TheFloridaHorse - March.2010

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M A R C H 2 0 1 0 • VO L 5 3 / I S S U E 3

CONTENTS 8 20

FLORIDA FOCUS BEST OF THE BEST The 50th annual FTBOA Awards Dinner shines the spotlight on the Florida Thoroughbred industry’s best of the best in 2009.

By Jo Ann Guidry

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FLORIDA-BASED JUVENILE CONSIGNORS DOMINATE NATIONAL STANDINGS

By Jo Ann Guidry

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‘WE’RE IN FOR LEAN TIMES’ Six of Marion County’s top equestrian and business leaders sat down with Ocala Style for an in-depth interview concerning the state of Marion County’s Thoroughbred industry.

Reprinted with permission of Ocala Style magazine.

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FLORIDA-BREDS SHINE AT OBS CHAMPIONS DAY

By Nick Fortuna

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HITS’ ANNUAL EQUINE ART GALA

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HORSE COUNCIL NEWS NEWS BITS YOUR FLORIDA HORSE PARK

By Connie Duff Wise

COVER & CONTENTS PHOTOS: COGLIANESE

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CRITTERS AND PESTS Dealing with critters and pests on a horse farm is a nuisance— controlling them can become a constant struggle.

By Mark Shuffitt

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WHEN HORSES BECOME TERMITES Understanding wood chewing and cribbing behaviors in horses.

By Karen E. Davision, Ph. D

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PLAYER’S PAGE

By Paul Moran

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801 SW 60th Avenue • Ocala, Florida 34474 (352) 732-8858 • Fax: (352) 867-1979 • www.ftboa.com EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Michael Compton BUSINESS MANAGER

Patrick Vinzant MANAGING EDITOR/ADVERTISING MANAGER

Summer Best ART DIRECTOR

John Filer CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

JoAnn Guidry WRITER

Nick Fortuna ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Beverly Kalberkamp CORRESPONDENTS

Jay Friedman, Doug McCoy, Cynthia McFarland, Mark Shuffitt PUBLISHER Florida Equine Publications, Inc. (A corporation owned by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association)

Executive Office - 801 SW 60th Avenue • Ocala, Florida 34474 BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gilbert Campbell, President/Board Chairman Fred Brei, 1st Vice President J. Michael O’Farrell, Jr., 2nd Vice President George G. Isaacs, Secretary Diane Parks, Treasurer EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Richard E. Hancock CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Michael Gilliam

© THE FLORIDA HORSE (ISSN 0090-967X) is published monthly except July by THE FLORIDA HORSE, INC., 801 SW 60th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34474, including the annual Statistical Review in February.

Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of Florida Equine Publications or the Florida Thoroughbred Breedersʼ and Ownersʼ Association. Publication of any material originating herein is expressly forbidden without first obtaining written permission from THE FLORIDA HORSE©.

Statistics in the publication relating to results of racing in North America are compiled from data generated by Daily Racing Form, Equibase, Bloodstock Research Information Services, and The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc., the copyright owners of said data. Reproduction is prohibited.

A dvertisin g co py d ead lin e 5th o f mo n th p recedin g p ub licatio n. Su bscrip tio ns and ch ang e of add ress: Please m ail to – Circulation s D ep artment. T HE FL ORIDA H ORS E, 801 SW 60th Ave., O cala, Florida 34474.

Printed by Boyd Brothers, Inc.

BOYD

American Horse Publications • FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION • MEMBER BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

FTBOA OFFICERS AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS Gilbert G. Campbell, President Fred Brei, First Vice President J. Michael O’Farrell, Jr., Second Vice President George G. Isaacs, Secretary Diane Parks, Treasurer

DIRECTORS Joe Barbazon Dean DeRenzo Sheila DiMare Donald Dizney Barry W. Eisaman

Brent Fernung Bonnie M. Heath III Phil Matthews Jessica Steinbrenner Peter Vegso

EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT

Richard E. Hancock THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010 5

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of view

Purpose Driven e embark on a new legislative session in Tallahassee this month with a clear sense of purpose. Implementation of the pari-mutuel bill with an emphasis on generating higher purses and breeders’ incentives as part of the Richard E. Hancock/ELEANOR HANCOCK solution is of paramount importance to our future.

For years, we have impressed on our state’s elected leaders the value of the Thoroughbred industry to this state’s economy. Legislators recognize the issues facing our business and during this session they will have the opportunity to advance our industry.

We could be in for a rocky two months, however, as there will likely be plenty of back and forth exchanges between lawmakers. Legislative issues can be frustrating, but I assure you we have made steady progress in the legislature each year. With patience and essential collaboration, we can make The Legislature is expected to Florida’s Thoroughbred industry address new gaming issues regarding strong again, a model for other VLT’s, electronic bingo machines states and be in a position to kick start our recovery. and/or Instant Racing. Our position in Florida House Speaker each of the issues is that purses and Larry Cretul, R-Ocala, visited Breeders’Awards must be included in the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’Associthe legislation, either in statutes or by ation offices and addressed an requiring a written agreement, before audience at a Florida Thorlicenses can be issued. oughbred Farm Managers Association meeting just prior to the start of this year’s legislative session to discuss the pari-mutuel bill and the needs of our industry.

During last year’s regular session, the Florida Legislature passed a bill that contained several measures set forth by the FTBOA as being critical to Florida’s Thoroughbred industry. The bill, which became law June 15, was to cut the tax rate on slot-machine revenue in the state from 50 percent to 35 percent in order to be more competitive with Indian gaming, allow for greater flexibility in our Breeders’Awards program and provide for a Thoroughbred racing permit for Marion County.

That bill, however, hasn’t gone into effect because it was tied to a broader gaming compact being negotiated between Gov. Charlie Crist and the Seminole Tribe of Florida. The compact agreed to be-

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6 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

tween Crist and the Seminoles greatly expanded gaming for the Seminoles to the detriment of the state’s pari-mutuels, including Gulfstream Park and Calder, and the Legislature rejected the changes.

Since negotiations on a new compact have stalled, the House Select Committee on Seminole Indian Compact Review introduced HB 7001 for the 2010 regular session. The bill would make the provisions of the previously passed House bill effective if passed and implemented by the House, Senate and signed by the Governor without the coupling with the compact. Negotiations continue between the House and Seminoles and hopefully a conclusion can be reached that will provide for some balance and more equal competition between the state’s parimutuel permit holders and Indian gaming.

This legislation, if it becomes effective, will set the table for a new beginning for the Thoroughbred industry in Florida. I believe it will put us in better shape than most other states in terms of recovering from the recession. Implementing this legislation will inaugurate a new era for all those who have invested in our business and continue to believe in the promise of our industry as we do.

The Legislature is expected to address new gaming issues regarding VLT’s, electronic bingo machines and/or Instant Racing. Our position in each of the issues is that purses and Breeders’ Awards must be included in the legislation, either in statutes or by requiring a written agreement, before licenses can be issued. Without that language (similar to the slots legislation), any passage would be negative for Thoroughbred breeders and owners.

Consideration also must be given to Tampa Bay Downs and its proximity to the Seminole Tribe’s Hard Rock Casino in Tampa. The racetrack faces the same issues there that Gulfstream Park and Calder face in Miami. ■

Executive Vice President Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’Association

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Bridging The Gap he staff of Florida Equine Publications is responding to the changing ways of delivering words and images to members of the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association and readers of our magazines—The Florida Horse, Wire to Wire and Horse Capital Digest.

Our recently re-tooled website at www.ftboa.com now includes complete issues of The Florida Horse, presented stylishly in their entirety as they appear in print. News updates and stories from Wire to Wire are posted on the website daily and any information pertaining to the FTBOA and its efforts to improve Florida’s Thoroughbred industry can be found here. For those interested in tracking legislative progress from Tallahassee, the website also includes a section of Legislative Updates and FTBOA News Bulletins.

In addition to our interactive website, which includes membership and registration forms available for download, a tool for checking on Florida-bred registration status, streaming video, industry links and much more, e-mail blasts are sent regularly to members with e-mail addresses on file informing them of important dates and key meetings.

These new avenues of communication should not be the sole source of information, but viewed as an enhancement in expanding reach and sharing our message.

Marketing the Thoroughbred business over multiple platforms is vital to the industry’s survival. With coverage of horse racing dwindling in mainstream press all around the country, it is imperative that our industry trade publications weather this storm.

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In attracting new visibility for our client’s products and services, we aim to strengthen our presence on the internet to better benefit FTBOA members

8 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

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Stories about our leading sires, leading breeders and stars on the track must find their way to the eyes of readers. Chronicling Florida’s Thoroughbred industry, capturing its importance and beauty and sharing it must play a role in the industry’s future.

As the global economic downturn continues to impact our business, advertising has significantly decreased this past year. Reflecting that slide, we will combine the April and May issues of The Florida Horse into one issue. As breeding season winds down, we will follow the combined April/May issue with our annual Farm & Service Directory in June.

While we are dedicated to offering our members, readers and advertisers cover-to-cover quality in each issue, we are also focusing these days on a future publishing schedule tailored to the present needs of our advertising clients. During this time, our team will continue to explore additional avenues of disseminating content to FTBOA members and loyal readers of our publications, as well as enhancing the effectiveness of our website and electronic communications.

Ever-changing technological advances are certainly altering the Thoroughbred industry at almost every level. It has changed our business in many ways.

It is also transforming the way we deliver words and pictures and how we communicate with one another.

In the publishing business, we are embracing technology to expand our scope and reach through a multi-channel delivery system in sharing our articles, your stories.

In attracting new visibility for our client’s products and services, we aim to strengthen our presence on the internet to better benefit FTBOA members while complementing our existing print products and use of traditional media to inform and educate industry enthusiasts about the benefits of being involved in Florida’s Thoroughbred industry.

Enjoy the March issue.

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Presious Passion Repeats in

BY NICK FORTUNA After a strong 2009 campaign in which he won four stakes races and earned $1.52 million, Presious Passion had earned a rest, and he needed one. The Florida-bred gelding closed out 2009 in December with a disappointing fifth-place finish as the heavy favorite in Calder’s W.L. McKnight Handicap (G2), a race he had won in each of the previous two years.

Two months later, Presious Passion returned to the track looking fresh. The 7-yearold son of Royal Anthem wired the $150,000 Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 28, winning by 1¼ lengths over Winchester. Trainer Mary Hartmann said the plan was to use the Mac Diarmida as a tuneup for the $5 million Dubai Sheema Classic, a 1½-mile turf race at Meydan Race Course on March 27.

“We were concerned earlier in the day that the course might be less than firm, but we decided to go ahead and run, and that it would be better looking ahead to Dubai to have a race than not, although we planned to go anyhow and train him up to that race if necessary,” Hartmann said. “He only had the one workout since his last race, but as they get older, they don’t need to do as much. It’s become his pattern. We’re ready

D’ Funnybone Gets Back on Track

BY NICK FORTUNA

turity. But when trying a synthetic surface for the first time and stretching out to 11⁄16 miles for the BC Juvenile, he never looked his best, finishing 27½ lengths behind the winner, Vale of York.

In his return to a dirt track in the Hutcheson, D’ Funnybone once again looked like a Triple Crown contender, winning by a length over A Little Warm, with Ibboyee a length farther back in third. D’ Funnybone sat comfortably in third place outside of Florida-bred pacesetter Wildcat Frankie, who faded to sixth place after leading the field through a quarter-mile in 22.37 seconds and a half-mile in 45.10 seconds.

With usual rider Edgar Prado aboard for his 3-year-old debut, D’ Funnybone moved up three wide to challenge on the turn, got to the top of the lane with a one-length advantage and preserved his lead down the stretch. He finished the seven-furlong test in 1:22.14.

After the race, Dutrow compared D’ Funnybone to Florida-bred Benny the Bull, a Vinery stallion who won an Eclipse Award as the nation’s top sprinter in 2008. Despite that comparison, Dutrow said D’ Funnybone might be able to handle longer dis-

COGLIANESE PHOTO

After D’ Funnybone’s last-place performance in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita in November, trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. never lowered his expectations for the Florida-bred colt. On Feb. 20, D’ Funnybone rewarded Dutrow for his confidence in him by winning the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

It was the third graded stakes win for D’ Funnybone, a son of Vinery stallion D’wildcat bred by Ocala’s Harold J. Plumley. D’ Funnybone became a budding star sprinting on dirt last year, earning Grade 2 victories in the Saratoga Special and the Belmont Fu-

Florida-bred Dʼ Funnybone 10 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

tances and said the colt might run in the $750,000 Florida Derby (G1), a nine-furlong test for 3-year-olds at Gulfstream Park on March 20.

“I’m happy to get him back and run so well off the layoff,” Dutrow said. “He’s our next little Benny the Bull. He’s a lot like him except for his color. We’ll definitely consider the Florida Derby. At this point, I’m not ready to concede that his race in the Breeders’ Cup was attributable to the distance but rather the track. I don’t think it was as bad as it may have looked because Edgar did the right thing and didn’t push on him after a certain point.

“Like any 3-year-old at this time of the year, you think about the (Kentucky) Derby, so unless something develops to change my mind, the Florida Derby is likely where he’ll go next.”

“He was training very steady for this race, and we were very confident going in,” Prado said. “He broke good, and I was always very comfortable. We had a nice outside post, so he was in a good attacking position down the backside, and it was just a matter of turning him loose in the stretch.

And when I did, he just took off.”

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Mac Diarmida today. There were no problems.”

“My horse ran a good race,” jockey Allen Garcia said of Winchester. “I thought the winner might get pressed a little harder, and the course was actually a little firm.”

