California Thoroughbred Magazine January 2025

CATHOLIC BOY

UPTOWN RYTHEM

$1,500

LARGE, COMPETITIVE FIELDS ALWAYS HIGHLIGHT CALIFORNIA CUP

The 35th edition of California Cup, the winter showcase for many of the top California-bred and California-sired horses in training, will be held at Santa Anita Park on Saturday, Jan. 11.

e annual event, always known for large and competitive elds, will feature $775,000 in stakes purses, with additional races carded for various levels of state-breds that will boost total purses for the day to nearly $1 million, exclusively for Cal-breds. Besides the ve stakes races for 3-year-olds, lles and mares, and older horses both on dirt and turf, the day also o ers races for Cal-bred maidens and rst-condition allowance horses.

Cal Cup has proved to be a celebration of the resilient California breeding industry. It provides lucrative purses for horsemen, great competitive racing for the fans, and exciting wagering opportunities, resulting in healthy betting activity.

is year’s Cal Cup will be the rst held without one of the event founders, Donald Valpredo, who passed away in October. e Donald Valpredo Cal Cup Sprint is a lasting tribute to his immeasurable contributions as a breeder, owner, and former president of the CTBA.

is year will also feature the second running of the California Chrome Cal Cup Derby. It honors the all-time leading Cal-bred money earner whose victory in the 2014 edition was the springboard to a Horse of the Year campaign that included wins in the Kentucky Derby and Preakness and, ultimately, a Hall of Fame selection.

e California oroughbred Breeders Association appreciates the continued support of FanDuel TV for on-site promotion of California Cup, as well as acknowledges longtime race title sponsors City National Bank and John Deere.

$125,000

DOUG BURGE

626.445.7800

The official magazine of California Thoroughbred Breeders Association, a non-profit corporation dedicated to the production of better Thoroughbred horses for better Thoroughbred racing, published by Blood-Horse, LLC.

Opinions expressed in signed articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect policies of the CTBA or this magazine. Publication of any material originating herein is expressly forbidden without first obtaining written permission from California Thoroughbred. All advertising copy is submitted subject to approval. We reserve the right to reject any copy that is misleading or that does not meet with the standards set by the publication. Acknowledgment: Statistics in this publication relating to results of races in North America are compiled by the Daily Racing Form Charts by special arrangement with Daily Racing Form Inc., the copyright owners of said charts. Reproduction forbidden.

OFFICERS

CHAIRPERSON

JUSTIN OLDFIELD

PRESIDENT

DOUG BURGE

VICE CHAIRPERSON TY GREEN

TREASURER

GEORGE SCHMITT

SECRETARY

ADRIAN GONZALEZ

DIRECTORS

John C. Harris, Gloria Haley, Pete Parrella, Sue Greene, Terry C. Lovingier, George F. Schmitt, Ty Green, Justin Oldfield, Adrian Gonzalez, Dan Harralson, Dr. Stacy Potter, Jonny Hilvers

ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF

CONTROLLER

THOMAS R. RETCHLESS SALES

LORETTA VEIGA

REGISTRAR/INCENTIVE PROGRAM MANAGER

MARY ELLEN LOCKE

ASSISTANT REGISTRAR

DAWN GERBER

EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT/EVENT COORDINATOR

CHRISTY CHAPMAN

ADVERTISING MANAGER/PRODUCTION COORDINATOR

LORETTA VEIGA

WEBSITE MANAGING EDITOR

KEN GURNICK

LIBRARIAN/RECEPTIONIST/SUBSCRIPTIONS/ MEMBERSHIP

VIVIAN MONTOYA

RACETRACK LIAISON

SCOTT HENRY

California Thoroughbred (ISSN 1092-7328) is published monthly, except for two combined issues in June/July and Aug/Sept, plus one special issue in December, in Lexington, KY by Blood-Horse LLC, 821 Corporate Dr., Lexington, KY 40503. Periodicals postage paid at Lexington, KY and at additional mailing offices.

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EDITOR

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COPY EDITOR

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ART DIRECTOR

CATHERINE NICHOLS CREATIVE SERVICES DIRECTOR JENNIFER SINGLETON PRODUCTION FORREST BEGLEY

ARTIST

PHILIP TRUMAN

BIG RUNNUER

Stormy Atlantic – Elusive Luci, by Elusive Quality Fee: $1,500 LFSN

KING OF JAZZ (ARG)

Giant’s Causeway – Kiss Me Sweet (ARG), by Lode

Fee: $1,000 LFG

ORIGINAIRE (IRE)

Zoffany (IRE) - Polly Perkins (IRE) by Pivotal (GB)

Fee: Complimentary

GATO DEL ORO

Medaglio D’oro – Funny Feeling, by Distorted Humor Fee: $1,000 LFG

MO

THE BEHOLDER

Uncle Mo – Leslie’s Harmony, by Curlin Fee: $2,500 LFSN

OSCAR NOMINATED

Kittens Joy – Devine Actress, by Theatrical (IRE)

Fee: $1,500 LFSN

ROUSING SERMON

Lucky Pulpit – Rousing Again, by Awesome Again

Fee: $1,500 LFSN

A Full Service Thoroughbred Facility Centrally Located to All Southern California Racetracks OFFERING

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CAL-BREDS WIN AT PLEASANTON

December saw two California-breds win stakes at Pleasanton: Mala and Sunset Grazen. Mala captured the $75,000 Bay Meadows Juvenile Stakes Dec. 15 upon a disqualification, and Sunset Grazen scored in the $75,450 Golden Gate Debutante Dec. 7.

Mala, a $40,000 graduate of the 2023 California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Northern California sale, came from seventh early under jockey William Antongeorgi III in the 11⁄16-mile Juvenile for 2-year-olds. Mala dueled with leader Drop Um, who drifted out and finished a neck in front in a time of 1:48.98. The stewards disqualified Drop Um to second for interference, making Mala the winner. Accidental Genius finished third for an all-Cal-bred Trifecta.

Cal-bred Lord Prancealot Retired

California-bred stakes winner Lord Prancealot has been retired after suffering a bowed tendon in training. He will be rehomed through Kingfisher Equine Rescue and Rehabilitation Inc.

Trained by Jeff Bonde and owned by Jeff Ganje and Rusty Brown, Lord Prancealot became a stakes winner in only his second start, capturing the 2023 Graduation Stakes at Del Mar after breaking his maiden in his debut. He started three more times, finishing his career with a win at Golden Gate Fields at 3 in 2024 and earning a total of $144,280.

Carliwood Farms LLC bred Mala, a son of Union Rags—Witchy One, by Smart Strike. Easterbrook Livestock Management consigned Mala to the sale, where Greg Avery purchased the colt. Steve Sherman trains Mala for Avery.

Sunset Grazen made it two in a row when she led throughout the 11 16-mile Debutante. Ridden by Santos Rivera, she outfinished Lolo Le Plume by a head in 1:46.51, with Cal-bred Big Soiree third.

Samuel Calvario owns and trains Sunset Grazen, a daughter of Grazen—Sausalito Sunset, by Slew’s Tiznow, bred by Legacy Ranch. Following two thirds at Santa Anita, Sunset Grazen broke her maiden at Pleasanton Nov. 8.

GRAZEN FILLY TOPS ALEXANDER DISPERSAL

A California-bred yearling daughter of Grazen sold for $55,000, the top price of the partial dispersal of Nick Alexander’s horses at the December Fasig-Tipton digital sale. Alexander, 82, decided to downsize and offered yearlings and broodmares in the digital sale.

Ganje bred Lord Prancealot, a son of Sir Prancealot—Disko Dasko, by Country Reel.

“Lord Prancealot was my first homebred stakes winner and Sir Prancealot’s first Cal-bred stakes winner,” Ganje said. “He had so much talent, but never got the opportunity to fulfill his potential due to injuries. Lord Prancealot is the kindest and sweetest colt I’ve ever owned. He’s going to make someone very happy in the next stage of his life.”

Trainer Mark Glatt bought the Grazen filly, who is out of the Bertrando mare Sudden Sunday. It is a family full of Alexander-bred stakes winners. Sudden Sunday has also produced stakes winners Rose Dawson and Ruby Bradley, and the mare is a half sister to stakes winners Sunday Rules and Tough Sunday.

Gayle Van Leer bought the second-highest price, bidding $40,000 for a yearling colt named Sonny Liston, a Calbred son of Tough Sunday—Carrie Rose, by Old Topper. The youngster is a full brother to Shea Brennan, who a few days after the sale captured the King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos for Alexander.

Kim McCarthy’s McCarthy Bloodstock handled the partial dispersal as agent. Alexander sold 11 yearlings for a total of $203,500 and three mares for a total of $11,000.

Lord Prancealot wins 2023 Graduation Stakes

Nick Alexander

Sunset Grazen scores in Golden Gate Debutante

NorCal sale grad Mala wins Bay Meadows Juvenile

CAL MAIDEN BONUS ADJUSTED

Beginning with the start of Santa Anita’s winter-spring meet, the bonus for registered California-breds or California-sired horses winning maiden special weight races in restricted and open company will be reduced from $15,000 to $10,000. The popular program has been in place since 2009, and the bonus is offered in races run at 41⁄2 furlongs or longer.

“The reduction is due to the growing success of the California-bred program, which is producing winners at an exceptionally high rate,” said Doug Burge, president of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association.

Owners of Cal-breds that win an open maiden special weight race also receive the benefit of the current Cal-bred bonus available in open company in addition to the maiden bonus.

The maiden bonus program is funded jointly by the Thoroughbred Owners of California and the CTBA to increase the value of investing in Cal-bred and California-sired horses.

Unzip Me Stakes Upgraded for 2025

The Unzip Me Stakes, named for the champion California-bred older female of 2010, has been upgraded to grade 3 status for 2025 by the American Graded Stakes Committee. The race, for 3-year-old fillies run down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course, is typically held early in Santa Anita’s fall meeting.

Santa Anita also had its John Shear Stakes upgraded to listed status and its Lure Stakes upgraded to listed-restricted. Four of its stakes and one stakes race at Del Mar were downgraded for the 2025 season.

