Kingmambo Through Breeding This Year

Kingmambo, whose arthritic condition in his lower neck forced Lane's End Farm to go easy with him, is through covering mares this year at the Versailles, Ky., farm.

"The vets thought it would be best to let him rest," said Lane's End owner William S. Farish. "He's healthy, but needs the time off, and we want him to come back fresh next year and be in good order."

A 15-year-old son of Mr. Prospector, Kingmambo is enjoying one of his best seasons. A daughter, unbeaten Divine Proportions, has two French group I classic wins: the Prix de Diane Hermes and Gainsborough Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. Another daughter, Virginia Waters, is an English group I winner. Kingmambo's four other stakes winners on the flat this year are either group or graded winners. Also in England, a maternal granddaughter, Maids Causeway, recently won the group I Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Kingmambo, who was produced from the champion Nureyev mare Miesque, was taken off stallion duty in late February because of a leg injury after covering 10 mares. He was kept on the sidelines because of an arthritic condition in his lower neck as well as suspected involvement of an EPM infection. Radiographs and a bone scan revealed arthritis in the left facet joint of his C-6/C-7 articulation (at the base of his neck). Following treatment, he was returned to breeding in mid-April and covered 26 mares. His total for the year is 36 mares.

Kingmambo, who has sired 56 stakes winners, stands for $300,000.