Last year, Presious Passion captured the Mac Diarmida by half a length over Quasicobra and went on to win the $200,000 Monmouth Stakes, the United Nations Stakes (G1) for the second straight year and the Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes (G1). He also finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1) at Santa Anita, losing by half a length to defending champion Conduit after setting the pace.

Presious Passion, bred by Joseph and Helen Barbazon at Pleasant Acres Farm in Morriston, has won 14 of his 44 starts for $2.66 million. He’s owned by Patricia Generazio.

Florida-bred Presious Passion

COGLIANESE PHOTO

to go now if everything goes all right.”

As is his style, Presious Passion was the quickest out of the gate in the field of seven older horses for the Mac Diarmida, which covered 13⁄8 miles on a Gulfstream turf course labeled “good.” Presious Passion covered a quarter of a mile in 23.72 seconds and a half-mile in 47.46 seconds while opening up a seven-length lead.

Winchester, who had run in third place throughout, moved up around the final turn and got to within 2½ lengths of the leader at the top of the lane, but Presious Passion was able to hold him off and finish in 2:13.49.

“Everything went very nice today,” said winning rider Elvis Trujillo. “The horse broke sharp and was very relaxed, and that was very good for the horse.

Every time he goes right to the lead, and you just hope things go easy. Then at the three-eighths, you put him in the bit, and he just goes on. (The turf) was perfect

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Desormeaux on their outside, seemingly ready to surge past him. But in the end it was Bim Bam who stopped the clock in 1:42.07 for his fourth career win.

“My plan was to sit right behind the speed, but when they let me go, I was able to make the lead and then go that slow,” Coa said. “And I know my horse is a

By NICK FORTUNA fighter, and he doesn’t like to let horses go Bim Bam might be the only horse with by. I knew if they challenged him, he was almost $300,000 in earnings and three going to fight back. When the other horse stakes victories who has never been fa- went by, I knew my horse was going to try, vored by the betting public, but if he con- so I kept riding and digging because I tinues to run with the heart he displayed knew he could come back, and he did.”

Coa had confidence in Bim Bam beFeb. 7, racing fans surely will start paying cause the horse has never run a bad race, him more respect.

Bim Bam prevailed by a nose in the having finished in the money in all nine of $125,000 Hallandale Beach Stakes at his starts. Bim Bam made his first six starts Gulfstream Park after dueling with 4-5 fa- on dirt at Calder Race Course last year, vorite Interactif for the length of the winning the $75,000 Foolish Pleasure stretch. Bim Bam had led the whole way Stakes and finishing third behind highly rein the 1 1/16-mile turf race before Interac- garded Florida-bred Jackson Bend in all tif stuck his head in front at the sixteenth three legs of the Florida Stallion Stakes.

Trainer David Brownlee then tried pole. Bim Bam refused to fold in the final yards, however, rallying to edge his rival at Bim Bam on turf, and the horse has responded with three strong efforts. The the wire.

With usual rider Eibar Coa aboard, Bim colt won the $100,000 Arthur Appleton Bam found himself leading the way early Juvenile Turf in November and finished in the Hallandale Beach for the first time second to Nordic Truce in the $100,000 in his nine-race career. The son of Deputy Dania Beach Stakes at Gulfstream Park in Wild Cat set modest fractions of 24.60 sec- January. Just like the Hallandale Beach, onds for a quarter-mile and 49.91 seconds the Dania Beach featured a thrilling for a half-mile, with Interactif half a length stretch battle, as Bim Bam lost a lead late and finished a neck behind the winner. behind in second place.

“We know he’ll fight back, like he did Bim Bam led by a head at the top of the stretch, with Interactif and jockey Kent the last time,” Brownlee said after the win.

Interactif was favored based on his Grade 3 victories going 1 1/16 miles on turf in the With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga in September and the Bourbon Stakes at Keeneland in October, as well as his third-place finish behind Pounced in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) at Santa Anita in November. Desormeaux said he was surFlorida-bred Bim Bam (inside) prised his horse was COGLIANESE PHOTO

Bim Bam By a Nose

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Tiznow Colt Sells for $475,000 at OBS Hip No. 29, a colt by Tiznow consigned by Bo Hunt, agent, went to Chuck and Maribeth Sandford and partners for $475,000 to top the OBS February sale of selected 2-year-olds in training Feb. 16. The dark bay or brown colt, who worked an eighth of a mile in 10 1/5 seconds at the Feb. 12 under-tack show at OBS, is out of the stakes-placed Six Pack Sally, by Tale of the Cat. Hip No. 106, a colt by Yes It’s True consigned by W.D. North Thoroughbreds, agent, was sold to Amy E. Tarrant/Hardacre Farm for $425,000. The chestnut colt is out of Debit Or Credit, by Cat Thief, a half-sister to graded stakes winner Alke. He worked a quarter of a mile in 21 seconds flat at the under-tack show, tying for the fastest work at the distance.

Let’s Go Stables went to $400,000 for hip No. 84, a Florida-bred Harlan’s Holiday filly consigned by Ocala Stud. Out of stakes winner Burn Brightly, by American Chance, the dark bay or brown filly, who also breezed a quarter in 21 flat, is a half-sister to stakes winner Dream of Angels.

Tarrant also purchased hip No. 52, a Rockport Harbor filly consigned by Crupi’s New Castle Farm, agent. The gray or roan filly, who worked a quarter in 21 4/5, is out of the stakes-placed Truart, by Yes It’s True.

For the session, 66 horses grossed $6.41 million, compared with 93 horses bringing $9.87 million at last year’s February sale. The average price was $97,182, compared with $106,115 in 2009, while the median price was $66,000, compared with $90,000 a year ago.

The buyback percentage was 38.9 percent; it was 39.6 percent in 2009.

Next on the OBS agenda is the March sale of selected 2-year-olds in training on March 16-17. For information about OBS, please visit www.obssales.com, e-mail obs@obssales.com or call (352) 237-2154.

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

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second best Sunday.

“Was it the trip I wanted? Yes, it went very well,” he said. “But I’m shocked. I didn’t think I could get beat from the quarter-pole.”

Bim Bam is a homebred for Jim DiMare, who races under the J D Farms name and owns Rising Hill Farm in Reddick along with this wife, Sheila. The $75,000 winner’s check for the Hallandale Beach boosted his earnings to $296,295.

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Amen Hallelujah Dominates Davona Dale at Gulfstream

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down on the inside today, and I wanted to be (close to the pace).”

Amen Hallelujah, bred by Thorobeam Farm, is owned by IEAH Stables and Whizway Farms and was a $40,000 purchase at Keeneland’s sale of yearlings in Septem-

Florida-bred Amen Hallelujah

COGLIANESE PHOTO

BY NICK FORTUNA Amen Hallelujah left little doubt whether she could handle running on a conventional dirt surface, cruising to a 6 ¼-length triumph in the $150,000 Davona Dale Stakes at Gulfstream Park on Feb. 27 for her second consecutive Grade 2 score.

The daughter of Ocala Stud Farm stallion Montbrook entered the race off a win in the seven-furlong Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita Park in January. She made the first seven starts of her career on synthetic surfaces, but trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. said he thought a surface switch wouldn’t pose a problem for his talented, 3-year-old filly.

“I brought her back from California just to run in this race,” he said. “I’ve always thought she’d be better on dirt. She trains better on dirt than the synthetic. I really haven’t thought about what might be next.”

Amen Hallelujah, breaking from the rail with Julien Leparoux aboard for the first time, ran in second place early in the Davona Dale behind the favored Bickersons, who led the field through a quarter-mile in 24.49 seconds and a half-mile in 47.54. As Bickersons began to tire, Amen Hallelujah took command, getting to the top of the lane with a four-length advantage and widening the gap down the stretch.

Amen Hallelujah finished the one-mile test on a fast track in 1:37.16. Florida-bred Joanie’s Catch, who had stalked in third place most of the way, finished as the runner-up for the fourth straight race, a head in front of Mambo Fever, while Bickersons was fourth.

“It was a good race for her,” Leparoux said of Amen Hallelujah. “She ran very nice and easy today, and she went well over the track. That other filly (Bickersons) is a nice filly, and my filly went up to her real easy and kept going. It was a little tough to be

ber 2008. She’s won four of her eight starts for $312,370. Amen Hallelujah is out of the Concorde’s Tune mare Sara’s Success. Concorde’s Tune, like Montbrook, stands at Ocala Stud Farm.

Amen Hallelujah has hit the board in seven straight races since a fifth-place debut at Arlington Park last summer. Prior to getting her first stakes win in the Santa Ynez, she finished third in a pair of Grade 1 races behind two of last year’s top juvenile fillies, losing to Negligee in the Alcibiades Stakes at Keeneland in October and Blind Luck in the Hollywood Starlet at Hollywood Park in December.

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Jeranimo Scores First Stakes Win in Strub at Santa Anita

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an 0-for-4 mark in stakes races, with his best finish being a third-place effort behind Pioneerof the Nile in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita last March.

In the Strub, Jeranimo ran in sixth place early as eventual last-place finisher Heavenly Wind carved out fractions of 24.22 seconds for a quarter-mile and 48.23 for a half-mile.

Misremembered, the runner-up in the Malibu Stakes (G1) in December at Santa Anita, ran just off the pace in third place.

Florida-bred Jeranimo

BENOIT & ASSOCIATES PHOTO

BY NICK FORTUNA If the $200,000 Strub Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita Park had been run a week earlier on Feb. 6 as originally scheduled, then Florida-bred Jeranimo never would have made it into the field. But a rainstorm postponed the race, giving him a muchneeded week to prepare and allowing him to earn the biggest win of his career.

Jeranimo rallied to beat 7-10 favorite Misremembered by 1¼ lengths in the Strub for his first stakes victory. The 4-year-old son of Congaree was running on short rest after finishing a close-up fourth behind Bold Chieftain in the Sunshine Millions Classic at Santa Anita on Jan. 30 and would have had to skip the Strub had it been run on its original date.

“We skipped this race (Feb. 6) because it was coming back on seven days’ rest, so we decided to take a shot today when it rained out,” winning trainer Mike Pender said. “The weatherman was our best friend.

“The horse just found a perfect little spot down on the rail. He was saving ground, and I thought to myself, ‘Oh no, here we go again,’ because he has been victimized countless times by poor racing luck. Today, the seam opened, he just followed Misremembered right through the turn and cut on the inside of him. The race just fell into his lap for a change on his biggest day.”

Jeranimo, bred at Brylynn Farm in Reddick, is owned by B.J. Wright and was a $70,000 purchase at Barretts in May 2008.

The colt has won three of his 11 starts for $264,600. The horse entered the Strub with

With Martin Garcia aboard him for the first time, Jeranimo moved up to third place at the top of the stretch and split foes while launching his bid, gaining the lead with half a furlong to go and edging clear. His final time for the 1 1/8 miles on a fast track was 1:47.83.

“I didn’t know a thing about this horse until this morning,” Garcia said. “I went by the barn, and Mike said he had a little trouble last time, but he’s got a lot of heart and to just ride him with confidence. I got him covered up early, and he relaxed real well. At the top of the stretch, a hole opened up, and he kicked on really strong.”

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D’ Funnybone rewarded trainer Rick Dutrow Jr. for his confidence in him by winning the $150,000 Hutcheson Stakes (G2) at Gulfstream Park.

It was the third graded stakes win for D’ Funnybone, a son of Vinery stallion D’wildcat bred by Ocala’s Harold J. Plumley.

D’ Funnybone became a budding star sprinting on dirt last year, earning Grade 2 victories in the Saratoga Special and the Belmont Futurity.

In his return to a dirt track Saturday, D’ Funnybone once again looked like a Triple Crown contender, winning by a length over A Little Warm, with Ibboyee a length farther back in third.

D’ Funnybone Is

Back

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COGLIANESE PHOTO

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Best of the The 50th annual FTBOA Awards Dinner shines the spotlight on the Florida Thoroughbred industry's

best of the best in 2009.

By JOANN GUIDRY n the Thoroughbred industry, an outstanding racehorse takes everyone along for a great ride. Such was the case with Presious Passion and his connections. Not only was Presious Passion named the 2009 Florida-bred Horse of the Year, but he earned year-end accolades for his breeder and owner as well.

At the 50th annual FTBOA Awards Dinner on March 15 at the Ocala Hilton, Joseph and Helen Barbazon were honored as Florida Breeder of the Year. The Barbazons bred, trained and sold Presious Passion. In addition, the Barbazons also own

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2009 FLORIDA-BRED

HORSE OF THE YEAR Presious Passion 2003 chestnut gelding by Royal Anthem – Princesa's Passion, by Marquetry

Owner: Patricia Generazio

Trainer: Mary Hartmann 20 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

ELEANOR HANCOCK PHOTO

Breeders: Joseph & Helen Barbazon

Florida Broodmare of theYear Princesa's Passion, the dam of Presious Passion. Patricia Generazio, who bought Presious Passion privately as a yearling from the Barbazons, garnered the title of the leading Florida Owner by Florida-bred earnings.

Ocala Stud-based Montbrook won his second consecutive Florida Stallion of the Year award.

Wildcat Heir, who stands at Journeyman Stud, claimed both the Florida Juvenile and Freshman sire titles.

Beth Bayer collected the Joe O'Farrell Memorial Award as the original consignor of Macho Again and Milan Kosanovich was singled out as the outstanding small Florida Thoroughbred operation with the Needles Award.

Many other awards, including those for the breeders, owners and trainers of the 2009 Floridabred champions, were part of the night's celebration.

resious Passion is the kind of horse that could make anyone get passionate about Thoroughbred racing. The 6-year-old gelding, who had posted an outstanding 2008 season, came back in 2009 to prove that had been no fluke.

