Stallion News

[TBird]

Japan is a small country and even smaller is the area available to raise horses. When they import so many stallions from across the world somebody is going to have low numbers. The new kid on the block will get the big books for the first 3 years most likely, then if they don't produce champion after champion the books will decrease.

I don't see how their system is any different than any other country's. The sires that produce well get the big books, those that don't get pushed aside. There are 25 new stallions in Kentucky this year. Five years from now, breeders won't even remember who most of them were.

[Private Thoughts]

What stellar stallion has retired in this country lately? I mean, top drawer champion horse? A knock your socks off champ who has put together several good campaigns. I can't really think of one, let alone several. Curlin to me is the last really awesome horse to retire, but he lacks a fashionable pedigree. Look at what Japan retires. Champion after champion. And they aren't selling them off to the highest bidder are they? No they are improving their bloodlines. We retire mediocre horses who do nothing to inspire somebody. And do nothing at all to improve our stock.

Animal Kingdom is coming here and is probably the best of the bunch, but even he is not based here but in Australia. Perhaps Orb the Derby winner. Or maybe Oxbow. But really did these guys do much to put together a stellar campaign? Not really. Most of those retiring should not even be breeding let alone retiring, but then again that is what we are left with. The dregs. Of course most will be forgotten in 5 years. I doubt it will take that long, most are forgettable right now.

Now I can only hope that when he is retired, Will Take Charge stays here, but you know, I doubt it. He will be champion 3 year old. Why ever would we want to keep a champion here? I am sure the Japanese will come up with some cash and off he will go. He is a flashy chestnut and they like those guys. Charismatic, Summer Bird, etc. And now Summer Bird is gone, well he needs to be replaced.

[frankel13]

I have to agree that we must keep the likes of Will Take Charge in the states. What a rarity he is staying sound throughout a very busy 3 year old campaign.

Personally I'd like to see much greater price money offered in 4 year old plus races and if that comes at the expense of less paid to 2 and 3 year olds then so be it.

For the good of horse racing we need to see the good horses running through 4 and 5 and then breeders supporting them when they retire to stud. I saw the positive effect Frankel had on the UK public when he ran on as a 4 year old.

[tachyon]

-- from thoroughbredinternet.com
http://www.thoroughbredinternet.com/


''From Byerley Turk to Tokyo via Djebel''

That was interesting read:
''The mighty Orfevre represents yet another triumph for Sunday Silence, but his dam Oriental Art hails from Djebel's line which, although nowadays marginalized, boasts a very rich history......''

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The international bloodstock landscape has changed massively over the past 30 years as regards sire-lines, with many of the established lines, lines which had once looked likely to thrive forever, being marginalised almost to the point of extinction. The increased size of stallions' books and the ever-increasing slavery to fashion (which seems to see all breeders wanting to use the same handful of stallions, all from a handful of branches of the Darley Arabian line) have been two of the biggest culprits for this development. It has been sad to see so many once-important lines dwindling massively in influence, so it is pleasing to note the part which Djebel has played in the creation of the mighty Orfevre.

full story: http://www.thoroughbredinternet.com/new ... l?Id=17851

[halo]

Was Tapit one of those much-desired stallion prospects? He seems to be doing pretty well and contributing to the betterment of the breed.

As is War Front. Neither were highly sought after. I think both of them started out at $15k, I think Tapit was even a bit less.

[TBird]

Was Tapit one of those much-desired stallion prospects? He seems to be doing pretty well and contributing to the betterment of the breed.

As is War Front. Neither were highly sought after. I think both of them started out at $15k, I think Tapit was even a bit less.

The same can also be said for Malibu Moon and Candy Ride.

[sweettalk]

who are some big name racers in the last ~10 years or so that raced and won at top levels, then became an extremely sought after and successful stud? like, starting out at 50k expectations through the roof based on a jaw dropping race record and meeting said stud expectations?

[racingfan]

excellent question…hmmm…..maybe Tiznow or Giants causeway and more than 10+ years…maybe Unbridled's Song??

[Izvestia]

Ghostzapper. Street Sense. War Front.
Curlin's only getting started, hard to say how he will turn out.

[mariasmon]

who are some big name racers in the last ~10 years or so that raced and won at top levels, then became an extremely sought after and successful stud? like, starting out at 50k expectations through the roof based on a jaw dropping race record and meeting said stud expectations?

Bernardini, although he obviously hasn't had a strong 2013.

On the other hand, Ghostzapper and Mineshaft started off with high stud fees, didn't do well early and improved as their fees went down. I believe Ghostzapper's justifiably went up to $50K for 2014, which Mineshaft continues to be a good deal at $30K.

On the flip side of Bernardini would be Smarty Jones, who retired with a 6-figure fee and flopped pretty hard.

[halo]

Ghostzapper. Street Sense. War Front.
Curlin's only getting started, hard to say how he will turn out.

War Front? He wasnt even a grade 1 winner.

[mariasmon]

Will Take Charge will stand at Three Chimneys upon retirement.

http://www.threechimneys.com/backend/Ne ... e=12&fbp=1

[racingfan]

sweet-talk…there are far, far, far more stallions that started out with low stud fees and proved exceptional stallions!

[racingfan]

Distorted Humor and Tapit both started for $10,000 at the start of their stud fees to name a couple……

I doubt Malibu Moon stood for huge money at the start of his career in MD as well.

[BaroqueAgain1]

Indy Point has suffered a suspensory injury and may be retired.
http://www.drf.com/news/santa-anita-ind ... ory-injury
That would be too bad...I really thought he could be a top turf horse for the US in 2014, and I have a soft spot for a horse who gave Gary Stevens one of his graded stakes wins this year. I do find it strange that, after the injury was diagnosed, the horse was shipped off to Argentina. Who ships an injured horse thousands of miles?

[mariasmon]

sweet-talk…there are far, far, far more stallions that started out with low stud fees and proved exceptional stallions!

I think that was her point.

[sweettalk]

sweet-talk…there are far, far, far more stallions that started out with low stud fees and proved exceptional stallions!

exactly, whixh was why i asked. LOTS of surprisers at stud - tapit was a big one. solid race horse but not the second coming, started out at a low fee with meh expectations but look at him now. so i was looking for a stud that raced like a god and sired little mini gods, just to see how many there were. bernerdini was the only one that came to mind.

[Izvestia]

Halo. My mistake, was thinking of War Pass. Got them mixed up.

[second_glance]

Bad year for stallions. Silver Train has died en route to Pennsylvania from Brazil: colic.

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/in ... ertID=3321

RIP. Choo Choo.

[ChampionCurlin]

Bad year for stallions. Silver Train has died en route to Pennsylvania from Brazil: colic.

http://www.thoroughbreddailynews.com/in ... ertID=3321

RIP. Choo Choo.

Oh no! He was a favorite of mine.