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Zenyatta's Half Sister to Sell in November

Zenyatta's weanling half sister by Henrythenavigator will be offered at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale by Select Sales.

Monzon Works for Belmont at Sagamore

Monzon, who finished sixth in the May 14 Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) at Belmont Park and is being pointed for the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), worked six furlongs in 1:16 May 31, according to Daily Racing Form.

OK-Bred Shotgun Gulch Posts Madison Upset

Shotgun Gulch passed favored Amen Hallelujah in deep stretch to post an 11-1 upset in the $300,000 Vinery Madison (gr. I) April 14 at Keeneland.

Adirondack Summer Shows Grit in Dania Beach

Adirondack Summer, responding to left-handed urging from jockey Alan Garcia, got up at the wire to win the roughly run $100,000 Dania Beach Stakes by a nose over Brilliant Speed on the turf at Gulfstream Park Jan. 16.

Lookin At Lucky to Stand for $35,000

Lookin At Lucky, the leading contender for champion 3-year-old male, will enter stud for a fee of $35,000 at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky.

J.B.'s Thunder: 'A Definite Go' for Juvenile

J.B.'s Thunder, a 2-year-old son of Thunder Gulch got in his final drill prior to the Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) when he took to the track the morning of Nov. 1.

J. B.'s Thunder Rolls in Breeders' Futurity

J. B.'s Thunder earned his way into the Breeders' Cup Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) with a front-running romp in the $400,000 Dixiana Breeders' Futurity (gr. I) at Keeneland Oct. 9.

Point Given Finally Sprouts Wings

In honor of Point Given's induction into the Hall of Fame, Steve Haskin recalls the 2001 Belmont Stakes.

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Keeneland Catalogs 181 Horses for 2YO Sale

Keeneland has cataloged 181 horses for its April 2-year-olds in training sale, to be held Monday, April 5.

Flying Private Works; Lukas Comfortable

D. Wayne Lukas, the dean of Kentucky Derby trainers with four winners from 42 previous starters, expressed confidence in Flying Private following the colt's four-furlong work in :47 2/5 April 27.

Past Kentucky Derby Winners: Thunder Gulch

Thunder Gulch won the 1995 Kentucky Derby at odds of 25-1, as well as the Belmont Stakes, was retired at the end of his 3-year-old season due to a leg injury. His most prominent offspring thus far is undoubtedly Point Given, who won the Preakness and Belmont Stakes in 2001 en route to being named champion 3-year-old that year.

Ashford Announces 2009 Stud Fees

The 2009 stud fees for Ashford Stud stallions were announced Nov. 7, including the fees for their newest additions, Henrythenavigator and Majestic Warrior. There was a decline in fees for many of the stallions at Ashford, a division of Coolmore located near Versailles, Ky.

Sale Trend Continues; Macho Uno Tops

A Macho Uno colt brought $400,000 to top the Sept. 14 session of the Keeneland September yearling sale, a session that saw the trend of decreases in the major sale indices continue.

Circular Quay to Stand at Journeyman

Grade I winner Circular Quay, a 4-year-old son of leading sire Thunder Gulch, has been retired from racing and will stand the 2009 breeding season at Brent and Crystal Fernung's Journeyman Stud near Ocala, Fla.

Giant's Causeway to Shuttle to Argentina

Giant's Causeway, who ranks third on this year's general sires list, will stand the 2008 Southern Hemisphere breeding season at La Mission stallion station near Buenos Aires.

Tiz 2008 the Year for Colonel John?

PORTER ON PEDIGREES by Alan Porter Following the Breeders' Cup World Championships each year, a major focus for race fans is the game of "spot the classic candidate," with bragging rights for the earliest identification of a future star. Colonel John was added to several lists when the youngster scored an impressive victory in a seven-furlong maiden at the Oak Tree-at-Santa Anita meet, and in all probability he has now moved several places up those lists following a decisive win in the Real Quiet Stakes at Hollywood Park, an effort which may have earned him a tilt at the Hollywood Futurity (gr. I).

Keeneland Sale Hits Bump on Day 10

The runaway train that had been the 2007 Keeneland November breeding stock sale hit a slight speed bump during its 10th session Nov. 14, with gross, average, and median all falling off slightly while the number of horses sold were up compared to figures from last year.

Three-Time Grade I Winner Balance Retired

Three-time grade I winner Balance has been retired and will be sent to Mill Ridge Farm in Kentucky, trainer David Hofmans said Nov. 1.