The San Gabriel Stakes, Summertime Oaks, and Triple Bend Stakes at Santa Anita were all downgraded to grade 3 status. The Providencia Stakes and Santa Ynez Stakes at Santa Anita

and the Bob Hope Stakes at Del Mar were downgraded to listed status.

The committee reviewed 957 U.S. stakes with a purse of at least $75,000, assigning graded status to 415, 14 fewer than in 2024, and listed status to 210. Nine were newly awarded grade 3 status; three were moved to grade 2; and The American Turf Stakes for 3-year-olds on the Kentucky Derby card at Churchill Downs was awarded grade 1 status. Twelve new listed races and one new listed-restricted races were upgraded from non-listed black-type status.

Downgrades were given to 33 graded races: one grade 1, 10 grade 2, and 22 grade 3. Twenty-one listed races were downgraded to non-listed blacktype status.

HISA Modifies Assessment Methodology

The Federal Trade Commission approved Dec. 23 a proposed modification of the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority’s method to assess payments it requires from racing states to support its racetrack safety and anti-doping and medication control programs.

On a vote of 5-0, the FTC approved changing the methodology from one that gave equal weight to projected number of starts and the projected average purse for the coming year to an assessment based solely on the percentage of annual racing starts. The new per-starts assessment is effective Jan. 1, 2026. For 2024, HISA collected more than $77.5 million from racing states.

The rule change followed HISA’s analysis following two years of its Racetrack Safety Program and after a year of operating the Anti-Doping and Medication Control Program. In the FTC order authorizing the rule change, HISA noted its expenses “after the initial implementation period have turned out to be closely correlated to starts and not to purse amounts or the grade of a race.”

HISA also noted that the previous assessment based on a combination of starts and purses has been the subject of litigation.

Both Churchill Downs and the New York Racing Association have challenged their assessments, arguing in a complaint filed with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky that they had for two years been paying assessments based on number of starts. The starts and purses methodology used for the 2025 assessment, both organizations claim, is illegal and the steps taken to enforce payment also are not authorized by law.

HISA has defended the starts/purses methodology, stating it was created after “thorough consideration” and “input from racing participants,” and said it intends to “aggressively defend itself.”

Despite the new rule change to starts only, the 2025 assessment and budget were built around the starts/purses methodology.

While the per-starts method is actually preferred by Churchill Downs and NYRA, many smaller racetracks objected to what they saw as a “shifting of the burden from larger purse-value racetracks, which typically have fewer days of racing per year, to those racetracks that offer longer racing seasons with lower purses.”

“The fee structure proposed will lead directly to the closure of the smaller tracks thus making the sport even more irrelevant than it currently is,” said trainer Karl Broberg in a comment submitted to the FTC in October regarding the rule change. “If HISA is to work, the previous fee structure at least gives smaller tracks an opportunity to survive.”

While the FTC order notes no comments supporting the per-starts rule change, it noted that during a comment period of the purses/starts method, people in the industry were concerned that tracks would try to cut their costs by running more races for lower purses and pose “a danger to horses and undermining the (Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act’s) goals.”

The FTC concluded the new per-starts methodology is consistent with the law creating HISA and acknowledged that tracks and states without high-stakes races may see a significant increase in fees.

“We expect the Authority will continue to review its assessment methodology on a regular basis, and if the potential adverse consequences described in the comments come to bear, we trust that the Authority will consider whether further modification to the interstate methodology is warranted,” the FTC order stated.

—Eric Mitchell, BloodHorse

10 YEARS AGO

CALIFORNIA CHROME

Jan. 17, 2015, became the first California-bred to win an Eclipse Award as Horse of the Year since Tiznow in 2000. Earlier in the evening at Gulfstream Park, the son of Lucky Pulpit—Love the Chase, by Not For Love, had been named the champion 3-year-old male. It had been amazing season for the colt, who began the year with wins in the California Cup Derby, San Felipe Stakes (G2), and Santa Anita Derby (G1) at Santa Anita. He continued the streak with the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1), and then ran fourth in the Belmont Stakes (G1), sixth in the Pennsylvania Derby (G2), and third in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). California Chrome finished the year with a brilliant victory on turf in the Hollywood Derby (G1T) at Del Mar. Breeders Perry Martin and Steve Coburn raced California Chrome, and Art Sherman trained him.

25 YEARS AGO

SPINELESS JELLYFISH, a California-bred 4-year-old son of Skywalker—Silky Sand Sammy, by Desert Wine, competed in the Sensational Star Handicap four times, beginning Jan. 15, 2000. With Chris McCarron in the irons, he won in that initial attempt, scoring by two lengths in 1:12.23 down Santa Anita’s hillside turf course. Ex Marks the Cop and Indiahoma finished

second and third. Jenine Sahadi trained Spineless Jellyfish for breeder Cardiff Stud Farm and Mr. and Mrs. Barton Heller. Spineless Jellyfish went on to win the Sensational Star again in 2003 after running fifth in the race in 2002. He finished fourth in the 2004 edition. Spineless Jellyfish ultimately won 10 of 48 races, including two editions of the Khaled Stakes and the 2001 California Turf Championship, with eight seconds and six thirds for earnings of $889,591.

50 YEARS AGO

Two years after becoming the inaugural champion California-bred 2-year-old male when the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association began its awards, CENTURY’S ENVOY captured the Sierra Madre Handicap at Santa Anita Jan. 4, 1975. The now 4-year-old gelding triumphed by 51⁄2 lengths over Bahia Key, with Against the Snow finishing third. Century’s Envoy completed the sprint down Santa Anita’s downhill turf course in 1:122⁄5. Jorge Tejeira rode Century’s Envoy for trainer Jerry Dutton. Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Elmore raced their homebred son of Envoy—Century, by Fleet Nasrullah. At 2, Century’s Envoy had won the Hollywood Juvenile Championship, Westchester Stakes, and Haggin Stakes. He would win the Sierra Madre again in 1976, along with the 1975 San Simeon Handicap, 1975 Morvich Handicap, and 1976 Los Angeles Handicap (G2), and earn a total of $359,330.

QUALIFYING CLAIMING LEVELS

The following claiming levels for California owners premiums and stallion awards are currently in effect:

ANITA PARK / $40,000

California Chrome

IN Memoriam

Dr. Mark Dedomenico

Dr. Mark Dedomenico, a major Washington owner and breeder who owned and bred many California runners in partnership with trainer Jerry Hollendorfer, died Dec. 7. A prominent cardiac surgeon and founding member of Hope Heart Institute in Seattle, Dedomenico was 87.

The best runner Dedomenico had with Hollendorfer was Blind Luck, whose partners also included John Carver and Peter Abruzzo. The Eclipse Award champion 3-year-old filly of 2010, Blind Luck earned $3,279,520 and won such races as the 2010 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and Alabama Stakes (G1). Other runners Dedomenico raced in partnership include Eclipse Award winner She’s a Tiger, a half sister to California sire Smiling Tiger. Dedomenico contributed to the industry in many other ways. He built and operated the Pegasus Training and Rehabilitation Center in Washington. California-bred champion Georgie Boy was one of the many horses to receive his first lessons at Pegasus. Dedomenico also partnered with orthopedic veterinary Dr. Wayne McIlwraith to research new treatments for equine knee injuries, as well as the use of platelet-rich plasma and stem cell therapy.

A former member of the Thoroughbred Owners of California board of directors, Dedomenico received the TOC Chairman’s Award in 2013. He served on the board of the Washington Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, which presented him with a lifetime achievement award in 2017. He also received the S.J. Agnew Special Achievement Award in 2015 for his leadership, foresight, and contributions to the Washington Thoroughbred industry.

STALLION NEWS

■ Hopkins to Stand at Lovacres Ranch

Graded stakes winner Hopkins, a son of Quality Road, will stand the 2025 breeding season at Terry Lovingier’s Lovacres Ranch in Warner Springs. He will stand for $5,000.

Trained by Bob Baffert, Hopkins won the 2023 Palos Verdes Stakes (G3) and finished second in the same race in 2024. Horses he defeated during his career included eventual Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) winner Straight No Chaser. In 11 starts, Hopkins won three races and finished second five times for earnings of $379,700.

Hopkins is out of the stakes-placed Salt Lake mare Hot Spell, who also produced stakes winner Saratoga Heater and stakes-placed Of a Revolution and Malocchio.

■ The Street Fighter Moved to Rancho San Miguel

The Street Fighter, a stakes-placed California-bred son of Street Boss, has moved to Rancho San Miguel in California for the 2025 breeding season. The 10-year-old stallion will stand for $2,500.

Bred by the late trainer Bruce Headley and Andrew Molasky, The Street Fighter started 21 times over five years on the Southern California racing circuit. He won two races, with four seconds (including the 2019 California Dreamin’ Stakes) and two thirds, and earned $165,000. Headley trained him through most of his career, with the conditioner’s daughter, trainer Karen Headley, taking over after her father’s death in 2021. Karen Headley now owns The Street Fighter with Marsha Naify, a longtime patron of the Headley barn.

The Street Fighter is by three-time graded stakes winner Street Boss out of the Alphabet Soup mare Silver Swallow. Bruce Headley trained both sire and dam. Silver Swallow’s graded stakes-placings include a second to champion Rags to Riches in the 2007 Santa Anita Oaks (G1).

PLEASANTON LICENSE APPLICATION WITHDRAWN

The California Horse Racing Board prior to its Dec. 19 meeting issued the following statement about racing in Northern California:

“After extensive consultation and discussion with, and among, Golden State Racing, California Authority of Racing Fairs, Alameda County Fair, Thoroughbred Owners of California, California Thoroughbred Trainers, the California Horse Racing Board, and others, the consensus is that the industry should not pursue the Golden State Racing license on Thursday (Dec. 19) at the CHRB meeting.

Pleasanton will not conduct a winter meeting in 2025

two thriving Thoroughbred circuits and offer purses equal to or above those in other states.

“The mounting economic challenges felt throughout horse racing and inconsistent handle in Northern California compel the conclusion that, for now, Pleasanton operating as a training facility and Southern California running races for horses stabled there would be in the best interests of both Northern California and Southern California.