In but nine starts, Presious Passion scored victories in the United Nations Stakes (G1), Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Classic (G1), Mac Diarmida Stakes (G3) and Monmouth Stakes. In addition, he was second in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1). Pan American Stakes (G3) and Sunshine Millions Turf. In winning the

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United Nations Stakes (G1) for the second consecutive time, Presious Passion also set a course record time of 2:10.97 for the 11 furlongs.

Bred by Joseph and Helen Barbazon, Presious Passion earned $1,524,275 for owner Patricia Generazio. In addition to collecting the Florida-bred Horse of theYear title, the Mary Hartmann-trainee was also named the Florida-bred champion older male and Florida-bred champion turf horse.

2009 FLORIDA BREEDER OF THE YEAR Joseph & Helen Barbazon oe and Helen Barbazon, who bred 2009 Floridabred Horse of the Year Presious Passion, garnered the Florida Breeder of the Year title. The Barbazons, who were also represented on the season by Floridabred stakes winners Fleet Valid and Becky's Exchange, recorded Florida-bred earnings of $2,031,012.

In addition, the Barbazons also own 2009 Florida Broodmare of the Year Princesa's Passion. The Marquetry mare is the dam of multiple Grade I stakeswinning millionaire Presious Passion. In 2008, the Barbazons earned the Needles Award as the outstanding small Florida Thoroughbred operation. Their 220acre Pleasant Acres Farm is located just outside Ocala in Morriston.

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22 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

FILE PHOTO

Joeseph and Helen Barbazon

The Barbazons have been basking in Presious Passion's racing success for the past two seasons. In 2008, the Royal Anthem gelding won three graded stakes, became a millionaire and was named the Florida-bred champion turf horse. And yet, even more success was to come. In 2009, Presious Passion won four stakes, including three graded, set a course record and added $1.5 million to his bankroll. That led to him being named the 2009 Florida-bred Horse of the Year, champion older male and champion turf horse.

After a season-opening runner-up finish to fellow Florida-bred Soldier's Dancer in the Sunshine Millions Turf, Presious Passion won Mac Diarmida Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park. Winning time for the 11 furlongs over a firm course was 2:12.10. Then given a three-month break by trainer Mary Hartmann, Presious Passion would come back to win the Monmouth Stakes for owner Patricia Generazio. The latter and her husband Frank Generazio are longtime clients of the Barbazons and purchased Presious Passion privately as a yearling.

On the Fourth of July, Presious Passion posted his second consecutive United Nations Stakes (G1) victory. He won by two lengths in course-setting time of 2:10.97 for the 11 furlongs. Presious Passion tallied his second Grade I win on the season at Santa Anita, capturing the Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes (G1) on October 11. He won by two and a half lengths in 1:59.13 for the 10 furlongs.

Presious Passion wrapped up his outstanding season with an exciting and memorable effort in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1) on November 7 at Santa Anita. He led by as many as 10 lengths, set fractions of :23.08, :45.14, 1:09.24, 1:34.56 and 1:59.72 before being overtaken by Conduit (Ire) in deep stretch. Conduit (Ire), who also won the 2008 BC Turf, posted a half-length victory over Presious Passion.

In nine starts in 2009, Presious Passion posted four wins and three seconds to earn $1,524,275.

Over five seasons of racing to date, he has banked $2,576,293.

Fleet Valid, a 2003 gelding by Montbrook out of the Valid Appeal mare Di's Song, won the Icecapade Stakes and Teddy Drone Stakes. Owned by Shillelagh Racing Stables, he was also third in the Francis J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G1) and earned $204,100 on the season.

Becky's Exchange, a 3-year-old filly by Exchange Rate out of Expect Becky, by Valid Expectations, won the Desert Vixen Stakes. Also owned by Generazio, Becky's Exchange banked seasonal earnings of $99,260.

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THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ASSOCIATION WOULD LIKE TO THANK OUR SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

Honoring the

Ben Cambra Strategies Bernie Little Distributing, LLC Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. Boyd Brothers Inc. Community Bank & Trust of Florida Covert Appraisal Services, Inc. Duggan, Joiner & Company, PA Equine Medical Center of Ocala Get Away Farm Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds -Pro-Care Plus Hoof Conditioner Hear No Evil Jerry Parks Insurance Group Journeyman Bloodstock Services Inc. Kinsman Farm Live Oak Stud Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. Ocala Equine Hospital, PA Ocala Stud Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital LLC Plumley Farms Smith, Bryan and Myers Stonehedge Farm South Wildcat Heir Partnership Winding Oaks Farm

Best

SILVER SPONSORS Capital City Consulting Seminole Feed

BRONZE SPONSORS Alarion Bank Alltech Calder Casino & Race Course Derby Gold Pine Shavings, LLC Exclusive Quality Syndicate Lambholm South Showcase Properties of Central Florida Inc. Suntrust Bank Tack Shack of Ocala U.S. Hay, Inc.

50th annual FTBOA awards Monday Evening – March 15, 2010 The Hilton Ocala – Ocala, Florida

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2009 FLORIDA STALLION OF THE YEAR Montbrook

Montbrook (above) and Presious Passion (bottom)

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTO

1995 dark bay/brown colt by Buckarro – Secret Paper, by Jet Diplomacy

ontbrook claimed yet another title as Florida Stallion of the Year, leading all resident Florida stallions with progeny earnings of $3,781,209 in 2009.

Montbrook, who stands at Ocala Stud, was also the leading Florida sire in 2008, 2003 and 2002.

Montbrook was represented by seven stakes winners, which won 11 stakes. Millionaire Big Drama headed the stakes-winning class that also included Shadowdancing, FleetValid, Exotic Bloom, Chary, Oilgonewile and Christmas Ship. Montbrook was also represented by stakesplaced runners Amen Hallelujah, Lanzera, Good to Be Seen, Miss Diane and Brooks 'n Down. Amen Hallelujah, who was third in a pair of Grade I races, was named the 2009 Florida-bred champion 2-year-old filly.

Big Drama, bred and raced by Harold Queen, won the Red Legend Stakes. The 3-year-old colt was also second in the West Virginia Derby (G2) and Swale Stakes (G2) on his way to earning $358,500. Big Drama has career earnings to date of $1,218,750.

Shadowdancing won a trio of stakes and was graded stakes-placed as well. The 4year-old colt won the Bonasera Stakes, Jim Rasmussen Memorial Stakes and West Virginia Governor's Stakes. Bred by Ocala Stud and raced by RNB Racing LLC, Shadowdancing was also second in the Prairie Meadows Cornhusker Handicap (G2). He

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24 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

banked $223,875 on the season.

Fleet Valid, bred by Joseph and Helen Barbazon, won the Teddy Drone Stakes and Icecapade Stakes. The Shillelagh Racing Stables colorbearer also posted a third in the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G1) on his way to earning $204,100. Exotic Bloom won the Windward Stakes and My Charmer Stakes while also finishing third in the Seaway Stakes (G3-Can).

Chary won the Calder Oaks, Oilgonewile captured the Sweetest Chant Stakes and Christmas Ship won the Alameda County Fillies & Mares Handicap.

Florida-bred Montbrook was bred by Ocala Stud and sold by his breeder for $250,000 at the 1992 Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's February 2-year-olds in training sale. The son of Buckaroo out of multiple stakes-producer Secret Papers, by Jet Diplomacy, was a graded stakes winner of $373,728. Purchased privately at the end of his racing career, Montbrook entered stud at Ocala Stud in 1995.

2009 FLORIDA BROODMARE OF THE YEAR Princesa’s Passion 1999 chestnut mare by Marquetry – Sizzlin Sunshine,

by Sunshine Forever

hanks to the racing exploits of Presious Passion, Princesa's Passion was named the 2009 Florida Broodmare of the Year.

Presious Passion, a 2003 chestnut gelding by Royal Anthem, was one of the top turf runners in the country in 2009. He posted four stakes wins, including two Grade I victories, and set a course record on his way to earning $1.5 million on the season.

Bred by Joseph and Helen Barbazon, Presious Passion won his second consecutive United Nations Stakes (G1) at Monmouth Park and set a course record of 2:10.97 for the 11 furlongs. It was also the third course record Presious Passion has posted in his career. He encored that with a victory in the Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita.

Owned by Patricia Generazio and trained

by Mary Hartmann, Presious Passion also scored wins in the Mac Diarmida Stakes (G3) and Monmouth Stakes. In addition, he was second in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), Pan American Stakes (G3) and Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes. On the season, Presious Passion earned $1,524,275 and has a career bankroll to date of $2,576,293.

Presious Passion was named the 2009 Florida-bred Horse of the Year, champion older male and champion turf horse.

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Pedigree, Performance, Conformation

REY DE CAFÉ K i n g m a m b o — C o m m o d i t i e s , b y Pr i v a t e A c c o u n t

Impeccably bred, Rey de Café is by sire of champions Kingmambo, out of a stellar female family that includes perennial leading sire Seeking the Gold.

Rey de Café won sprinting and routing on both dirt and turf, suggesting his offspring will relish today’s synthetic surfaces.

First foals are 2 this year! Watch for them at the races. ♦ 899 S.W. 85th Ave., Ocala, FL 34481 ♦ (352) 237-3834 ♦ Fax: (352)237-6069 ♦ www.doublediamondfarm.com Also standing:

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2009 LEADING FLORIDA TRAINER OF FLORIDA-BREDS -By Earnings & Stakes Wins (Tie)

2009 LEADING FLORIDA JUVENILE & FRESHMAN SIRE Wildcat Heir

Martin D. Wolfson artin D. Wolfson trained Florida-breds to earnings of $1,806,093 and six stakes wins at Florida racetracks in 2009. The six stakes wins also tied him with trainer Stanley I. Gold.

Wolfson trained six Floridabred stakes winners which won two stakes at Gulfstream Park and four at Calder Race Course.

Among those six stakes winners were Florida-bred graded stakes winners Frolic's Dream and It's a Bird. At Gulfstream Park, Frolic's Dream won the Forward Gal Stakes (G3) Park while It's a Bird captured the OBS Sunshine Millions Classic. Outside of Florida, It's a Bird also won the Oaklawn Handicap (G3) and Lone Star Handicap (G3) on the season.

At Calder,You Luckie Mann won the Unbridled Stakes, Misty Oak captured the Donthelumbertrader Stakes, Rate of Exchange scored in the Connie Ann Stakes and Jessica Is Back posted a win in the Nancy's Glitter Handicap.

2000 bay colt by Forest Wildcat – Penniless Heiress, by Pentelicus

ildcat Heir swept both titles of 2009 leading Florida juvenile and freshman sire with progeny earnings of $1,169,439. He was represented by two stakes winners and one stakes-placed runner in 39 winners. The latter mark set a new Northern Hemisphere record for most juvenile winners by a stallion in a season.

Leading money earner for Wildcat Heir was stakes winner Karmageddon, who earned $73,130. The 2-

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Wildcat Heir (above), Martin Wolfson (top left) and Stanley Gold (bottom)

year-old filly out of Kismet, by Kissin Kris, won the New Jersey Juvenile Stakes to become Wildcat Heir first career stakes winner.

Florida-bred Wild Mia, bred by Montgomery Farm, won the John Franks Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes at Calder. Raced by Craig Wheeler, Wild Mia banked $64,147 on the season. Stakes-placed Always Wildcatin' was second in the Prairie Meadows Freshman Stakes and third in the Colin Stakes to earn $67,380.

Bred in Florida by New Farm, Wildcat Heir was a Grade I stakes winner of $424,460. He won the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G1) and was second in the Sanford Stakes (G2). Wildcat Heir also won the Icecapade Stakes and Teddy Drone Stakes. Out of multiple graded stakes-producer Penniless Heiress, by Pentelicus, Wildcat Heir is a full brother to graded stakes winner Forest Heiress and stakes winner Forest Heir. Wildcat Heir stands as property of Taylor Made/WinStar Venture and New Farm at Brent and Crystal Fernung's Journeyman Stud.

26 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

-By Stakes Wins (Tie)

Stanley Gold tanley I. Gold trained Florida-bred stakes winners Jackson Bend, Garter Belt and Hear Ye Hear Ye to six stakes wins at Florida racetracks in 2009. The six stakes wins tied him with trainer Martin D. Wolfson.

Gold trained Florida-bred Jackson Bend to a sweep of the Florida Stallion Stakes Series. Jackson Bend, a homebred runner for Fred and Jane Brei's Jacks Or Better Farm, became the seventh juvenile colt to sweep the FSS in its 28-year history. By Hear No Evil out of the Tabasco Cat mare Sexy Stockings, Jackson Bend won the Dr. Fager Stakes, Affirmed Stakes and In Reality Stakes to record the historic FSS sweep at Calder.

Jackson Bend also won the Frank Gomez Memorial Stakes at Calder.

Jacks Or Better Farm homebreds Garter Belt won the Regal Gal Stakes and Hear Ye HearYe captured the Jack Price Juvenile Stakes at Calder.

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2009 LEADING FLORIDA TRAINER OF FLORIDA-BREDS

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Honoring Champions

By MICHAEL COMPTON ward recipients at this year’s Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’Association annual awards ceremony will receive handsome bronze sculptures created by Nina Kaiser and Lisa Perry. Both artists bring a natural passion and feel for the Thoroughbred to their work that will be shared with Florida’s

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award winners during the 50th anniversary dinner March 15.

Kaiser, who grew up in Northern California and resides near Del Mar racetrack, made headlines last year with the unveiling of her lifesize sculpture of the great John Henry. The bronze rendering was unveiled Dec. 26, 2009 coinciding with the opening of the 75th anniversary season of Santa Anita.

