W W W. A M E RI CA NRA CEH ORSE. C OM SPRING 2018
IN THIS ISSUE FROM THE RACETRACK TO THE POLO FIELD • TRACKING THE FATE OF THE WAR HORSE VICTORY TAKING YOUR RACEHORSE TO THE DENTIST • GETTING READY FOR A NEW FOAL
A Division of Center Hills Farm
DEN’S LEGACY
POLLARD’S VISION
A Grade 1-placed and Grade 3 winner By the sire of KY Derby hopefuls BOLT D’ORO and ENTICED 2018 FEE: $2,500
Five stakes horses in 2018, incl. Gulfstream Park SW VISION PERFECT ($490,784) and G3-placed TWENTYTWENTYVISION ($461,293)
(Medaglia d’Oro-Sunshine Song, by War Chant)
(Carson City-Etats Unis, by Dixieland Band)
2018 FEE: $2,500
SAVE BIG MONEY
THE VISUALISER
(Storm Cat-Tomisue’s Delight, by A.P. Indy)
(Giant’s Causeway-Smokey Mirage, by Holy Bull)
Sire of two-time 2017 SW INAGOODWAY ($234,487)
Sire of two-time WRD Horse of the Meet WELDER ($308,901)
2018 FEE: $1,500
2018 FEE: $1,500
All fees are stands and nurses All stallions are nominated to the Oklahoma Bred Program, Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, Iowa Stallion Stakes and Minnesota Stallion Stakes
Mighty Acres
675 W. 470 Rd. • Pryor, Oklahoma 74361 Phone: 918-825-4256 • Fax: 918-825-4255 Randy Blair: 918-271-2266 www.mightyacres.com
WHAT A WEEKEND! Valor Farm stallions TOO MUCH BLING and MY GOLDEN SONG combined for FOUR STAKES WINS on Texas Champions Weekend in January at Sam Houston Race Park, plus FOUR STAKES PLACINGS!
TOO MUCH BLING Rubiano – Rose Colored Lady, by Formal Dinner
MY GOLDEN SONG
Unbridled’s Song – Golden Par, by Gold Meridian 2018 FEE: $5,000
GROOVY STAKES
YELLOW ROSE STAKES
1ST – SWIFT SHOCK (MY GOLDEN SONG) 2ND – DIRECT DIAL (TOO MUCH BLING) 3RD – GOLD LABEL (MY GOLDEN SONG)
1ST – ZIPPIT E (MY GOLDEN SONG) 2ND – PRADA’S BLING (TOO MUCH BLING)
SPIRIT OF TEXAS STAKES 1ST – IMMA BLING (TOO MUCH BLING)
BARA LASS STAKES 1ST – RED DRESS (TOO MUCH BLING) 2ND – HOWBOUTTHISCOWGIRL (MY GOLDEN SONG)
TEXAS STALLION STAKES DOUBLE!
The two stallions did it again on March 17 at Sam Houston as DIRECT DIAL, by TOO MUCH BLING, took the Jim’s Orbit division of the Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Texas Stallion Stakes, and HOWBOUTTHISCOWGIRL, by MY GOLDEN SONG, took the Two Altazano division! BRADESTER • CONGAREE • CROSSBOW • EAGLE • EARLY FLYER GRASSHOPPER • MY GOLDEN SONG • STONESIDER • TOO MUCH BLING Douglas Scharbauer Ken Carson, General Manager Donny Denton, Farm Manager • David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian Post Office Box 966 • Pilot Point, Texas 76258 (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 www.valorfarm.com • www.facebook.com/valor.farm Twitter and Instagram: @valorfarm
William Miller
Bee Silva
2018 FEE: $6,500
in 2018, Over $4 Million will be paid to Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders in Oklahoma
THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA ONE REMINGTON PLACE . OKC, OK 73111 405.427.8753 . WWW.TRAORACING.COM
$4MILLIONREASONS
breed . race . win
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k
Next Level Breeding Why breed to an Indiana stallion? $11.7 million+ earned by Indiana-sired horses in 2017 across the country.
Stakes races exclusively 6 Sta for Indiana-sired horses at Indiana Grand Race Course (up to $150,000 guaranteed).
Top 5 Indiana Stallions in 2017: Notional Fort Prado Victor’s Cry
Lady Fog Horn Highest money-earning Indianasired horse in history. Grade 2 Stakes Winner LTE: $824,273 (+ $407,855 in Indiana Breeders Awards)
Pass Rush Lantana Mob
in.gov/hrc/tb.htm
ABOUT AMERICAN RACEHORSE
American Racehorse (formerly Southern Racehorse) covers Thoroughbred racing and breeding in the Southwest, Midwest and Midsouth regions. The magazine is mailed to all members of the following associations: • Alabama Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association • Arkansas Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Horsemen’s Association • Colorado Thoroughbred Breeders Association • Georgia Horse Racing Coalition • Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association • Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association • Michigan Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association • Minnesota Thoroughbred Association • North Carolina Thoroughbred Association • Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners • Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma • South Carolina Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association • Texas Thoroughbred Association • Plus hundreds of Louisiana horsemen.
For more information or to inquire about advertising, contact Denis Blake at (512) 695-4541 or visit www.americanracehorse.com.
CONNECT WITH AMERICAN RACEHORSE
HHH Online: www.americanracehorse.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/americanracehorse • Twitter: @AmerRacehorse Email: info@americanracehorse.com Phone/Text: (512) 695-4541 • Fax: (512) 870-9324 Published by Pangaea Enterprises LLC d/b/a American Racehorse American Racehorse • P.O. Box 8645 Round Rock, TX 78683 Physical Address American Racehorse 1341 Meadowild Drive • Round Rock, TX 78664 Editor/Publisher Denis Blake • info@americanracehorse.com Senior Art Director Amie Rittler • arittler3@gmail.com Graphic Designer Julie Kennedy • julie@digitalcitydesigns.com Copyeditor Judy L. Marchman
Contributors Kim Mariette Megan Tracy Petty, DVM Jennie Rees Jen Roytz Heather Smith Thomas Photographers Ackerley Images Coady Photography everydoghasastory - stock.adobe.com Samuel René Halifax - stock.adobe.com iStock.com/lillisphotography Marc Manning mdb - stock.adobe.com Jennie Rees Steve Queen Cover Photo Suzie Picou-Oldham
Copyright © 2018 American Racehorse All rights reserved. Articles may not be reprinted without permission. American Racehorse reserves the right to refuse any advertising or copy for any reason. American Racehorse makes a reasonable attempt to ensure that advertising claims are truthful but assumes no responsibility for the truth and accuracy of ads. 6 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