“While this conclusion is undoubtedly disappointing to nearly everyone involved and presents its own challenges, the CHRB views this arrangement as temporary, as well as an opportunity for all stakeholders to work together to pursue purse enhancements that are essential for California racing to remain competitive with the rest of the country. We are hopeful that should such supplements be realized; California will once again support

“Currently, California offers beautiful venues, unparalleled safety protocols, and what we believe to be the best equine testing and research lab in the country at UC Davis. Enhanced purses would make horse racing in the state second to none. In the meantime, we will focus on purses, field size, and safety at all tracks in California, as well as ensuring a successful traditional fair circuit next summer.”

At the subsequent Dec. 19 CHRB meeting, Vice Chair Oscar Gonzales and Commissioner Dennis Alfieri spoke to the issue. Gonzales referenced the above statement and its optimism that a full northern circuit could someday be reinstated if economic conditions improve for horse racing. Alfieri echoed this sentiment and pledged the CHRB’s commitment to making the stabling and vanning plan work to the satisfaction of northern interests.

“I know this is going to be a difficult transition,” added CHRB Chairman Greg Ferraro. “We hope it works. If it doesn’t work, we’ll adjust it to make it work. Hopefully, it’s a temporary thing, and if things and times get better, we can go back to where we were.”

The withdrawal of Golden State Racing from the northern racing calendar prompted the CHRB to officially rescind the allocation of Thoroughbred dates in 2025 that had been awarded to GSR.

The GSR decision prompted Santa Anita to amend its own license, principally to add Pleasanton as an auxiliary training facility and to add racing days/programs that will offer races specifically designed for the northern shippers. In conjunction, the TOC amended its agreement with Santa Anita to permit the running of $5,000 claiming races and $8,000 maiden claiming races at the meet with purses ranging from $12,500 to $14,500.

VASSAR PHOTOGRAPHY PHOTOS

•Grade 3-placed winning son of Uncle Mo

•Out of a Graded Stakes producing Mineshaft mare

•Won debut for trainer Bob Baffert at Santa Anita by half a length over eventual Grade 3 Winner Hopkins

•Won next two starts

•Highest Equibase Speed Figure of 110 in the G3 Steve Sexton Mile Stakes

• Bred 90 mares his first year at stud

•First foals will arrive in 2025

LFSN

CTBA working for you

To further assist the membership of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) and subscribers of its official publication, California Thoroughbred, this monthly editorial page provides readers with updates about the association’s current policies, latest news, and upcoming events in the Golden State.

Stallion Season Auction Slated for Jan. 6-7

The annual California Thoroughbred Breeders Association Stallion Season Auction will be held online beginning Monday, Jan. 6, at 8 a.m. through Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 8 p.m. Proceeds will benefit the CTBA’s Political Action Committee fund, which works in support of legislation to favorably impact California breeders. Seasons will be sold with no guarantee. The preview will begin Friday, Jan. 3, and the auction will be held through Starquine (www.starquine.com). For more information, please check the CTBA website (www.ctba. com) or contact Christy Chapman at Christy@ctba.com.

CAL-BREDS WILL SHINE AT CALIFORNIA CUP DAY

California-breds and California-sired horses will take the spotlight at Santa Anita Saturday, Jan. 11, for California Cup.

The day’s card will include five stakes for Cal-breds and Cal-sired horses, highlighted by the $175,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic presented by City National Bank. The 11 8-mile event on the turf is for 4-year-olds and up. The other stakes are the $175,000 California Cup Derby at 11 16 miles on the dirt, the $175,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks at a mile on the turf, the $125,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint at 6 furlongs on the dirt, and the $125,000 Sunshine Millions Filly and Mare Turf Sprint at about 61⁄2 furlongs on the turf.

CTBA DATES TO REMEMBER

Saturday, Feb. 1

Names for foals of 2023 must be claimed. After Feb. 1, a naming fee of $105 will apply.

Saturday, Feb. 15

Annual registration of stallions is due at a fee of $1,250.

NEW CTBA MEMBERS

Ann Birklid Buckley WA

Valerie Fisher Fresno CA

Carrie Goodfellow Norco CA

James McEnroe, DVM Bakersfield CA

Gun Runner – Kathballu, by Bluegrass Cat

OUTSTANDING CONFORMATION

$1,150,000 KEENELAND SEPTEMBER YEARLING BY THE LEADING SIRE LIFETIME BY A.E.I. GUN RUNNER

THE SIRE OF 24 GSW / 10 GRADE 1 SW • HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE, SIRE OF 13 MILLIONAIRES

Second Leading Sire by 2024 Earnings

OUTSTANDING FEMALE FAMILY

Out of Multiple SW / Twice Graded SP Winner $482,007 • Sister KATHMANBLU Multiple Graded SW $584,327

Half-siter to dam of Paynt Battle MSP, established course record at Louisiana Downs. $52 MILLION IN EARNINGS FROM ONLY FOUR CROPS OF RACING AGE

CORPORAL raced for Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith. Trained by Brad Cox. Won maiden special weight at 3 in 2nd start One mile dirt at Oaklawn Park.

2025 FEE: $5,000 LF

Property of a partnership

DEHESA FARMS LLC (Formerly Easterbrook Livestock Management) San Miguel, California

Inquiries to: Shane Easterbrook (805) 610-9861 Email: dehesafarms@gmail.com Web Site: www.dehesafarms.com

BOLDEN

SQUARE EDDIE – BAS, by FLOWER ALLEY

Undefeated winner on dirt and turf by a dominating 21 lengths. Southern California Speed: 6 furlongs in a blazing 1:07.50!

$3,500 LFSN

EDITORIAL

WAR FRONT – PLAYA MAYA, by ARCH

Half-brother to leading sire Uncle Mo touts an incredible $99,000 average earnings/starter, plus two 2024 Group 3 winners in South America

$3,500 LFSN

RICHARD'S KID

LEMON DROP KID – TOUGH BROAD, by BROAD BRUSH

Dual Pacific Classic (G1) winner and 2024 Maryland Thoroughbred Hall of Fame inductee offers $57,000 average earnings/starter

$2,500 LFSN

BRICKYARD RIDE

CLUBHOUSE RIDE – BRICKYARD HELEN, by SOUTHERN IMAGE

Speedy heir to the hot Candy Ride (Arg) sire line won eight stakes races — three graded — and earned $925,477 in Southern California

$4,000 LFSN

MO FORZA

UNCLE MO – INFLAMED, by UNUSUAL HEAT

Grade 1-winning millionaire reigns supreme as California’s most popular stallion in 2023 (102 mares) and 2024 (90 mares)

$7,500 LFSN

SIR PRANCEALOT (IRE)

TAMAYUZ (GB) – MONA EM (IRE), by CATRAIL

Proven elite sire has worldwide progeny earnings of $21 million, with three 2024 stakes performers from his first California crop

$8,500 LFSN

DANZING CANDY

TWIRLING CANDY – TALKIN AND SINGING, by SONGANDAPRAYER

Multiple graded stakes winner and proven sire of precocious runners boasts back-to-back California Champion 2-Year-Olds in 2022/2023

$4,000 LFSN

NORTHERN CAUSEWAY

GIANT’S CAUSEWAY – GETAWAY GIRL, by SILVER DEPUTY

Grade 3 winner from the immediate family of Grade 1 sires Ghostzapper and City Zip. Sire of 2024 stakes performer Talbot Bay.

$2,500 LFSN

THE STREET FIGHTER

STREET BOSS – SILVER SWALLOW, by ALPHABET SOUP

Versatile black-type performer by a multiple Grade 1-winning sprinter out of a Santa Anita Oaks (G1) runner-up

$2,500 LFSN

Benchmark – Hazen, by Rubiano 2025 Fee: $6,000 LF

CALIFORNIA’S 2024 LEADING SIRE BY STAKES

WINNERS & PROGENY EARNINGS OF $4.3 MILLION LIFETIME EARNINGS IN EXCESS OF $26 MILLION

GRAZEN’S Progeny are led by LIEUTENANT DAN ($923,740) 6-Time SW incl. Grade 2 Eddie D S., Grade 2 Green Flash H.-twice, 2nd to GOLDEN PAL in Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, etc.;

S. Y. SKY ($709,540) Multiple SW incl. Grade 3 Monrovia S., etc.; Grade 3 SW JUST GRAZED ME ($506,332); Siren Lure SW at Santa Anita and Sensational Star SW JOHNNY PODRES ($540,150) 2nd Green Flash H.-G3; 2024 Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Turf Sprint S. winner ROSE MADDOX ($567,264);

2024 Daisycutter H. winner CONNIE SWINGLE ($509,564); Snow Chief SW OLD PAL ($244,940) 3rd 2024 Crystal Water S.; Sabertooth Multiple Graded SP at 2, 2024; G3 2nd at SA in 2024 Irish Wahine ($312,456);

Cornelia Fort ($254,780) 3rd 2024 Fran’s Valentine S.; MSP 3YOs Safa ($276,760), Loretta Lynn ($117,700); etc. Winner of the Grade 3 Affirmed H. posting a 103 Beyer, El Cajon SW GRAZEN broke his maiden in the NTRA Stakes posting a Triple Digit Beyer over Grade 1 SW M ONE RIFLE

Eclipse Thoroughbred Farm

801 E. Hwy 246, Buellton, CA 93427

(805) 769-6685 | www.eclipse-equine.com/stallions

CTBA January Sale Preview

Catalog Features Valpredo Dispersal

NEW STALLIONS ALSO WILL BE REPRESENTED

Don Valpredo was an integral part of the California breeding industry for decades, and the bloodlines of the horses he bred reflect that longevity. The industry lost Valpredo, who died Oct. 31, but his breeding program will likely influence the California-bred program for many years to come.

A complete dispersal of Valpredo Farms will be a major component of the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association January mixed sale in Pomona. The catalog, which is now online, has 22 horses being offered in the dispersal among the 143 total offerings to the Jan. 21 sale. Adrian Gonzalez, who serves on the CTBA board, as did Valpredo, is acting as the dispersal agent through his Checkmate Thoroughbreds.

It is fitting that the CTBA sale is the home of Valpredo’s dispersal. It was at a CTBA January sale that Valpredo and John Harris purchased In Prime Time, who went on to become the second dam of their California-bred Horse of the Year Soviet Problem.

In Prime Time is just one of the many top horses to have come out of the January sale over the years. More recently, Bodacious was an excellent bargain out of the 2024 sale. Lovacres Ranch consigned the Cal-bred 2022 son of Smokem, and Tom Beckerle bought him for $7,000. In 2024, Bodacious won two of four races, including the I’m Smokin Stakes.

stallions as Mo Forza and Eight Rings. Mo Forza, who stands at Rancho San Miguel, will have his first runners in 2025. The Rancho San Miguel consignments include foals from his first and second crops. One newly turned 2-year-old in the group is hip #73, a son of the Graeme Hall mare Cecileabration, dam of stakes-placed Lightning Fast. The mare is a full sister to graded stakes winner Who’s Up.

The dispersal includes mares, yearlings, 2-year-olds, and older horses of racing age. Cal-bred Shocking Grey, a 2019 multiple stakes-placed runner and hip #12, is among the group. A daughter of Grazen and a half sister to stakes-placed Unbridled Ethos, Shocking Grey twice finished third in the Fran’s Valentine Stakes.

Lovacres brings a large consignment to the 2025 edition. As has been the case for several years, the consignment will have several by California leading sire Stay Thirsty. All are newly turned 2-year-olds and include hip #49, a son of graded stakes winner Angela’s Love, dam of stakes winners Love a Honeybadger and Thirsty Always, the latter by Stay Thirsty.

The sale catalog includes offspring from the first crops of such California

Eight Rings, whose first foals arrived in 2024, stands at John Harris’ Harris Farms, and Checkmate has consigned two from that initial crop. Hip #1 is a son of Eight Rings out of the Arrogate mare Sage Hill, who herself is hip #2. Hip #65 is a daughter of Eight Rings out of the stakes-winning Tiago mare Bitzka.

Andy Havens’ Havens Bloodstock Agency brings a large consignment as agent and also as agent for Liberty Road Stables. Hip #46, Surfin the Coast, is a 2023 California-foaled filly by West Coast out of the Bedford Falls mare Zuzu’s Petals, making her a half-sister to stakes winner Fast Draw Munnings.

Elena and Hollie Crim’s H & E Ranch is bringing a consignment that includes hip #55, a Cal-foaled son of Hard Spun out of the stakes-winning Honorable Dillon mare Awesome Debate.

Linda Madsen’s Milky Way Farm has consigned a large group, primarily broodmares. It includes hip #41, Warm Endowment, a daughter of leading California sire Unusual Heat out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Treasure Chest, also the dam of stakes winner Desert Law.

Shane Easterbrook’s Dehesa Farms has consigned 10 newly turned 2-year-olds by such California sires as Danzing Candy, Grazen, Om, and Sir Prancealot.

SMOOTH AS BUTTER

SHEA BRENNAN GIVES TOUGH

SUNDAY SECOND STAKES WINNER

BY JACK SHINAR

Six weeks after collecting a milestone first stakes victory, Nick Alexander’s homebred stallion Tough Sunday claimed another. This time around, it was Alexander’s 2-year-old colt Shea Brennan eking out a nose victory over I’m a Bad Boy in the $102,000 King Glorious to close out the Los Alamitos fall meet in terrific style Dec. 15.

Leading into the home stretch with several rivals taking aim, Shea Brennan was hard-ridden to victory by Antonio Fresu. The chestnut colt gave up the lead narrowly to I’m a Bad Boy nearing the wire, but gamely battled on to register his first stakes win.

“He showed some immaturity there,” Alexander said, “looking at the grandstand, looking at the infield. Antonio said he should have won by a whole lot more. But when he got a little in front, he waited for horses. From where I was sitting, I thought he lost. I was afraid to watch the replay.”

Shea Brennan, who paid $9.20 to win, was prominent throughout the King Glorious as the second choice to 3-2 pick R Heisman in a field of nine juveniles going a mile in the final stakes of the year for the Golden State Series. Valentines Candy, off at 115-1, set the early pace while pressed by the winner through an opening half-mile of :47.24.

Shea Brennan took a short lead into the drive as Got’m Cot’m and I’m a Bad Boy, who raced wide throughout, moved into contention. From a stalking position, R Heisman was shuffled

back on the far turn before re-engaging in the stretch.

While drifting in late, Shea Brennan denied the relentless challenge of I’m a Bad Boy, winning in a slow time of 1:38.46. Late-running R Heisman was a half-length behind them in third.

Phil D’Amato trains Shea Brennan and also conditions Speedy Wilson, who became Tough Sunday’s first stakes winner Nov. 1 in the Golden State Juvenile at Del Mar. Shea Brennan ran third in that race.

In terms of stakes victories, Tough Sunday has quietly enjoyed an outstanding second season at stud. Tough Sunday is a

son of Grazen, California’s leading stallion by progeny earnings in 2024 with more than $4.3 million.

From an extremely limited crop of five runners, Tough Sunday’s two black-type winners in 2024 are bettered only by Grazen with seven and top sires Smiling Tiger and Clubhouse Ride with three apiece.

“I’m so happy for him—and for me,” Alexander said. “His babies are big and strong, a lot of muscle and a lot of bone.”

Alexander said Tough Sunday, who stands at Eclipse Thoroughbred Farm, will be offered to the public for the first time in 2025 with a stud fee set at $2,500.

“So far, I’ve only bred him to a few of my mares, but after Speedy Wilson won his race, I started getting calls immediately,” Alexander said.

Shea Brennan has two wins and three thirds in five lifetime starts with earnings of $144,600. He is out of Alexander’s 17-year-old Old Topper mare Carrie Rose. She has produced five winners from seven starters, with Shea Brennan her first stakes winner. Carrie Rose has a 2024 foal also by Tough Sunday.

Shea Brennan holds off a fast-closing I’m a Bad Boy in King Glorious Stakes at Los Alamitos

Owner/breeder Nick Alexander (left), trainer Phil D’Amato (second from right), and jockey Antonio Fresu celebrate

Grazen – Sunday Dress, by General Meeting

From 5 starters, 4 winners, 2 Stakes Winners 80% Winners, 40% Stakes Winners

Average Earnings Per Starter $87,000

Including Two-Year-Old Stakes Winners

SPEEDY WILSON ($156,150.00) Golden State Juvenile Stakes and SHEA BRENNAN ($144,600) King Glorious Stakes

TOUGH SUNDAY, Winner of the Sensational Star S. at Santa Anita Four Times Stakes Placed, Twice Graded incl. 2nd Grade 3 Midnight Lute S.

By California’s Leading Sire of 2024 GRAZEN

Leading Active Lifetime Sire in the State, Sire of the Winners of Over $26M, 22 Stakes Winners, 37 Stakes Horses, 4 Graded Stakes Winners

TOUGH SUNDAY is out of SUNDAY DRESS (GENERAL MEETING), also dam of SUNDAY RULES (dam of Loretta Lynn), SUDDEN SUNDAY (dam of ROSE DAWSON and RUBY BRADLEY), etc.

2025 FEE: $2,500 LF

ECLIPSE THOROUGHBRED FARM Inquiries to: (805) 769-6685 801 E. Hwy 246, Buellton, CA, 93427 E-mail: horserehab@gmail.com | www.eclipse-equine.com/stallions

Golden State Series—Soviet

JESSIE’S THE GIRL

HEY JESSIE BECOMES A STAKES WINNER AT LOS ALAMITOS

BY TRACY GANTZ

When trainer Sean McCarthy won the $102,000 Soviet Problem Stakes at Los Alamitos Dec. 8 with Hey Jessie, it came with a bonus.

“I got to ride Soviet Problem a few times when (trainer) Greg Gilcrest would bring her down south,” McCarthy recalled. “That even made it more meaningful to win the race.”

Soviet Problem, Cal-bred Horse of the Year in 1994, was a talented and speedy mare well deserving of having a race named in her honor. Part of the Golden State Series, the one-mile event offers 2-year-old fillies a chance for black type late in the season. McCarthy trains Hey Jessie for

breeder Stephen Young’s Sayjay Racing. Young has shepherded the filly’s pedigree through several generations, beginning with Cal-bred Morningstar Lane, her third dam.

Young raced Morningstar Lane in partnership with Robert Scherman later in her career. She finished with career earnings of $135,140, having started 60 times from 1985-89. The partners bred Morningstar Lane to Desert Wine to get winner Julies Desert Star, and Young then bred winner

Bea’s Cee, the dam of Hey Jessie, by crossing Julies Desert Star with Cee’s Tizzy.

Hey Jessie is by leading California sire Grazen. McCarthy initially started her at Santa Anita’s fall meeting on the turf. Hey Jessie trailed early after bumping at the start, had to come wide into the stretch, lugged in, and finished fourth.

At Del Mar in a one-mile maiden turf event Nov. 16, Hey Jessie scored by a halflength despite being in tight early on the rail. She then started for the first time on dirt in the Soviet Problem. Kyle Frey, who piloted her in those first two starts, was back aboard.

Hey Jessie faced eight rivals, including Tequilaandtherapy, Grateful My Love, and In the Air Tonight, the first three finishers in the $176,500 Golden State Juvenile Fillies Stakes at Del Mar Nov. 1. Bettors favored those three, making Grateful My Love the 8-5 choice, and they sent Hey Jessie off at 16-1.

Hey Jessie raced in the second flight early. Longshot Cioppina Pasadina set the pace, completing the first quarter-mile in :23.80 and a half-mile in :48.54.

Going into the second turn, Hey Jessie began passing horses. But she faced a wall of rivals in front of her at the top of the stretch. Frey had to bring her about six wide in midstretch, and she responded with a rush to the lead. She scored by two lengths over In the Air Tonight and stopped the timer in 1:39.85. Tequilaandtheraphy finished third, a neck behind In the Air Tonight and a half-length in front of Grateful My Love.

“She’s getting better with every start and was really focused today,” Frey said.

“When I swung her out in the stretch, she had a real nice finish.”

McCarthy was pleasantly surprised.

“I was confident she’d run well, but I didn’t know how she’d handle the course,” he said. “I knew the stretch would benefit her because she’s got big, long strides and she’s a beautiful moving filly.” Hey Jessie may head back to turf. McCarthy indicated that the Jan. 11 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks could be next.