“Nina did a wonderful job,” said John Henry’s longtime trainer Ron McAnally, “it looks just like him.”

In addition to her commissioned work for the FTBOA, she designs and creates trophies for Santa Anita, Golden Gate Fields and the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

For more information on Nina Kaiser, visit www.equinesculpture.com.

Perry has made trophies for the American Quarter Horse Association, as well as Lone Star Park, where her sculpture of Alysheba stands. Her work can also be viewed in the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs.

For more information on Lisa Perry, visit www.lisaperry.com.

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2009 LEADING FLORIDA TRAINER OF FLORIDA-BREDS -By Wins Kathleen O'Connell athleen O'Connell trained Florida-breds to 75 wins at Florida racetracks in 2009.

Among O'Connell's charges was Florida-bred stakes winner Wave Me By. The Gilbert G. Campbell homebred won the Seacliff Stakes at Calder Race Course. By Untuttable out of Traffic Jammer, by Theatrical (Ire), Wave Me By posted two wins and one third in seven starts to bank $74,800.

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Clockwise from above; Kathleen OʼConnell, Beth Bayer, Patricia Generazio, and Milan Kosanovich

2009 NEEDLES AWARD Milan Kosanovich he Needles Award was established by the FTBOA to honor Florida breeders who own small Thoroughbred operations and have made outstanding contributions to the Florida Thoroughbred industry. The 2009 recipient of the Needles Award was Milan Kosanovich, whose Florida-breds earned $1,615,927 on the season.

Kosanovich's 16 starters recorded 18 wins, 27 seconds and 21 thirds. As a breeder, Kosanovich was represented by four 2009 Florida-bred stakes winners, including graded stakes winners Macho Again and Be Fair.

Macho Again won the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) and New Orleans Handicap (G2) while finishing second in both the Whitney Handicap (G1) and Woodward Stakes (G1). A 2006 gray/roan colt by Macho Uno out of the deceased Wild Again mare Go Donna Go, Macho Again earned $1,040,734 on the year.

Be Fair, a 2006 bay filly by Exchange Rate and also out of the deceased Go Donna Go, captured the Lake George Stakes (G3) to bank $210,413. Kosanovich was also represented by Florida-bred stakes winners Izzy Rules and Pray For Action. Izzy Rules won the Juan Gonzalez Memorial Stakes and was third in theArizona Juvenile Fillies for earnings of $47,782. Pray ForAction won the Darley Ocala Breeders' Sale Sprint to bank $45,800.

Kosanovich, a former Pennsylvania steel executive, owns 40-acre Broken Back Farm in Ocala.

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2009 JOE O'FARRELL MEMORIAL AWARD Consignor: Beth Bayer, agent Horse: Macho Again he Joe O'Farrell Memorial Award is presented annually by the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company to the original consignor of the year's best Florida-bred race-

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horse offered at a public auction in Florida.

The 2009 Joe O'Farrell Award was presented to Beth Bayer, agent, as the original consignor of Florida-bred Grade I winner Macho Again.

Bayer consigned Macho Again to the 2006 OBS August yearling sale, where the Macho Uno colt was purchased for $85,000 by Crupi's New Castle Farm. The latter then consigned the colt to the 2007 OBS February juvenile sale, where he was purchased for $150,000 by West Point Thoroughbreds.

In 2009, Macho Again won the Stephen H. Foster Handicap (G1) and the New Orleans Handicap (G2). He also finished second in the Whitney Handicap (G1) and Woodward Stakes (G1), by a head in the latter to 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexander. Bred by Milan Kosanovich and raced by West Point Thoroughbreds, Macho Again earned $1,040,734 on the season.

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2009 LEADING OWNER BY FLORIDA-BRED EARNINGS Patricia Generazio atricia Generazio led all owners by Florida-bred earnings with $2,112,685. Her leading earner was Florida-bred multiple Grade I stakes winner Presious Passion, who in 2009 banked $1,524,275.

Presious Passion won the Clement L. Hirsch Memorial Turf Championship Stakes (G1), United Nations Stakes (G1), Mac Diarmida Stakes (G2) and Monmouth Stakes. He was also second in the Breeders' Cup Turf (G1), Pan American Stakes (G3) and Sunshine Millions Turf Stakes.

For his stellar season, Presious Passion was named the 2009 Florida-bred Horse of the Year, champion older male and champion turf horse.

By Royal Anthem out of the Marquetry mare Princesa's Passion, Presious Passion was bred by Joseph and Helen Barbazon. A longtime client of the Barbazons, Generazio purchased Presious Passion privately as a yearling. ■

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Juvenile Consignors Dominate National Standings

ddie Woods was the 2009 North American leading juvenile consignor by total sales with 68 horses sold for $8,061,500. Woods, who also sold the highest-priced juvenile for the year, led a sweep of the top 10 spots by Florida-based operations.

Woods, as agent for theAllen Paulson LivingTrust, sold Take Control for $1.9 million at the 2009 Keeneland April juvenile sale.The chestnut colt byA.P. Indy was the first foal out of 2002 Horse of the Year Azeri, by Jade Hunter, and was namedVallenzeri at the time of the sale to Kaleem Shah.

In 2009, notable graduates of Woods’ sales/training operation included graded stakes winners Life Is Sweet and Haynesfield, as well as stakes winner Maram. Woods training graduate Life Is Sweet won the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic (G1) for breeders/owners Martin and Pam Wygod. Graded stakes winner Maram, another training graduate who won the 2008 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf, won this past season’s John Hettinger Stakes.

Graded stakes winner Haynesfield, sold by Woods for $20,000 to Vision Racing at the 2008 Keeneland April juvenile sale, added to his resume with a win in the Discovery Handicap (G3) and three other stakes in 2009.

Other past outstanding graduates from Woods’ 240acre training center include Eclipse champions Big Brown, Left Bank and Midnight Lute.

Here’s a quick look at several other Ocala-based 2009 leading juvenile consignors and their recent successful graduates.

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■ WAVERTREE STABLES

32 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

Ciaran and Amy Dunne’s Wavertree Stables recorded a second-place finish on the leading juvenile consignors list with 59 horses sold for $7,846,500. Wavetree Stables sold two sales toppers that landed spots on the top 10 rankings of the highest-priced juveniles on the year.

At the Fasig-Tipton February 2-year-olds in training sale, Wavertree Stables, agent for breeder/owner Jacks Or Better Farm, sold a Florida-bred colt for $1.6 million to John Ferguson Bloodstock. By Medaglia d’Oro out of Bayou Plans, by Bayou Hebert, the nearly black colt was named Cup o’ Joe at the time of the sale. Renamed Al Zir and racing for Godolphin, the colt went on to finish third in the Racing Post Trophy (G1-Eng).

Wavertree Stables, agent, also sold the $625,000 sales

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topper at the Barretts March juvenile sale. Hurricane Hal, a colt by Tiznow out of Hurricane Judy, by Storm Cat, was purchased by Jess Jackson’s Stonerstreet Stables.

In 2009, Wavertree Stables was represented by sales/training stakes-winning graduates Devil May Care, Necessary Evil and Suni. Devil May Care, a $400,000 RNA at the 2009 Fasig-Tipton Florida March sale, went on to win the Frizette Stakes (G1) for Glencrest Farm.

Necessary Evil, who was a $270,000 RNA at the Barretts March juvenile sale, won the Hollywood Juvenile Championship Stakes (G3) and was second in the Sorrento Stakes (G3). The Harlan’s Holiday filly races for Glencrest Farm and Dapple Stable.

Millionaire Suni, who is based in Japan, won the 2009 JBC Sprint and was stakes-placed three times on the season. To date, Suni has earned $2.3 million.

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at the same sale, Sensei, a colt by Friends Lake out of Miss Cox’s Hat, by Cox’s Ridge, sold for $625,000 to Padua Stables and Zayat Stables.

In 2009, Leprechaun Racing sales/training graduate Munnings recorded another stellar season.

The Speightstown colt won the Woody Stephens Stakes (G2) and Tom Fool Handicap (G2); he was also third in the Haskell Invitational (G1), Vosburgh Stakes (G1) and King’s Bishop Stakes (G1). Leprechaun Racing sold Munnings for $1.7 million at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton February Calder sale.

Leprechaun Racing was also represented by sales/training graduates and 2009 stakes winners My Time to Star and Southern Yankee.

■ EISAMAN EQUINE SERVICES Rounding out the top five leading juvenile consignors was Eisaman Equine Services, owned and operated by Barry and Shari Eisaman, with 73 horses sold for $4,937,700.

In 2009, Eisaman Equine Services was represented by seven graded stakes winners which were sales/training graduates. Included in that number were Grade I winners Gozzip Girl, Hot Cha Cha and Icon Project.

Gozzip Girl won the American Oaks Invitational Stakes (G1), Sands Point Stakes (G2) and Herecomesthebride Stakes (G3). Hot Cha Cha captured the Queen Elizabeth II Chal2009 Top 10 lenge Cup (G1), Pucker Up Leading Juvenile Consignors Stakes (G3), Bourbonette (By Total Sales) Oaks (G3) and was graded Consignor Total Sales stakes-placed three times.

Eddie Woods . . . .$8,061,500 Icon Project won the PerWavertree Stables . . . .$7,846,500 sonal Ensign Stakes (G1), New Niall Brennan Stables . . . .$6,850,000 York Stakes (G3) and was twice Leprechaun Racing . . . .$5,988,000 graded stakes-placed on the seaEisaman Equine Services . . . .$4,937,700 son. Other 2009 Eisaman Nick de Meric . . . .$4,702,000 Equine Services graded stakesJerry Bailey Sales . . . .$4,510,700 winning graduates included AdScanlon Training Center . . . .$4,024,000 vice, Don’t Forget Gil, Rodman Stephens Thoroughbreds . . . .$3,517,500 Hartley/DeRenzo . . . .$3,439,000 and Westside Bernie. ■

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The third-ranked juvenile consignor was Niall Brennan Stables with 66 horses sold for $6,850,000.

The operation’s most successful 2009 sales graduate was Grade I stakes winner Hot Dixie Chick. The filly

by Dixie Union out of Above Perfection, by In Excess (Ire), sold for $435,000 to Grace Racing LLC at the Fasig-Tipton Florida March 2-year-olds in training sale.

Hot Dixie Chick won the Spinaway Stakes (G1) and Schuylerville Stakes (G3) at Saratoga.

Niall Brennan Stables was also represented in 2009 by sales/training stakes-winning graduates Sara Louise, Motavato and Age of Humor. Graded stakes winner Sara Louise, who was sold for $550,000 to Eldon Farm Equine at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Florida February juvenile sale, won the Top Flight Handicap (G2).

Motavato won the Kenny Noe Jr. Handicap (G3) and Age of Humor scored a victory in the Busanda Stakes.

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Mike and Britt Mulligan’s Leprechaun Racing was the fourth-leading juvenile consignor with 52 horses sold for $5,988,000. Leprechaun Racing sold two of the top 10 highest-priced juveniles on the season in Cornerstone and Sensei.

Cornerstone, a colt by Unbridled’s Song out of Amazing Buy, by HighYield, sold for $1.1 million to John Ferguson Bloodstock at the Fasig-Tipton February sale. Also

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‘We’re in Six of Marion County’s

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for Lean Times’ top equestrian and business leaders sat down with Ocala Style for an in-depth interview concerning the state of Marion County’s ailing Thoroughbred industry. We discussed the alarming foaling numbers, local yearling sales, even statewide gambling initiatives.

How will these issues affect our status as “The Horse Capital of the World?”

Read on.

Edited By DEAN BLINKHORN Transcribed By KRISTINA KOLESA e figured the best way to get the inthe-know answers was to gather a hand-picked group of Marion County’s top equestrian and business leaders together and ask them a series of tough questions face to face. In a brisk, 90-minute discussion in SKY’s well-appointed conference room on a brisk winter midday, Editor-In-Chief Dean Blinkhorn and Florida Horse Editor-In-Chief Mike Compton hosted a unique forum where the camera was clicking and the tape was rolling. Here’s what everyone had to say.

W

‘A LOT OF PEOPLE OWE MONEY’

Dean: Let’s start with this year that’s just come to a close, a very tough one for the Thoroughbred industry. How was 2009 for each of you?

Dick: If we had known what was going to happen in 2007—when people say everything began to happen—we would have slowed down a little bit. But like everybody else, we weren’t aware that this was going to happen.

Mike O’Farrell: This is my third downturn, but it does seem different this time. In years past, the people that played in the horse business, the sport of kings, were not damaged during those downturns. This time around, wealthy

people have—for one reason or another—decided not to play any longer.

The other thing is how quickly it hit. In 2008, OBS [Ocala Breeders’ Sales] actually had record sales. Our two-year-old sales were stronger than they’ve ever been. A year later, it tanked.

Dean: That’s a good point. Did any of you feel like you could anticipate what was coming?

Brent: I think people largely believed that it was business as usual right up until Bear Stearns and AIG happened in September ’08 in the middle of the biggest yearling sale in the world. You could just see all the air go out of the balloon in a matter of 48 hours. They sell 350 horses a day for about 14 days in a row, but everybody just stopped.

Mike O’Farrell: The other thing is that an awful lot of people owe a significant amount of money. That wasn’t the case in the ‘70s because banks didn’t loan on horses, per se.

Phil: We have a lot of people now that really make a living in the horse industry. They’re not wealthy people; they’re day-to-day people who have invested a lot of their time, efforts, and money like any other small business owner in America. With the horse business, there’s not a huge margin of profit, so when that profit gets cut even further, it makes it tough.