WHAT’S INSIDE
American RACEHORSE
Spring 2018
22
A Thoroughbred scores on the polo field
Departments Letter to the Editor
8
Fast Furlongs 14 State Association News
56
The Marketplace Classifieds
66
Features
28 Endeavoring
to sell horses
47 What happened to Custer’s war horse?
Much More than a Racehorse A Thoroughbred polo pony teaches his human owner how much horses can do after leaving the racetrack
22
A New Endeavor Terry Nickell launches a sales operation and offers guidance for newcomers
28
The Importance of Colostrum The time to think about the mare’s first milk is before the foal arrives
37
Ask a Vet: 43 Why You Shouldn’t Overlook Equine Dentistry Proper care of teeth can help keep your horse healthy and happy The Mystery of General Custer’s War Horse, Victory 47 While Custer’s fate is well known, what ultimately happened to his Thoroughbred is not
AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 7
Letters to the Editor As a horseman with many years in the business, I recently was caught up in a situation that I believe has unfairly tarnished my reputation. My integrity and reputation are very important to me, and I present this information in an effort to bring clarity to a sensitive issue. On January 20, I took five Thoroughbreds to the Elkhart, Texas, horse sale. Each horse had been prepped for that sale just as if they were going to a nationally recognized Thoroughbred auction. All were protected by setting reserves on their sale price. The following day, there were social media posts alleging that I purposefully sent these Thoroughbred ex-racehorses to be sold for slaughter, since that sale has been frequented by buyers for the slaughter market. Officials at Sam Houston Race Park were made aware of the allegations and, on January 22, notified my trainer that my horses were to be removed from the racetrack within 72 hours, pursuant to the policy established by [the racetrack’s parent company] Penn National Gaming Inc. This action was not only potentially damaging to myself but also to my trainer. I then contacted racetrack officials via telephone to request a hearing, which was refused. Subsequently, I retained an attorney to represent me and was then given the opportunity to present my sworn testimony to track officials. An official investigator was designated, and after a thorough investigation, the allegations were determined to be false. The ban on my horses was lifted on Monday, January 29. What is the takeaway? Horse slaughter market buyers may be present at any horse sale in the U.S. It is wise to set reserve prices to protect your horses. Horse slaughter market buyers often post on social media their intention to obtain and ship Thoroughbreds to kill pens, thereby taking advantage of rescue groups by essentially holding those horses “hostage” while seeking a price for “saving” the horses. It is damaging to make allegations without getting all the facts. Social media can cause a lot of harm that is not easily undone. Just because you see something online doesn’t mean that it’s true. Racetracks should establish policies for a hearing and presentation of evidence prior to making any decision that could be harmful to an individual’s reputation. Sonny Ellen Bryan, Texas American Racehorse welcomes letters to the editor. Letters may be edited for length and clarity. To submit a letter, email it to info@americanracehorse.com.
American Racehorse Advertisers Index Arkansas-breds For Sale..................................... 67 The Art of Horse Racing...................................66 Asmussen Horse Center.....................................21 Brandon Jenkins Racing Stable.........................66 Csaba....................................................................19 Dodson Training Stable.....................................66 Endeavor Farm.................................................... 13 Equine Equipment...............................................9 Equine Sales Company...................................... 36 Equiwinner.......................................................... 15 Eureka Thoroughbred Farm.........................10, 11 EZ Animal Products...........................................52 Foal to Yearling Halter.......................................66 Grande Shores................................................... 40 Heritage Place...................................................... 2 Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development Program............................IBC, 5 ITOBA Spring in Training Sale........................12 Iowa State University....................................34, 35 John Deere.......................................................... 27 KC Horse Transportation.................................66 Knorpp Bloodstock Insurance Agency LC........4 Dan Mahaney Auctioneers................................. 67 Mallory Farm......................................................66 MBM Horse Transport.....................................66 Mighty Acres................................................... IFC Mr. Sidney........................................................... 41 Odessa Horse Farm For Sale............................ 45 Pancho Villa Offspring Wanted......................... 67 Prayer for Relief...................................................18 RacingHorseArt Photography.......................... 67 River Oaks Farms Inc............................. 26, 54, 55 Santa Fe Horse Transport.................................66 Southwest Shavings LLC.................................. 26 Stemmans.com.................................................... 45 Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance......................46 Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards......20 Thoroughbred Racing Association of Oklahoma...................................................... 3 TTA Sales...........................................................68 University of Arizona Race Track Industry Program............................................12 Valor Farm.................................................... BC, 1
8 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
FINA
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“The Equine Equipment program was easy to use and delivered us tremendous value, with EQUINE EQUIPMENT we get the best equipment at the best price.” — TERRY NICKELL, Endeavor Farm, Versailles, KY Massey Ferguson & Toro purchaser
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2/9/18 2:13 PM
PEDIGREE POWER! Check out bloodlines available at Eureka Thoroughbred Farm…
MR. BESILU A.P. Indy – Balance, by Thunder Gulch By the incomparable racehorse and sire A.P. INDY out of the multiple Grade 1-winning millionaire BALANCE, who is a half sister to the great ZENYATTA 2018 Fee: $2,000
Mr. Besilu
THE HUNK Speightstown – Penniless Heiress, by Pentelicus A stakes winner by champion sprinter and leading sire SPEIGHTSTOWN and half brother to successful stallion WILDCAT HEIR 2018 Fee: $1,500
The Hunk
EXPECT A LOT Awesome Again – Tizamazing, by Cee’s Tizzy A son of Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner AWESOME AGAIN and a full brother to Preakness Stakes (G1) winner OXBOW and G3-placed SW AWESOME PATRIOT. Nearly the same pedigree as Grade 1 winner and Belmont Stakes (G1) runner-up PAYNTER. 2018 Fee: $1,000
Expect A Lot
Vanning a problem? Give us a call and we can help! EUREKA THOROUGHBRED FARM All fees are stands and nurses Inquiries to Bill Tracy 6476 U.S. Highway 290 E. • Fredericksburg, Texas 78624 Phone: (830) 688-1709 • Email: info@eurekathoroughbreds.com Website: www.eurekathoroughbreds.com Accredited Texas Stallions • Nominated to the Texas Stallion Stakes Series
!
QUANTITY AND QUALITY! Looking for a fast 2-year-old? A stayer? A turf runner? No matter what kind of racehorse you are looking to get, we have the right stallion for you! LATENT HEAT
Maria’s Mon – True Flare, by Capote The sire of 22 stakes horses, including five graded stakes performers 2018 Fee: $1,500
READ THE FOOTNOTES
Smoke Glacken – Baydon Belle, by Al Nasr (Fr) Sire of 18 stakes winners with progeny earnings of more than $17 million 2018 Fee: $1,000
EXCAPER
Exchange Rate – Ada Ruckus, by Bold Ruckus A Grade 2-winning and Grade 1-placed Breeders’ Cup runner on the turf 2018 Fee: $1,500
RIVER OAKS FARMS INC.
All fees are stands and nurses 3216 U.S. Hwy. 177 North • Sulphur, Oklahoma 73086 Inquiries to Lori or Francisco Bravo Ranch: (580) 622-4412 • Francisco: (940) 367-4457 • Lori: (940) 367-4380 • Fax: (580) 622-4411 Email: riveroaksfarms@aol.com • Website: www.riveroaksthoroughbreds.com Accredited Oklahoma Stallions Nominated to the Oklahoma Stallion Stakes, Iowa Stallion Stakes and Minnesota Stallion Stakes Stallions are property of Eureka Thoroughbred Farm
lill Indiana Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders �
proudly presents:
SPRING IN TRAINING SALE
for more information:
Entry Deadline Extended to April 25! Entry Fee: $500
Duane - (7 65)212-8424 www.DuaneSwingleyAuctioneers.com
12 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
***This includes conformation photographs, walk ing videos and works updated regularly online
With the same commitment to honesty and integrity, Endeavor Farm presents ENDEAVOR SALES. Photo by Marc Manning
Now accepting consignments for the July sales onward. TERRY NICKELL and MARK TSAGALAKIS, Owners Laura Haag, Sales Coordinator Cell: (859) 629-9677 laura@endeavorfarmky.com www.endeavorfarmky.com
MOVING?
