LEXINGTON, Ky. - The semi-arid Southwest isn't the first place most people think of when considering a warm-weather racing experience. But the times they are a-changing.
The results from handle and attendance at the newly opened Zia Park in New Mexico clearly indicate that good horses are attracted to good purses, and that results in competitive racing.
The Irish stallion business received a blow Wednesday when the nation's finance minister announced that Ireland will abolish its 36-year policy of not taxing stallion income.
In a budget speech for 2006, Finance Minister Brian Cowen said stallions' tax-free status would end on July 31, 2008, according to the Racing Post. The announcement follows a January 2005 complaint from the European Commission that the Irish tax system, including the stud fee exemption, was anti-competitive and illegal.
Wiseman's Ferry, who stood his first two seasons at Empire Stud in New York, will join the roster at Castleton Lyons in Lexington, Ky., in 2006. A 6-year-old son of Hennessy, he will stand for an $8,500 fee.
Wiseman's Ferry, whose first foals are weanlings this year, had 15 foals in the auction ring in 2005. They grossed $477,700, for an average of $31,847.
Wiseman's Ferry is out of the unraced Silver Deputy mare Emmaus and is thus from the family of sires Bernstein and Sky Mesa. In his racing career, he won the Grade 3 West Virginia and Lone Star derbies in 2002.
Hill 'n' Dale Farm in Lexington, Ky., has added approximately 317 acres to its property by buying a former cattle farm about 3 1/2 miles away from the main Hill 'n' Dale land. Dr. Henry Wells of Lexington formerly owned the land.
"We've been looking for several years to expand our operation out of necessity," said Hill 'n' Dale's president, John Sikura, who estimated that the operation houses as many as 400 mares at peak times of year.
Fasig-Tipton Midlantic's December mixed auction ended Monday evening with losses across the board despite selling slightly more horses than last year.
The two-day auction in Timonium, Md., sold 375 horses this year, up from last year's 363. But gross receipts fell 9 percent, average price fell 12 percent, and median fell 25 percent. Buybacks also rose markedly, from 21 percent to 32 percent.
The two sessions grossed $3,497,900 for an average price of $9,328 and a $3,800 median.
LAS VEGAS - Every December and January, this column takes a brief, early look at the freshman sires for the new season, and 2006 will feature some exciting new sires to watch. Below is a capsulized analysis of the new group of first-crop sires, followed by their pedigree, 2005 stud fee, and state where they are based.
(Legend: SP - speed; ST - stamina; T - turf; HT - hidden turf; x2 - both sides of pedigree)
LEXINGTON, Ky. - A day after slipping in average and median price, Fasig-Tipton Midlantic's December mixed auction entered its final session Monday with a $98,000 Kafwain filly the leader as of 5:30 p.m.
Winter Spree Farm bought the weanling filly, the first foal out of the Allen's Prospect mare Dotsie's Doll. Francis and Barbara Vanlangendonck's Summerfield agency consigned the filly.
Whispered Secret, a $21,000 purchase by Sam-Son Farm, topped the broodmare session of the Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society's 2005 winter mixed sale at the Woodbine Sales Pavilion on Saturday.
Whispered Secret, a 15-year-old daughter of Secretariat, was sold by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent. She is in foal to Porto Foricos.
Three mares brought $10,000 each, including Cousin Charlotte, who was bought by John Galatiuk. Consigned by Woodlands, as agent, she is in foal to Perigee Moon.
The annual Florida Farm Managers Inc.'s trade show and parade of stallions, held at the Ocala, Fla., horse complex this past Sunday, attracted well over 1,000 visitors, most of whom came to scrutinize the 32 stallions prior to the parade and to negotiate season purchases. Per custom, Jim and Sheila DiMare of Rising Hill Farm hosted hundreds for brunch at their assigned barn.
Our New Recruit and Tizbud, two stakes winners trained by John Sadler, have been retired to stud at separate California farms, it was announced this week.
Our New Recruit, whose biggest win came in the $2 million Golden Shaheen for sprinters in Dubai in March 2004, will stand for $3,500 at Legacy Ranch in Clements, Calif.
Tizbud, who won the 2003 California Cup Classic at Oak Tree at Santa Anita, will stand for $3,000 at Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif.