse farm and touch a racehorse.

Four stallions will be standing at SK Racing Stable for the 2013 breeding season. New this season, the farm is excited and pleased to offer the fifth leading second-crop sire of Californiabreds, Under Caution (A.P. Indy—Coldheartedcat, by Storm Cat). Also available will be Tale of the Hills (Tale of the Cat— Out of the Hills, by Capote), who serviced 46 mares in 2011, Royal Memory (Royal Academy—Memorable Moment, by Secretariat) and Bandido de Amor (Event of the Year—Saros Luck, by Saros (GB)). The latter three stallions have the distinction of being the only sons of their sires at stud in California.

You are invited to make SK Racing Stable home to your mare while she is visiting the many great stallions located in Southern California, or have her be a year-round resident allowing her foals to grow up and thrive on the farm prior to starting their careers as racehorses.

So, when in the area, come for a visit. Walk the grounds, visit the peaceful and serene Lady’s Secret Memorial Garden and check out the stallions, the mares, the foals and the yearlings.

There are also horses of all ages available for sale.

For more information on SK Racing Stable, please visit www.skracingstable.com or call (760) 443-9523.

www.ctba.com

Tommy Town Thoroughbreds LLC A Leading California Farm Achieving Success Through Dedication To Excellence Tommy Town Thoroughbreds is continuing to pursue their goal of becoming one of California’s premier breeding farms, as well as a top training facility.

The stallions standing in 2013 are Kafwain, Ministers Wild Cat and Old Topper, all multiple stakes winners, in addition to Grazen.

Tommy Town was established in 2000 by Tom and Debi Stull with the purchase of a 165-acre ranch, formerly known as the Westerly Training Center, in the lush Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County.

To accommodate growth, the Stulls have acquired an additional 200 adjoining acres. The training side of the farm has 100 stalls, a custom equi-cruiser, and a sevenfurlong track that is maintained by two full-time workers.

On the breeding side, there is a 35-stall foaling barn.

With over 350 acres of land, the farm offers pasture boarding for mares, foals and yearlings year-round.

Tommy Town has been successful in assembling and retaining an outstanding team. The Ranch Manager, Mike Allen, joined Tommy Town in 2001. Esteban Melchor, assistant stallion manager since 2001, was promoted to stallion manager in 2008. To ensure effective rehabilitation of injured horses, the farm works closely with Alamo Pintado Equine Clinic, in addition to the breeding veterinarian, Dr. Bill Stevenson, who specializes and is expert in the care of broodmares and foals. The farm has 40 employees who live on site.

Although Tommy Towns’ focus has been breeding, racing and private sales have become of equal importance in the last few years. The training program at the farm, excellent pedigrees and exceptional facilities are utilized to prepare horses to race in California, but also in Pennsylvania, New Mexico, Kentucky and a variety of East Coast states. This program has resulted in Tommy Town being very successful with racing. Tommy Town also offers breaking, sales preparation, lay-up and rehabilitation for a return to racing. Tommy Town has bred and trained many successful racehorses, including several stakes winners.

U R All That I Am, a Tommy Town homebred, earned $426,740, and now that she has completed her racing

www.ctba.com

career, is still owned by Tommy Town as a broodmare. They have also occasionally purchased some outstanding individuals for racing and possible retirement as stallions or broodmares.

Whatsthescript (Ire), an earner of $1,000,164, is a prime example.

In addition to racing, Tommy Town also sells horses in the sales ring and privately. A few notable privately sold or claimed horses who went on to race were Top This and That ($422,262), You Lift Me Up ($477,717), Topper Shopper ($345,476), Sierra Sweetie ($316,400) and Tommy’s Topper ($200,179).

Kafwain, by Cherokee Run, was purchased by Tommy Town in 2008, and stood in Kentucky for the 2009 season.

Kafwain came to California to stand at Tommy Town in 2010, and was a leading California sire during 2011. He has six racing crops so far, with progeny earnings over $12 million. His leading earners are grade I winner Daisy Devine ($764,916), multiple stakes winner Third Chance ($441,624) and grade III winner Don't Forget Gil ($370,737).

Minister’s Wild Cat, out of Hollywood Wild Cat, by Deputy Minister, began his stallion career in 2006. His 2007 foals began racing in 2009. Ministers Wild Cat was the leading freshman sire of California-breds in 2009.

With four racing crops, his progeny earnings have exceeded $4 million. Bailouttheminister ($213,134) is his leading earner, followed closely by Going for a Spin ($211,452), a Tommy Town homebred filly who is still racing.

Old Topper, California’s leading freshman sire in 2004, leading second-crop sire in 2005 and leading third-crop sire for 2006 has nine crops racing with progeny earnings over $15 million. Old Topper has an impressive 75 percent winners to starters ratio. Top This and That and Topper Shopper are his leading earners.