If you have a new mailing address or are receiving American Racehorse at multiple addresses, please let us know. Call/text us at (512) 695-4541 or email us at info@americanracehorse.com.
AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 13
fastfurlongs Oklahoma-bred Shotgun Kowboy, Texas-bred Ivan Fallunovalot Become Millionaires
Shotgun Kowboy
Coady Photography
14 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
Coady Photography
It’s not every day that an Oklahoma- or Texas-bred racehorse becomes a millionaire, but it nearly happened twice on the same day at Oaklawn Park on February 3. First, Oklahoma-bred Shotgun Kowboy became a seven-figure earner with an allowance win early on the card, and then Texas-bred Ivan Fallunovalot nearly turned the trick with a second-place effort in the King Cotton Stakes. Two starts later on April 14, the Texas-bred made it official by surpassing the milestone while running fifth in the Grade 3 Count Fleet Sprint Handicap. Shotgun Kowboy became the second millionaire for Oklahoma-based C.R. Trout, who bred, owns and trains the 6-year-old gelded son of sprint champion Kodiak Kowboy. “It’s a fun thing to have their mothers, all the kinfolks,” Trout said. “I’ve got four generations here. We’ve just got some pretty decent broodmares.” Trout also trained Kentucky-bred Maysville Slew, a son of 1989 Oaklawn Handicap winner Slew City Slew who earned $1,046,409 in a 69-race career that included a victory in the $75,000 Essex Handicap (G3) in 2000 at Oaklawn. Shotgun Kowboy reached $1 million with his 10th career win, and in March he added another win to improve his bankroll of $1,095,826 from 27 trips to the post. A five-time stakes winner, Shotgun Kowboy won the 2015 Oklahoma Derby (G3) and has three victories in the Oklahoma Classics at Remington Park. Ivan Fallunovalot, an 8-year-old gelding by Valid Expectations bred by Eileen Hartis, has won 17 of 32 career starts with earnings of $1,010,903. Claimed for $25,000 by Lewis Mathews Jr. and trainer Tom Howard in 2014, the Texas-bred developed into a top sprinter with eight stakes wins to date, topped by the Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash (G3) at Laurel Park in 2016. Sadly, Howard did not get to see his trainee achieve the milestone as he passed away in March at the age of 70 from complications of cancer. Howard died just hours after Ivan Fallunovalot ran third in the Hot Springs Stakes at Oaklawn. “He had been struggling the last few weeks,” Mathews said. “He was just living for Ivan’s next race, and Ivan has been such a storybook story. I was really concerned that after the race, regardless of how it turned out … I didn’t know if it would be the same day. It was not totally unexpected. Unfortunate, but not totally unexpected.” Howard’s wife, Kathy, took over the trainer duties for Ivan Fallunovalot’s next start in which he hit the million-dollar mark.
Ivan Fallunovalot
Lone Star Park Announces Purse Increase for Thoroughbred Meet Lone Star Park announced an increase in overnight race purses for Among the highlights are the Grade 3, $200,000 Steve Sexton Mile the 2018 Thoroughbred season which opened April 19. All over- on Sunday, May 6. For the first time, Lone Star Park will offer advance night races saw an increase of $2,000 each, with some overnight race wagering on the Steve Sexton Mile and the entire Sunday card on Saturcategories gaining as much as 25 percent. No race throughout the day, May 5 (Kentucky Derby Day). 44-day season will have less than $10,000 in purse Two divisions of the Clarence Scharbauer Jr. Texas money offered. Stallion Stakes Series will be showcased on Sunday, This is the most significant increase to ThorMay 20. The Got Koko Division for fillies and the ---- ---oughbred purses at Lone Star Park in a decade. Stymie Division for colts and geldings each have The purse increase Track officials cited handle gains in all three $65,000 guaranteed in prize money. for Thoroughbred categories (on-track live, off-track and simulcasting) On Sunday, May 27, the track will feature the as the major source of funding for the purse increase. 22nd running of the Grade 3, $200,000 Lone Star overnight races With slightly fewer race days this year, the track was Park Handicap. is the most able to share the monies that would have been alloStars of Texas Day celebrates Texas-breds with significant at cated to those races. four stakes featured on Sunday, July 15. The Lone Star Park “We are proud to offer our horsemen the benefit Texas Thoroughbred Futurity, including the 26th in a decade. of this increase,” said Bart Lang, Lone Star Park’s diedition of the filly division and the 29th edition rector of racing. “We offer the longest race meeting of the colt and gelding division, has an estimat---- ---with the most race days and the best overnight purses ed $100,000 purse per division. The Stars of Texas in the state. Our goal this spring is to build on the Day card also includes the 21st running of both the gains in handle we saw last year during our Thoroughbred season.” $50,000 Assault Stakes and the $50,000 Valor Farm Stakes for fillies Lone Star Park’s stakes schedule offers 11 stakes totaling an estimated and mares. $1 million. A complete stakes schedule is at lonestarpark.com.
AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 15
fF
Alamo City Named Horse of the Meet at Sam Houston Texas-bred Alamo City was voted Horse of the Meet by racing officials at Sam Houston Race Park for the meet that ended March 17. Owned by HDT Allied Management LLC and trained by George Bryant, the 6-year-old son of Silver City out of the Magic Cat mare Most Magic won three of his five starts this season. He was ridden by Lindey Wade in his first start and by Lane Luzzi for the remainder of the meet. “He loves running at Sam Houston,” Bryant said. “We claimed him for $6,250 from Karl Broberg two seasons ago at Retama Park. He’s a big, good-looking, sound horse, and we have been very happy to have him in our barn.” The leading owner, trainer and jockey awards were presented on the final day of the meet with Steve Asmussen winning his 10th training title at the track. The Hall of Fame conditioner started 126 horses, finishing
with a record of 35 wins, 40 seconds, 20 thirds and earnings of $464,162. Jockey Lindey Wade won three races on the final night of the meet to cap a very successful racing season with 53 wins. Wade had fruitful associations with several conditioners in Houston including Mindy Willis, Kari Craddock and Bret Calhoun. He won four stakes this season and lit up the tote board with a $90 win for Calhoun aboard Swift Shock in the $50,000 Groovy Stakes on January 28. “It has been a great season,” Wade said. “Winning a couple of stakes early in the meet skyrocketed things for me and gave me a lot of confidence and momentum going forward. I am very grateful to the trainers who put me on quality horses, my agent Kevin Johnson and a loyal team of family and friends who supported me in Houston.” Broberg’s End Zone Athletics Inc. topped Asmussen as owner of the meet with 14 wins to Asmussen’s 11.
