Three Chimneys announced today that Chris Baker is resigning from his position as Chief Operating Officer after more than a decade at the farm. Longtime Lexington horseman Tony Cissell has been promoted to the position of General Manager and Chief Operating Officer. Cissell has managed several important farms in Central Kentucky, including: Crescent Farm, Calumet Farm and WinStar Farm.
Blazing Sevens, a hot commodity as a son of breakout young classic sire Good Magic, will stand at Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, Ky., in 2025, the farm announced Thursday.
A stud fee for the 4-year-old Blazing Sevens, who most recently raced in July and most recently breezed on Sept. 7, will be announced at the conclusion of his career. Peter Bradley, bloodstock adviser for owner Rodeo Creek Racing, brokered the deal to stand the colt at Darby Dan, and he will be syndicated in the near future.
Caitlinhergrtness
Filly by Omaha Beach – Belatrix, by Giant’s Causeway
Bred in Ontario by Jesse Korona ($65,000 Keeneland November weanling purchase by Stoneriggs Farm; $160,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Elena Racing and Gelfenstein Farm; $375,000 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Co. spring 2-year-old purchase by Maverick Racing and Siena Farms)
Woodbine Oaks runner-up Caitlinhergrtness, the only filly in the rescheduled King’s Plate, has quite the namesake – WNBA star Caitlin Clark. The filly is seeking her own turn in the spotlight.
Grade 1 winner Arabian Knight has been retired from racing and will arrive at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Paris, Ky., on Tuesday to prepare for the start of his stud career there in 2025.
Arabian Knight, trained by Bob Baffert for Zedan Racing, has started once this year, finishing fourth in the Grade 2 San Diego Handicap on July 27 at Del Mar. Baffert told Daily Racing Form on Sunday that he planned to cut the colt back in distance and start him in the Grade 2 Pat O’Brien Stakes this coming Saturday at Del Mar.
Silk Road LLC announced today that its thoroughbred digital auction platform BidXSell.com, is now live online. A dedicated concierge consignment division, eCONSIGN-IT, will host the inaugural thoroughbred auction for BidXSell’s rollout on August 28, 2024 when the stake winning son of CANDY RIDE (ARG), SALUTE THE STARS, will headline the first digital flash sale.
Friendly Ghost
Gelding by Outwork – Kin’s Ghost, by Ghostzapper
Bred in Ontario by Phoenix Rising Farms ($35,134 Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society Ontario Premier yearling purchase by Sue Leslie)
Never worse than third in three starts, Friendly Ghost now eyes a major series of three, going in the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown, the King’s Plate.
Essex Serpent
Gelding by Honor Code – Eileen’s Girl, by Medaglia d’Oro
Bred in Ontario by Conrad Farms
Manfred and Penny Conrad’s homebred Essex Serpent was late to the party, but he is making up for lost time. Unraced at 2, the gelding has two wins and a runner-up effort from three starts this year.
Most recently, he won the Grade 3 Marine Stakes on June 29. His performance was flattered when runner-up Cameo Performance came back to win a stakes at Ellis Park.
