All through the 1980s, when I was general manager of William du Pont III’s Pillar Stud, we always were on the lookout for stakes-winning mares, even with relatively modest pedigrees. As disciples of Joe Estes, who conclusively demonstrated in the 1940s and 1950s that stakes-winning mares were by far the most successful producers, we always were happy to pay modest prices for mares of proven ability.
Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Lexington, Ky. has released the advertised fees for its 2016 stallion roster. Two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, who relocates to Hill ‘n’ Dale after seven years at Lane’s End Farm, is likely to command the group’s highest fee, which will be announced at a later time. Hill ‘n’ Dale acquired a 20 percent stake in the 11-year-old son of Smart Strike, who stood for $35,000 in 2015, earlier this year.
Grade 1 winner Daredevil has been retired from racing and will debut at stud in 2016 at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky. for a fee to be determined later.
Multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Secret Circle, who was retired over the summer, will make his debut at stud at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms in Lexington, Ky. for an advertised fee of $5,000 stands and nurses or $7,500 payable out of proceeds.
Spendthrift Farm has released its 2016 advertised fees for the 25 horses that comprise the operation’s Kentucky roster.
Midas Touch, a Group 2 winner in Ireland who placed in Group 1 races in Ireland, England, and Australia, will relocate to Rockridge Stud in Hudson, N.Y. for the 2016 breeding season, where he will stand for an advertised fee of $3,500.
Grade 1 winner Lea will stand the 2016 breeding season at Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky., after making his final start in the upcoming Breeders’ Cup Mile or Dirt Mile.
Circumference, a placed runner in France, has been retired from racing due to injury and will stand the 2016 breeding season at Milky Way Farm in Temecula, Calif. for an advertised fee of $3,000.
The Alcibiades was Gomo’s second victory from five starts for Reddam Racing, and she is likely to join the same stable’s Nyquist at the Breeders’ Cup at Keeneland. It is too early to tell whether Uncle Mo’s early success will lead to a revival of the Grey Sovereign male line, but he clearly represents the best chance of survival for a once-proud stirp of the Nasrullah male line.
Vessels Stallion Farm in Bonsall, Calif., a leading Quarter Horse and Thoroughbred breeding farm on the West Coast since the 1980s, was sold earlier this week to a private entity incorporated in Delaware.