Hey Jessie, Sayjay Racing’s homebred daughter of Grazen, wins Soviet Problem at 16-1

© BENOIT PHOTOS

Sayjay racing manager Brooke Hubbard accepts the trophy, along with jockey Kyle Frey and trainer Sean McCarthy (right)

California’s Only Son Of Triple Crown Winner American Pharoah

Multiple Graded Stakes Winner Of $683,660 2025 FEE: $5,000 LF

American Pharoah – Just Louise, by Five Star Day

Del Mar maiden special weight debut winner at 2. 2nd Grade 3 Bob Hope S., 3rd Speakeasy S. at Santa Anita.

Three-Time Grade 2 Winner at 3. $400,000 San Felipe S. by 5 ¾ lengths - $200,000 San Vicente S. by 2 ½ lengths – $200,000 Joe Hernandez S.

2nd $300,000 Grade 1 Malibu S., defeating Hoist the Gold, Nakatomi, etc.

At 4 Won $200,000 Joe Hernadez S. in 1:14 4/5. 2nd $200,000 Grade 3 San Carlos S. at Santa Anita.

Out of Grade 2 SW JUST LOUISE, half-sister to Multiple SW SARA LOUISE, dam of G2 placed Nash ($380,000 to 3, 2024), Grade 2 Gazelle S. runner-up Sara Street, the dams of KALIK-G2, AIROSA, Bringer of Rain-G3, etc. • By Horse of the Year, Champion 2YO and 3YO colt – AMERICAN PHAROAH, sire of 2 Champions, 7 Grade 1 Stakes Winners, 20 Graded, 45 Stakes Winners.

OWNER WINS PLEASANTON STAKES WITH NORTHERN

SALE GRADUATE MALA

GREG AVERY

BY JACK SHINAR

For a longtime Thoroughbred owner racing primarily in Northern California, 2024 was a most paradoxical year for Modesto’s Greg Avery.

Running claiming-level horses, Avery amassed total earnings of about $380,000— mostly through his partnership with Zvika Akin and trainer Steve Sherman—easily the best of his career.

Yet the year also delivered a harsh double blow, started by the permanent closure in June of his home track, Golden Gate Fields. That was followed by the recent decision by

Golden State Racing to forgo future racing dates at the region’s designated replacement venue, the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton. That caught Avery by surprise, coming after a 26-day Pleasanton meet this fall that proved a financial disappointment.

With nowhere to turn for now, many northern-based horsemen such as Avery are left to focus on Santa Anita. Track owner 1/ST Racing has pledged racing opportunities for them and financial assistance for shipping and keeping the Pleasanton facility open for year-round training purposes.

Avery admits worrying

about how long that arrangement lasts—and whether it’s feasible.

“It’s pretty sad what’s going on up here,” he said of the local racing scene. “I think everyone is wondering what’s going to happen.”

Nationally, Northern California is regarded as minor league racing. But to guys like Avery, losing a track such as Golden Gate, and Bay Meadows before that, strips away the reason he was involved in horse ownership in the first place.

“We all want a nice horse,” he explained. “But what I really enjoy about racing are the people that are involved in it.”

Hanging out on the backstretch and chatting with trainers and their stable help, making friends with fellow owners and others in the grandstand—that’s the sort of thing Avery is going to miss.

“You meet so many great people at the track,” he said. Avery, 63, lives with his wife, Julie, in Modesto, where they raised three children: Matthew, Courtney, and Cameron. They also have two grandchildren.

Greg and Julie are partners in a company that handles building and residential construction projects. They also own a small industrial park in Modesto.

Avery has been around Northern California tracks for most of his life. His father, Charles, had a small ranch outside Modesto where he bred Thoroughbreds that he raced locally. Greg remembers as a youngster piling into the family car for Saturday trips to the track, either Bay Meadows or Golden Gate. Their first

Greg and Julie Avery named one horse for granddaughter Ellie

primary trainer was Tom Knight, but they eventually found their way to Art Sherman’s barn.

Thus, when Greg decided to get into the game as an owner more than 20 years ago, he naturally went to the Shermans. Nearly all the horses he has raced, either by himself or with partners, have been of the claiming variety.

“It was a dream of a lifetime” to have horses with Art Sherman, the man who trained California Chrome, Avery said. “I love Art; it was so much fun to be around him and the people in his barn.”

When Art retired a few years ago, his son Steve took over Avery’s small string, and it has worked out well. Avery currently has an ownership stake in eight to 10 horses, he said, “and that’s plenty.”

“I really appreciate Steve,” Avery said. “He’s like me; he’s not afraid to have a horse claimed away.”

Steve Sherman trained some horses for the famous A&M Records producer Jerry Moss, a leader in the California horse breeding industry. After Moss died in August 2023, Avery, Akin, and Sherman purchased a handful of the Moss horses privately. Among them was a California-bred Uncle Mo gelding, Mobou, as well as a pair of Moss’s Kentucky-bred geldings, Sir Grayson and Nolde.

Led by those three, the partnership

won with 18 of 67 starts while earning $302,308 in 2024. Mobou and Sir Grayson were claimed away, but Nolde—winner of the 2019 Del Mar Derby (G2T) for Moss and an earner of nearly $400,000—remains in the Sherman stable.

I really appreciate Steve (Sherman). He’s like me; he’s not afraid to have a horse claimed away.”

— Greg Avery

Also in 2024, Avery collected a rare stakes victory when Mala, purchased by Avery for $40,000 at the CTBA Northern California 2023 yearling sale, was awarded the $75,900 Bay Meadows Juvenile via disqualification at Pleasanton Dec. 15.

Named for a popular oceanfront seafood restaurant/bistro in Lahaina, Maui, Mala is a chestnut colt by Union Rags out of the winning Smart Strike mare Witchy One. Mala won two of his five starts in 2024 with a second and a third while earning $77,903.

Avery has had an ownership interest in just one graded stakes winner. That came in March 2012 when Dynamic Host, a Dynaformer gelding that Art Sherman claimed for $40,000 a few months earlier, posted a mild upset in the $100,000 Tokyo City Cup (G3) at Santa Anita. But Avery, who was partners in the horse with Akin, Sherman, and Bill Wilbur, wasn’t there for it.

“I thought we were running for second that day,” he said. “Dynamic Host was running well, but there was a horse in there I didn’t think we had a chance to beat, so I didn’t go.”

Unlike his father, Avery has never wanted to breed horses, feeling it’s too expensive.

“My dad had the little ranch, so he could do it fairly cheaply.” However, Greg added, “If I had a really great mare, I’d probably go ahead and breed her.”

One of the horses he bought from the Moss estate has proven to be costly since. Super Ellie is a Kentucky-bred daughter of Gormley that Avery named after his granddaughter. The gray filly hasn’t won much on the track, but that’s secondary.

“That’s one you should never do— name a horse after a grandchild,” Avery laughed. “I’ve lost her twice to claims and twice I’ve had to claim her back. It’s expensive.”

© BENOIT PHOTO

Mala (outside) was awarded the victory in the Bay Meadows Juvenile Stakes at Pleasanton upon a disqualification

Winners

DECEMBER 2, 2024 – DECEMBER 29, 2024

3-YEAR-OLDS & UP

Acclamation—Roberta's Mango: Blueberry Eyes (43-24), m, 5 yo, Remington Park, STR, 12/12, 7f, 1:24.16, $10,098.

Big Bad Leroybrown—Trappers Magic: Elegant Boy (14-6), g, 3 yo, Pleasanton, STR, 12/18, 1mi 70yd, 1:46.53, $13,680.

Cat Burglar—Windy O: Laws of Man (44-22), g, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 12/5, 6f, 1:10.13, $13,200.

Clubhouse Ride—Wild Caroline: Quantum Innergy (106-51), f, 3 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, AOC, 12/6, 1mi, 1:38.93, $24,600.

Clubhouse Ride—Bella Roja: El Diablo Rojo (106-51), g, 7 yo, Oaklawn Park, STR, 12/7, 5 1/2f, 1:05.94, $24,000.

Clubhouse Ride—Lamazone: Moment's Pleasure (106-51), f, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 12/26, 1mi (T), 1:34.42, $47,580.

Curlin to Mischief—Crystal House: See Through It (51-27), g, 7 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, AOC, 12/15, 6 1/2f, 1:15.54, $32,760.

Gig Harbor—Ready to Score: Ready to Gig (28-18), f, 4 yo, Pleasanton, STR, 12/18, 1mi 70yd, 1:47.97, $13,680.

Grazen—Carrie Rose: Buck Owens (114-72), g, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 12/2, 6 1/2f, 1:16.14, $13,570.

Grazen—Irish Winnie: Irish Royalty (114-72), g, 4 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, AOC, 12/8, 6f, 1:09.95, $24,600.

Grazen—Sunpenny: Grazen Sun (114-72), g, 5 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, STR, 12/13, 5 1/2f, 1:04.78, $8,100.

Grazen—Cielo Dulce: Wishtheyallcouldbe (114-72), m, 6 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, AOC, 12/15, 6f, 1:10.92, $31,980.

Midshipman—Impeached: Trumped (215-117), g, 6 yo, Oaklawn Park, STR, 12/15, 6f, 1:11.95, $27,000.

Mr. Big—Ultimate Summer: Big Summer (71-37), m, 6 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, AOC, 12/13, 6 1/2f, 1:16.97, $32,760.

Mr. Big—Novel Twist: Big Beauty (71-37), m, 6 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 12/28, 5 1/2f, 1:02.77, $14,030.

Mitole—Whim: Mirinda (172-92), f, 3 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, AOC, 12/7, 6 1/2f, 1:17.19, $24,600.

Mrazek—Walkingonadream: Barely Funtional (18-12), g, 4 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, AOC, 12/15, 1mi, 1:37.95, $31,980.

Munnings—Sunday Rules: John Dunbar (346-180), g, 5 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 12/26, 6 1/2f, 1:15.04, $12,760.

Nyquist—Radish: Takes Three (235-112), c, 3 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, AOC, 12/7, 1mi, 1:37.82, $24,600.

Nyquist—Taffeta: Dont Fight the Fed (235-112), c, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 12/27, 1mi (T), 1:35.13, $36,600.

