Indiana: State breeding remains on upswing
This year’s survey of the Midwest stallion market and the corresponding broodmare population reflects the pragmatic attitude regional breeders have adopted since the nation’s economic downturn that preceded the 2009 breeding season. While returns at the major Thoroughbred sales this year are registering increases compared with the last several years, stallion and mare populations in the Midwest have remained constant, even in states where purses are supplemented by added gaming revenue.
Indiana has been on the upswing for the last several years, since the introduction of casino gaming at the state’s two Thoroughbred racetracks in 2008. The mare population in Indiana swelled to over 1,000 in 2009 and has remained constant in the last two years, with 1,044 mares being bred to stallions in the state last season. The state’s breed-back rule, which requires mares who foal in Indiana be bred to stallions standing in the state, has helped maintain a steady trade in new stallions being transferred to the region.
Domestic Dispute led the stallion standings in the state in 2011, siring progeny with earnings of $1,901,070. A son of Unbridled’s Song, he stands at the Indiana Stallion Station in Anderson for a $2,000 fee.
The recently deceased Chief Seattle finished second in the Indiana stallion ranks last year. Third in last year’s ranking was Spanish Steps, who is represented by Sunshine Millions winner Little Mike and had 2011 progeny earnings of $1,390,214. A full brother to Unbridled’s Song, Spanish Steps stands at Lake Shore Farm in Scottsburg for a $3,000 fee.
Swifty Farms in Seymour has added two new stallions to its roster for the upcoming breeding season. E Z’s Gentleman, a winner of the Grade 1 Triple Bend Handicap, will stand his first season for a $2,500 fee. Stakes-placed Silver Mountain, a son of Victory Gallop, will stand for a $2,000 fee. Transferring to Swifty Farms from Kentucky this season is Mancini, a half-brother to Unbridled’s Song who will stand for a $2,000 fee.
Another prominent addition to the state’s stallion ranks this year is Strong Hope, winner of the Grade 2 Dwyer and Jim Dandy Stakes in 2003. A son of Grand Slam, he will stand at Midwest Equine and Veterinary Hospital in Trafalgar for a $2,500 fee.
Transferring to Indiana from Pennsylvania this season is Southern Success, a stakes-winning son of Dixieland Band who will stand for a $1,000 fee at the Indiana Stallion Station.
New to state for 2012
| STALLION | PEDIGREE | FARM/LOCATION | 2012 STUD FEE |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strong Hope | Grand Slam-Shining Through, by Deputy Minister | Midwest Equine & Veterinary, Trafalgar | $2,500 |
| Southern Success | Dixieland Band-My Success, by A.P. Indy | Indiana Stallion Station, Anderson | $1,000 |
| Alysweep | End Sweep-Chronicler, by Alysheba | Still Creek Farm, Brookville | $1,000 |
| Alluvial | Forestry-Hail Atlantis, by Seattle Slew | Still Creek Farm, Brookville | $1,500 |
| Mancini | Mr. Prospector-Trolley Song, by Caro | Swifty Farms, Seymour | $2,000 |
New stallions for 2012
| STALLION | PEDIGREE | FARM/LOCATION | 2012 STUD FEE |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Z's Gentleman | Yankee Gentleman-Tensie's Pro, by Distinctive Pro | Swifty Farms, Seymour | $2,500 |
| Silver Mountain | Victory Gallop-Country Cruise, by Riverman | Swifty Farms, Seymour | $2,000 |
| Tampa's Big City | Old Trieste-Coral Sea, by Rubiano | Millar Farms, Marshall | $2,500 |
| Wise River | Belong to Me-Future Guest, by Copelan | Hidden Springs Farm, Palmyra | $1,500 |