Tommy Town also bred and owns Ain’t No Other ($277,173), who continues to race and won an impressive five races in a row.

For more information, please contact Mike Allen at (805) 686-4337, or visit Tommy Town Thoroughbreds online at www.tommytownfarms.com.

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012 53

Victory Rose Thoroughbreds A Combination Of Choice And Convenience In California

Ellen Lee Jackson owns and manages Victory Rose Thoroughbreds in Vacaville, California. This 63-plus acre training and breeding facility is now in its 22nd year of operation at this location. The farm is centrally located, 55 miles east of Golden Gate Fields and 15 miles West of the U.C. Davis Veterinary Hospital, and offers easy highway access off Interstate 80 or Highway 505. Farm amenities include a well banked, half-mile track, large indoor arena for all-weather training, six-horse freestyle Equi-Ciser, 100-plus stalls, 60 individual covered pens, and more than 50 acres of lush, irrigated pastures with safe, galvanized pipe fencing.

Victory Rose is a full-service breeding facility with conscientious care, all-night camera surveillance and the Foal Alert system for foaling mares. Dr. Irwin Liu, an internationally renowned equine reproductive specialist, personally oversees the busy breeding program.

Victory Rose will stand five stallions in 2013.

Behrens: this grade I winner of $4,563,500, whose progeny earnings total more than $4 million from nine crops of racing age, will stand his fifth season in California for a fee of $1,000 live foal. Special considerations will be given to mares with speed pedigrees or who are sprint producers.

Globalize: a precocious two-year-old with three wins in four starts, including a grade III victory, was also a grade II winner at three and earned $623,650 overall. His runners have shown tactical speed that carries them a route of ground on grass, all-weather and dirt surfaces. Globalize is the sire of last year’s dual stakes-winning two-year-old filly City Route and his stud fee is $3,000 live foal.

Many Rivers: retired from racing in 2010, he is a stakesplaced son of Storm Cat out of the multiple stakes-producing Affirmed mare Christmas in Aiken. Many Rivers is a threequarter-brother to the prominent national sire Harlan’s Holiday and stands for $3,000 live foal. His first foals arrived in 2012.

54 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012

Sea of Secrets: relocated to Victory Rose for the 2012 breeding season, he boasts 80 percent starters from foals, 74 percent winners from starters and average earnings per starter of more than $49,000. The son of Storm Cat consistently ranks among the top 20 active California sires, and at a fee of $2,500 live foal guarantee, offers great value to prove a mare or to get that runner.

Bold Chieftain: this grade II-winning California champion earned $1,653,171 before retiring to stud at Victory Rose in 2012. By Chief Seattle, a dual grade I-placed son of Seattle Slew, he stands for $3,000 live foal.

In collaboration with Dr. Liu, Victory Rose has established a unique niche in the breeding industry by specializing in sub-fertile stallions and problem mares.

While not all of the breeding stock at Victory Rose have had prior fertility problems, many breeding shed disappointments have been returned to top conception producers over the years. We find barren mares a challenge rather than a disappointment or problem!

From birth to retirement, Victory Rose handles all phases of your horse’s care. Foaling-out, halter breaking, sales preparation, ground breaking, saddle breaking, leggingup, race training, mare care, lay-ups and rehabilitation are all services available at Victory Rose. Race training at the farm or racetrack is offered and the farm uses the Maryland Shin Programs to prepare all of the young stock. Victory Rose’s intimate relationship with U. C. Davis provides it with the best in surgical options and cutting edge veterinary care.

Victory Rose keeps a large sampling of weanlings, yearlings and horses of racing age on hand to represent their stallions.

An excellent place to privately purchase race or breeding stock, visitors are always welcome. Day care, training prices, stallion nicks, stud fees, farm photos, etc., can be found online at www.victoryrose.com.

www.ctba.com

West 12 Ranch A Rich History Of Personalized Service Makes Northern California Farm A Leader In Its Region

West 12 Ranch Inc. resides in the valley between Stockton and Sacramento, nestled comfortably between Napa-like vineyards. The delta breeze allows for a temperate climate and the perfect setting to raise some of California’s finest Thoroughbred racehorses.

The husband and wife team of Matt and Barbara Butterworth own and operate the 40-acre full-service farm, having taken over operations in 1987.

“We’ve been in the business for 25 years, and we like to say that we are big enough to serve your needs, but small enough to know you,” Barbara notes. “We know what is going on with every one of our horses, and they each have individual care.”

The Butterworths’ focus is divided between caring for the horses and building trust with their clients.

“We’re not an operation that has only been around for a few years. People trust us, and our long-term clients know that we make decisions based on how we would want the horses treated if they were our own. When you do business with West 12, we want you to be successful.”

The couple is modern in their approach to keeping their clients updated by sending updates and photos so that owners are apprised of what is going on.

