Thoroughbred Breeding

Thoroughbred stallion and farm news plus pedigree analysis

Wondertross Retired

Grade I stakes-placed Wondertross has been retired from racing, but owners George Steinbrenner and William Condren have not yet decided where to stand the 5-year-old son of Chief's Crown.

Fasig-Tipton Drops Derby Week Sale

Fasig-Tipton will not conduct a sale of 2-year-olds in training this spring in Kentucky. The company decided to call off its early May auction at the Churchill Downs Sports Spectrum in Louisville, Ky., because "it never achieved the level of success that we had hoped for," said Boyd Browning, Fasig-Tipton's general manager and executive vice president.

Cee's Tizzy Leaps to Top; Broad Brush Second

This time of year all it takes is a big win by a stallion's runner(s) to move him up considerably on the leading sire list. Take for example California stallion Cee's Tizzy, whose son Tiznow earned $600,000 in winning the March 3 Santa Anita Handicap (gr. I). Cee's Tizzy advanced from ninth to first, and now has 2001 progeny earnings of $1,234,158.

It's Official: Farish Nominated For Envoy Post

President Bush on Monday nominated Lane's End Farm owner William S. Farish to be ambassador to Britain. White House spokesman Ari Fleischer announced the nomination during his daily press briefing. Farish, 62, is chairman of the board of Churchill Downs and is a Bush family friend. The nomination, which had been rumored for weeks, is subject to Senate confirmation. Farish played host to former president George Bush at last year's Kentucky Derby and to candidate Bush during the presidential election.

British, Irish Breeders Hopeful Despite Restrictions

British and Irish breeders are hoping mares that can't be shipped to stallions because of restrictions imposed by the foot-and-mouth outbreak will be able to do so later in the breeding season. Movement of horses in Great Britain, outside the immediate exclusion zones around the 70 confirmed British outbreaks of foot and mouth, is not controlled. Dispensation, with proper precautions, is possible even within such zones.

Part of Hooper Farms Sold; Horse Use Retained

Another historic Marion-County, Fla. Farm has been added to the list of training facilities on the marketplace. A portion of Hooper Farms in Ocala was bought by a group of Ocala-based real estate agents. Greg and Carla Lord and Gary and Catherine Achtenhagen, who work for Glen Miller Realty, purchased 181-acres of the storied operation in January.

Sportsman's Meet Off to Good Start

Full fields, reasonably good weather and a flock of new fan amenities greeted the opening of the Chicago-area racing season Friday at Sportsman's Park. The combination drew on-track attendance of 5,281, up sharply from last year's opening-day crowd of 4,224, a Sportsman's spokesman said.

Popular New York-Bred Begins New Career

Biogio's Rose, one of the most popular New York-breds to race in recent years, has been retired by Alfred and Joseph Nastasi, her owners and breeders. She will be bred to Lemon Drop Kid in a foal-share agreement with Lane's End Farm owner Will Farish.

Recovered Seattle Slew Gets First Mare in Foal

The first mare bred to Seattle Slew this breeding season was pronounced in foal Monday. The mare, Dreams of Success, a 4-year-old maiden mare by Dixieland Band, is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Craig Bandoroff's Denali Stud and was covered by the Triple Crown winner at Robert N. Clay's Three Chimneys Farm near Midway, Ky.

Alternative Gaming Becomes Issue in Ohio

The Ohio Lottery Commission's need for revenue to fund education has generated serious talk about video lottery terminals at the state's seven commercial racetracks. Legislators have floated the idea, and racing industry officials are attempting to find common ground.

Digital Photo Capability Added to Jockey Club Site

The Jockey Club announced Friday that owners and breeders can now complete the entire Thoroughbred registration process, except for the DNA/blood-typing kit, over the Internet
following the integration of digital photo capabilities into Jockey Club Interactive, the registry's Website. Jockey Club executive vice president and executive director Gary Carpenter called the ability to submit digital photos via Jockey Club Interactive another example of utilizing the latest technology for the benefit of all owners and breeders.

Gilded Time Heads 2001 Sire List

The race for leading sire of 2001 has begun, and the leader so far is Gilded Time. The 11-year-old stallion is represented by the earners of $614,886 through Feb. 17, and his runners include graded stakes winners Early Flyer and Lasersport. The two 3-year-olds battled it out in the San Vicente Stakes (gr. II) and San Miguel Stakes (gr. III), with Early Flyer defeating Lasersport in the San Vicente and Lasersport taking the better of Early Flyer in the San Miguel. Gilded Time (Timeless Moment -- Gilded Lily, by What a Pleasure) stands at Tom Simon's Vinery Kentucky near Lexington.

NTRA, Breeders' Cup OK $54M Operating Budget

With a spending plan in place for 2001, the National Thoroughbred Racing Association and the Breeders' Cup now are looking closely at the efficiencies of an Oregon wagering hub operated by NTRA Services. The Friday meeting in South Florida marked the first for a new 15-member board. Magna Entertainment's Jim McAlpine sat in for Magna chairman Frank Stronach, who missed what would have been his first board meeting.

Family Matters: A P Valentine Pedigree Analysis

It's been 24 years since Seattle Slew became the 10th Triple Crown winner and 17 years since a son of his (Swale) won the Kentucky Derby (gr. I). The Derby arguably is the toughest of all races to win, and any horse who attempts to handle the 1 1/4 miles the first Saturday in May at Churchill Downs against as many as 19 rivals needs a competent trainer and jockey, along with the proper blend of speed and stamina, and a good deal of racing luck. With all that in mind, it's time to take a look at one of Seattle Slew's grandsons, A P Valentine, and see how he fits into the Derby picture.

VLTs, Purse Supplements Proposed in Maryland

A flurry of legislative activity in Maryland has left four measures in committee, one which would authorize a constitutional amendment by referendum for video lottery terminals at racetracks. The other bills deal with purse supplements, satellite wagering facilities, and live racing and simulcasting in the evening.

Rays to Sell Half of Evergreen Farm<br>

C.N. and Carol Ray have entered into a contract to sell about half of their 400-acre Evergreen Farm in Bourbon County, Ky., to J. Peek and Jennie Turner Garlington of Atlanta. The buyers aren't involved in the Thoroughbred industry, but Jennie Garlington is active in riding and showing Saddlebred horses, some of which she plans to keep at the farm

Recovered Seattle Slew Begins 2001 Breeding Season

Seattle Slew bred his first mare of the 2001 breeding season on Monday morning, February 12 -- opening day for the Three Chimneys breeding shed. Seattle Slew successfully bred Dreams of Success, a 4-year-old maiden mare by Dixieland Band owned by Denali Stud and Barry Weisbord. "Seattle Slew bred confidently and aggressively, and physically seems to be in great shape for the breeding season," commented Three Chimneys Farm stallion manager Sandy Hatfield.

Lost Code Succumbs to Heart Attack

Major winner and successful sire Lost Code died of a heart attack right before he was scheduled to cover his first mare at Legacy Farm near Bluemont, Va., on Feb. 10. An autopsy revealed a ruptured aorta. Lost Code, who previously stood at Vinery near Lexington, was moved to Legacy in the fall and was owned by a syndicate.

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