The Jockey Club projects another year of declining foal crops, but at a much slower rate than in previous years. According to the breed organization’s annual Live Foal Report, released Friday, 22,001 foals of 2013 have been reported to The Jockey Club as of Sept. 9. That marks a 2.2 percent decrease from the 22,500 reports received last year by this time, marking the smallest decrease since 2007.
Gainesway stallion Tapit drew the attention of breeders as soon as his first foals hit the racetrack in 2008, and his first crop was led by champion 2-year-old filly Stardom Bound. A Grade 1-winning son of Pulpit, Tapit finished the year atop both the North American freshman sire list and juvenile list, setting a then-record for earnings as a juvenile sire. Now, a half-decade later, his subsequent crops have helped him become one of the most productive sires in North America, with a reputation for siring precocious and talented juveniles.
Expanded incentive programs for owners and breeders of Maryland-breds will go into effect in the state beginning with the start of the Laurel Park fall meet on Sept. 19.
Hessonite, a two-time New York-bred champion and winner of nine stakes in a 22-race career, has been retired from racing, trainer David Donk said Wednesday.
Sky Conqueror, Canada’s champion turf male in 2006, was represented by his first winner on Sept. 7 when Regal Conqueror won a maiden special weight at Woodbine.
Lotka, a Grade 1 winner on the racetrack and a prolific broodmare, died Sept. 10 at Our Mims Retirement Haven in Paris, Ky., at age 30. The Danzig mare had been a resident at the facility, operated by Jeanne Mirabito, since 2008.
Prospective, a multiple graded stakes winner last year, has been retired from racing. Stud plans are pending.
Grade 1 winner El Corredor will relocate to stand the 2014 breeding season at The Stallion Station at Copper Crowne in Opelousas, La. His fee will be $3,500 if paid by Nov. 15. 2014, or $4,000 when the foal stands and nurses.
Several trainers who have handled multiple horses of similar lineage – generations of mares and their offspring, siblings, or progeny of a stallion – also noted that certain traits are shared within bloodlines. While horses must be handled as individuals, with pedigree by no means an exhaustive guide to training, familiarity with the family can help a trainer efficiently address a quirky personality.
Galileo to Danehill mares is surely as strong an example of a sire-broodmare sire nick as one can find in contemporary Thoroughbred breeding. It also – and, in fact, already has – ensures that practically anyone with a Danehill mare is going to send them to Galileo.
