Wootton Bassett, a standout international sire who was in the midst of growing success for the international Coolmore group has died at age 17.
Wootton Bassett was standing his shuttle season at Coolmore Australia when he suffered an episode of choke, when food becomes lodged in a horse’s esophagus. He developed pneumonia, a common complication of choke, as the horse’s anatomy means lodged food can easily be aspirated.
The Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association has implemented a new program to award breeders in the state for wins outside of Florida.
The new “export” program will award $7,500 to the breeders of any Florida-bred that wins a Grade 1 and $5,000 for a Grade 2 or Grade 3 win. The program also will award as much as $4,000 for a win in a non-graded stakes, and as much as $3,000 for a win in an allowance or maiden special weight, depending on the overall winner’s share of the purse.
Jonathan's Way, a Grade 3-winning juvenile last year, has officially been retired from racing to join the young and growing roster at Airdrie Stud.
Ohio-bred Jonathan’s Way, who was trained by Phil Bauer for Rigney Racing, becomes the first son of 2024 leading freshman sire Vekoma to retire to stud. The colt won his debut at Saratoga with a troubled trip last year, followed by his signature victory in the Grade 3 Iroquois at Churchill Downs. After finishing seventh in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile in California, he was second in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club back at Churchill.
The stallion Smooth Like Strait has been moved from War Horse Place in Kentucky to Eclipse Thoroughbred Farm in Solvang, Calif., for the 2026 breeding season, Eclipse announced in a statement earlier this week.
Smooth Like Strait, an 8-year-old by Midnight Lute, will stand for a fee of $3,500, the farm said. Smooth Like Strait stood for an advertised fee of $4,500 earlier this year.
Arthur’s Ride, winner of last year’s Grade 1 Whitney, has been retired from racing and will be cataloged as a stallion prospect to the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
The 5-year-old Arthur’s Ride, by Tapit, will be consigned by Lane’s End, as agent for the Glassman Racing of Karl and Cathi Glassman. Until sale time, he will be available for inspection by appointment at Margaux Farm.
The names of Antiquarian’s sire and dam, Preservationist and Lifetime Memory, are apt. The colt indeed provided a lifetime memory for all of his Centennial Farm partners when he won the Grade 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup on Aug. 31 at Saratoga, and he is helping to preserve the memory of his recently deceased sire, who scored his biggest win six years to the day prior, and on the same track, for Centennial.
Closing weekend at Saratoga was a family affair that left Spendthrift Farm feeling hopeful for the future. The farm swept the track’s historic Grade 1 races for 2-year-olds with a pair by the farm’s leading sire Into Mischief, Tommy Jo and Ted Noffey. Both juveniles are named for members of the Spendthrift family.
Four Star Sales is pleased to announce that George Connolly has joined the company as a Bloodstock Sales Associate. He brings international experience and a broad background in bloodstock and sales to one of North America’s leading consignors and bloodstock agencies.
TDN Rising Star brings elite pedigree and proven performance to Florida’s premier stallion roster and Pleasant Acres Stallions’ Florida-Bred Excellence program.
Morriston, Florida USA – August 28, 2025 – Pleasant Acres Stallions proudly announces that GULFPORT, multiple stakes winner and son of champion sire UNCLE MO, will join its distinguished Florida stallion roster for the 2026 breeding season for a $7500 fee.
TDN Rising Star brings elite pedigree and proven performance to Florida’s premier stallion roster and Pleasant Acres Stallions’ Florida-Bred Excellence program.
Morriston, Florida USA – August 28, 2025 – Pleasant Acres Stallions proudly announces that GULFPORT, multiple stakes winner and son of champion sire UNCLE MO, will join its distinguished Florida stallion roster for the 2026 breeding season for a $7500 fee.
