There have to be hundreds, if not thousands, of breeding farms throughout North America not unlike Ocala’s Wicklow Farm, the one J.R. Cavanaugh owns on the southwestern outskirts of this horse-crazy Florida town.
Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Concern and champion steeplechaser Tuscalee comprise the Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame’s class of 2014.
Multiple Grade 1 winner Mucho Macho Man was named Florida’s 2013 Horse of the Year on March 9 by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association.
Grade 2 winner The Name’s Jimmy was euthanized March 7 at Old Friends Thoroughbred Retirement Center in Georgetown, Ky., at the age of 25 following prolonged and worsening mobility issues.
Daniel J. Lopez's Geeky Gorgeous has been honored as the New Jersey-bred Horse of the Year for 2013. The 5-year-old Devil His Due mare, who was bred by Joe-Dan Farm, also garnered awards as the state’s champion handicap mare and champion sprinter.
DRF Breeding's coverage of the Florida stallion and sales market for 2014.
The new Pleasant Acres Stallions facility in Morriston, Fla., advertises that its aim is “bringing the hottest sire lines on the planet to Florida.” Judging by its inaugural roster for the 2014 breeding season, Joe and Helen Barbazon’s operation is off to a flying start.
Throughout its relatively brief history as a major Thoroughbred breeding state, Florida has developed a well-deserved reputation for punching above its weight in producing high-class racehorses.
Capable on dirt, turf, and synthetic, the underrated and speedy Two Step Salsa has gotten off to a nice start at stud, finishing 2013 atop Florida’s freshman sire list with $620,716 in progeny earnings. That figure was good enough to rank fifth among all first-crop sires in North America, and through March 6 he has kept those rankings – first in Florida, fifth in North America – on the second-crop sire list for 2014.
With Distinction continued his ascent in the Florida general sire rankings in 2013, moving up from third in 2012 to first in earnings among sires who are standing in the state this year. The 13-year-old son of Storm Cat, who stands at Randy Hartley and Dean De Renzo’s Ocala, Fla., operation, finished last year with $4,589,241 in progeny earnings, more than $280,000 ahead of Journeyman Stud veteran Wildcat Heir.