Originally published in Feb. 2010 issue of Ocala Style magazine

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Brent: In Kentucky, I would say the professional horseman is more likely to be working for a wealthy industrialist.

Mike O’Farrell: Well through the ‘60s, the wealthy people owned the farms and the people who knew how to take care of the horse worked for those people—the Phippses and DuPonts of the world. Starting in the ‘70s, more of the hands-on horsemen have become owners.That has made us a little more vulnerable to a downturn like we have now.

Dick: And there are more market breeders.

Mike O’Farrell: There again, through the ‘60s, the vast majority of horses produced would have never gone through a horse sale. They were bred and raised to go to the races.

Dick: If you’re not breeding for racing, your world ends at the market if you don’t have the ability to go to the racetrack financially. It’s very expensive.

‘OCALA’S IDENTITY IS TIED TO THE EQUINE INDUSTRY’

Mike Compton: We know the industry is struggling— sales prices have declined significantly, the foal crop is down significantly. Do you see our industry getting back to where we were at its height? Or do you even think it’s necessary to get back there to be successful?

Phil: When you have diminished supply, you’re always in a better situation when demand resurfaces.

Maybe I’m a naïve optimist, but the horse business has all the ability to recover and flourish again. These downturns are not new.

Brent: Owning a race horse is something that people want to do or we would’ve been out of business 50 years ago. But when you’re worried about meeting a mortgage, you’re probably not thinking too much about buying a racehorse or a new car or any other luxury item.

You’re probably looking at a two-year curve right now. The entire economy’s going to take a couple more years before it starts going the right way.

Dean: What can help the local horse industry rebound faster?

Mike O’Farrell: I don’t know whether it’s our industry that’s failing us or whether it’s the competition—the Lottery, the wagering on the Internet—but we’re definitely handling less at the track today. If you look at Calder [Casino & Race Track in Miami Gardens], their handle is probably 40 percent what it was 10 years ago. Our horses, unfortunately, are only worth what they can earn. We need to find a way to get people wagering at the track.

Part of the problem is the way the money is wagered.

Now people can bet with their Blackberry, but our purse structure gets no money from that.

Dean: So you’re not pushing for an iPhone app anytime soon? [everyone laughs] Dick: We have a Legislature that for the last decade has ignored Indian casinos and online wagering. They haven’t let us be competitive. We’re very fortunate to have the Speaker [Larry Cretul] doing everything he can right now. We’re not looking for subsidies; we’re looking for a level playing field.

Dean: Jaye, how has the Thoroughbred industry’s downturn affected the perception of Ocala, in terms of what you do to market Ocala as a business opportunity?

Jaye: Brent said it best. Over the last 18 months, this industry—like our small businesses, like our banks—has had to readjust its business model. The horse industry is no different. What Dick’s talking about is that they need to understand that this is a multi-billion dollar economic engine in our state economy. Just like what happened with the steel industry in Pittsburgh, though, it’s vulnerable.

FTBOA, our breeders and owners, the Chamber, and

THE PARTICIPANTS: (left to right)

Jaye Baillie— president/CEO, Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce Mike Compton—

editor-in-chief, The Florida Horse

36 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

PHOTOS BY JOHN JERNIGAN

Dean Blinkhorn— editor-in-chief, Ocala Style

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the EDC need to push that message so we don’t wake up one day and find that all of our horse farm operations have moved to other states because of the incentives and because purses are higher (see sidebar).

Brent: A big part of Ocala’s identity is tied to the equine industry. If we didn’t have it, it would impact a lot more than just us personally. It would impact the real estate values and the tourist marketing.

‘OUR HORSE PRICES WERE TOO HIGH’

Mike Compton: Brent, Journeyman Stud has been as aggressive as any farm in the area in bringing new stallions and new blood to our area. Judging by your actions, you’re still very positive about Marion County.

What do you see down the road?

Brent: There are only two places in the world that you have the facilities, the support, and the background to do what I do—Lexington and here. That said, I think we’re in for lean times.

Mike Compton: Mike, you’ve had the leading sire for the last handful of years. What changes have you seen at that level?

Mike O’Farrell: A couple of years ago, I felt that we were headed for some tough times. Everyone was paying slower. I’ve always found that when people have money, they’ll pay you, so that was telling.

I’m a seller, but I can tell you that our horse prices were too high. In 2008, OBS had record sales, but we actually had fewer people at those sales doing the buying.

Brent: Concentrating on a smaller group of horses, too.

Mike O’Farrell: I actually fly out tomorrow to look at a stallion in the Northeast. Now that prices have come down, I think things will pick back up and things will be fine. Those of us who have survived this ordeal will be better off.

Mike Compton: What have you seen from the mares’ perspective of the local horse industry?

Phil: We’ve certainly seen the mare population drop.

Unfortunately, I think the mare numbers are the biggest thing we’re seeing as far as what’s been impacted the most in the Thoroughbred industry.

Nothing feeds an economy more than the horse industry—the casinos don’t and the lottery sure as heck doesn’t. None of those industries, in my opinion, deserve the support that the horse industry does. It sells fence boards, tractors, mowers, shoes—it sells everything.

Dean: You bring up a good point because the local horse industry is our brand, but it’s also very invisible.

People drive past the farms, but don’t really know what goes on. They don’t know the process...

Jaye: Or the size of the payrolls.

Dean: Right, they have no idea because they can’t

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be in it or around it. If Kohls or Dillards were to pull out, people would probably feel that more because they’ve been to those places.

Phil: But people do realize the beauty that those horse farms bring to this area. I think that’s something that everybody needs to think about.

Mike O’Farrell: At our farm, we had over 150 people employed, which is a good-sized business. If we locked the gates and went out of business, there wouldn’t be anybody in Ocala that would say, “Ocala Stud’s gone. Look at all the jobs we lost!” like you would with any other big company.

Dean: I don’t know. Ocala Stud is one of our area’s iconic farms. I think people might notice its closing.

Mike O’Farrell: The horse business isn’t going to go away in Ocala. Unfortunately, I think it may contract some. We’re probably going to have half as many foals in 2011 as we had two years ago.

Mike Compton: Some 4,000 and change in ’07…

Brent: That’s going to put you back to 1998 levels.

Dean: Is that reversible? Or do you get to a certain point with the foaling crop that it’s very hard to come out of that?

Mike O’Farrell: Unfortunately, that’s a hard question to answer because an awful lot this time around is going to be affected by what happens with the racetracks and what happens with the Indian compact. All these issues that are going to affect South Florida are going have an effect here as to whether or not we bounce back.

Dick: What will happen is if this legislation comes through and racing improves, people will move back down here faster.

Mike Compton: I think what Mike said was key because everything here in Marion County is geared toward

It’s Not Such a Wonderful Life “Get me back to my wife and kids! Please!

I wanna live again.”—James Stewart (as George Bailey)

Just like George Bailey learns the true meaning of his life in the classic Christmas film, what would Marion County look like if its equestrian and agricultural heritage never existed? Well...

• • • • •

3,500 farms wouldnʼt call our county home.

266,000 acres would probably be the setting for other industries, many not as eco-friendly.

$173 million from agricultural product sales wouldnʼt have been spent locally last year.

72,000 daily travelers on I-75 would get a different image of Marion County.

Thousands of 4-H and FFA students wouldnʼt learn about these vital industries.

Source: The Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce

2009 Ag-Equine Committee Work Group Study THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010 37

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success at the racetrack. We have to get the purses up.

Brent: I think it’s largely a matter of perception. If you’ve ever spent a winter chopping ice out of water buckets, you have the perfect racing opportunity in Ocala.

We don’t need to match what some other state does.

Mike O’Farrell: I would put Florida up against any state, including Kentucky, as far as having the ability to produce good-quality runners. That is what’s going to keep people in the breeding business in Ocala.

‘LIKE A ROLLERCOASTER’

THE PARTICIPANTS: (left to right)

Phil Matthews— veterinarian, Peterson & Smith Equine Hospital J. Michael “Mike” O’Farrell Jr.—

PHOTOS BY JOHN JERNIGAN

president/general manager, Ocala Stud Farm

Dean: Competition is a very good point. Certainly our readers know that we consider ourselves “The Horse Capital of the World.” We did beat Lexington to that distinction, correct?

Dick: Well, we have the trademark. [laughs] Dean: How has Lexington fared during this period?

Brent: For the first time that I can remember, they’re scared. They’re doing everything they can to get the slots bill passed. They’re really concerned about their place as a breeding industry. In the past, they never worried about that because they had the horses, the ownership, and the money to support them.

Mike O’Farrell: I think they’re in worse shape. Their operations cost a whole lot more to maintain and operate than ours do, and their whole sales make-up is based on high-dollar horses. Ours is tied more to the two-yearold market and training. Going forward, the training end is going to carry it.

Brent: It’s a stabilizing factor.

Dick:They used to say in Kentucky,Thoroughbred racing is a social event. In Florida, it’s a timed event. You’ve got to have good horsemen. You can’t just come out here and take a shot, and I think we’ve have a lot of that kind of thing going on. We’ve lost track of breeding fast horses.

38 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

Dean: Are a lot of good horsemen still here?

Dick: Oh yeah. I would say there are more good horsemen in this county than anywhere in the world.

Mike Compton: That’s why everybody comes here to train. We have the best horsemen and horsewomen, the best soil, the best climate. This is where just about every top race horse gets its early lessons.

Phil: I like Brent’s term of “stabilizer” because, for me, when you talk about the nosedive and whether at some point you can’t pull back up, I think the training industry is what prevents that from happening. If we’re still breeding, people come down here and see their horses trained and they’re breeders themselves, a lot of them go, “Why aren’t we in Ocala?” It just continues to reintroduce the breeder to our area.

Dean: Well, that’s one of the reasons we wanted this group, people committed to this area, to get together. Just Sunday in the paper, there was a frontpage article that basically wrote the obituary for the local horse industry. Was that premature?

Dick: The two things that hurt the most right now are headlines like that and banks saying they’re not going lend money to the industry.

Dean: But perception is reality for a lot of people.

Mike: Are there going to be fewer horse farms? Yes, but that doesn’t mean our business is going to go away.

Brent: Well, those articles suggest an automobile driving off a cliff. It’s more like a rollercoaster.

‘A GREAT TIME TO INVEST’

Dean: Let’s talk a little about potential fixes. What are you each doing individually in your businesses over the next year?

Phil: Peterson & Smith has been in business for almost 30 years and we’re certainly invested in this area.

Our plans are to weather the storm just like everybody else. It means keeping our expenses as low as we can, providing the services for as low a price as we can, not going up on any costs.

Brent: I’ve managed horse farms my whole life, so I changed the management structure on my farm. I’m now the chief cook and bottle washer. We probably made a 40 percent reduction in our payroll the last few years—some of that was related to the loss of boarding fewer broodmares.

Last year we bred 700 mares on the farm. That was probably 17, 18 percent of the total number of mares bred in the state. My goal is to increase that number. We’ve also lowered our stud fees several times in the last 18 months.

What we all have to do is just keep our head down and go forward until we see that light at the end of the tunnel.

Mike O’Farrell: An awful lot of what goes on from here forward involves people making good decisions. If

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they’re in the breeding business, they need to make the right decisions about what type of stallion they breed to, what type of stud fee they want to invest in that stallion. I think some people get themselves in trouble with overbreeding their mares—they put too big of a stud fee into a mare that isn’t worthy, then go to the sales and lose money.

A lot of them will be forced to get out of the business.

I could be wrong, but I find it a great time to invest in our industry. We recently bought a handful of broodmares. Prices have come down and that offers me the opportunity to compete with some wealthy farms.

Phil: It comes back to supply and demand. If there’s going to be half as many foals born in 2011, stud fees are lower, and the price of a new mare is lower. If you can afford to stay in the game, it may very well be an opportunity.

Dick: History has shown that it will turn around. The legislation will become law within the next four or five months, probably won’t be effective until July 1.

Mike O’Farrell: I said earlier that some folks will go out of business, and I don’t want to give the impression that we want that. Large farms cannot exist without small farms. Small farms can’t exist without large farms.

We’re all in this together.

‘WE’RE THE EQUINE EPICENTER’

Dean: Do you see the international aspect of the business growing over time?

Dick: Absolutely. We went to Korea in 2003 to not much enthusiasm. Now they’re building an additional race track in South Korea, and they’ll be looking for 400, 500 two-year-olds in training about two years from now.

We sold over $1.5 million average about the last three years to South Korea in the two-year-old sales.

We’ve also been successful with Ireland and England. In those countries, it’s different. South Korea is buying because they need the horses. With the other countries, we’ll just trade back and forth—when the euro or the dollar is up.

Mike O’Farrell: The Koreans probably bid on about a third of the horses sold in our April sale.

Brent: They’re huge.

Phil: They’re floating everybody’s boat a little higher.

Jaye: That’s a new revenue stream that I think is going to position us even more favorably. We have the culture and the infrastructure—our good docs, the tack stores, the food stores. We are the equine epicenter of the world.

Dick: Also, South Korea talked to us about going to China. The world’s become a lot smaller for all of us.

Dean: Are you seeing a lot of horses abandoned because people can’t care of them anymore?

Phil: When people are struggling, their animals struggle.

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Brent: People don’t understand how expensive it is to own a horse. For instance, to take care of one horse, you really need to have two acres of land. Then you’re going to provide veterinary care, farrier care, and feed. It’s not like taking a cat or a dog home. People realize after they get into it just how expensive it is.

And it is a problem. Apparently, in western Kentucky, there are horses just being turned loose out on open land.

I think there’s been some of that going on out here in the [Ocala National] Forest. We have to educate people about what goes into taking care of a horse.

