Nebraska: Blumin Affair leads amid precipitous declines in state

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.

The Thoroughbred breeding population continued its precipitous decline in Nebraska in 2011, when 81 mares were reported bred to stallions standing in the state, dropping for the fifth consecutive year.

Blumin Affair continued as the state’s leading sire for the ninth straight year, represented by progeny earnings of $543,132. A 21-year old son of Dynaformer, he stands at Rogers Ranch in Mead for $2,000. Dazzling Falls, a 20-year old son of Taylor’s Falls, also stands at Rogers Ranch and finished in his customary spot just behind Blumin Affair.