Ashford cuts top stud fees

Two major international stallion operations, Sheikh Mohammed's Darley and John Magnier's Coolmore Stud, have announced changes in fees for their major Kentucky stallions in 2004.

Coolmore's American branch, Ashford Stud, has slashed the $125,000 fees for Fusaichi Pegasus and Giant's Causeway in 2004. Fusaichi Pegasus will stand for $85,000, Giant's Causeway for $75,000.

Other fees dropping at Ashford are those of Black Minnaloushe, who goes from $12,500 to $10,000; High Yield, from $30,000 to $25,000; Honour and Glory, $20,000 to $17,500; Thunder Gulch, $65,000 to $50,000; and Woodman, $30,000 to $25,000.

Not all Ashford fees are coming down. Those being raised include that of Grand Slam, who climbs from $30,000 to $50,000; Stravinsky, who goes from $17,500 to $25,000; and Tale of the Cat, from $25,000 to $40,000.

Hennessy ($35,000), Johannesburg ($30,000), and Royal Academy ($20,000) will remain the same.

Darley has raised the fee for Cherokee Run, who stands at Darley's Jonabell Farm in Lexington. Cherokee Run's 2004 fee will be $40,000, up from $20,000 this year.

Darley also will stand Kafwain at Jonabell for his first season for a $10,000 fee. Other Darley-at-Jonabell stallions will carry the same fees they had last year, with Street Cry at $30,000, Holy Bull at $15,000, and E Dubai at $15,000.