For more racing and breeding news, go to AmericanRacehorse.com Track Superintendents Conference Concludes with Focus on Safety, Surface Design More than 80 entities, including racing venues in Brazil, Canada, Puerto Rico and France, were represented during the 17th annual Track Superintendents Conference held March 25-27 at Oaklawn Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. This event allowed track superintendents to share their knowledge and expertise with each other while also exploring new and proven methods to protect all industry stakeholders. The conference included presentations, displays and networking opportunities that annually benefit participating tracks in terms of maintaining safe surfaces while maximizing racing and training dates. “This conference is unique in our industry and Oaklawn is proud to host the event,” Oaklawn Plant Superintendent John Hopkins said. “Track superintendents are responsible for providing a safe and fair racing surface for both equine and human athletes. They play a vital role in the protection of horses and riders. Getting the opportunity to host a gathering of them from around the world is important to the industry. We can learn a lot from each other.” Among the racetracks represented were Arlington Park, Aqueduct, Belmont Park, Canterbury Park, Churchill Downs, Hawthorne Race Course, Indiana Grand, Keeneland, Laurel, Lone Star Park, Pimlico, Prairie Meadows and Saratoga. Also present were representatives from Woodbine in Canada; Hipódromo Camarero in Puerto Rico; Jockey Club Brasileiro from Rio de 16 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
Janeiro, Brazil; and Maus Implement, a race equipment supply company. Industry organizations represented included the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association and National Thoroughbred Racing Association. Topics covered the during the conference included new turf courses, injuries on Thoroughbred and Standardbred tracks, equine equipment, and racetrack geometry by Dr. Mick Peterson, a consultant on Oaklawn’s racing surface this year. Oaklawn Senior Vice President Eric Jackson addressed the group on the colorful history of Oaklawn and Thoroughbred racing in Arkansas. Other sessions during the two-day event, which was moderated by Oaklawn Paddock Analyst Nancy Holthus, included such subjects as race-day injuries by Dr. Kathy Anderson and a special session concerning Midwest tracks by local veterinarian Dr. Scott McClure. One of the highlights of the conference was a jockey roundtable discussion featuring Hall of Fame rider Gary Stevens, Alex Birzer and Jareth Loveberry. The conference kicked off with attendees enjoying an afternoon of racing Sunday, March 25, in the Arkansas Room in the Oaklawn Club. The inaugural Track Superintendents Conference was hosted by event founder Roy Smith in 2001 at Philadelphia Park and had 20 participants. It has been held each year since at racetracks across North America.
Equine Equipment Announces Alliance with Rhino, New Products from Toro, Exmark Equine Equipment, which offers dedicated discounts on equipment for horse owners and horse ranches, recently announced a new sales alliance with RhinoAg, plus discounts on new products offered by Toro and Exmark. The company works with major manufacturers of mowers, tractors and other commercial equipment through existing dealerships and offers price advantages to active participants in the horse world and equine facilities. “We’re very pleased to be on Equine Equipment’s roster of manufacturers,” said Rhino Product Marketing Manager Warren Evans. “The Rhino family of gear is a great fit for equine ranchers and horse owners seeking to maintain their property. It’s exciting for us to be part of this service to the equine community.” Under the new agreement, Rhino will offer its line of equipment through the Equine Equipment program with pricing Rhino TS12 Stealth Flex-Wing discounts up to 25 percent off the manufacturer’s suggested retail price. Rhino brand products have a legacy that spans almost 90 years. From the first ever produced four-gearbox flex-wing rotary cutter and the industry leading 12-foot flex-wing to the first and only 10-foot flex-wing, Rhino sets the bar. Rhino’s more than 150 customizable products fit the smallest horse-powered tractors to the largest implements necessary for the most grueling jobs. Toro Z Master 7500-D Equine Equipment Founder Steve Andersen said, “Having Rhino products to offer equine facilities and horse ranchers enhances the Equine Equipment program and its commitment to support the equine industry.” Equipment from Toro and Exmark is also available at a discount through Equine Equipment, including new offerings from both companies. Toro’s new Toro Z Master 7500-D Series of diesel-powered, commercial, zero-turn mowers is built for maximum productivity. To accommodate a wide range of consum- Exmark Lazer Z Diesel er needs, the 7500-D features side and rear discharge cutting decks ranging from 60 inches to 96 inches. The 96inch cutting deck is highlighted by articulating wind decks that hug the contours of the terrain for a smooth and consistent cut. The Turbo Force cutting deck features a bullnose bumper, greaseless cast-iron spindles and side bumpers, and is equipped with a hydraulic deck lift.
Powered by a Tier 4-compliant three-cylinder, 1.6 liter, 37 hp Yanmar diesel engine that is managed by innovative Horizon technology, the Z Master 7500-D Series provides ample power to handle the most challenging mowing conditions. A 12.5-gallon fuel tank also helps minimize downtime to keep mowing crews productive. Mowers in this new line can reach ground speeds of up to 12.5 miles per hour. Exmark is known for premium diesel performance, maximum comfort and productivity with legendary durability. For a variety of reasons, the redesigned diesel-powered Lazer Z zero-turns may be the right choice for your cutting needs. These machines make quick work of the largest, toughest jobs and raise the bar for cut quality, operator comfort, fuel efficiency and ease of handling. Available with a new 96-inch UltraCut Rear Discharge with flex-wing cutting deck and state-of-the-art RED Technology-equipped Yanmar liquid-cooled diesel engines, the new machine is capable of cutting more than 10 acres per hour, making it the most productive mower Exmark has ever built. Lazer Z Diesel models are also available with a choice of 60- or 72-inch UltraCut cutting decks, in side- or rear-discharge configurations. Equine Equipment was founded in 2010 to offer the equine world choices with an easy-to-use program for all breeds and disciplines. They have a mission to deliver a direct and tangible benefit to the equine world. Equine Equipment offers manufacturers’ discounts on Toro, Exmark, Massey Ferguson, RhinoAg, Challenger and Farm Paint. Call Equine Equipment seven days a week to prequalify for these discounts at (877) 905-0004. Active equine participants will see these discounts at their local dealership nationwide and across Canada. “When Gray Rock Farm was looking for a tractor, we knew to call Equine Equipment; we bought a Massey Ferguson using their special discounts and couldn’t be happier,” said Loretta Brennan, who operates Gray Rock Farm in Arkansas with her husband, Terry. “Any farm wanting to save on farm equipment, mowers or paint will save too, give them a call.” H AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 17
Prayer for Relief
Jump Start – Sparklin Lil, by Mr. Sparkles
WOW!
WHAT A HORSE!
R Star Stallions is proud to introduce PRAYER FOR RELIEF in Indiana as one of the richest stallions to ever stand in the state! A stakes-placed winner at 2, PRAYER FOR RELIEF established himself as one of the nation’s top 3-year-olds with three consecutive graded stakes wins in the Iowa Derby (G3), West Virginia Derby (G2) and Super Derby (G2) before going on to become a top handicap horse. Few stallions anywhere can match his bankroll, longevity and productivity! He earned more than $2.2 million with eight wins, six seconds and 10 thirds against the best horses in the world. In addition to six stakes wins (four graded), he placed in the Woodward Stakes (G1), Suburban Handicap (G2), Mervyn LeRoy Handicap (G2), Strub Stakes (G2), San Fernando Stakes (G2), Californian Stakes (G2) and nine other stakes! 2018 FEE - $3,000 – LIVE FOAL
R STAR STALLIONS • Anderson, Indiana Inquiries to Leigh Ann Hopper 5255 N 350 E, Anderson, IN 46012 Cell: (765) 425-5790 • E-mail: lrichwine@att.net Website: www.rstarstallions.com 18 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
A SPECTACULAR SON OF KITTEN’S JOY, NOW IN INDIANA!
