Throughout nearly every segment of the bloodstock market in 2014, Tapit could be found at the forefront.
The son of Pulpit this year firmly entrenched himself as one of the top sires of his generation, with his first United States classic winner helping to lead him to the single-year record for North American progeny earnings, with $16.6 million through Dec. 17.
Grade 1 winner and pensioned stallion Kiri’s Clown was euthanized Monday due to complications from colic surgery at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky.
The death came a day after A.P. Slew was euthanized at Rood and Riddle following exploratory colic surgery. Both horses were residents of Old Friends Equine Retirement in Georgetown, Ky.
Grade 2 winner Handsome Mike has been retired from racing and will make his debut at stud in 2015 at Pleasant Acres Stallions in Morriston, Fla., for an advertised fee of $4,000.
The 5-year-old son of Scat Daddy finished his on-track career with three wins in 30 career starts for earnings of $1,005,413 racing for owner Reddam Racing and trainer Doug O’Neill. Handsome Mike’s campaign was highlighted by wins in the Grade 2 Pennsylvania Derby on dirt and the Grade 3 Commonwealth Stakes over a synthetic surface.
One was a Grade 1 winner on turf. Two ran in the Kentucky Derby. Another won the same stakes three times.
The new stallions in California for the 2015 breeding season are an eclectic mix of horses with lengthy racing careers and lightly raced runners. Here is an alphabetical list of first-year stallions in California and five notable stallions that were moved to the state for the 2015 breeding season.
FIRST-YEAR STALLIONS
Boisterous (Distorted Humor–Emanating, by Cox’s Ridge)
Farm: Tommy Town Thoroughbreds
High Chaparral, a classic winner in England and Ireland, a two-time champion turf horse in North America, and a dual-hemisphere stallion for Coolmore, was euthanized during exploratory colic surgery due to a perforated intestine, the farm announced Sunday through its Twitter account.
Red River Farm in Coushatta, La., will feature a trio of new stallions for the 2015 breeding season in Guilt Trip, Cameo Appearance, and Sum of the Parts.
Guilt Trip, a 5-year-old son of Pulpit will stand for an advertised fee of $2,500. He retires with three wins in 14 career starts racing for owners Gary and Mary West and trainer Wayne Catalano for earnings of $301,217. His most successful campaign came at age 4 in 2013, when he won the Grade 2 Strub Stakes and placed in the Grade 2 San Fernando Stakes and Mervyn Leroy Handicap.
Disco Rico, a multiple Grade 3 winner and New York sire, was euthanized Thursday after a lengthy struggle with laminitis.
A 17-year-old son of Citidancer, Disco Rico stood at Keane Stud in Amenia, N.Y., where he had resided since the 2008 breeding season. He made his debut at stud in 2002 at Murmur Farm in Darlington, Md. and remained there until being relocated to New York.
It was with considerable surprise that I read the results of the fourth session of the 2012 Keeneland September sale on Sept. 13, 2012. I had left Kentucky for my home in Tennessee earlier that day with the understanding that my part-time employer Vincent Viola was finished buying at the sale.
Stakes winner Kate’s Event has been retired from racing and will stand the 2015 season at Special T Thoroughbreds in Temecula, Calif. for an advertised fee of $1,000.
The 7-year-old son of Event of the Year won eight of 29 starts during his on-track career for earnings of $460,162, highlighted by a victory in the Tiznow Stakes at Hollywood Park. He placed in an additional stakes race in 2014.
Calumet Farm, which has seen a rapid expansion in its stallion operation in recent years, has released its advertised fees and stallion locations for the 2015 breeding season. The Lexington, Ky.-based operation of owner Brad Kelley will be represented by stallions in five states, as well as Canada and Ireland.
