What's Going On Here: The Pay Off
John Sikura’s instincts result in classic bloodlines
John Sikura
News, Articles, Videos and other content about John Sikura
Curlin Connection Vital in Irish War Cry Stud Deal
A "reasoned gamble" is how Hill 'n' Dale Farms owner John Sikura described the recent deal to acquire the breeding rights to multiple graded stakes winner Irish War Cry ahead of the May 6 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1).
Baker, Quiet Resolve Among Canadian Hall Finalists
- By BloodHorse Staff
- Thoroughbred Racing, Thoroughbred Breeding, International, Northeast Region, Midwest Region
There will be 15 candidates on the Thoroughbred side on a final ballot for 2017 induction into the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, including Sovereign Award-winning trainer Reade Baker and Canada's Horse of the Year in 2000 Quiet Resolve.
Keeneland's Book 1 Closes on Strong Note
Topped by Unrivaled Belle at $3.8 million, the Nov. 9 second session of Keeneland's November breeding stock sale brought Book 1 to a close with average and median prices up over 2015 as the gross declined with considerably fewer head sold.
Half Brother to Honor Code Sells for $1.05M
A Tapit colt that is a half brother to champion and Lane's End stallion Honor Code sold to Chris Baccari for $1.05 million during the Nov. 9 session of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, the highest-priced weanling so far during the auction.
Mei Ling Retired, Sold to Hill 'n' Dale
Stonewall Farms announced Sept. 9 the retirement and sale of multiple stakes winner and multiple graded stakes-placed Mei Ling to Hill 'n' Dale Farms.
Florida-Based Sire Kantharos to Hill 'n' Dale
Stonestreet announced Sept. 8 that Florida sire Kantharos will move to Kentucky to stand at Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington.
Halo America Dies at Old Friends
Grade I winner Halo America died July 7 at Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement facility in Georgetown, Ky. At 26 she was euthanized because of declining health.
Hanky Panky Tops Tattersalls at 2.7M Guineas
Hanky Panky, a group III-placed half sister to Central Kentucky sire Giant's Causeway, sold for 2.7 million guineas (US$4,268,376) Dec. 1 the top price on the second day of Tattersalls December breeding stock sale.
Keeneland November Sale Day 2 Recap
Ian Tapp recaps Day 2 of the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, including comments from John Sikura, Mandy Pope, and Keeneland Director of Sales, Geoffrey Russell. Watch Video
$6M Take Charge Brandi Fuels Keeneland Gains
The Keeneland November breeding stock sale's Book 1 ends with champion Take Charge Brandi sold for $6 million and a record $3.2 million weanling as upper-market bidding pushes Book 1 to across-the-board increases.
Got Lucky to Hill 'n' Dale Broodmare Band
Got Lucky, winner of the Juddmonte Spinster (gr. I) last month at Keeneland, has been retired and will join the broodmare band at Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington.
Curlin's 2016 Stud Fee Set at $100,000
Two-time Horse of Year Curlin will stand in 2016 for $100,000 fee at John G. Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington
Sikura Fortunate With Got Lucky
Longines BC Distaff (gr. I) contender Got Lucky has already made John Sikura happy for buying into her family, and the Juddmonte Spinster winner could deliver a crowning achievement with a victory Oct. 30.
Hill 'n' Dale Sets Fees; Curlin's Undecided
Hill 'n' Dale Farms has released its stallion roster and fees for 2016, but it hasn't yet announced the fee for its newly acquired stallion Curlin. His fee will be announced at a future date.
Secret Circle to Stand at Hill 'n' Dale
Top sprinter Secret Circle, whose retirement was announced in September, has found a home at stud at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms, per an Oct. 14 release.
Educational Assistance Fund Recipients Named
Twenty-six children of full-time horse farm workers are receiving assistance with their higher education this year from the Horse Farm Workers' Educational Assistance Fund.
Bayern's 2016 Fee Announced at $15,000
Bayern, winner of the 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic, will stand for $15,000 live foal at Hill 'n' Dale Farms.
Got Lucky Rallies to Spinster Score
Got Lucky was just that Oct. 4 at Keeneland, finding running room from far back and closing past champion Untapable and longshot Yahilwa in the final furlong to win the the $500,000 Juddmonte Spinster (gr. I).
Goodman, Sikura Join Keeneland Advisory Board
H. Greg Goodman, owner of Mt. Brilliant Farm, and John G. Sikura, owner and president of Hill 'n' Dale Farm, have been named as the newest members of Keeneland's Advisory Board of Directors.
Breeders' Cup Classic Winner Bayern Retired
Kaleem Shah's Bayern, winner of the 2014 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), has officially been retired following his third-place finish as the 6-5 favorite in the Awesome Again Stakes (gr. I) Sept. 26 at Santa Anita Park.
Bayern to Stand at Hill 'n' Dale in 2016
Kaleem Shah's Bayern, last year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) winner, will stand at Hill 'n' Dale Farms in 2016.
Curlin to Hill 'n' Dale in 2016
Two-time Horse of the Year Curlin will relocate from Lane's End to John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farm for the 2016 breeding season, majority owner Stonestreet Farm announced Sept. 2.
