Stallions on parade in Ocala

The Florida Thoroughbred Farm Managers Club will hold its annual equine trade fair and stallion parade at the Ocala Equestrian Complex, adjacent to the Ocala Breeders' Sales grounds, on Sunday.

The schedule of events begins at 10 a.m. with a casual look at the stallions. The silent auction of 2003 services to the stallions begins at 11 a.m. At 1 p.m. the stallions will be paraded, accompanied by individual commentaries.

While the stallion activities are in full swing, the equine trade show will also be going on, with all sorts of horse-related products and services.

"Hard to tell how many stallions will be paraded," said Debbe Wojack, executive director of the farm managers. "We try to firm this up before the final few days, but there is always a last-minute entry. With five days to go we have 34 nominated stallions."

Among those stallions in the silent auction with advertised fees of $5,000 or higher are Greenwood Lake and Flame Thrower (Stoneriggs Farm), Lite the Fuse and Running Stag (Adena Springs South), Kissin Kris and Lost Soldier (Franks Farms South), Impeachment (Meadowbrook Farm), Songandaprayer (Marablue Farm), and Straight Man (Dun Hill Stud).

"Proceeds from our annual stallion parade and trade show go to help Thoroughbred farm employees and their families who are in need," said Wojack. "We have set up academic scholarships for the kids of farm workers. We help with medical bills. We do what we can for as many as we can."

New stallions for next year

Two new stallions will stand in the Ocala market for the 2003 breeding season. Monsieur Cat, a stakes-winning son of Tabasco Cat, will stand at Lev and Linda Miller's T-Square Stud for $2,500 live foal. Personal First, a Grade 3 stakes-winning son of Personal Hope, will stand at Art Appleton's Bridlewood Farm for $2,500 live foal.

Bridlewood Farm manager George Isaacs said Personal First has the makings of a good sire.

"He is a strong, athletic-type horse, and one look at him shows you why he had a world of speed," Isaacs said. "He won the Amsterdam Stakes at Saratoga and earned nearly $500,000. He's a grandson of Storm Bird and out of a graded stakes-placed Affirmed mare."

Bridlewood has made several changes for the coming breeding season, said Isaacs. Bridlewood will probably stand 10 stallions next year, Isaacs said, but two Bridlewood stallions will stand elsewhere. Jules (by Forty Niner) will stay in Brazil and Top Account (Private Account) has moved to New York.

As for fee changes, Stormy Atlantic (Storm Cat) goes from $6,000 to $8,500. Skip Trial (Bailjumper) has had his fee reduced to $5,000. Put It Back (Honour and Glory), whose offspring have yet to race, goes from $5,000 to $3,500.

Halo's Image (Halo) will stay at $5,000.

o Dun Hill Stud in Reddick is the new home for stallions Unbridled Time (Unbridled Song) and Texas Glitter (Glitterman). Unbridled Time, winner of the Grade 3 Laurel Dash and earner of nearly $350,000, will stand for $5,000. Glitterman, who won or placed in 19 stakes and earned over $700,000, will stand for $4,000.