Donald Litz, the driving force behind the newly created Maryland Stallion Station, has announced the farm's stallion corps will consist of Rock Slide, Seeking Daylight, Outflanker, Eastern Echo, and Jazz Club. Construction of the facilities won't be completed until next summer, so the five stallions will stand the 2004 season at the Rooney family's Shamrock Farms near Woodbine, Md.
Rock Slide, a full brother to Horse of the Year candidate Mineshaft, won nine of 23 races and earned $442,500. The 5-year-old son of A.P. Indy out of grade I winner Prospectors Delite (by Mr. Prospector) will remain the property of William S. Farish of Lane's End Farm, James Elkins, and W. Temple Webber Jr., who bred and raced him. Rock Slide, whose fee is $7,500, won this year's Sea O Erin Breeders' Cup Mile Handicap on grass and last year's Tenacious Handicap. He also was graded stakes-placed. Lane's End is a partner in Maryland Stallion Station.
Maryland Stallion Station purchased a half-interest in Seeking Daylight from breeder/owner Edward P. Evans. Five-year-old Seeking Daylight (Seeking the Gold--Play all Day, by Steady Growth) scored his major win in last year's Brooklyn Handicap (gr. II) by 8 1/4 lengths in what turned out to be his final start. He retires with four wins from seven starts and earnings of $244,710. A half-brother to grade I winner Hedonist, he will stand for $6,500.
Syndicated Outflanker, who last stood at Cloverleaf Farms II near Reddick, Fla., will hold court for $7,500. The 9-year-old son of Danzig out of the Alydar mare Lassie's Lady has sired six stakes winners.
Eastern Echo and Jazz Club stood the past breeding season at Shamrock. A grade I winner, 15-year-old Eastern Echo (Damascus--Wild Applause, by Northern Dancer) has sired 21 stakes winners, including 2003 grade I winner Buddy Gil.
Syndicated Eastern Echo will stand for $5,000.
Graded stakes winner Jazz Club (Dixieland Band -- Hidden Garden, by Mr. Prospector) will stand for Lane's End and Maryland Stallion Station for $3,500. The 8-year-old stallion's first foals arrived this year.
