Dr. John and Alice Chandler's Mill Ridge Farm near Lexington announced Nov. 1 that the fees for the farm's stallions would be reduced for 2008.
Most importantly, Gone West, a 23-year-old son of Mr. Prospector, will see his fee changed from $125,000 to $85,000. His fee first reached $100,000 in 1997 and reached $150,000 for one season, in 2005. In the Report of Mares Bred issued by The Jockey Club recently, he was reported as having covered 47 mares this year, down significantly from the 73 in 2006 and 87 in 2005.
Gone West is the sire of 90 stakes winners and has established himself as a sire of sires with such sons at stud as Mr. Greeley, Elusive Quality , and Grand Slam.
Gone West, out of the Secretariat mare Secrettame, sired a session topping colt out of the Sadler's Wells mare Myth to Reality, who brought $2.14 million at this year's Tattersalls October sale.
"We believe breeders will realize the potential of Johar and the great value of Gone West," said Bayne Welker, Mill Ridge director of stallion marketing and sales development, in a release.
Gone West's 8-year-old son, 2003 John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT) winner Johar, who is out of the champion Lear Fan mare Windsharp, will stand for $12,500, down from $15,000 in 2007.
"Johar's foals were so nice—we had our best response ever in 2007, with 110 mares in his third year," said Welker.
Johar's first foals of racing age will hit the track in 2008.