Dick: One of the things that we’ve worked on over the years that’s paying off right now is our retirement farm for Thoroughbreds out at the prison. Through the [Florida] Department of Corrections, we take every horse that comes off the racetrack and send them through rehabilitation and into retirement. That’s been going now for seven or eight years, and it’s picking up.

A lot of the horses that come out of there make pleasure horses, event horses, and even polo horses.

Dean: Any final thoughts?

Jaye: There’s an inordinate amount of pride in this community toward the horse industry. We need to help on a county, state, and federal level of working with businesses so that it’s favorable for the horses to be bred and raised here in Florida. I don’t think our policymakers necessarily understand the big picture.

Brent: I got here in 1976, so I’m totally committed to the industry. I want to do whatever we can do to be a positive force. Any commitment we can get internationally—like South Korea—will be huge for us. If we can make people understand just how important this industry is to Ocala/Marion County, if we can get those people behind us and let them start rattling a few cages up there in Tallahassee, it would be huge. ■

THE PARTICIPANTS: (left to right)

Brent Fernung—

president, Journeyman Stud

Dick Hancock—

executive vice president, FTBOA

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Florida-breds Win

By NICK FORTUNA n enthusiastic and tightly bunched crowd was treated to a thrilling finish to the annual OBS Day of Champions on Feb. 15, as Quiet All American got up just in time to win the male division of the $100,000 OBS Championship Stakes.

OBS offered four stakes races worth a total of $300,000 to 3-year-old horses who had passed through its sales ring, and Florida-breds won two of them.

A

SPLENDID SOUND BREAKS MAIDEN

In the fillies’ division of the $100,000 OBS Championship Stakes, Florida-bred Splendid Sound broke her maiden in style in only her second career start, drawing off for a three-length score.

With Eibar Coa aboard for the first time, Splendid Sound raced on the inside in second place for much of the 1 1/16-mile contest as Volare Cantare set fractions of 24 3/5 seconds for the first quarter-mile and 49 3/5 sec-

An excited crowd was treated to a thrilling day of races at

40 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

LOUISE REINAGEL PHOTOS

Quiet All American (center) won the male division of the OBS Championship Stakes.

Quiet All American ran just behind pacesetting Florida-bred Da Plane for much of the 11⁄16-mile contest. Da Plane set fast fractions of 23 seconds for the opening quarter-mile and 46 4/5 seconds for a half-mile before tiring to finish sixth in the field of nine. Floridabred Gator Tiger went four wide around the turn, making a big move to grab the lead, but couldn’t hold on, as Quiet All American rallied just outside of him to finish in 1:452⁄5.

With Victor Lebron aboard, Quiet All American finished a neck in front of Gator Tiger, who was a nose in front of Florida-bred Forty Nine Acres.

“We’ve always thought a lot of this horse, and it took him a few races to put it all together, but today he proved that he’s going to be a quality horse,” winning trainer Dale Romans said. “He was really game.

He tried to come up the fence. I was concerned when that horse passed him. I thought that horse was going to put him away, but Victor said it just re-energized him, and when he got him to the outside, he came running.”

Romans said Quiet All American could be pointed toward the $500,000 Lane’s End Stakes (G2), a nine-furlong race for 3-year-olds at Turfway Park on March 27.

The son of Forest Camp went 0-for-3 as a juvenile last year but won his 3-year-old debut at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 9, capturing a $45,000 maiden special weight race by a neck. Quiet All American has earned $86,610 for owner West Point Thoroughbreds. He was a $225,000 purchase at OBS in February 2009 and was consigned by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables.

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Two OBS Stakes onds for a half-mile. Splendid Sound got through along the rail to challenge the leader on the backstretch and shook loose from her six rivals, finishing in 1:46 2/5.

Miss Olivia Rae, a Florida-bred daughter of El Corredor bred by Westbury Stables, finished second, 2¼ lengths ahead of Volare Cantare.

“When you come up here and you run on this surface and you’ve never trained on it before, it’s kind of like you’re just talking a shot,” winning trainer Bill

White said. “But last year I won it with Cape Royale, and he had run well on the grass, so I figured this filly had run well on the grass also, so we just duplicated what we did last year.

“My worry going into the race was that she had only run one time, so one of the things I talked about with Eibar was to make sure she had something left because she’s a lightly raced horse. I saw her on the lead, but I saw the pace was so slow, so I started feeling good about

the OBS Day of Champions.

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the race. Truthfully, we expected her to run a big one, but winning it is a surprise.”

Splendid Sound finished third in her career debut at Gulfstream Park, a $75,000 maiden claimer on turf Jan. 7. She’s earned DAY OF $62,340 through two starts for owner Charles H. Deters. Splendid Sound, a daughter of former Florida stallion Trippi, was bred by Phyllis Dudley and sold for $90,000 as a yearling at OBS in August 2008.

She was consigned by Janie Roper.

CH A M P I O NS OBS

GARY D TIES TRACK RECORD

Florida-bred Dances With Ashley (below) prevailed in the OBS Sprint Stakes.

In the male division of the $50,000 OBS Sprint Stakes, Gary D overpowered the field, tying the track record for six furlongs with a time of 1:09 4⁄5 and winning by 3¾ lengths with Jesse Jimenez Garcia aboard.

Gary D ran just behind pacesetting Florida-bred Mississippi Hippie in second place through an opening quarter-mile in 211⁄5 seconds. He then took command with a quarter-mile left and was never seriously threatened by his eight rivals.

Chief Counsel finished second, 5 ¼ lengths ahead of Evening Concerto, who was bred by Ocala Stud Farm as a son of resident stallion Concerto.

“I thought it was great, absolutely fantastic, especially because we didn’t know what we were getting into, as far as this being his first time on the track,” said winning trainer Freddie Hyatt. “But he worked good at the sale here, and he showed today that nothing bothers him. I think he’s a really nice horse.”

Gary D, a son of former Florida stallion Successful Appeal, came into Monday’s race off a 6½-length vic-

42 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

tory in a $20,000 maiden special weight race at Tampa Bay Downs last month. He’s won two of his four starts and earned $44,485 for owner Donald M. Ming.

Gary D was a $100,000 purchase at OBS last March and was consigned by Best a Luck Farm.

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DANCES WITH ASHLEY TAKES SPRINT

In the fillies’ division of the $50,000 OBS Sprint Stakes, Florida-bred Dances With Ashley overcame a troubled trip to win by 2 ½ lengths, rallying on the outside to take command down the stretch. It was her third win in four career starts and boosted her lifetime earnings to $62,440.

Dances With Ashley sat in fifth place early in the six-furlong test as Robtadi and Florida-bred Purely Perfect vied for the lead, setting fractions of 21 4/5 seconds for a quarter-mile and 451⁄5 seconds for a half-mile. With Jermaine Bridgmohan aboard for the first time, Dances With Ashley then went four wide to find running room before stopping the clock in 1:10 2/5 to beat seven rivals.

Omega Girl, a daughter of Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds stallion Omega Code, finished second, a neck ahead of Robtadi.

“She got in a little bit of trouble, but once she got clear on the outside, I thought it was just a question of how much she would win by because she’s so nice,” winning trainer Marty Wolfson said. “Her only loss was in the Old Hat, and there were terrible track conditions. It was sloppy and cold, and she

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didn’t get a hold of the track at all. She’s very professional, and she’s got a great mind. I think that’s what helps her when she gets into trouble like that.

She doesn’t get frazzled.

“Around the three-eighths pole, she checked. She was laying fourth and then dropped back to sixth or seventh, but he had her close enough, and then when he got her outside, she knew what to do.”

Dances With Ashley is a daughter of Journeyman Stud stallion Wildcat Heir and sold for $125,000 at last year’s OBS February sale of 2-year-olds in training. She was consigned by Casse Sales. The filly is owned by Denholtz Stables and was bred by Brambly Lane Farm and Steve Dwoskin.

“She’s a very smart filly and always did everything right – a class act,” Justin Casse said.

Dances With Ashley won a $23,700 maiden special weight race by 1 ¼ lengths on the Calder turf course to start her career in November, then captured a $23,700 allowance on the main track in Miami by four lengths in December. She made her stakes debut in the Old Hat Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park last month, finishing ninth behind Florida-bred Richiegirlgonewild. ■

Florida-bred Splendid Sound (above) broke her maiden in the fillies division of the OBS Championship Stakes.

THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010 43

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note

Definitive Summer Best/COOKIE SERLETIC PHOTO

Moments Sometimes perspective arrives with a jolt. t was one of those months that seemed to present one conundrum after another. The barn needed serious reconstruction work, thanks to a freak hot water heater incident. Florida’s onset of frigid weather had thrown a kink in everyone’s routines and farm chores. Work was busy, though in a fantastic kind of way, and our team here at Florida Equine Publications was trying to stay healthy enough to ward off the flu.

Meanwhile, we were all burning the candle at both ends.

Then my cell phone kicked the can and I had trouble recovering my contacts. I forgot a close friend’s birthday.

A tree fell on the fence. One of our favorite colts was battling choke, followed by pneumonia, and his recovery was slow, despite the best of care. You’ve been through these things – crazy times where it seems the earth’s axis is tilted a few degrees off? And those myriad distractions don’t even begin to address the compounding struggles of our current, and very great, recession.

A few Sunday afternoons ago, following a beautiful HITS Ocala grand prix, I was back at the house, shuffling around, reviewing paperwork and monitoring the sick horse when my phone rang.

“I know it’s last minute, but come with us to dinner!” my friend’s familiar voice said. I paused hard. Bit my lip. The kitchen looked like an apothecary with syringes and needles lined up around the sink. I had already counted out little pink and white pills for the horse’s next dosing, and we were sampling three flavors of syrups to make stuff taste better in his oral meds. The vet notes were duct-taped on the cabinet above the sink to make sure I didn’t miss any little detail. My own to-do list was also growing. I really needed to stay home.

Then someone who sounded just like me said, “Why not? What a blast – save me a seat!”

Two hours later, critters fed and medicated, clean

I

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clothes, running late and processing way too many thoughts all at the same time (translate: Summer was not paying attention) I grabbed my purse, jumped in the truck, launched it into reverse, sped out of the driveway and…CRASH! Slammed right into the horse trailer, which (for actual reasons that sound ridiculous in hindsight) was parked sort of catty-cornered behind where I dock my truck every single day.

In that millisecond, when tailgate steel jammed against gooseneck steel, everything sharpened into focus. My heartbeat increased to what felt like a billion beats per second, and my internal dialogue went kind of like this: “What! I’m mortified. How bad is it? Did anyone see me? Guess it could have been worse?” And finally, breathe. Sigh, “Now what.”

Here’s what. It was a defining moment. A literal roadblock required me to slow down and pay attention, and to think.

Changes in markets throughout the past months have caused us all to think. Here at The Florida Horse, we brainstorm every day: How can we best market your horses and services? How can we find new buyers for you? How can we tell your stories to the world? How can we help you sell your products and branding in the greatest way? I hope, when you have ideas to help us continually improve, you’ll let us know.

I did go on to dinner that night, and yes, we had a really nice time. I’m laughing about my debacle now, and eventually the truck’s tailgate will somehow get itself removed or replaced. As of this writing, I also think my sick horse is going to make it. But most importantly, I believe — with absolute conviction — we’re all going to make it.

It’s a privilege to journey with you.

Summer Best

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HITS’ Annual

Equine Art Gala

Hosted by Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, Feb. 18.

Silent Auction items benefiting the Marion County Humane Society. Wine compliments of Chateau Ste. Michelle and Southern Wines, featuring 14 Hands and Haras.

LISA EN

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1) Eric Redmond, pianist played during the event. 2) Andre Pater’s artwork made a stop in Ocala before heading to Wellington. 3) Artists Mary Cour Burrows, Marsha Schloesser, Mindy Colton 4) Andre’ Pater’s work will be auctioned off to benefit the Race for Education, a-not-for profit that provides financial aid to the children of those in the equine industry looking to go to college.

5) Artwork by Karen Bowden. 6) HITS Sponsors PRO-CARE PLUS Hoof Conditioner in attendance: Adrianna Clark, Dean DeRenzo, David Whelan, Ed Magnier 7) Maggie Carter, The Sanctuary, Anna Floyd, Drea Gunness, Teresa Hartsaw, all of Nashville, Tenn., Lisa Engel, HITS Corporate

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HITS Ocala competitors, owners, from around the country and

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PHOTOS BY KYLE JOHNSON

trainers and vendors arrive throughout North America.

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HORSE COUNCIL NEWS

Tax Provisions to be Considered in 2010 As Congress starts the second session of the 111th Congress, taxes will be on the front burner.

Estate Tax - Congress had hoped to resolve the estate tax issue in 2009 so that it did not go to zero on Jan. 1, 2010. A bipartisan group of House and Senate members tried to pass a permanent estate tax and exclusion, but failed. This is likely to be a contentious issue in 2010. There is disagreement over the optimum tax rate, the size of the exemption and whether the rate should be indexed for inflation. Many on both sides of the aisle want a permanent rate lower than the old 55% and a higher exemption, e.g. 35% and $5 million, but legislation must be passed to make these rates permanent.

Under the Economic Growth and Tax Relief Reconciliation Act, which was passed in 2001, the estate tax has been reduced incrementally from 55% and is eliminated for 2010. That legislation also raised the amount of an estate that was exempted from the tax from $675,000 to 3.5 million. Under that law, in 2011 the estate tax will return to the 2001 rates of 55% with an exemption for estates up to $1 million. Many in Congress do not want the tax to remain at zero, but they also do not want it to go back to the 55% level of 2001. And they want some indexing provision.

