Fri, 12/22/2023 - 09:55

California Stallions 2024: Bolden, Finneus, Shaaz join Golden State ranks

By Steve Andersen
Debra A. Roma
Finneus, left, scored his biggest win in the Golden State Juvenile. He is preparing to begin his stud career alongside sire Stay Thirsty.

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.”

Fri, 12/22/2023 - 09:55

California Stallions 2024: Grazen instantly puts Eclipse in upper echelon

By Steve Andersen
Shigeki Kikkawa
Unusual Heatwave will stand alongside leading California sire Grazen in 2024 at Eclipse.

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.

Thu, 12/21/2023 - 13:20

California Stallions 2024: Grazen leads the way by progeny earnings

By Nicole Russo
Benoit Photo
Rose Maddox has been sire Grazen's leading earner in 2023.

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.

Thu, 12/21/2023 - 13:20

Familiar cast tops list of leading California-bred performers

By Nicole Russo
Barbara D. Livingston
The Chosen Vron was among California-bred Grade 1 winners in 2023.

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.

Thu, 12/21/2023 - 12:36

Simplification arrives at Pleasant Acres Stallions

By Press Release

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.” 

Sun, 12/17/2023 - 12:51

Caravel, 2022 BC Turf Sprint winner, retired, will be bred to Justify

By Nicole Russo
Barbara D. Livingston
Caravel's last start was a 10th-place finish in the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint in November.

Caravel, whose signature victory came in the 2022 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint, has officially been retired, and is expected to be bred to Triple Crown winner Justify in the upcoming breeding season.

The news on Pennsylvania-bred Caravel, first reported by Lancaster Farming, is unsurprising. The 6-year-old Mizzen Mast mare was a $2.4 million buyback at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale, with information on her future plans not immediately available that week.

Fri, 12/15/2023 - 14:59

Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association launches "Hot 2 Trot" Podcast

By Press Release

The Pennsylvania Horse Racing Association (PHRA), an organization dedicated to marketing and promoting thoroughbred and harness racing, as well as both thoroughbred and standardbred breeding, has launched a new podcast, “Hot 2 Trot.” Hosted by Ashley Eisenbeil and Dawnelle Mock, the podcast is seeking to carve out its own niche by offering in-depth, offbeat, and, at times, irreverent interviews with a range of individuals working in all aspects of both thoroughbred and harness racing, as well as thoroughbred and standardbred breeding.  

Thu, 12/14/2023 - 11:09

Palace Malice, Yoshida relocating to Darley Japan

By Nicole Russo
Barbara D. Livingston
Palace Malice's relocation to Japan represents an investment in the Curlin sirerline for the country's breeding program.

Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice and dual-surface Grade 1 winner Yoshida will stand the 2024 season at Darley Japan, the farm has announced. Palace Malice formerly stood at Three Chimneys Farm, where he entered stud in 2016. He represents a nascent investment in Curlin’s sireline for Japan. Meanwhile, Yoshida, who entered stud at WinStar Farm in 2020, is a representative of the most prominent sireline in Japan.

Tue, 12/12/2023 - 09:34

Bolden to stand in California at Rancho San Miguel

By Press Release

Southern California sprint sensation Bolden, a dual-surface winner who exhibited sub-1:08 speed during his undefeated racing career, will initiate stallion duties at Rancho San Miguel in 2024. The 5-year-old son of Santa Anita Park track record-holder and leading California sire Square Eddie will stand for an introductory fee of $3,500, live foal guarantee.

Mon, 12/11/2023 - 12:50

Speightstown's legacy will continue to grow through sons and daughters

By Nicole Russo
Barbara D. Livingston
Speightstown wins the Breeders' Cup Sprint at Lone Star Park in 2004.

Eclipse Award champion sprinter and perennial leading sire Speightstown’s story was one of perseverance and patience. He was a milestone horse in various ways for his connections, who tended him through injuries and later colic surgeries to reach the pinnacle of both his careers. 

WinStar bid farewell to the versatile stallion, who left a number of first- and second-generation progeny to carry on his legacy, on Dec. 8 as the farm announced that he had been euthanized at age 25 due to foot issues from old age. 

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