One-Fifth Curlin Share Surpasses $6 Million
Hill 'n' Dale Equine Holdings Inc. and Elevage II purchased a 20% share in successful sire Curlin for more than $6 million at a U.S. Justice Department auction in May.
Candy Ride Colt Breaks Record in OBS Finale
Ocala Breeders' Sales Co. saved the best for last during its June sale of 2-year-olds in training and horses of racing age, which concluded a record-breaking four-day run June 19 in Ocala, Fla.
Racing Leaders: Triple Crown Would Lift Sport
With American Pharoah attempting to complete a Triple Crown in the June 6 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) at Belmont Park, industry leaders talk about what the first Triple Crown sweep since 1978 would mean for the sport.
Atreides to Stand at Hill 'n' Dale in 2015
Stonestreet and Hill 'n' Dale Farms said Jan. 13 that Atreides, the multiple stakes-winning son of Medaglia d'Oro out of multiple grade I winner and young producer Dream Rush, will retire to Hill 'n' Dale for 2015.
Blind Luck Does Not Meet Reserve at $1.4M
Champion Blind Luck was bought back for $1.4 million when the six-time grade I winner did not achieve her reserve price at the Jan. 12 first session of the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.
Keeneland January: Blind Luck and John Sikura
- By Ron Mitchell
John Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale Farm discusses the Keeneland January sale. watch video
Keeneland January: Blind Luck and John Sikura
John Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale Farm discusses the Keeneland January sale. Watch video of Blind Luck at the Keeneland January Sale.
Keeneland September Book 2 Sees Big Gains
A $700,000 Smart Strike filly from champion Heavenly Prize's family was the top-priced horse Sept. 14 as the Keeneland September sale's two-day Book 2 portion concluded with across-the-board gains in its second session.
Keeneland September: Consignor John Sikura
John Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale discusses the Keeneland September sale and Super Saver's half brother. watch video
Keeneland September Sale: Consignor John Sikura
John Sikura of Hill 'n' Dale discusses the Keeneland September sale and Super Saver's half brother.
Champion She's a Tiger Retired
She's a Tiger, last year's champion 2-year-old filly, has been retired and will be offered for sale in the fall at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky November sale.
First Winner for Sire Concord Point
Sizzling Quatorze, a first-out winner by 7 3/4 lengths at Delaware Park, is the first reported for first-crop sire Concord Point.
California Chrome's Stud Future Looks Tricky
There will be no shortage of farms willing to take a chance on the modestly bred colt if he wins the Triple Crown.
Burdine Named Hill 'n' Dale General Manager
Jared Burdine has been named general manager of Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Lexington.
Last Dance: A.P. Indy's Last Crop
The last crop of Lane's End Farm's champion and leading sire A.P. Indy turns 3 this year.
Consignors Predicting Healthy January Sale
With the major November breeding stock sales delivering stronger than expected results for many sellers, consignors heading back to Keeneland's auction ring in January are predicting that the market will remain healthy.
Hill 'n' Dale Sets Fee for New Year's Day
New Year's Day, winner of the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), will stand the 2014 breeding season for a fee of $12,500 live foal stands and nurses, Hill 'n' Dale Farm announced Jan. 1.
New Year's Day Retired Due to Injury
- By Ron Mitchell
- Thoroughbred Racing, Thoroughbred Breeding, Breeders' Cup, Triple Crown, West Region, Kentucky
New Year's Day, who upset favored Havana in the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), has been retired after sustaining an injury and will enter stud at Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Lexington.
Pulpit Son Power Broker to Hill 'n' Dale
Pulpit's grade I-winning son Power Broker has been retired from racing and will stand at John Sikura's Hill 'n' Dale Farms near Lexington, for a 2014 fee of $10,000 live foal.
Midnight Lute to Stand for $25,000 in 2014
Hill 'n' Dale Farms said Nov. 4 Midnight Lute will stand the 2014 breeding season for a fee of $25,000 live foal, stands and nurses.
Fasig-Tipton October Sale a Record-Breaker
Borges Torrealba's $800,000 bid for a Smart Strike filly raised the roof at Fasig-Tipton's October yearling sale, which ended with big increases overall.
Fasig-Tipton Oct: A Smart Strike
John Sikura discusses his Smart Strike filly, who brought $800,000 on October 23 at the Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale. Watch Video
Sept. Sale: Pendulum Swings Back to New Sires
The appeal of first-year sires for buyers at the Keeneland September yearling sale, which waned during the Great Recession, seems to be making a comeback in 2013.
Optimism High for Keeneland September Sale
Optimism is high heading into the 12-day Keeneland September yearling sale. A new four-day format for Book One greets buyers and sellers beginning Sept. 9.
Rasmussen to Replace Ramsey at Hill 'n' Dale
Hill 'n' Dale Farms announced Aug. 29 that longtime farm manager Joe Ramsey is leaving and John Rasmussen, assistant farm manager for the past five years, will assume the role.
WGOH: Solid Through the Middle
Yearling sales are stable and growing. read blog
Indian Charlie Colt Tops Early at F-T Session
An Indian Charlie colt from the family of champion Vindication sold for $750,000 to light up the results board during the early portion of the second session of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale Aug. 6.
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