Old Topper—Royal Trick: Trouble N Paradise (1-1), m, 7 yo, Turf Paradise, STR, 12/4, 6f, 1:11.64, $9,600.

Rousing Sermon—Ribbon of Jewels: Rousing Jewel (16-9), f, 4 yo, Pleasanton, AOC, 12/13, 6f, 1:10.99, $20,280.

Shaman Ghost—Tiz Kissable: Hunters Ghost (83-52), g, 5 yo, Tampa Bay Downs, SOC, 12/6, 6 1/2f, 1:17.14, $13,200.

Sharp Azteca—White Stiletto: Pass the Baton (127-67), g, 4 yo, Pleasanton, ALW, 12/18, 1mi 70yd, 1:45.96, $20,280.

n The accompanying list includes runners that are both California-foaled and California-sired winners in 2024 of all recent North American races, except straight claiming races.

n Abbreviations used for the class of race are similar to those used by Equibase: Alw–allowance; Hcp–overnight handicap; names of stakes race are spelled out, with the grade of the race, when applicable, in parentheses.

Sir Prancealot (IRE)—Colinda Dawn: Alotaluck (86-38), g, 3 yo, Zia Park, AOC, 12/18, 6f, 1:07.84, $37,500.

Stanford—A Kiss for Maria: Long Mayshe Reign (101-56), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, SOC, 12/27, 6f (T), 1:09.45, $24,480.

Stanford—Made to Worship: Sing a Happy Song (101-56), f, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, AOC, 12/28, 6f, 1:09.33, $13,500.

Stay Thirsty—Roman Wild: Barbera (193-100), f, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 12/26, 6 1/2f, 1:17.46, $36,600.

2-YEAR-OLDS

Grazen—Sausalito Sunset: Sunset Grazen (114-72), f, 2 yo, Pleasanton, STK, Golden Gate Debutante S., 12/7, 1 1/16mi, 1:46.51, $45,000.

Grazen—Bea's Cee: Hey Jessie (114-72), f, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, STK, Soviet Problem S., 12/8, 1mi, 1:39.85, $60,000.

Heartwood—Lucy Wiggles: Silverado Storm (5-1), g, 2 yo, Santa Anita Park, AOC, 12/29, 6f, 1:11.18, $36,600.

Sir Prancealot (IRE)—Penchant: Pennypatter (86-38), f, 2 yo, Pleasanton, STR, 12/6, 6f, 1:11.19, $13,680.

Stay Thirsty—Seneca Destiny: Thirsty Destiny (193-100), f, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, SOC, 12/14, 6f, 1:12.31, $20,520.

Take Charge Indy—Racy Rascal: Checkered Flag (99-52), g, 2 yo, Pleasanton, STR, 12/7, 6f, 1:12.96, $12,540.

Tough Sunday—Carrie Rose: Shea Brennan (5-4), c, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, STK, King Glorious S., 12/15, 1mi, 1:38.46, $60,000.

Union Rags—Witchy One: Mala (222-96), c, 2 yo, Pleasanton, STK, Bay Meadows Juvenile S., 12/15, 1 1/16mi, 1:48.98, $45,000.

MAIDENS

Accelerate—Susan B Good: Mining District (124-61), g, 3 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/7, 1mi, 1:38.72, $14,700.

American Pharoah—Tryst: Moonlight Tryst (211-98), f, 4 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/14, 6f, 1:12.78, $14,700.

Audible—Miss Lavinia: Heras Hope (146-75), f, 2 yo, Pleasanton, MSW, 12/7, 5 1/2f, 1:04.30, $19,500. Clubhouse Ride—Pop Quality: Seeking Quality (106-51), f, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 12/3, 6 1/2f, 1:17.87, $7,200.

Conquest Farenheit—Fast Breaking News: Liquid Spirit (23-11), f, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/6, 5 1/2f, 1:06.42, $14,700.

Danzing Candy—Yolanda B. Too: Candy Crusher (85-46), c, 2 yo, Pleasanton, MCL, 12/8, 6f, 1:13.70, $8,400.

Danzing Candy—Ancient Holiday: Valentines Candy (85-46), g, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/8, 6 1/2f, 1:18.13, $14,700.

Danzing Candy—Lady Wells (IRE): Triple Slipper (85-46), f, 4 yo, Pleasanton, MCL, 12/13, 1mi 70yd, 1:48.62, $6,900.

Danzing Candy—Greatest Escape: David N Rays Candy (85-46), f, 4 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 12/28, 6f, 1:10.22, $5,900.

Enticed—Copperopolis: The Scent (95-46), g, 3 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MCL, 12/15, 5 1/2f, 1:04.46, $10,200.

G. G. Ryder—Lucki Lucy Anna: El Diamante Negro (6-5), g, 2 yo, Pleasanton, MCL, 12/6, 1mi 70yd, 1:44.96, $7,200.

G. G. Ryder—Honeysuckle Rose: Galloping Major (6-5), r, 3 yo, Pleasanton, MCL, 12/15, 6f, 1:13.82, $6,900.

Ghostzapper—Holy Lighting: Gozer (181-92), g, 2 yo, Zia Park, MCL, 12/2, 6f, 1:11.18, $13,500.

Govenor Charlie—Cactus Flyer: Flying Blind (10-6), g, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 12/12, 6f, 1:10.11, $9,440.

Grazen—Wanda's Touch: Magic Wanderer (114-72), f, 4 yo, Pleasanton, MCL, 12/6, 5f, 58.55, $6,900. Grazen—Andean Moon: Full Moon Grazen (114-72), f, 2 yo, Pleasanton, MCL, 12/13, 6f, 1:13.29, $6,900.

Grazen—Wink and Wish: Frank Bullitt (114-72), g, 2 yo, Los Alamitos Race Course, MSW, 12/14, 6f, 1:10.08, $23,400.

Grazen—Shes All Wound Up: Run Bryce Run (114-72), g, 3 yo, Turf Paradise, MOC, 12/26, 1mi (T), 1:36.91, $12,390.

Harbor the Gold—Clever Bird: The G M (48-30), g, 3 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 12/28, 6 1/2f, 1:16.68, $36,000.

Idiot Proof—Church Avenue: I Have a Dream (33-19), f, 2 yo, Turf Paradise, MCL, 12/18, 6 1/2f, 1:19.34, $8,260.

I'll Have Another—You Missed It: Take Another Card (35-19), f, 2 yo, Santa Anita Park, MSW, 12/29, 6f (T), 1:09.60, $36,000.

Lakerville—West Mid: Vols (20-11), g, 3 yo, Zia Park, MCL, 12/16, 6 1/2f, 1:17.56, $12,000.

Mr. Big—Passionate Love: Steve's Big Ticket (71-37), g, 3 yo, Pleasanton, MCL, 12/15, 6f, 1:14.16, $6,900.

Prospect Park—Steffi: Notch (20-11), g, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 12/28, 1mi, 1:42.19, $8,100. Richard's Kid—Tiz Gentle: Pratchett (39-20), g, 4 yo, Santa Anita Park, MCL, 12/29, 6f, 1:11.68, $19,800.

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HOW TO AVOID PREMATURE FOALS

SOME PROACTIVE MEASURES COULD REDUCE CHANCES OF A PREEMIE

BY HEATHER SMITH THOMAS

Occasionally, a mare will foal too early, resulting in a premature foal. Foals born at less than 320 days’ gestation are considered premature, and chances for survival decrease considerably if a foal comes earlier than 300 days. These foals are not ready for life outside the uterus and may need intensive care to survive.

Maria Schnobrich VMD, DACT, at Rood and Riddle Equine Hospital in Lexington, Ky., says it is crucial to know the breeding date and estimated due date on the mare.

“Causes for premature foals include various factors, but generally result in some sort of pathology involving the placenta or the fetus,” Schnobrich said. “Things that cause pregnancy loss earlier in pregnancy are usually not the same as things that cause pregnancy loss later in gestation.

“The most common cause of premature foaling today is placentitis, which can be caused by many different factors. In the past, twins were a cause of lateterm loss or premature foals, but now that breeders can have a mare checked by ultrasound early on, the extra embryo can be terminated.”

Ascending placentitis and mucoid or Nocardioform placentitis are types of placentitis that can involve inflammation of the placenta or the fetus and placenta.

Foals are considered premature if they arrive at less than 320 days’ gestation

“Exposure to pathogens like bacteria or fungus through the cervix (ascending placentitis) or from a region of pathology can trigger inflammatory pathways that cause the mare to prepare to foal, and the fetal stress results in preparation of the mare to deliver sooner than if the insult had not occurred,” Schnobrich said. “If the pathology from an infection or insult is severe enough, it can cause fetal death and abortion, stillbirth, or such severe compromise to the fetus it may be born too early or severely compromised at birth.

“In Thoroughbreds, the most common type of placentitis is ascending placentitis, usually caused by a failure of the normal anatomic barriers (vulva, vestibulovaginal fold, and the cervix) to protect the pregnancy from pathogens that enter from the outside and travel to the placenta, causing infection and, if severe, fetal death.

“Preventative measures include assessing the caudal barriers of the reproductive tract to prevent this contamination in pregnancy. Evaluating the aforementioned barriers is important to identify if something must be fixed that could cause an issue.

“Does the mare’s perineal and vulvar conformation require modification to improve the vulvar seal? The cervix should also be evaluated. If she’s had a premature foal in the past from ascending placentitis, there is increased likelihood for having this happen again. We need to figure out why she had this problem. Things that cause this include poor perineal conformation, which can be addressed with Caslick’s repair.”

This suturing technique was initiated by Dr. E.A. Caslick in central Kentucky in the 1930s. He worked with Thoroughbreds, a breed that seems to have this problem more often.

Urine pooling is another situation that may lead to placentitis in late gestation, especially in older mares, when the uterus is pulled into the abdomen from the weight of the fetus and fluids.

“This cranial pull from the pregnancy can also pull the urethra more cranial and cause reflux of urine into the vagina,” Schnobrich said. “This can be irritating and result in ascending placentitis and pregnancy compromise. In addition, as hormones of late gestation cause muscle

and ligament relaxation, this further relaxes the tissue and can predispose for urine pooling or failure of barriers that were once adequate.”