Introducing CSABA, the most accomplished son on DIRT by leading sire KITTEN’S JOY CSABA
Kitten’s Joy – High Chant, by War Chant After winning twice in four starts as a 2-year-old, CSABA emerged as the top dirt runner by KITTEN’S JOY with nine stakes wins while making at least 10 starts each year at ages 3, 4 and 5 before retiring with nearly $700,000 in earnings. A versatile runner with wins ranging from five to nine furlongs, CSABA not only won races, he won races in dominant fashion! The three-time graded stakes winner captured the Tropical Park Derby by 14 lengths and the El Kaiser Stakes by more than eight lengths. He earned five triple digit Beyers! CSABA excelled on the main track, but in limited chances on the turf he also proved his mettle with a placing in a Grade 3 stakes at Gulfstream. His full sister KITTEN’S QUEEN ($378,444) placed in the Grade 1 Diana Stakes on the turf at Saratoga, just a neck behind two-time Eclipse Award winner TEPIN. Whether you are looking for a runner on turf or dirt, going short or long, CSABA has the pedigree and race record to deliver! 2018 FEE - $2,000 – LIVE FOAL
R STAR STALLIONS • Anderson, Indiana Inquiries to Leigh Ann Hopper 5255 N 350 E, Anderson, IN 46012 Cell: (765) 425-5790 • E-mail: lrichwine@att.net Website: www.rstarstallions.com
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Spotlight on the unsung heroes The Thoroughbred Industry Employee Awards recognize and reward the outstanding people at the heart of our industry. The awards are divided into six categories, with trophies for the winners and prize money totalling $128,000. NOMINATIONS OPEN MONDAY, MAY 7, 2018. GO TO WWW.GODOLPHINUSAWARDS.COM FOR ALL THE CATEGORIES AND FULL DETAILS
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Where did some of this year’s top 3-year-olds come from? EL PRIMERO TRAINING CENTER!
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Top horses like COMBATANT, TENFOLD, DREAM BABY DREAM and RERIDE are all El Primero grads, adding to our more than 50-year legacy of producing quality racehorses.
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Congrats to trainer Steve Asmussen, pictured with parents Keith and Marilyn, on yet another Oaklawn training title while closing in on an amazing 8,000 career wins!
We can get your horses ready to race, and we can also get them to the races! Contact us for more information about KC Horse Transportation.
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Thank you to all the buyers at the Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale, with Asmussen Horse Center horses by LITTLEEXPECTATIONS selling for $50,000 and $25,000. Good luck with your purchases!
Keith Asmussen, 956-763-8907
Dr. Steve Velasco, veterinarian • Dee Martinez, office manager, 956-763-7594 P.O. Box 1861 • Laredo, TX 78044 • Phone: 956-723-5436 • Fax: 956-723-5845 Email: kaasmussen@aol.com • Website: www.asmussens.com
Samuel René Halifax – stock.adobe.com
After leaving the racetrack, Thoroughbreds can use their speed, endurance and competitiveness on the polo field.
MUCH MORE THAN A
RACEHORSE By Jen Roytz
A Thoroughbred polo pony teaches his human owner how much horses can do after leaving the racetrack The best teachers are those whose lessons not only stick, but last a lifetime. They have wisdom to share and convey it in a way that’s easy to receive, often simplifying what might otherwise be complicated or overwhelming. A small, but athletic bay Thoroughbred gelding named Remington was that kind of teacher, and after learning the ropes playing polo under a professional, he taught Eric Hamelback, CEO of the National Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, some of his greatest lessons about both polo and life. 22 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
It was in high school in Louisiana that Hamelback first picked up a polo mallet, playing sporadically throughout college before taking a hiatus from the sport as his career in the Thoroughbred industry took root. Soon after college he landed a job at Prestonwood Farm (now WinStar Farm) in Lexington, Kentucky, and thanks to a few colleagues and friends who were avid polo players, he found his way back into the sport. A football player in his younger days, Hamelback enjoyed the competitive aspect of the game. He was playing on horses leased from friend and polo player Hilary Boone but was
Courtesy Eric Hamelback
Courtesy Eric Hamelback
becoming active enough in the sport that it was time to consider purchasing a horse to start his own string of polo ponies. “Remington was playing for a professional polo player in Texas, but at 13 years old he was losing a step speed-wise,” Hamelback said. “I was making trips down to Texas to take yearlings to the training center that fall and told a friend, Mike Dumas, who hauled polo ponies for some of the pros in the area, that I was looking to purchase a polo pony with some experience, and Mike connected me with Remington.” Remington knew his job as a polo pony, and he had much to offer as a teacher. While he was old enough to have his silliness and high-strung antics behind him, he was still keen to show all comers that he was faster to the ball, quicker to turn and all-around better than his competitors, and in their first few matches together, that included his rider.
Remington, at about 35 years of age, is still enjoying his retirement from competition and visits from Hamelback, his former polo partner.
Although nothing is known about Remington’s pedigree or if he ever raced, he was already a consummate polo pro when he teamed up with National HBPA CEO Eric Hamelback.
“That horse probably taught me more about the game of polo than any human ever has,” Hamelback said. “He was truly a student of the game, to the point that he understood the line and direction of the ball. He threw me more times than any yearling I’ve ever started because he followed the ball, regardless of whether I was ready. If I made a back shot [hitting the ball behind you in the opposite direction], Remington immediately turned 180 degrees on a dime to follow the ball, and there were a few times I was left hanging in the air while he chased down the ball.” The same competitive streak that made Remington a remarkable polo pony nearly put Hamelback in the running of one of the High Hope Steeplechase races. “The Lexington Polo Club used to volunteer as outriders for the High Hope Steeplechase. When he wasn’t playing, Remington was Mr. Cool and Collected—nothing ever seemed to shake him—so I thought he’d be great for helping at the High Hope,” said Hamelback, laughing as he was about to recount what happened next. “I’ll tell you what, those horses broke at the start and you’d think Remington was in the race with them. He took off like a shot and it was all I could do to hold him. He was so into the competition of it that he wasn’t about to let a horse beat him. Here I am an outrider nearly getting run off with my own horse!” AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 23
With its quick bursts of speed and tight turns, polo is a game of skill for both horse and rider. A polo match, which can be likened to field hockey on horseback, is divided into periods or “chukkers.” Each team consists of four riders, and it is common for riders to bring multiple horses to play in a match, changing mounts between chukkers to allow their horses to rest and catch their breath. Polo players are the ultimate equestrian multitaskers, simultaneously riding and maneuvering their horses, often at a gallop, with one hand on the reins and the other gripping their polo mallet with an attempt to keep the small plastic ball in play and moving toward the opposing team’s goal. “Polo ponies,” as the horses are called, must be agile and responsive to the rider’s cues. A competitive streak doesn’t hurt either, as often during matches several horses and riders will chase after the ball, with the one getting to it first helping to direct the course of the match. As such, polo ponies are often Thoroughbreds— many are former racehorses—usually under 15.3 hands and typically mares rather than geldings. “Polo players typically like horses ranging in height from 14.3 to 15.2 hands with a compact build, shorter neck and compact back,” said Justin Powers, director of club development for the United States Polo Association. Growing up in a racing family (both his father and grandfather trained racehorses and played polo), Powers has spent much of his lifetime on the backside of Mountaineer Park in West Virginia, where his father’s stable is based. There, he serves as an agent for polo players and polo pony trainers looking for prospects, always searching for horses that might adapt well to the game. “In recent years Valid Expectations has dominated polo bloodlines, so much so, in fact, that after his race-breeding career ended, he was bought by a polo operation specifically to breed for polo,” said Powers about the former leading racehorse stallion in Texas. “We’ve also had success with offspring of Thunder Gulch and Magna Graduate, both of whom have a wide, stocky and muscular build that is perfect for polo. You’ll also find Storm Cat in the pedigrees of many of today’s top polo ponies.” — Jen Roytz
24 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
Courtesy Eric Hamelback
POLO 101
Artist Regina Raab captured Remington and Hamelback in this painting that has been displayed at her Gallery St. George in Kentucky.
