Lane's End lowers 10 fees

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Kentucky stud farms continue generally to hold the line on stud fees for 2009 as breeders endure a falling economy. The latest to announce fees this week were Lane's End and Stonewall Stallions, which both left fees for their flagship stallions untouched from 2008 levels.

Lane's End kept A.P. Indy and Smart Strike at $300,000 and $150,000, respectively, and dropped fees for half its 20 stallions on the 2009 roster. Those were Aragorn, who dips from $30,000 to $20,000; Belong to Me, from $12,500 to $10,000; Dixie Union, from $50,000 to $40,000; Dixieland Band, from $50,000 to $30,000; Mineshaft, from $75,000 to $40,000; Mingun, from $7,500 to $5,000; Pleasant Tap, from $25,000 to $15,000; Pleasantly Perfect, from $30,000 to $20,000; Rock Hard Ten, from $50,000 to $40,000; and Stephen Got Even, from $12,500 to $10,000. War Pass, who enters stud this year, will stand for $30,000.

One Lane's End sire, Lemon Drop Kid, gets a fee raise from $35,000 to $50,000. The Kingmambo horse is the sire of such 2008 graded performers as Kiss the Kid, Sweet Hope, African Violet.

Lane's End's remaining sires all keep their 2008 fees for the coming season.

Stonewall Stallions also left most of its 12-horse roster unchanged and lowered fees for four horses. Lawyer Ron will go from $30,000 to $25,000; Spellbinder from $5,000 to $2,500; Unforgettable Max from $6,500 to $4,000; and Value Plus from $12,500 to $10,000.

Stonewall will increase one fee, that of Doneraile Court, sire of 2008 Beldame winner Cocoa Beach, Santa Anita Oaks winner Ariege, and Grade 3 winner Sporting Art. Doneraile Court will stand for $7,500, up from $6,000 this year.

The rest of Stonewall's stud fees will remain the same in 2009.