Someone observing the mare with advanced stages of ascending placentitis would start to notice a discharge from the vulva.

“It is abnormal to have a persistent discharge any time in a pregnant mare,”

The most indicative sign that there’s a problem would be premature udder development or lactation.”

—Dr. Maria Schnobrich

Schnobrich said. “The cervix should be healthy and completely closed. There are rare times you’d see discharge from the vulva, and it may be due to the urinary tract or urine. On rare occasion, the mucus plug in the cervix may start to come out too soon.”

Some mares create more mucus than others, but in general, any vulva discharge should be evaluated by your veterinarian—whether it’s blood, mucus, urine, white debris, etc.

“Scalding on the mare’s hind legs at any point in gestation from vulvar discharge

may also be a sign there is a problem and cause for concern,” Schnobrich said.

If the pathology has advanced to the point that it has caused severe inflammation and fetal stress, the mare’s udder may develop early, that is, prior to normal time for the mare, or before 310 days of gestation. This would also be a concern.

All of these things may be indication of an ascending placentitis and could lead to premature birth.

“The veterinarian would do a trans-rectal evaluation with ultrasound to look at the cervix and areas of contact with the placenta to look for separation or thickening, changes in the cloudiness of the fetal fluid and the fetus, if visible,” Schnobrich said. “The evaluation can help confirm there is pathology, and often the severity can be estimated.

“Other types of placentitis may be due to vascular changes in the fetus or placenta; fetal, umbilical, or placental abnormalities; or infectious agents. Sometimes these can be diagnosed with ultrasound, but the outside clinical signs that the mare owner may see— and the most indicative sign that there’s a problem—would be premature udder development or lactation.”

It helps to know when that particular mare normally develops an udder, since some tend to come to their milk later and others bag up several weeks ahead of foaling.

“Mares on fescue pastures may not develop an udder at all, and this along with prolonged gestation and red bag deliveries are classic signs of fescue issues,” Schnobrich said. “People with mares grazing on endophyte-infected fescue can try to limit or remove exposure or administer domperidone prophylactically. Ideally, removal 30-45 days prior to foaling will help, and pasture testing is the best preventative to make sure you can identify an issue early. Some mares that are administered domperidone may develop an udder sooner than you’d expect, but that wouldn’t be pathological.

“Udder development earlier than three weeks before foaling should be investigated. We consider any gestation less than 320 days to have very little likelihood of viability for the foal, even with availability of intensive care. Gestation length

This ultrasound shows placentitis and abnormal edema

MARY SCHNOBRICH

can vary with mares; what is premature for a particular mare is mare dependent. If there is inadequate ossification in the foal’s leg bones, however, and with the short window at the end of gestation in which the lungs mature, if a foal is born too early, we can’t always save it.”

While medications can be given to a premature human baby to help the lungs mature, this doesn’t work in horses.

“So due to the late window of when the foal’s lungs produce surfactant, required for breathing, as well as critical bone development that prevents carpal and tarsal bone injuries, a very early birth is not as easy to fix and salvage as in humans,” said Schnobrich.

“The veterinarian’s job is to work with the mare owner to investigate potential problems and address those for the pregnant mare. Solid vaccination and deworming, with good pasture management, close monitoring of mares for any signs of compromise (fever, udder development, or vulvar discharge) are the mainstays of pregnant broodmare management. It may also help to do routine evaluations of the pregnancy in mid to late gestation, particularly in mares that have had previous issues.

“There is some good research suggesting that routine screening may prevent negative outcomes. If you can identify a problem before you actually see signs like premature udder development, you might be more likely to be able to fix it and have a healthier foal that goes on to term.”

With valuable pregnancies, Schnobrich suggests doing an ultrasound evaluation at 270-300 days to ensure there are no ultrasonographic signs of abnormalities.

“There are also blood tests that can be done to indirectly assess the health of the pregnancy,” she said. “One of the things we look at is hormone profiles like the total progestagens and estrogens. This may signify a problem if the total estrogens are very low before 300 days of gestation, and could allow for herd monitoring without the time commitment of ultrasound. Again, more research is needed, but often by the time hormones indicate significant problems, the pathology has advanced far enough to do damage.”

These are things that can be checked to

help ensure that the pregnancy is healthy and enable the veterinarian to intervene if necessary.

“This may increase the likelihood of preventing a premature foal,” she said. “It is very important to be proactive. I have one client that has me check pregnancies every 30 days. We’ve cut down on the number of cases of placentitis in that herd, and if we do have one, we are often able to initiate treatment. I think this has been a big help for that farm. Checking a mare every 30 days is very helpful, but may not be feasible or practical for many farms. But I recommend at least one evaluation between 270 and 300 days.”

Treatment would depend on diagno-

sis. For placentitis, this usually includes a combination of antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, and potentially hormonal support. Having a good history on the mare can be helpful, to know whether she has ever had problems in the past.

“My advice is that any mare that’s had placentitis previously, particularly ascending placentitis, which indicates failure of a barrier, should be closely monitored,” Schnobrich said. “If she’s done it once, the problem is more likely to recur as she gets older. Or she may have a defect that didn’t get repaired and the problem is still there.

“Some people feel that if there’s a problem you might as well just let the mare abort, rather than treat the mare. The argument for doing early screening is that if you can identify a problem early, you are more likely to be able to successfully treat it and get a viable foal.

“It is surprising sometimes regarding the degree of pathology and what you end up with. Certain cases, like Nocardioform placentitis, you may actually get relatively healthy foals out of placentas that have significant issues, whereas with ascending placentitis, the more significant the lesion, the more compromised the pregnancy will be.”

Another reason for screening is to be able to see if there is something very wrong with the foal.

“If there’s an issue that we can identify, we’d be able to have more supervision or staff on hand when the mare foals, to make sure it can be safely delivered,” Schnobrich said. “For example, after 280 days, the fetus needs to be in the correct orientation for birth, and there’s no way to tell without ultrasound scanning. If you scan at 300 days and see a tail, you know it will be coming backward. You might want to refer that mare to a hospital for foaling.

“There are other issues, like major abnormalities in the fetus, that prevent it from being a viable foal. You might want to terminate it rather than have it go to term. By the time these things are discovered, however, you are probably past that window—but you could have people on hand when the mare foals so she can be assisted, with less risk of damage to her.

Poor perineal conformation can fail to protect the pregnancy from pathogens

MARY SCHNOBRICH

Immature ossification of hocks is a danger in premature foals

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CARE OF THE FOAL

All foals should be checked during the first day of life by a veterinarian. But if a foal is born early or the placenta looks abnormal, it should definitely be examined quickly.

Many issues can occur with a newborn. One of the things that can ruin a foal—and can be prevented—is too much weight-bearing on immature leg bones.

“If you know the foal has been born early,” said Dr. Maria Schnobrich, “you must check for immature bones or incomplete ossification of bones and incomplete ossification of the small bones in hocks and carpus, and then you can restrict exercise. If your mare is way off her date, it is worth checking the foal to find out if this is an issue. Then you can confine the mare and foal with deep bedding. If you don’t know and just turn them out, those foals can destroy bones that are not fully formed and ready for full weight.”

“Often when there are issues with the placenta, the fetus is not positioned properly because it is compromised. You are more likely to have a dystocia—and this can cause cervical tears and issues in the mare that may be life-threatening to her or career-ending as a broodmare. It pays to be proactive. I think sometimes we are still in the dark ages regarding how we do late gestational monitoring.

“For the people who specialize in reproduction, however, there has been a big push in the last 10 years to try to look at these mares more often, as they approach foaling, to make sure we don’t have problems.”

Another thing that might happen in late gestation is premature separation of the placenta—detaching from the uterus.

“Sometimes when we do an ultrasound check, we can see that the placenta is already separated in utero, from around the cervix,” Schnobrich said. “The foal may not be receiving adequate support and may be at risk for separation during labor, which could significantly compromise the foal. The separation may also predispose the mare to red bag delivery, when the fetal portion of the placenta separates early in labor, compromising oxygen and nutrient ex-

If the mare foals early, the foal may not have ingested enough colostrum to provide adequate immune support.

“Additionally, checking the blood to ensure colostrum has been ingested and antibodies absorbed, abnormalities can be identified that can hopefully be treated early,” Schnobrich said.

change to the fetus that can be deadly.”

Other abnormalities to watch for include major enlargement of the mare’s abdomen in late gestation, or the mare suddenly becoming very uncomfortable.

Monitoring rectal temperature daily is a very good strategy to ensure that a mare doesn’t have any viral or systemic issues.”

—Dr. Maria Schnobrich

“In late gestation, some mares are uncomfortable, but we need to look for possible problems. She might have bodywall tears or prepubic tendon rupture, or hydrops (too much fetal fluid around the fetus).”

It’s also helpful to monitor her rectal temperature.

“Some farms have had herpes outbreaks that we might have identified quicker if they’d been taking temperatures and seen mares spike fevers. Monitoring rectal temperature daily is a very good strategy to ensure that a mare doesn’t have any viral or systemic issues, since these can be a cause for premature foaling. Just as important

“Having the foal evaluated is important. Rib fractures are also a risk. Also evaluate the placenta and make sure you have both horns intact. There are many YouTube videos on how to check the placenta. If it looks abnormal, there is likely an infection in the foal even if the foal is alive and looks good. Sometimes prophylactic treatment of the foal, based on the health of the placenta, can help.”

The vet will also do meconium screening. If the foal was stressed while still in the uterus and passed meconium before birth, there may be some of that material in the foal’s airways that could get into the lungs.

“You’d have to treat the lungs, so it’s important to evaluate the foal and start treatment supporting the lungs and preventing infection soon after birth,” Schnobrich said. “Often the antibiotics given to a mare before birth won’t penetrate into the foal, so once it is born, we want to make sure it has the support it needs.”

is keeping mares up-to-date on vaccinations, particularly EHV-1 (herpes). There is now a vaccine for leptospirosis, which can also be a cause of abortion or lateterm loss in mares.”

Just knowing your mares is very important.

“We’ve had issues with major stress in late gestation. You want to have the mares settled into a normal social situation, in a stable group.

