It’s snowing and very cold, everywhere it seems, so how can there be any such thing as global warming?
The unassailable logic of that idea struck home when liberally applied to the most important Thoroughbred action taking place on both coasts Saturday, when 25 older male runners have been entered to run in one of three graded middle-distance stakes. With such a relative bounty of tough campaigners willing and able to run, how can anyone be concerned about a horse shortage?
Sometimes in horse racing, it's better to be lucky than good.
In the spring of 2009, owner-breeder Ed Stanco's mare Storm Dixie, a winning daughter of Catienus who had been retired the fall before, was on her way to be bred for the first time. After extensive analysis and consulting bloodstock experts, Stanco had selected Grand Slam at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky., for Storm Dixie’s first mating. However, with one phone call his plans changed abruptly.
Majestic Warrior got off to a flying start in 2012, and the best may be yet to come.
Ashford Stud released its 2013 stallion roster on Wednesday, and increased stud fees for successful young sires Scat Daddy and Majestic Warrior while maintaining the fee for leading sire Giant’s Causeway at $85,000. The Versailles, Ky., farm, a division of the international Coolmore operation, will have two new stallions for 2013, champion Hansen and Grade 1 winner Stay Thirsty.