48 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

The House passed the Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers, and Small Businesses Act of 2009, introduced by Representative Earl Pomeroy (D-ND), which would make permanent the inheritance tax at 45% and set the exemption at $3.5 million, $7 million for married taxpayers. But the Senate did not act on this legislation. Without further legislation, there will be no estate tax in 2010 and then the rate will return to 55% with a $1 million exemption in 2011.

Congress will attempt to reach an acceptable compromise on the estate tax in 2010 that might be made retroactive to Jan. 1, 2010. Even if successful, any retroactive change will likely be challenged by representatives of decedents passing away before the change occurs.

Conservation Easements - Several other tax provisions expired at the end of 2009, including the tax incentive for contributions of property made for conservation purposes. The House-passed bill extended the conservation easement benefit, which is important to the horse industry, through 2010, but the Senate did not take action on this bill.

In the last days of the 2009 Congress the Chairman of the Finance Committee, Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), and the senior Republican, Senator Charles Grassley (R-IA), announced that the Senate will take up the House- passed extender bill early in 2010. If they do, the conservation provision will probably be made retroactive to Jan. 1, 2010.

Expense Allowance and Bonus Depreciation - Two other tax provisions favorable to the horse industry also expired, 50% bonus depreciation and the increase in the expense allowance.

Bonus depreciation, which allowed an additional depreciation of 50% of the cost of yearlings, some other horses, and any other new property placed in service in a horse business, will no longer be available after 2009. The same is true for the more generous expensing allowance, which was $250,000 in 2009.

In 2010 and thereafter, the allowance will be about $130,000 ($125,000 adjusted for inflation since 2007). Both of these write-off benefits were put into the law a couple of years ago to stimulate the economy.

There is talk about a bill early in 2010 to stimulate jobs and the two tax items could come up for consideration during that process.

Of the two, the more generous expense allowance would more likely be included on the list of items to be part of a jobs bill since it is directed toward small businesses and they create most of the jobs in America. It they did bring it back, or, for that matter in the unlikely case that they also brought back bonus depreciation, the provisions would probably be made retroactive to Jan. 1, 2010. â–

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Florida Riders and Drivers Aim for Qualifying for the World Equestrian Games WEBER LEADS AGAIN

on the marathon and the cones phases.

In the Single Horse division, Scott Monroe and his Morgan gelding, Bethesda After Dark, dominated all three phases finishing with only 106.82 in penalties. Finishing second was Donna Crookston and RG Cowboys Black Cadillac; Bob Koopman and Whippoorwill Keep Dancing were third.

The Singles drivers participated in a training session with coach Koos deRonde Wednesday and Friday during the event. There will be training sessions for the Four-In-Hand and Singles candidates at the next selection trial, CAI Live Oak, March 25-28, 2010.

COURTESY CHESTER WEBER

The Sunshine State CDE, held the final weekend in February at the Florida Horse Park, served as the third outing for Four-InHand drivers hoping to qualify for the 2010Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG). Ocala’s Chester Weber and his team continued their winning ways from 2009, leading after dressage and the marathon, and even after only having time faults in the cones were still able to defend their title. James Fairclough, driving Jane Clark’s team, put in stellar performances to finish second, while David Saunders and Alan & Maureen Aulson’s Morgans were third.

Monday and Tuesday team coaches Michael Freund and Peter Tischer were on hand from Germany to provide training sessions for WEG candidates. After having seen improvement over the weekend in dressage, most of the session focused

NEWS BITS

HOUGH AND KRAUT LONG-LISTED

The United States Equestrian Federation (USEF) Ad Hoc Committee on Selection has approved, naming the horse/rider combinations of Lauren Hough/Quick Study and Laura Kraut/Cedric to the Show Jumping Long List for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

As per the USEF Selection Procedure for the Show Jumping Team, Selectors have the discretion to recommend up to six of the 15 horse/rider combinations to the Long List regardless of their participation or placing in the Selection Trials. The remaining nine combinations will be chosen according to their ranking at the conclusion of the USEF Selection Trials for the US Show Jumping Team which run Feb. 25 – March 7 in Wellington.

Hough and Quick Study (owned by Laura and Meredith Mateo) and Kraut and Cedric (owned by Happy Hill Farm) both jumped two clear rounds in the first two legs of the USEF Selection Trials for the See Hough and Kraut next page

There’s An App For That! Official FEI Dressage Tests are now available on mobile devices.

The Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) recently announced the launch of its first ever official mobile application.

“FEI EquiTests”, developed in cooperation with Canada-based e-learning and visual communication design specialists Numen Communciations Inc., is a mobile application designed to help riders learn, reference and practice FEI Dressage tests.

“FEI EquiTests”, is available worldwide through the Apple iTunes store under FEI license.

For each test, the application allows iPhone and iPod users to: read the test instructions along with the marking criteria; view Dressage animation diagrams that outline the movements of the test; record and play readings of the test that are perfectly timed to match the user’s individual horses and the arena in which they are practicing; reference the official Dressage test score sheet to see where the judges’ emphasis is;

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•get better understanding of the FEI Rules as PDFs of the rulebooks on topics such as movement definitions, competition rules, dress code, judging and veterinary inspection are available; keep up-to-date with the latest Dressage news through the FEI news feed.

FEI EquiTests 1 is available for free, so riders and coaches may evaluate the features available. This application includes all features related to one sample test: the globally used FEI Young Riders Individual Competition Test.

FEI EquiTests 2 includes all the most recent 2009 FEI Eventing Dressage Tests and is available for $9.99.

Additional versions of FEI EquiTests featuring FEI Dressage and FEI Para-Equestrian Dressage tests will be launched later this year.

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THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010 49

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Hough and Kraut from previous page US Show Jumping Team currently underway at the Palm Beach International Equestrian Center in Wellington. This combination joins Sapphire/McLain Ward who were also named to the Long List.

The 15 horse/rider combinations on the Long List will travel to Europe and compete at CSIOs La Baule, Rome, St. Gallen, Rotterdam, Aachen, Falsterbo, Hickstead and Dublin before final Selection for the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

RED HILLS HORSE TRIALS HOST WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Back on the calendar after a hiatus in 2009, the Red Hills Horse Trials in Tallahassee, Fla., is always a popular feature of the spring season. This year it runs March 4-7.

The HSBC FEI Eventing World Cup traverses the globe, giving the best horse and rider combinations the chance to qualify for the HSBC FEI World Cup Final.

A major event on the Tallahassee sporting and social calendar, Red Hills also features national level competition from Preliminary to Advanced. With entries in the triple digits, and many of the nation’s best entered in the World Cup Qualifier, the competition promises to be an early showcase of what 2010 has in store for US Eventing.

Competitors include former winner Phillip Dutton, who picked up three victories in the CIC3*-W in recent years. He will ride Kheops du Quesnay and Tru Luck (who was second in 2007) in his attempt at a fourth win.

But Dutton, who was a member of the US Team at the 2008 Olympic Games, will have plenty of competition in the large field. This includes Florida’s Olympian Karen O’Connor with Mandiba and Allstar and Allison Springer on Arthur (Allstar and Arthur were second and third in 2008 respectively) and one of two US riders from 50 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

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NEWS BITS the 2009 HSBC FEI World Cup Final, Buck Davidson. He has Ballynoe Castle RM in the CIC3*-W. With only two qualifiers on the North American continent, riders will have a second chance to get earn enough points for qualification at the Event at Rebecca Farm in Kalispell, MT in July.

AQHA WELCOMES DRESSAGE DRESSAGE BECOMES AN OFFICIAL AQHA CLASS.

Dressage is now an official AQHA class — one in which members can earn AQHA points, qualify for AQHA Incentive Fund earnings and compete for year-end awards. Beginning at Training Level Test 4, AQHA dressage classes will be held within existing classes at competitions recognized by the United States Dressage Federation or licensed by the United States Equestrian Federation.

The same USDF-USEF judges will preside over the AQHA classes; the only addi-

tional requirement is that the judges must be AQHA members. Exhibitors must also be current members of AQHA, and the horse must be a registered American Quarter Horse. A competition license fee of $85, good for the lifetime of the horse, is also required. The shows must be approved by AQHA at least 60 days in advance.

The Quarter Horse show industry has always been a point-driven system, so AQHA has created a conversion table to change dressage scores into AQHA points.

In addition to awarding points, AQHA is recognizing the three high-point American Quarter Horses at each of the nine USEF-USDF Regional Championship shows in 2010 and has also created a high-point recognition program for the open, amateur and youth divisions of dressage competition.

Amateur and youth eligibility is based on criteria found in the AQHA Handbook of Rules and Regulations.

Lynn Palm and Rugged Painted Lark Selected as Members of the 2010 Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games Equine Village Lynn Palm of Palm Partnership Training & Alliance Saddles, along with the American Paint Horse Association, are pleased to announce participation in the Equine Village of the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games.

The Equine Village will be a world-class spectator attraction, offering equine entertainment, educational activities and lectures from equine industries. This feature exhibit area will be a major part of the atmosphere and attractions offered to Games visitors in addition to the world championship competitions in eight equestrian sports.

“We have created the Equine Village to serve as an educational experience for the Games’ spectators about different breeds, disciplines, and all that the equine industry encompasses,” said Jamie Link, CEO of the World Games 2010 Foundation.

As a member of the 2010 Games Equine Village, Lynn Palm with Rugged Painted Lark will showcase the American Paint Horse on the grounds of the Kentucky Horse Park to hundreds of thousands of spectators during the 16 days of competition.

Activities provided by Lynn Palm will include Bridleless Musical Exhibitions. Within a 12-minute performance, Palm includes elements of dressage, reining and jumping to showcase the beauty, amazing athleticism and outstanding ability of Rugged Painted Lark.

“We do one song in the western saddle with reining and dressage movements, then switch to the hunt seat saddle and do dressage and jumping movements without the bridle. It is very unique and we are very proud to showcase the unique abilities of western, dressage, and jumping as well as demonstrate dressage principles that apply to all disciplines. Most of all we are very proud to show a happy horse while performing.” Palm said.

Both general admission and competition ticket holders will have access to the activities in the Equine Village, as well as other attractions including the Trade Show, Kentucky Experience, Alltech International Pavilion, and sponsor showrooms.

With approximately 600,000 tickets to be sold, spectators will come from around the world to witness the highest achievements in equestrian sport.

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FLORIDA HORSE PARK

Keeping a Good Pace he Florida Horse Park is moving right along at a good pace. We are so excited about the construction and permitting phase that we are experiencing amidst the construction of the new 4,000-square foot lavatory, concession and service area. The momentum is just building.

We have started off the year by engaging the assistance of Jim Donovan, president of Donovan Management Inc. of Orlando, a consulting firm that assists clients in advancing philanthropy. Jim will assist the park and our board of directors in preparing a capital funding campaign, strategic plan and funding plan.

We would like to introduce a new staff member, Katherine Wimberly. Katie graduated from the University of Florida with a major in Agricultural Education and Communications, and before that attended Vanguard High School. An avid equestrian, she was a member of the United States North American Young Rider Team for the 2006 North American Championship CCI team. Katie will assume the position of marketing assistant and will be working with our sponsors, event coordinators and advertising initiatives.

LAC Grant Consultants has been working diligently to identify and apply for several grants to assist with construction funding for future facilities. Leigh Chambliss, President of LAC has committed active resources to the re-

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search and development of these grant applications, ranging from small to large, private and governmental. We believe the grants would facilitate a portion of our development and allow us to broaden our focus to include shelter for equine and personal evacuation, historical preservation and various agricultural and educational pursuits.

I am excited about our upcoming events. The winter season has been well attended with unparalleled participation and attendance for world class dressage, three phase, and endurance events. Polo in the Park and Cowboy Mounted Shooting begins in March and our outfitter, Cactus Jack’s Trail Company, is hosting guided horse rides across the park and the Greenway. The Florida Horse Park hosted a number of successful events in January: a 3-Day Event, a Winter Dressage Show, an USEA Instructor Certification Program Workshop, a Cross Country Schooling day, a Recreational Vehicle show and a FEI Endurance Ride, all of which broke attendance records from 2009.

We are looking forward to Day at the Park in April.

I hope you will visit the Florida Horse Park. Enjoy our events and help us keep the pace.

Happy Trails, Connie Duff Wise Chairman

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Critters & Pests

ured the cat had been helping out with mouse control and decided I would wait a couple of horse farm is a nuisance—controlling weeks (when the mice were gone) before I took him to the animal shelter. them can become a constant struggle.

Birds were also a problem. We had a conBy MARK SHUFFITT I told him “I don’t know, BUT I’m not gonna crete block barn and birds would build nests Marion County Livestock Extension Agent turn him loose!” I ended up crushing that and roost on the top of the walls and in the orking on a horse farm, you’re mouse and let him fall out the bottom of my cupolas. We had tried to screen the cupolas, usually prepared for things you pants. No offense to mouse lovers, but I just but had little success. We couldn’t screen the whole barn and the birds would peck holes in know will or may occur. You an- couldn’t turn him loose in my pants.

Several years later, as a broodmare manager the screen to get into the cupolas. Once a ticipate colic, cuts, scrapes and dings for both month we would have horses and workers and are ready to deal with on a local Thoroughto pressure wash the these issues on a moment’s notice. You have bred farm, I got another Last month I got a call fully stocked medicine cabinets, foaling kits big surprise as I was from a horse farm owner wanting bird droppings and try and first aid kits. You make sure to have fenc- loading feed early one to know what he could do to control to remove the nests.