Most polo players have a string of horses to swap out from one chukker (playing period) or match to another, and while other horses came and went, Hamelback always revered Remington as his prized mount, so much so that, in the spirit of his first and favorite horse’s name, he gave many of his polo ponies thereafter a gun-related name, including the likes of Beretta, Ruger and Shot Gun Annie. While Remington still has the remnants of a tattoo, Hamelback regrets that he doesn’t know the horse’s registered name or what he did before playing polo. Remington stopped playing polo when he was estimated to be approaching his 20s, and thanks to attentive care throughout the years, he is still happy and healthy at approximately 35 years of age (judging by the somewhat legible “M” at the beginning of his lip tattoo—the letter equates to the year a Thoroughbred was born). To put that in perspective, if Remington did indeed spend part of his life as a racehorse, then he might have raced alongside the same crop that included Ferdinand, Snow Chief and Danzig Connection, the winners of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes, respectively, in 1986.
horse,’ or ‘she’s built like the perfect polo pony.’ When it’s a gelding, it’s a lot easier to steer them in that direction than when it’s a well-bred mare, but it’s long been important to me to help in any way when I can. The most famous horse that I’m listed as the breeder of was an Alphabet Soup filly. She didn’t pan out as a racehorse, but she became a tremendous polo pony for a 10-goal player, and I take great pride in that. “The horse that taught me more than any other was a horse I never met until he was 13 and well into his second career. He was well past his racing days but still had so much to offer. His story is far from unique in that respect. These horses have so much to offer when their racing careers are done.” H
Jen Roytz is a freelance writer based in Lexington, Kentucky. She co-owns Topline Communications, a marketing agency, and is the executive director of the Retired Racehorse Project.
Ackerley Images
Remington now resides at the farm of neurologist and artist Regina Raab in Paris, Kentucky, just a few minutes’ drive from Hamelback’s home. Raab has even featured Remington in several portraits she painted and displayed in her Gallery St. George, one of which shows him in his heyday carrying Hamelback across the polo field. As the head of the National HBPA, Hamelback spends much of his professional time attending to the needs of trainers, owners, backside workers and other horsemen. He is also active and vocal about issues related to Thoroughbred aftercare. While his dedication to the industry’s athletes during and after their racing careers can largely be credited to his background in both the business of Thoroughbred breeding and racing and as an equestrian, he says it’s also thanks to his decades-long relationship with Remington. “Remington most definitely influences my perspective on aftercare,” he said. “So often I’ve seen 3- and 4-year-olds coming off the track and I thought ‘he’d be a beautiful dressage
Progeny of the late Valid Expectations, Texas’ all-time leading sire of Thoroughbred racehorses, are in demand as polo ponies. AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 25
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A New Endeavor TERRY NICKELL LAUNCHES A SALES OPERATION AND OFFERS GUIDANCE FOR NEWCOMERS BY JENNIE REES
28 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
Marc Manning
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ndeavor Farm’s Central Kentucky neighbors are among the biggest names in horse racing: Lane’s End, Three Chimneys, WinStar and Darley. Not as many people are familiar with Endeavor’s managing partner Terry Nickell. However, the horses at the farm know him very well. “There are so many people wanting a hands-on farm that’s not too big, where they know they’re going to get a lot of attention from the owner—because he’s a working owner,” said Mark Toothaker, stallion sales manager for iconic Spendthrift Farm and who boards his personal mares at Endeavor. “He’s there every day. He’s the one teasing the mares. He’s the one there with the vet when they’re checking the mares to see when they need to be bred. There’s just no way possible for whoever owns some of these big farms to be standing there all the time. Obviously they have great help to manage that. But with Terry, he’s the one there.” Among the births earlier this year at Endeavor Farm was its new sales operation, with the launch of Endeavor Sales on January 24. “The next logical step for us was to hang out our shingle at the sales grounds,” said Nickell, 58. “This year we sold enough that the commissions started adding up, and it makes sense now for us to sell our own animals. I have a built-in clientele here that also produces 15-20 yearlings a year that we sale prep and have sent to other sales agencies. I just don’t like the economics of that. Plus, what we could save for ourselves just made it the right decision to start selling our own again. It’s nothing that we haven’t done before; we just haven’t done it under Endeavor Farm. I think to increase our exposure in the industry, the best place to do it is absolutely at the sales
ALTHOUGH THE NAME IS NEW, THE ENDEAVOR FARM PROPERTY HAS A HISTORY STRETCHING BACK MORE THAN 230 YEARS.
AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 29
Jennie Rees
TERRY NICKELL, WHO AS A KID SAW THE BIRTH OF THE GREAT STALLION MR. PROSPECTOR, TAKES PRIDE IN BEING HANDS-ON WITH THE HORSES.
