Unbeaten two-time European Horse of the Year Frankel was among the leading sires at last week's renowned Royal Ascot meeting, leading the charge for his own sire, Galileo, who continued to expand his legacy.
Denise Martin, who with husband Perry Martin co-bred and co-campaigned two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome, died June 14 at age 61.
Entering this week's Royal Ascot meeting, one of the major events on the international calendar, Make Believe and his grandsire Dubawi lead the European sires list by earnings – although Make Believe's accomplishments are largely attributable to one horse.
Classic sire Tapit, who is already a successful sire of sires, has several sons in this freshman sire class. The first to make his presence felt on the leaderboard is Iron Fist, off to a solid start with three winners from his first three starters.
Nominations for the North American edition of the Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards are now open, running through Aug. 2.
Caravaggio and Astern, among the stallions adding international flavor to this North American freshman sire class, were among the several in that class to record early-career milestones over the past week.
There were 18 stakes races run from Thursday through Sunday on a marquee weekend at Belmont Park. Although there were some common themes among the victorious sirelines, the only stallion with two of his direct progeny finding the winner's circle on the competitive weekend was breakout young sire Maclean's Music, who could be poised for an upswing.
A celebration of life for Steve Dance, a senior member of Fasig-Tipton’s auction team for five decades, will be held 1 p.m. June 16 at the sales pavilion at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium.
John Fradkin has gotten plenty lucky with his bets, both as a handicapper, which was his introduction to the sport of racing, and as an owner and breeder with his wife, Diane. Most recently, a series of lucky breaks over the last year led to the Fradkins campaigning homebred Rombauer to a victory in the Preakness Stakes. The colt looks to add another classic in the Belmont Stakes this Saturday.
Nearly a decade ago, foes Byrama and Charm the Maker made up the exacta in a turf sprint stakes in California. On the opposite side of the country this Saturday, their sons Known Agenda and Rock Your World will meet again in the Belmont Stakes, going 1 1/2 miles on dirt.
