A new breeding season and a move to a different state may revive the career of the stallion Straight Fire. Straight Fire, a 12-year-old by Dominus, will stand at Blue Ribbon Farm in Buckley, Wash., for the first time this year after fading from prominence in California. The sire of four stakes winners, Straight Fire was bred to 61 mares in 2022, according to Jockey Club statistics. The figure fell to 41 in 2023, 12 in 2024, and only three last year. In California, Straight Fire stood at Legacy Ranch in Clements. In Washington, a book of approximately 25 mares is within reason, farm owner Debbie Pabst said earlier this month. “It wouldn’t surprise me at all if we would do that,” Pabst said. “He fits the spot.” Straight Fire, who will stand for $2,500, is the most prominent new stallion in Washington this year. Alternation, an 18-year-old by Distorted Humor, led the progeny earnings in 2025 with more than $2.2 million. Alternation stands for $3,500 at Blue Ribbon Farm. Straight Fire has already had a recent influence on Washington bloodstock. Last August, a filly by Straight Fire sold for $110,000 at the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association’s yearling sale, the most expensive hip of the auction. “She was a very attractive foal,” Pabst said. “You can tell when they pay $110,000.” Pabst said she sent out “several” contracts during the holidays to mare owners interested in breeding to Straight Fire. Straight Fire had four starts as a juvenile in 2016, his only year on the track. After winning a 6 1/2-furlong maiden race by 10 1/2 lengths at Del Mar in his second start, Straight Fire finished second in the Grade 1 Del Mar Futurity at seven furlongs and third in the Grade 1 American Pharoah Stakes at 1 1/16 miles in his final start. In the early years of his stallion career, Straight Fire was represented by the stakes winners Straight Up G at Santa Anita and Del Mar, Power Surge and Smuggler’s Run at Santa Anita, and Sassy Nature at Gulfstream Park. A new stallion in Washington could help boost participation from breeders. According to The Jockey Club’s 2026 fact book, there were 70 mares bred in Washington in 2025, a fraction of the 1,214 bred in 2005. There were 10 active stallions in the state last year compared to 17 in 2024, according to The Jockey Club. Kingfsher has new stallion farm Kingfisher Farm in central California has expanded its operation to include a stallion farm west of its existing layup facility in the Santa Ynez Valley. The new farm will have three stallions for the upcoming breeding season – Halladay ($5,000 fee), Spun Intended (complimentary), and Tom’s Tribute ($1,500). “That is going to be our breeding center, with mares and foals and stallions,” farm owner Katie Fisher said. Fisher purchased Halladay for $42,500 from the Inglis Digital USA sale last month. Halladay previously stood at Harris Farms in Coalinga, which no longer has a stallion operation. Halladay was bred to 38 mares in 2025, according to The Jockey Club. His oldest foals are 3-year-olds this year and include Arkadelphia, who was third in the Royal Palm Juvenile at Gulfstream Park in 2025. Stanford, Stay Thirsty lead Cal Cup sires Stanford and Stay Thirsty were the only stallions to have progeny earnings in excess of $100,000 in the five stakes for California-breds on Jan. 17 at Santa Anita. Stanford, who stands for $4,000 at Eclipse Thoroughbreds in Solvang, had four runners in the five stakes. Stanford’s best results were first- and third-place finishes by Man O Rose and Book Smart in the $122,500 California Cup Sprint at six furlongs. Overall, Stanford’s progeny earned $109,750 in stakes on Jan. 17. Stay Thirsty, who stands for $8,000 at Lovacres Ranch in Warner Springs, was led by Vodka Vodka, who won the $175,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic at 1 1/8 miles for his first stakes win. Stay Thirsty had three other runners in stakes, including Fiorello who finished sixth in the $175,500 California Cup Derby at 1 1/16 miles on dirt. For the day, Stay Thirsty’s foals earned $103,250 in the stakes. The other three stallions with stakes winners on Jan. 17 stand in other states or are deceased. Cistron, sire of Cee Drew, the winner of the $175,000 California Cup Oaks for 3-year-olds fillies at a mile on turf, died in 2024. Smiling Tiger, the sire of Grand Slam Smile, the winner of the $126,500 Sunshine Million Filly and Mare Turf Sprint on the hillside turf course, also died in 2024. Upstart, who stands at Airdrie Stud in Kentucky, is the sire of Start the Ride, the 13-1 winner of the $175,500 California Cup Derby. Start the Ride is out of Elusive Ride, who was purchased by Harris Farms for $27,000 at the 2022 Keeneland November breeding stock sale while carrying Start the Ride. The mare was then transferred to California. Elusive Ride is the dam of a 2-year-old by Halladay, a yearling colt by Cistron, and is in foal to Eight Rings, according to Jonny Hilvers of Harris Farms.