The stud career of Frankel, the two-time reigning European Horse of the Year, officially began Friday when he covered his first mare, multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Midday.

News coverage

- Syndication: Coping with a changing market for seasons and shares - By Glenye Cain Oakford

- WinStar’s influence grows with new stallion facility - By Patrick Reed

The condition of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra "remains serious," but her attitude improved on Friday as the mare continues to recover at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky. from surgery earlier this week related to foaling complications.

Veterinarians who drive to treat animals at farms and other sites are violating federal law if they carry the controlled substances they often need for their work.

Courtesy Tommy Town ThoroughbredsMinisters Wild Cat

Early season stakes results have left Ministers Wild Cat as the top-ranked stallion in California, and one very much in demand at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds in Santa Ynez, Calif., this breeding season.

McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds is set to become the largest stallion facility in New York state, as it will welcome six Highcliff Farm stallions for the 2013 breeding season.

The condition of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra remained “very serious” on Thursday afternoon following surgery the prior night related to foaling complications.

“I think right now, it's too early to say [what the long-term prognosis is],” said Dr. Brett Woodie, the attending surgeon on the case at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky. "We'll just see how she responds to treatment and take it pretty much one day at a time."

Midnight Interlude, winner of the 2011 Santa Anita Derby, has been sold privately to Sohna Stud in India, owner-breeder Arnold Zetcher said Wednesday.

Midnight Interlude, 5, won 3 of 13 starts and $769,232. By War Chant, Midnight Interlude won the Santa Anita Derby in his fourth start and was later 16th in the Kentucky Derby and 13th in the Preakness Stakes.

He won the Tsunami Slew Stakes on turf at Hollywood Park in June 2011.

Midnight Interlude was offered at the Barretts January mixed sale in California on Jan. 22, but was listed as not sold for $47,000.

The days of 40-share syndicates aren’t over, but stallion syndication today has a new look, courtesy of innovations like the popular “Share the Upside” program that allow breeders to acquire lifetime breeding rights by committing mares to a stallion, instead of through purchasing shares.

WinStar Farm, already one of the most successful racing and breeding operations in the U.S., is set to put the finishing touches on a major expansion that will make it an even more prominent presence in the sport.