West 12 offers a 72-foot diameter EuroCizer for rehabilitation and exercise. Trainers like those horses coming into their stables who have been on the EuroCizer because they are more fit. The ranch has irrigated pastures that are never overtaxed or overcrowded.

West 12 uses the Foal-Alert system and cameras to help monitor the mares and newborns during the foaling season.

The Los Caballos Vet Clinic is only 30 minutes away, while just an hour away are the University of California, Davis, Veterinary Hospital, Golden Gate Fields and the Pleasanton racetrack at the Alameda County Fair.

www.ctba.com

The Butterworths go above and beyond in helping the owners with both registration and arranging hauling to stallions in the state or transportation for out-of-state studs.

“Our goal is to make the owners’ lives easier. We handle those time-consuming arrangements to make out clients lives easier.”

As a sales agent, West 12 also does very well, especially at the annual Barretts October Yearling Sale. They take sales preparation seriously, starting with good nutrition and ending with what they fondly call “elbow grease.” They also agent at mixed sales with a focus on having well turned-out horses.

After losing the promising young sire Richly Blended in 2006, West 12 added Tough Game to their operation for the 2008 breeding season. The speedy son of Mr. Greeley won 10 times in 27 starts while amassing earnings of $300,330. He is gathering popularity as a stallion, thanks in part to his two crops hitting the track.

“Tough Game’s foals are smarter than any foals from any other studs we’ve stood in 25 years,” Butterworth said.

“Trainers keep telling us that they aren’t hyper, and have the stamina to go all day. He’s had small crops, so you won’t see them at the sales, but if he continues to do as well as he has, that will change.”

From only six starters, Tough Game has done quite well.

His juvenile daughter Toughtoconvince won smartly in her debut at Golden Gate on Aug. 26. A three-year-old filly, Mardi’s Tough Game, has won twice this year, while another, Tough N Funny, has been second in her first two starts.

Thanks to their client-driven business philosophy and dedication to individualized care, West 12 is a premier Central Valley destination for Thoroughbreds care. Make sure to visit them online at www.west12ranch.com.

CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012 55

Oct2012Map 9-19-2012 937am:Mise en page 1 9/19/12 9:38 AM Page1

WEST COAST

CALIFORNIA

THOROUGHBRED

FARMS 2012/2013

Anderson

Eureka

L oc a t i on

Fa r m

P a ge

Clements, Ca

Le gac y Ran ch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

C oal i n ga , C a

Har r i s Fa r m s. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

He m e t , Ca

Br a z e a u T h or ou gh b r e d Fa r m s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Lodi , C a

We s t 1 2 R a n c h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

101 Orland

55 5

99

P a s o R o b l e s , C a L o s L a u r e l e s Tr a i n i n g & E q u i n e T h e r a p y C e n t e r . .

Grass Valley

80 55

Ra m on a , C a

101

Ba l l e n a V i s t a Fa r m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

E . A . Ra n c h e s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Auburn

50 Santa Rosa

Davis

54

55 5

Vacaville

Lodi 55

80 55

R e d m o n d , Wa

P e g a s u s Tr a i n i n g & E q u i n e R e h a b i l i t a t i o n C e n t e r . . .

S a n g e r, C a

Ol d E n gl i s h Ra n c h o . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

San Mi gu e l , C a

Ra n c h o S a n M i gu e l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

San t a Yne z, Ca M aga l i Far ms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Clements

To m m y To w n T h o r o u g h b r e d s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . )$ )$#

Modesto

Te m e c u l a , C a

M i l k y Wa y F a r m . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Va c a v i l l e , C a

Vi c t or y Ro s e T h or ou gh b r e ds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Pleasanton

Va l l e y C e n t e r, C a S K R a c i n g S t a b l e . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

S a n J os e

Merced

Warner Springs, C a L o v a c r e s R a n c h . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

101

152

WASHINGTON

Madera

395

55 5

55 5

! %%

Sanger

"!

90 55

53 395

) "

55 5

90 55

!

90 55

395

55 5 82 55

84 55

Parlier

Monterey

101

55 5

!

Visalia

Coalinga

50 53

%%

198

99

San Miguel 51 41 Paso Robles

) "

55 5

90 55

!

178

Atascadero # *(

55 15

395

(%$

58 166

101

58 55 5

47 Santa

Simi Valley

138

14

)$'+ !!

18

18

138

101

247 55 15

10 55

60

40 55

55 15

Lancaster

Ynez

53 154

18

10 55

138

10 55

60

91

Hemet

55 15

55 5

*'' ) " *! $#( !! !! -

74

48

'# ' %' # ( #)

#) ' 55 15

10 55

74

371

78

56 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED • OCTOBER 2012

84 55

!#%

(

78

!

"$#

8 55