grounds. You’ve got all the horse people in the world concentrated in a small location in a short period of time. There’s no better way to network.” Nickell and California-based trainer Mark Tsagalakis acquired the former Richland Hills Farm five years ago, renaming it Endeavor Farm. Tsagalakis had boarded mares at Richland Hills and, before that, when it was Wafare Farm. Nickell was the farm manager for both previous operations, forging a strong friendship and mutual respect with Tsagalakis. When Richland Hills’ largest investor, Nathan Fox, returned to Texas, Tsagalakis’ family purchased the property, and he formed M&T Equine Venture with Nickell to operate the farm. “I can’t imagine him being second to anyone” as far as horsemanship, Tsagalakis said of Nickell. “His father was farm manager at Spendthrift Farm. He started from the bottom up. Many of your most successful individuals in any line of work started at the bottom and worked their way up. And Terry did that. … The things you look for to see that something is being done right, the boxes are all checked when it comes to Terry. “This is what he does; this is what he knows—the breeding and the business in Kentucky. Who else would you rather partner with in this endeavor?” In fact, that’s the source of the name: “It was a new endeavor and so we decided to name it Endeavor Farm,” said Tsagalakis, who plans to wind down his racetrack career after 25 years to spend more time with the farm. With their 160 acres pretty much at capacity, along with leasing an additional 15 acres, Nickell and Tsagalakis are adding sales 30 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
consignments as a way to expand while maintaining their up-close and personal style with their clients’ horses. Endeavor’s staff and management— nine strong including Nickell and farm manager Keith Haag—take pride in being extremely hands-on as foals are born, raised and prepped for a sale. But they previously have been doing a handoff as far as actually selling the horses. Laura Haag, Keith’s wife, came from Hill ’n’ Dale Farm to coordinate the sales effort. Endeavor’s first consignment will be Fasig-Tipton’s July select yearling sale, Nickell said. The operation will concentrate on yearlings, broodmares and weanlings and at first focus on the Kentucky auctions at Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton. Nickell says there is no plan to get into selling 2-year-olds, because that requires a different physical setup and expertise. “At no point in time do I ever think Endeavor Sales is going to rival Taylor Made or Lane’s End,” Nickell said of two titans in the world of consigning horses. “Buying horses for clients, I’m never going to be Mike Ryan and have 100 clients you’re buying horses for. This is something that’s more in-house. However, as we go along and people see our commitment, dedication and our integrity, I do think we’ll have the opportunity to wind up consigning more animals and purchasing more. “There’s a world of competition. But with the built-in clientele we have here and the relationships we’ve built, I can see us selling 50-75 horses a year, and that’s plenty. We’re very boutique-y, very hands-on. That’s how I’d like it to remain.” The majority of Endeavor’s clientele come from Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas, although the farm also has clients from Chicago, New York and Canada. Nickell said Toothaker, who is originally from Arkansas, has been a major asset with introducing him to folks from the Southwest and Midwest. “I have the utmost confidence to recommend people to use him to board their mares. He’s kind of my go-to guy,” Toothaker said. “He’s the best. He’s got a great crew. I sleep well at night knowing he’s foaling my mares, knowing he’s going to do everything humanly possible to get the foals on the ground and up and going.”
Courtesy Endeavor Farm
Though Endeavor is only a few years old, the property just outside “Kentucky has some of the most experienced horsemen in the Midway on Old Frankfort Pike dates to 1786, when it was owned world. And Terry Nickell has a background that is second to none.” by Caleb Wallace, an appellate court judge who helped author KenThe horse owner typically is charged a per-day fee at the farm for tucky’s constitution. sales preparation and another rate for each day it is at the sale. At the Many who attend Lexington’s famed horse auctions will know the end of the sale, a commission is paid to the auction company based name from Wallace Station, the popular deli restaurant that’s on the on the sale price and another commission is paid to the consignor National Register of Historic Places and located only a few furlongs selling the horse. That’s typically 5 percent of the sale price but “can down the pike from the farm. absolutely be negotiated,” Nickell said. Endeavor wants to make its own history amid its more-famous He says most places charge around $100-$115 a day per horse at neighbors. “We certainly have a very high-profile address,” Nickell said of Endeavor’s niche. “We have a very nice facility here. It’s very functional. We board 50-60 mares for clients, and we have our own. In the five years that Mark and I have been partners, we’ve accumulated 10 mares, roughly. We have clients that breed to the top-of-the-heap stallions and clientele that are very modest in how they do business. We want to compete with the big boys when we can, but we don’t differentiate between the value of the animal and the care it gets. That’s how I was taught horsemanship. The good ones and the cheap ones get the same care.” Nickell grew up on Spendthrift Farm at its height under Leslie Combs. Nickell’s dad, the late Harry Schmidt, was Spendthrift’s farm manager from 1952 until 1976, an era that included racing legends in its stallion barn such as Nashua, Swaps, Raise a Native, Majestic Prince and Never Bend. “Our house was 100 yards from the foaling barn,” Nickell said. “I spent every waking hour that I was possibly allowed to spend in the foaling barn. I was fortunate enough in 1970—didn’t even know what foaling was other than a mare having a baby—but WITH THE FARM AT OR NEAR CAPACITY FOR I watched Mr. Prospector being foaled. I FOALING AND BOARDING, THE NEXT LOGICAL spent summers working with mares and STEP WAS A VENTURE INTO SALES CONSIGNMENT. foals, prepped yearlings for a couple of years, learned everything I could digest working at Spendthrift.” the sale, generally spending four or fewer days. The horse owner also Kentucky Downs President Corey Johnsen, who previously held pays for the sale halter, stall card, pedigree research, a pre-sale hoof the same title at Lone Star Park and Remington Park, boards his trim by the blacksmith if needed and incidentals. Regular boarding mares at Endeavor after being a partner in Richland Hills. rates range from $15 to $45 a day, with Endeavor charging $30 a day “Terry and his team are second to none,” Johnsen said. “They use for regular boarding and $40 when sales prep is involved. a combination of experience, science and attention to detail to get “Which is probably not nearly enough because it is so labor intensive,” Nickell said. “We’re not ever going to get rich off of boarding amazing results concerning mares in foal.
AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 31
mdb - stock.adobe.com
Why you need a sales agent The super-competitive world of buying and selling horses is no place to learn from the school of hard knocks, or you might be knocked out of the game before you’re really even in it. Experts say the investment in paying an established, reputable professional to sell your horse will pay dividends in the sales ring, more than making up for your initial outlay of hiring an agent or agency. “Our job as a bloodstock agent or sales agency is to market [our clients’] animals to potential buyers and hopefully aid them in achieving the highest return for their animal,” Terry Nickell of Endeavor Farm said. “So many of these people are successful in other industries, and they love being in the horse industry. But it’s not their primary line of work. To me, the biggest reason people need a representative is they don’t have that knowledge or possibly the time themselves to do it.” While horses that catch the fancy of the buyers do A SALES AGENT GENERALLY CHARGES ABOUT exceedingly well, Nickell says a sales agency really 5 PERCENT OF THE SALE PRICE, PLUS earns its money selling horses that don’t meet buyers’ OTHER EXPENSES, BUT THE COST CAN BE increasingly unforgiving criteria. Good consignors can WELL WORTH IT FOR THOSE WHO DO NOT go up to buyers they know and ask them to take a look WANT TO GO IT ALONE AT AN AUCTION. at horses who didn’t get sold in the ring. “You’ve developed relationships and when you put good horses in front of their eyes, they’ll usually come over and listen,” he said. “Sometimes you get a horse sold that wouldn’t have happened if the person was doing it themselves. … It’s your job to be the liaison between the sale and potential buyer. Sometimes you negotiate a private sale that gets the job done anyway.” Spendthrift Farm’s Mike Toothaker says breeders with only one or two horses to sell at a sale are at a huge disadvantage if they try to go it alone. Take Keeneland’s massive September yearling sale that spans two weeks. “When you enter, you don’t know exactly what day you’re going to fall on to sell,” he said. “If a guy has one horse or a couple of horses, you’ve got to try to find sales help, get halters and stall cards. You’re going to have to be there, because you’re going to ship in and show a day or two. If you’re a person who hasn’t typically been around the sales, the buyers are not going to be real familiar with you. The buyers certainly build up a trust with certain consignors. The biggest thing I tell people, ‘Listen, this was what these people do for a living. They sell horses. They know everybody out on the sales grounds, know their buying habits. Know this guy over here is not going to spend more than $10,000. Or this guy is buying for Sheikh Mohammed, so they’re looking for a higher-end horse. These people are very, very good at what they do.” The Horse magazine and TheHorse.com produced a terrific guide to the sales, including practical advice on how to pick an agent or agency, for the Consignors and Commercial Breeders’ Association (CBA). Read more at thehorse.com/resources/success-at-the-sales. The CBA, with its more than 300 members accounting for more than 80 percent of the annual auction revenue in North America, was created in 2005 to encourage a fair and expanding marketplace for all who breed, buy or sell Thoroughbreds. The organization has created a code of conduct for sales agents and strives to ensure transparency. More information, including educational videos, is at consignorsandbreeders.com/education.html and salesintegrity.org. — Jennie Rees
32 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
EVEN THOUGH ENDEAVOR FARM IS LOCATED IN THE BLUEGRASS STATE, MUCH OF THE FARM’S CLIENTELE IS FROM OKLAHOMA, ARKANSAS, LOUISIANA AND TEXAS.
