Buetane
Colt by Tiz the Law – Taboo, by Forestry
Bred in Kentucky by Merriebelle Stable ($150,000 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga selected yearling purchase by Tom McCrocklin; $1.15 million Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. spring 2-year-old in training purchase by Donato Lanni, agent for Zedan Stables)
The Kentucky stallion division of Shadwell Farm, which has made major cuts to its U.S. landholdings in the years following the death of its founder, is now for sale.
Last Thursday, Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty officially listed the 538-acre property for $20 million. Shadwell no longer stands stallions in Kentucky, with a number of older members of its roster pensioned to Old Friends and younger stallions moved to regional marketplaces in recent years.
Virginia-bred millionaire Gigante is the winner of eight stakes in a career that began in 2022, highlighted, fittingly, by a victory in the Grade 2 Secretariat Stakes in 2023 – a race named for Virginia’s most famous son - at its only live Thoroughbred venue, Colonial Downs.
Further Ado
Colt by Gun Runner – Sky Dreamer, by Sky Mesa
Bred in Kentucky by John Oxley ($275,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by George Mellon; $550,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. spring 2-year-old purchase by Spendthrift Farm)
First Mission
The first mares covered by new stallions Highland Falls and First Mission have been reported in-foal marking an exciting start to their inaugural seasons in Kentucky.
First Mission enters stud as the fastest freshman stallion to retire at $10,000 or less in the past five years, highlighted by a 109 Beyer in the $1.25 million G2 Oaklawn Handicap. A four-time graded stakes winner with six triple-digit Beyers, he also captured the G2 Alysheba, G3 Essex and G3 Lexington. By sire of sires Street Sense, he is free of A.P. Indy, which is his sire’s best cross.
Two-time Australian Horse of the Year and Hall of Famer Makybe Diva, the only horse to win three consecutive editions of the Melbourne Cup, has died at the age of 27. The mare, who was foaled in 1999, was living in retirement at owner Tony Santic’s property, and suffered a colic attack, according to a statement provided by her owner to the Australian media.
Popular multiple graded stakes winner The Player has been pensioned from stud duty, gelded, and has joined the Kentucky Horse Park’s Breeds Barn as its Thoroughbred representative. The Breeds Barn showcases and educates visitors about more than a dozen different breeds of horses and ponies, both domestic and international in origin, including in special presentations during the tourist season.
Already in the midst of a breeding season in which it debuted three Eclipse Award champions on its Kentucky stallion roster, the international Coolmore group continues to expand its influence. In two recent developments, the outfit has acquired 1,100 additional acres of land in Kentucky, and has secured the future stud rights to Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Nysos.
Blackout Time
Colt by Not This Time – Beauty Parlor, by Elusive Quality
Bred in Kentucky by Newstead Corp ($230,000 Keeneland January short yearling purchase by Quinns Ride; $210,000 Fasig-Tipton October yearling purchase by Kenny McPeek, agent)
A catalog of 68 horses is now available for the 2026 Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. The auction, which is operated by the Texas Thoroughbred Association, is set for Wednesday, April 1, starting at 10 a.m. Central, and the under tack show is scheduled for Monday, March 30, at 8 a.m. Central. Both will be held at Lone Star Park at Grand Prairie.
As usual, the auction and under tack show will be streamed online, and online bidding will be available. The TTA is using a new online bidding system this year and interested bidders should plan to register in advance.
