Blame begins stallion career with $35,000 fee at Claiborne

Breeders' Cup Classic winner Blame will start his stud career with a $35,000 fee at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky., the farm announced Wednesday evening.

The 4-year-old Blame enters stud fresh off his head victory over previously undefeated Zenyatta. He will stand alongside his sire, Arch, whose fee will rise from $25,000 this year to $30,000 in 2011.

Two other Claiborne horses also will get fee increases. They are War Front, who goes from $10,000 to $15,000, and Flatter, whose fee climbs from $5,000 to $7,500.

Four other stallions at the century-old farm will have their fees cut, most notably Pulpit, the nursery's most expensive stallion. His fee will fall from $60,000 to $50,000 in 2011. The others are Eddington, who drops from $7,500 to $5,000; First Samurai, whose fee falls from $30,000 to $25,000; and Horse Greeley, who goes from $6,500 to $5,000.

Parading ($3,500), Political Force ($10,000), and Stroll ($7,500) will have the same fees they had in 2010.

"We have always tried to help breeders in the marketplace," said Claiborne stallion marketer Bernie Sams. "We are committed to setting reasonable stud fees and to capping the number of mares bred."

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