Ashford Announces 2008 Stud Fees

Ashford Stud, a division of Coolmore located near Versailles, Ky., released its 2008 stud fees Nov. 1. The list includes Fusaichi Pegasus seeing another significant drop, Van Nistelrooy a sizeable jump, and a fee announced for new stallion Scat Daddy.

Belmont Winner Jazil: What's in Store for Him at Stud?

The Belmont Stakes (gr. I) might be referred to as the Test of the Champion, but how many winners of the 1 1/2-mile classic go on to become champion sires?

Quality Mares Continue to Sell Well at Inglis Auction

Despite the large run of passed in hips, the quality horses continued to find good homes on day three of the 2007 William Inglis & Son Australian Select Broodmare Sale on Wednesday in Sydney. And some of them for good prices.

Seductively Overpowering Whimsical Winner

Kinghaven Farms homebred Seductively kicked off her 4-year-old campaign in style, winning Sunday's US$154,616 Whimsical Stakes (Can-III) at Woodbine by 2 1/4 lengths.

Steady Balance Overcomes Obstacles in 'Margarita

Balance, the nation's leading 3-year-old filly last year before going off kilter, continued her ascent toward the top of the older female division on Saturday while overcoming obstacles to win Santa Anita's $300,000 Santa Margarita Invitational Handicap (gr. I) at 1 1/8 miles.

Circular Quay Takes Orbit in Louisi

Favored Circular Quay, able to avoid the traffic issues he encountered in the Risen Star (gr. III) one month ago, circled the field five wide coming off the far turn under John Velazquez and rallied impressively to win the $594,000 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) at Fair Grounds Saturday.

Balance Beaming Again in Crisp La Canada Win

John Amerman's Balance, a two-time grade I winner last year, resembled her old self while winning the $200,000 La Canada Stakes (gr. II) for 4-year-old fillies by 4 1/4 lengths over Bai and Bai Sunday at Santa Anita.

Washington Yearling Sale Suffers Declines

A Thunder Gulch colt sold for $75,000 Tuesday to top the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders summer yearling sale at Emerald Downs.

Circular Quay Takes Rail to Bashford Manor Win

Unbeaten Circular Quay, the fifth winner of the day ridden by jockey Rafael Bejarano, shot through a narrow gap along the rail in deep stretch and drew off to a 1 ¼-length victory in Saturday's $166,500 Bashford Manor (gr. III) for 2-year-olds at Churchill Downs.

Pipers Thunder Booms in Plate Trial Upset

Lightly raced Pipers Thunder, owned and bred by Chiefswood Stable, threw his name into the contender hat for the upcoming Queen's Plate by scoring a one-length upset win in Sunday's Plate Trial at Woodbine.

Seductively Steams to Victory in Selene Stakes

Kinghaven Farms' homebred Seductively set all the fractions after a fast start and held off a late challenge from Angel On Watch to win the $283,000 Selene Stakes (Can-III) at Woodbine on Wednesday night.

Balance Turns in Final Oaks Work; Headed Toward Churchill Downs

Likely Kentucky Oaks (gr. I) favorite Balance turned in a six-furlong work in 1:11.60 at her Hollywood Park base Friday. She is scheduled to ship to Churchill Downs April 29.

Balance On the Beam in Santa Anita Oaks

Amerman Racing's Balance overpowered her eight rivals in Sunday's $300,000 Santa Anita Oaks (gr. I) to make it back-to-back grade I victories for trainer David Hofmans and established herself as Southern California's leading contender for the May 5 Kentucky Oaks (gr. I).

Balance Tips Grade I Heights in Las Virgenes

Beaten by just a half-length in her first try for a grade I victory in December, Amerman Racing's Balance got the job done in fine fashion Saturday, winning the $250,000 Las Virgenes (gr. I) for 3-year-old fillies at Santa Anita Park.

Balance In Sync Bagging Sharp Cat

Balance, a disqualification away from being undefeated, successfully made the transition from turf to dirt while rolling to a 1 3/4-length victory under jockey Victor Espinoza in Sunday's $100,000 Sharp Cat Stakes for 2-year-old fillies at Hollywood Park.

Gary Stevens Retires; To Join TVG as Analyst

Hall of Fame jockey Gary Stevens announced his retirement from riding Friday, but will not be leaving the sport. In a Churchill Downs press conference, Stevens said he would be joining the Television Games Network (TVG) as a racing analyst.