Most of the birds rebuilt ing supplies for repairing holes created by er- morning. Just as I mice and birds in his barn. rant drivers and fallen trees. And what horse grabbed a bag of feed, a I told him what I had experienced their nest and it seemed if they didn’t put them farm wouldn’t keep PVC pipe, glue and fittings mouse ran out from beand suggested he consider putting back in the same place, for fixing wells and broken waterers? But, there hind the stack of bags a barn cat on the payroll. they would build new and a cat came out of are some things you just don’t expect.

A few winters ago, while loading hay out of nowhere, up my back, knocking off my cap as nests higher in the barn. One afternoon as I the barn I jumped back and dropped the bale I he flew over my head for the mouse.That might walked through the barn, the cat came running was about to throw when I suddenly felt some- sound normal enough, but the day before we by carrying a bird. A couple of days later, I nothing crawling up my leg . . . on the inside of my didn’t have a cat. Not knowing where the cat ticed our cat had taken to walking the tops of pants. I was wearing a “farm worn” pair of came from and NOT being a “cat” person, I the walls and the rafters of the barn. Soon after jeans that were thread-bear in the knees and told my crew members not to feed or pay any that, most of the birds were gone except for the thighs. As quick as I dropped the bale, I attention to the cat and I would take him to the ones way at the top of the barn in the cupolas. reached down to grab whatever was crawling animal shelter. One day turned into the next, By then, I was impressed, though still NOT in my pants and stopped a field mouse half way we got busy with our farm chores and I kind of being a cat person. (A few days later, we between my knee and my waist. The guy on forgot about the cat. About a week later, as we screened the cupolas and as far as I know the the trailer asked “What the *@#% are you were cleaning out the feed room for our Friday birds went back to the trees.)

Just like a new hire, that cat proved he had doing?” as I yelled “There’s a mouse in my delivery, I noticed there was a lot less feed to pants!” When he finally caught his breath from sweep up, and only one or two of the bags on something to offer and was willing to work. laughing, he asked me what I was going to do. the bottom of the stack had holes in them. I fig- He had earned himself a spot on our crew.

Dealing with critters and pests on a

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The next time the vet came; I asked him to take a look at our new barn cat, neuter him and give him whatever vaccinations were needed. Spayed and neutered cats work best.

They usually stay closer to home and you don’t have to give away a bunch of kittens.

Last month I got a call from a horse

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farm owner wanting to know what he could do to control mice and birds in his barn.

He had tried baits and traps, but the mice and rats would rather eat the horse feed.

He had also placed plastic barn owls and rubber snakes in strategic locations to ward off unwanted critters, but that didn’t work

either. I told him what I had experienced and suggested he consider putting a barn cat on the payroll. *Just like your horses, make sure barn cats receive proper vaccinations and an annual checkup. ■ Illustration by John Filer/Courtesy TheHorse.com

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Golf Scenes from the annual HITS Ocala golf tournament at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, held Feb. 22.

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@ Golden Ocala

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1) Mike McCormick on the greens. 2) Gavin Moylan’s 6 foursome! 3) The Melting Pot team served up lunch on Sunday in the VIP-steak, shrimp, famous fondues…

4) Jim Tenney looks like he may not have been happy with his performance…

5) Harry’s Seafood Bar and Grille Manager Steve McBee serving up Louisiana cookin’ for HITS competitors at the Mardi Gras Exhibitor Party 6) Jason Lister and Jen Scherrens at the Compass Fitness/Ocala Horse Properties/Ipanema Exhibitor Party at Compass Fitness. 7) Tom Struzzieri and Danielle Santos, Marketing and PR for Charles Owen.

8)Charles Owen display in HITS Ocala VIP Tent.

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Florida Thoroughbred Retirement Farm

Situated on 100 grassy acres in northeast Marion County,

The farm is operated in conjunction with the Florida Department of Corrections and Marion Correctional Institution and all the horses are cared for by female inmates from the Lowell Correctional Institute. The women, all non-violent offenders, spend their days learning barn management skills including grooming, feeding, doctoring, and physical therapy and they help teach the horses new disciplines. It’s a symbiotic relationship whereby the horses learn the skills they need to go on to new careers and the inmates learn about teamwork and trust. At the conclusion of the year-long program, having successfully passed 22 written tests covering all aspects of horse care, inmates graduate with a vocational certificate in equine care technology.

Upon their release, some of the graduates have gone on to work in the industry as grooms and stable managers.

Two famous Florida-bred champions permanently reside at the farm: Carterista, the 1993 Florida Champion Turf Horse and winner of eight stakes races, and Shake You Down, the 2003 Florida Champion Sprinter and winner of nearly $1.5 million.

Meredith Woods Photos

the Florida Thoroughbred Retirement Farm is home to more than 50 Florida-bred ex-racehorses. All of the horses arrive at the farm after their careers on the racetrack are over. Sure, their racing days are behind them, but after rest and retraining, many of the horses at the Florida TRF are ready for adoption. Many go on to enjoy second careers in dressage, trail riding, jumping, pleasure riding and other uses. Even those horses that are not rideable may find adoptive homes as companion animals. As more horses are adopted into new homes, more spaces are available for horses to join the Florida TRF program.

The Florida TRF currently has a waiting list for incoming Thoroughbreds. In order to join the list, the horse should be a Florida-bred Thoroughbred, coming straight from the track. The horse should be retired due to age or physical condition. Contact Florida Thoroughbred Charities for more information at 352-629-2160.

A donation is requested along with each horse accepted into the program.

Founded in 2001, the farm is supported though the concentrated efforts of Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, Florida Thoroughbred Charities, Ocala Breeders’Sales Company, Gulfstream Park, Calder Race Course, Tampa Bay Downs, the Florida Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, the national Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, as well as by many individuals who contribute through donations and fundraising efforts.

For more information on adopting a retired Florida-bred racehorse, please contact the FTBOA offices at 352-629-2160.

Since 1990 Florida Thoroughbred Charities, the non-profit, charitable arm of the FTBOA has raised more than $3.5 million for a variety of community and Thoroughbred industry causes. Much of the fundraising efforts are made possible due to the support FTBOA and FTC receive from corporate sponsorship.

FLORIDA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION 801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474 352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603 www.ftboa.com • info@ftboa.com

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Understanding wood chewing and cribbing behaviors in horses.

By Karen E. Davison, Ph.D. Manager- Equine Technical Services • Land O’Lakes Purina Feed loridians are well aware that termites are capable of causing significant economic and

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physical damage to wooden structures. These little insects are unique in that they thrive virtually exclusively on wood. While some horses also seem to have a termite

gene and try to “eat the barn down around them,” horses are not capable of thriving on wood.

Termites produce an enzyme, cellulase, that breaks down the poorly digestible wood component, cellulose. They also have microorganisms in their digestive system that are capable of digesting cellulose. Horses do not produce cellulase themselves, but are able to digest plant material with help from microbes in their digestive system. The horse’s system is pretty good at digesting the more digestible fibers of grass but can’t do much with the high cellulose content of wood. That doesn’t seem to keep some horses from giving it a good try.

Wood chewing is seen in both confined and pastured horses and may be a highly individual behavior. It has been reported that two-three horses out of a group of 10 did 90 percent of the wood chewing. Chewing wood is more common during cold and wet weather, when diets are low in fiber or high in grain content, when horses are confined and bored or in young horses soon after weaning. In weanlings, this may be a behavior similar to teething in children.

As their teeth erupt and they are no longer nursing, chewing wood may help alleviate some pain from new teeth coming in.

Horses rapidly changed from long-stemmed hay to a completely pelleted ration, replacing the grain and hay, may be more likely to chew wood because they eat the pelleted ration more quickly. This creates more time for boredom to set in. Horses gradually changed to a completely pelleted ration offered in smaller, more frequent meals adjust quite readily to this type of diet.

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Chewing tree bark has been reported to be common in feral horses. These free-roaming horses often browse on brush, leaves and tree bark even when there

hen Horses Become Termites

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is ample grass available. If horses have free access to trees, they can chew enough bark to kill a tree in a short period of time. Some trees are potentially toxic to horses, including cherry, peach, black walnut, black locust and certain types of pine. For the safety of the trees and the horses, measures should be taken to prevent horses from chewing on tree bark.

The relatively regular occurrence of wood chewing in horses indicates that this oral behavFeeding plenty of fiber, providing ior may be a normal foraging beample turnout and exercise and havior in horses and not a stable letting horses see out of their stalls vice. Most often, wood chewing has are all possible management an economic impact due to damage options to help reduce the occur- to barns, trees and fences rather than rence of cribbing and/or chewing. causing any health problems for the horse, although wood splinters have been reported to cause small intestinal obstruction in some horses. Some cases of wood chewing may be related to a diet low in fiber or to boredom, but many cases are horses just looking for something different to chew or taste.

Wood Chewing and Cribbing

CHEWING VS. CRIBBING

Horse owners may be concerned that wood chewing could lead to cribbing, but these are very different behaviors and one doesn’t seem to lead to the other. Cribbing

60 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

behavior is included in the list of stable vices or stereotypies.These are defined as apparently functionless, repetitive behaviors.True cribbers set their incisors (front teeth) over a stationary object such as a fence board or edge of a feed trough, arch their necks and pull back. They often emit a grunting sound which is thought to be “sucking” air but some say they are actually forcing air out, similar to a burp. Cribbing is thought to be more prevalent in nervous, high-strung horses confined to a stall and in horses eating high amounts of concentrate feed. Some reports correlate cribbing with stomach acidity and gastric ulcers.

However, there are many accounts of pastured horses cribbing, so there may be additional factors involved. Cribbing has been reported to be found in much higher numbers in some families of Thoroughbreds, indicating a possible hereditary predisposition to this behavior.

THE BOTTOM LINE?

Even though both wood chewing and cribbing are seen in pastured horses, confinement and stress both seem to increase the risk of these behaviors. Feeding plenty of fiber, providing ample turnout and exercise and letting horses see out of their stalls are all possible management options to help reduce the occurrence of these unwanted behaviors. Playing music in the barn could also help lower the stress level in the barn. ■

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PAGE

It’s “Past Time” ames Earl Carter occupied the White House in 1978, when the last Triple Crown winner was crowned. The first-ever cell phone was introduced in Illinois that year. A gallon of gasoline cost about 63 cents and with the nation in the throes of an energy crisis, a widespread demand for fuel efficient cars

by Paul Moran emerged that was met primarily by imports from Japan.

The average American earned $17,000 and the average price of a new home was $54,800. Monthly rent was about $260. The U.S. dollar plunged to record lows against many European currencies and unemployment was a major issue. The Florida-bred Affirmed fended off Alydar in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes.

Thirty-two years later, it is, in some particularly depressed real estate markets, again possible to purchase a home for $54,800 and the automobile industry has returned to an age of small, fuel efficient cars, many manufactured in Asia. Unemployment is again on the front burner of American concerns. But it seems almost as though we will see a 63-cent gallon of gasoline before the coronation of another Triple Crown winner.

The waning years of Since Affirmed, 11 3-year-olds have won the ‘70s were either the the Derby and Preakness only to meet end of racing’s last era of prosperity or the bedefeat in the Belmont Stakes. Some were ginning of the end, depending upon the denied narrowly, some were convincing vantage point. In a span failures in their bids for immortality of six years, Secretariat, Seattle Slew and Affirmed won the Triple Crown and each in his own time had become a mainstream media star.

Off-track betting was limited to New York. Simulcasting was not yet part of the lexicon. The Internet and the personal computer were far from entering the mainstream of American life, let alone vehicles for placing a wager on a horse race. People read newspapers and most lived without cable television.

Hialeah and Gulfstream Park were still fighting over mid-winter racing dates. The trifecta was the mostexotic bet available to the horseplayer and grandstands at racetracks were gathering places, still with separate windows for betting and cashing, where kindred spirits from every social stratum gathered daily.

J

62 THE FLORIDA HORSE • MARCH 2010

A person born in 1978 is now concerned with preparing for retirement; many have a career, a family, concerns about the value of a home purchased with no money down and a real-estate bubble fully inflated; may have served in one or more theaters of war and faces an uncertain future in a dangerous world—but has never seen a Triple Crown winner. The children of this generation are growing up in front of computer screens, communicate primarily on social networking Internet sites and are barely if at all aware that racing exists.

Since Affirmed, 11 3-year-olds have won the Derby and Preakness only to meet defeat in the Belmont Stakes. Some were denied narrowly, some were convincing failures in their bids for immortality and, perhaps most importantly, the mainstream stardom beyond the narrowing niche in which racing is now conducted.

Those of sufficient vintage recall the lament over the quarter-century that separated Citation’s Triple Crown and Secretariat, whose stardom was unprecedented in the springtime of the sport’s most memorable tour de force.

Then, as now, racing and the nation longed for a star to avert the attention in uncertain times. The wound of Vietnam was open in 1973. The Watergate scandal festered, disgrace hung heavy over the White House. Americans shared disillusion. They embraced a chestnut flamed that embodied an almost fierce perfection. Secretariat launched something of a renaissance to which Seattle Slew and Affirmed made stalwart contributions. They brought people to the races. They made racing fans who begat more racing fans. This may no longer be possible.

Racing’s mainstream media profile barely has a pulse. Beyond the Triple Crown series the sport has virtually no network television presence. Newspapers, as we knew them, barely exist and most that endure threadbare pay no attention to racing even in the largest markets. Meager efforts to attract young potential fans have had no discernable result and every facet of the industry is in contraction.

We are again at the cusp of springtime, prepared to celebrate in diminished numbers the three races around which the season revolves. The vigil continues. Racing folk surrender hope grudgingly, their game based entirely upon dreams. From here, the 3-year-old landscape appears to be as confusing as in any March. But, as in any March, this just may be the year. ■

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