LEXINGTON, Ky. – There was a strong weanling market during the major-market November mixed sales in Kentucky, with a number of buyers looking to get out ahead of what has been a robust yearling marketplace in recent years. And thus, there was anticipation for this segment of the marketplace coming into this week’s Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. The demand for foals of 2023 has continued to be strong, with a competitive, selective marketplace delivering solid returns for this particular sale.
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DRF Past Performances
LEXINGTON, Ky. – For stallions retired closer to breeding season, the final major-market mixed sales provide a valuable opportunity for their supporters to add solid mares to bolster their crucial first book. That was the case on opening day of the Keeneland January horses of all ages sale, as $750,000 Bridlewood Cat, the third-highest price of the day, is now slated to visit Grade 1 winner Annapolis, whose retirement to Claiborne Farm was announced less than a week ago.
Michael Blowen, whose pioneering Old Friends Thoroughbred retirement organization celebrated its 20-year anniversary in 2023, has announced he will step down as president, with John Nicholson, former executive director of the Kentucky Horse Park, taking over as president and CEO.
With the flip of the calendar earlier this week, Into Mischief has officially claimed his fifth consecutive leading general sire earnings title in North America.
Into Mischief, by Harlan’s Holiday, stands at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Ky. He easily outdistanced Curlin, standing at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Paris, Ky., by 2023 earnings, at $26,126,182 to $18,770,794, according to Daily Racing Form statistics.
Hardly a week of racing went by this year without a horse owned and bred by Larry and Marianne Williams racing at Golden Gate Fields or on the fair circuit.
Over the years, the couple has won stakes with such familiar names as Lady Railrider, Pulpit Rider, Rousing Sermon, Tamarando, and Ward ’n Jerry. They all earned more than $500,000.
This fall, the 2-year-olds Grand Slam Smile and Wild Jewels won stakes for the Williamses at Golden Gate Fields and Santa Anita.
Those successful runners may represent the end of an era for the stable in Northern California.
No one could get close to Bolden at the finish line in his abbreviated racing career in California.
In four starts in sprints from the spring of 2020 until his final race this September, Bolden won by a combined 21 lengths. Bolden won two sprints on dirt at Santa Anita and turf sprints at Del Mar and Santa Anita.
“He’s faster than 99.9 percent of your racehorses,” trainer Phil D’Amato said after Bolden won a five-furlong turf sprint at Del Mar in September. “He’s ultra-talented on dirt and grass.”
It’s difficult for a horse fanatic to keep their eyes on the road when traveling east on California Highway 246 between Buellton and Solvang. There’s too much to see and admire in that stretch of road well north of Santa Barbara.
The journey between the two small towns is barely a few miles, but once past the famous Hitching Post restaurant and Ostrichland USA, the path narrows to a two-lane tree-lined road between horse farms.
Regardless of where in California Grazen resides, it’s a safe bet that he will continue his run at or near the top of the state’s sire charts as he comes off a strong season in 2023.
Grazen, who will stand at Mike and Angie Scully’s Eclipse Thoroughbred Training center for 2024, led this year’s California general sires earnings list through Dec. 14. He has a good chance to hold sway through the end of the year, with total progeny earnings of $4,648,407 to $4,036,340 for Stay Thirsty.
The three finalists for the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association statebred horse of the year award in 2022 were, alphabetically, Fun to Dream, Slow Down Andy, and The Chosen Vron, with the award ultimately going to Fun to Dream.
It would be no surprise if those three runners were again among the finalists when the 2023 honors are presented at the CTBA’s annual meeting and awards dinner in March in Arcadia. Slow Down Andy and The Chosen Vron were among the California-bred Grade 1 winners of 2023, while Fun to Dream was a graded stakes winner.
Pleasant Acres Stallions is pleased to announce the arrival of SIMPLIFICATION (Not This Time / Simply Confection, by Candy Ride) – who will stand in Florida in 2024 for $6,500.
“We are pleased to bring a talented son of NOT THIS TIME into our stallion barn at Pleasant Acres Stallions,” said Director of Stallion Services Christine Jones. “SIMPLIFICATION is a hometown hero for all of us in Florida and we are certain breeders will benefit from breeding to this Champion Horse-of-the-Year, Florida-bred, graded stakes winner.”