Private World Takes Nod in Moccasin Stakes

Private World, within inches of suffering her first defeat, fought back at the wire under jockey Kent Desormeaux to win the $100,000 Moccasin Stakes for 2-year-old fillies by a nose over 12-1 shot True Xena on Sunday at Hollywood Park.

Better Now Much Improved in Tempted Romp

Lee Lewis' homebred Better Now saved ground behind a lively pace, then angled out to draw clear of Capote's Crown for a 3 ½-length victory in the $110,000 Tempted (gr. III) for 2-year-old fillies at a mile Sunday at Belmont Park.

Dual Classic Winners: Will We Have Another?

It's countdown to the June 11 Belmont Stakes (gr. I), and the big question is whether we will have a dual classic winner.

Like Father, Like Son: Belmont Winners Who Sired Belmont Winners

Of the 136 past winners of the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), an even 12 have gone on to sire a Belmont winner (or winners) while at stud. In the 137th edition to be run this Saturday, 1992 winner A.P. Indy could make it an uneven 13 with two sons entered, and Thunder Gulch, sire of 2001 winner Point Given, could have a second son gain Belmont glory.

Stacked Deck

By Ray Paulick - Only one trainer in the modern era of Thoroughbred racing--D. Wayne Lukas--has started more horses in the Kentucky Derby (gr. I) than Nick Zito. Beginning with Thirty Six Red in 1990, Zito has sent 14 horses postward in the Run for the Roses. Two of them have won: Strike the Gold in 1991 and Go for Gin in 1994. He's sitting in the catbird seat with as many as five potential contenders for the 2005 Kentucky Derby.

Tropical Park Derby: Ridin' into 2005

Newly-turned 3-year-olds get their first shot at graded glory right from the get-go Jan. 1 at Calder Race Course in the $100,000 Tropical Park Derby (gr. IIIT). A full field of 12 that includes four also-eligibles passed the entry box. The ones to beat are Exceptional Ride and Crown Point.

$320,000 Thunder Gulch Colt Tops Keeneland September's Sixth Session

The last horse in the auction ring Sunday brought the top price of $320,000 during the sixth session of Keeneland's September yearling sale in Central Kentucky. Robert V. LaPenta's Whitehorse Stables purchased the Thunder Gulch colt, with a member of LaPenta's buying team, David Foye, signing the sale ticket.

Sense of Style Struts Her Stuff in Matron

Despite her slow break, odds-on favorite Sense of Style, guided by Edgar Prado, remained unbeaten with a facile one-length victory in the $300,000 Matron (gr. I) for 2-year-old fillies at Belmont Park Sunday.

Giant's Causeway Covers Polar Success; Shot of Thunder Euthanized

The American-born European raced superstar, successful freshman sire Giant's Causeway (Storm Cat--Mariah's Storm) received an impressive kick start to his southern hemisphere breeding campaign.

Thunder Gulch, Honour and Glory, Housebuster to Argentina

Thunder Gulch and Honour and Glory, both of whom stand at Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky., and Virginia stallion Housebuster will shuttle to Argentina

Magic Millions Premier Sale Posts Record Average

The Magic Millions Gold Coast premier yearling sale ended with a record average of Aus$16,464 (U.S.$12,400) for the 366 yearlings sold. The gross revenue climbed to Aus$6,026,000 (U.S.$4,517,400), almost double the 2003 figure.

Thunder Gulch Colt Tops Opening Session of Premier Sale; Business Down

A Thunder Gulch colt topped Sunday's opening session of the Magic Millions Gold Coast premier yearling sale in Australia, bringing an $86,000 bid ($64,233 in U.S. funds).

Pedigree Profile: Eurosilver Can Tango Two Turns

Buckram Oak Farm's homebred Eurosilver ranks high on most Kentucky Derby (gr. I) followers' lists, including the one compiled by The Blood-Horse's Steve Haskin, who has the son of Unbridled's Song No. 2 on his Derby Dozen.

On This Day...

Feb. 18, 1995
Thunder Gulch at Gulfstream Park

American-bred Stallions Have Tough Day at Australia Sale

Two things stood out on day one of Victoria's Premier yearling sale, traditionally a good sale for finding bargain babies.

Sire Power

By Ray Paulick -- Ashford Stud, the Kentucky division of Coolmore, the massive worldwide bloodstock operation that has a dominating presence in Australia and its home base of Ireland, has transformed the stallion business, here and throughout the world, in a major way.