“One of the things I recommend for some of the mares that are a little more frail is protection from extremes in weather. Here in Kentucky, we can have major temperature shifts. It might be 60 one day and zero the next. It might be wise to blanket older pregnant mares and even some of young mares if this is the first winter they’ve experienced in late gestation. That kind of stress may be enough to cause a problem. It’s important to try to reduce stress.”

Another thing to think about is possible toxic situations. If you are fertilizing your fields and pastures, do not have pregnant mares graze those until there’s been some rain or moisture to dissolve those granules and have them seep into the ground. If you are going to fertilize, keep the horses off until the pasture has had sufficient time or moisture.”

Confining a premature foal can help support immature bones

2024 LEADING BREEDERS IN CALIFORNIA BY EARNINGS (THRU

2025 GOLDEN STATE SERIES - 3.975 MILLION

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Leading California Sires Lists

2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY AVERAGE EARNINGS PER RUNNER

Sire

1 Mrazek, 2013, by Square Eddie

2 Editorial, 2014, by War

3 Grazen,

4 Empire Way, 2009, by

5 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)

6 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer

7 Square Eddie, 2006, by Smart Strike

8 Vronsky, 1999, by Danzig

9

10

11 Smiling Tiger, 2007, by Hold That Tiger

12 Majestic Harbor, 2008, by Rockport Harbor

13 Gallant Son, 2006, by Malabar Gold

14 I’ll

15

16

17

18

19

2024 LEADING TURF SIRES IN CALIFORNIA

1 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark

2 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)

3 Sir Prancealot (IRE), 2010, by Tamayuz (GB)

4 I’ll Have Another, 2009, by Flower Alley

5 Catholic Boy, 2015, by More Than Ready

6 Acclamation, 2006, by Unusual Heat

7 Smiling Tiger, 2007, by Hold That Tiger

8 Square Eddie, 2006, by Smart Strike

9 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini

10 Midnight Storm, 2011, by Pioneerof the Nile

11 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer

12 Jack Milton, 2010, by

2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY MONEY WON

Leading California Sires Lists

2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA

EARNINGS

1 Mrazek, 2013, by Square Eddie 18 18 $858,256 $33,635

2 Editorial, 2014, by War Front 10 14 $467,178 $33,470

3 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark

4 Gallant Son, 2006, by Malabar Gold 14

5 Gato Del Oro, 2014, by Medaglia d’Oro 13 16 $301,723 $20,175

6 Majestic Harbor, 2008, by Rockport Harbor 25 20 $624,624 $19,691

7 Lakerville, 2008, by Unusual Heat 20 15 $358,697 $18,943

8 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer

9 Straight Fire, 2014, by Dominus

10 Far From Over, 2012, by Blame 24

11 Idiot Proof, 2004, by Benchmark 33 34 $754,968 $16,480

12 Desert Code, 2004, by E Dubai

13 Gig Harbor, 2008, by City Zip

14 Square Eddie, 2006, by Smart Strike 41 43 $1,203,532 $14,824

15 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)

16 Rousing Sermon, 2009, by Lucky Pulpit 16 14 $242,112 $14,570

17 Bold Chieftain, 2003, by

18

19

20 V. E. Day, 2011,

2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA

AVERAGE EARNINGS PER START

1 Mrazek, 2013, by Square Eddie 18

2 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark 114 687 $4,394,584

3

4

5 Pavel, 2014, by Creative Cause 22 106 $591,604 $5,581

6 Vronsky, 1999, by Danzig 57 292 $1,608,184 $5,507

7 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer 72 431 $2,223,722 $5,159

8 Om, 2012, by Munnings

9 Smiling Tiger, 2007, by Hold That Tiger

10 Sir Prancealot (IRE), 2010, by Tamayuz (GB)

11 Square Eddie, 2006, by Smart Strike 41

12 Majestic Harbor, 2008, by Rockport Harbor 25 151 $624,624 $4,137

13 Acclamation, 2006,

14

15

2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY NUMBER OF WINNERS

2024 LEADING SIRES IN CALIFORNIA BY NUMBER OF RACES WON

Leading California Sires Lists

2024 LEADING SIRES OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN CALIFORNIA BY MONEY WON

2024 LEADING SIRES OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN CALIFORNIA

1 Stay Thirsty,

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

2024 LEADING SIRES OF TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN CALIFORNIA BY NUMBER OF RACES WON

LEADING SIRES OF

1

5

6

8 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark

9 Govenor Charlie,

10 Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer

11

12

14

15

16

2024 LEADING LIFETIME SIRES IN CALIFORNIA

Stallion (Foreign Foaled), Year, Sire

1 Grazen, 2006, by Benchmark

2 Clubhouse Ride, 2008, by Candy Ride (ARG)

Mr. Big, 2003, by Dynaformer

4 Vronsky, 1999, by Danzig

5 Bluegrass Cat, 2003, by Storm Cat

6 Stay Thirsty, 2008, by Bernardini

7 Sir Prancealot (IRE), 2010, by Tamayuz (GB)

Street Hero, 2006, by Street Cry (IRE)

9 Majestic Harbor, 2008, by Rockport Harbor

10 I’ll Have Another, 2009, by Flower Alley

18 Ministers Wild Cat, 2000, by Deputy Minister

20 Graydar, 2009, by Unbridled’s Song

Misremembered, 2006,

22 James Street, 2007, by El Prado (IRE)

33 Catholic Boy, 2015, by More Than Ready

Surf Cat, 2002, by Sir Cat

35 Bold Chieftain, 2003, by Chief Seattle

39 Cat Burglar, 2010, by Unbridled’s Song

by Unbridled’s Song

42 Dads Caps, 2010, by Discreet Cat

44

45

These statistics are for active California-based sires with a minimum of 50 foals of racing age, ranked here by their lifetime Average Earnings Index (AEI.) The statistics shown here are compiled by The Jockey Club Information Systems (TJCIS). While every effort is made to prevent errors and omissions, California Thoroughbred cannot guarantee their complete and total accuracy. Sires that are dead, pensioned, or no longer standing in California remain on these lists until their last Cal-bred crop turns 3 years old. Statistics are from all available Northern Hemisphere racing with earnings adjusted for Hong Kong and Japan. Stakes winners and wins follow TJCIS stakes rules. Percentages are based upon number of named foals of racing age.

Stakes & Sales Dates

2025

REGIONAL RACE MEETINGS

Santa Anita Park, Arcadia

Dec. 26-June 15

Los Angeles County Fair at Los Alamitos, Los Alamitos June 18-July 8

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar

Sonoma County Fair, Santa Rosa

Los Alamitos Race Course, Los Alamitos

Santa Anita Park, Arcadia

Del Mar Thoroughbred Club, Del Mar

Los Alamitos Race Course, Los Alamitos

Second half of Northern schedule for 2025 pending

July 16-Sept. 9

July 30-Aug. 19

Sept. 10-23

Sept. 24-Oct. 28

Oct. 29-Dec. 2

Dec. 3-16

2025 REGIONAL SALE DATES

JANUARY 21

CTBA WINTER MIXED SALE Pomona, Calif. (ENTRIES CLOSED NOV. 12)

AUGUST 11

CTBA NORTHERN CALIFORNIA YEARLING & HORSES OF RACING AGE SALE Pleasanton, Calif.

SEPTEMBER 23

FASIG-TIPTON FALL YEARLINGS & HORSES OF RACING AGE Pomona, Calif. (ENTRIES CLOSE JULY 7)

California-Bred/California-Sired STAKES RACES

JANUARY – APRIL

SANTA ANITA

SATURDAY, JANUARY 11

$175,000 Unusual Heat Turf Classic presented by City National Bank Four-Year-Olds & Up 11⁄8 miles (Turf)

$175,000 California Chrome Cal Cup Derby ree-Year-Olds 11⁄16 miles

$175,000 Leigh Ann Howard California Cup Oaks ree-Year-Old Fillies 1 mile (Turf)

$125,000 Donald Valpredo California Cup Sprint Four-Year-Olds & Up 6 furlongs

$125,000 Sunshine Millions F/M Turf Sprint Four-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies & Mares about 6 furlongs (Turf)

SUNDAY, MARCH 16

$100,000 Irish O’Brien Stakes Four-Year-Olds & Up, Fillies & Mares abt. 61⁄2 furlongs (Turf)

SUNDAY, MARCH 30

$100,000 Sensational Star Stakes Four-Year-Olds & Up abt. 61⁄2 furlongs (Turf)

SATURDAY, APRIL 5

$125,000 Echo Eddie Stakes ree-Year-Olds 61⁄2 furlongs

$125,000 Evening Jewel Stakes ree-Year-Old Fillies 61⁄2 furlongs

Stakes & Sales Dates

Classified Advertising

Janet Del Castillo

3708 Crystal Beach Road Winter Haven, FL 33880

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Introducing Graded Stakes Winner

Quality Road - Hot Spell, by Salt Lake

CHAMPION BLOODLINES

PROVEN PERFORMANCE

GRADED STAKES WINNER OF $379,700

2025 Fee: $5,000 LFG

HOPKINS

By QUALITY ROAD – Sire of multiple Grade 1 winners. Out of the Multiple Stakes Winner, Graded Stakes producing mare HOT SPELL (by SALT LAKE) – A fast, durable mare from a proven family of sprinters and middle-distance horses.

HOPKINS is a Graded Stakes winner, with a brilliant racing career that demonstrates his natural talent, durability, and competitive Spirit, Speed, Stamina & Versatility – Whether sprinting or stretching out in distance. An impressive pedigree and performance on the track make him an excellent choice for California’s breeding program. Don’t miss the chance to be part of the next generation of champions—book your mare to HOPKINS today!

FINNEUS

Stay Thirsty – My Fiona, by Ghostzapper

California Two-Year-Old Champion of 2022. First crop will arrive in 2025.

2025 Fee: $4,000 LFSN

SMOKEM

Union Rags – One Smokin’ Lady, by Smoke Glacken

A Leading Sire in 2023, California’s Leading Second Crop Sire in 2022. 2025 Fee: $2,500 LFSN

STAY THIRSTY

Bernardini – Marozia, by Storm Bird

#1 Leading Sire in CA. Broodmare Sire of Leading Earner: FIERCENESS ($3,856,350).

2025 Fee: $10,000 LFG