Courtesy Endeavor Farm
horses or sales prep. That covers your expenses and probably allows us to raise our own horses. It’s extraordinarily difficult to make money boarding horses.” While sales preparation time varies, Nickell said his time frame generally is around 60 days. Endeavor starts its prep for Fasig-Tipton’s July sale right about Kentucky Derby time and right after July 4 for yearlings going to Keeneland’s September sale. Yearlings are exercised by hand-walking, walking in an automated Eurociser or swimming to build up musculature. The prep time for mares and weanlings, less intensive than for yearlings, starts in the middle of September for horses selling in November. Horses residing at the farm during Nickell’s tenure include the very fast turf sprinter Unbridled Sidney, for whom Churchill Downs named a stakes; Peppers Pride, the New Mexico-bred star who retired 19-for-19; multiple graded stakes winner Flying Glitter; and Gentle Audrey, the dam of Grade 1 winner Gomo. Steeplechase legend McDynamo was raised there, being a son of the stallion Dynaformer, who started his career at Wafare Farm and whose offspring included 2006 Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro. Endeavor does not stand stallions, but Nickell carries the scars of
the famously temperamental and vicious Dynaformer. “I have a war wound on my body from a good chomp from Dynaformer,” he said. “Oh, he was tough.” Of being in the barns and paddocks so much, Nickell said: “I don’t have Standard Oil behind me. I don’t have U.S. Steel. We have to make our living off this 160 acres and what we do here. I’m very proud of what we’ve done so far. Our brand name keeps getting stronger, and I think our sales agency will allow us to even gain a larger foothold. Mark and I have gone from having just one or two mares now to 10, and we’ve been able to upgrade our broodmare band and we’ve been able to breed to better stallions. Everything has to work, and when it does work, we reinvest it in the game to improve our quality.” H Jennie Rees, a five-time Eclipse Award winner and 2014 inductee into the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame’s Joe Hirsch Media Roll of Honor, left newspaper journalism and the (Louisville) Courier Journal after 34 years to specialize in horse racing communications, advocacy and her passion of fan education. She’s married to longtime Kentucky trainer Pat Dupuy and is a licensed hotwalker in multiple states. Follow her on Twitter @TracksideJennie and at “Trackside Jennie” on Facebook. AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 33
IT MAKES “CENTS” TO BREED IN IOWA!
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Iowa offers one of the top breeding and racing incentive programs in the country, and Iowa State University has the stallions to help you capitalize!
FORMIDABLE Sky Mesa - Santaria, by Star de Naskra • A five-time winner and Grade 2-placed son of Grade 1 winner and top 2yo sire SKY MESA (lifetime progeny earnings of nearly $50 million)
• Out of the four-time graded stakes-placed STAR DE NASKRA mare SANTARIA, who also produced Grade 2 winner AIR COMMANDER and multiple graded stakes winner and successful sire MEDALLIST 2018 Fee: $1,500 Considerations for multiple mares
NEWPORT More Than Ready - Secretly, by Secretariat • Son of Grade 1 winner and leading sire MORE THAN READY (stands for $60,000 with progeny earnings of nearly $90 million) • Out of the Grade 2-placed SECRETARIAT mare SECRETLY 2018 Fee: $1,500 Considerations for multiple mares
Standing at: Iowa State University 119 Kildee, Ames, IA 50011 Inquiries to Nikki Ferwerda Phone: (515) 290-7669 • Fax: (515) 294-0018 nikkif@iastate.edu • www.ans.iastate.edu/stallions Both are Iowa accredited stallions and nominated to the Iowa Stallion Stakes
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STROLL Pulpit – Maid for Walking (GB), Prince Sabo (GB) • A son of the tremendous sire of sires PULPIT, STROLL was a superior racehorse who had seven wins and three seconds in 16 starts with four graded stakes victories, including the Grade 1 Woodford Reserve Turf Classic • Progeny earnings of more than $10 million, with $1.7 million in 2017 alone, making him Iowa’s top stallion in a runaway!
• Sire of five stakes horses in 2017, including three-time stakes winner and graded stakes-placed SPECIAL ENVOY ($287,650)
• STROLL has sired 24 stakes horses, including Grade 3 winner KYLANDER GIRL ($809,310), Grade 3 winner and Canadian champion VAN LEAR ROSE, Grade 3 winners GREAT MINDS and WALKABOUT, and Grade 1-placed Moonlit Stroll 2018 Fee: $2,000
Standing at: Iowa State University 119 Kildee, Ames, IA 50011 Inquiries to Nikki Ferwerda Phone: (515) 290-7669 • Fax: (515) 294-0018 nikkif@iastate.edu • www.ans.iastate.edu/stallions Iowa accredited stallion • Nominated to the Iowa Stallion Stakes and Minnesota Stallion Stakes
“Probably the first time we’ve mentioned an Iowa stallion. Unbelievable what this sire does with ordinary mares. Progeny are remarkably quick and can run on all surfaces. Maybe the most potent sire to ever stand in Iowa.” –ThoroughbredReview.com
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everydoghasastory - stock.adobe.com
Before a new foal is able to frolic in the pasture, it needs the antibodies in colostrum to help ensure a healthy start in life.
THE IMPORTANCE OF
COLOSTRUM The time to think about the mare’s first milk is before the foal arrives By Heather Smith Thomas
With foaling season upon us, a breeder’s thoughts turn to the future and what a new foal might accomplish on the track. While those dreams are what keep horsemen going every year, to ensure those dreams become a reality, it’s important to be ready for anything starting prior to a mare’s labor and continuing through the important first months of a foal’s life. One important and sometimes overlooked aspect is a mare’s first milk, or colostrum. A mare’s first milk contains ingredients that are crucial to the health and survival of the newborn foal. Colostrum serves as a stimulant to get the gastrointestinal tract moving (to help the foal have his first bowel movements by passing the first manure, or meconium) and contains a creamy fat that is high in energy and easily digested. Especially important are the antibodies in colostrum, providing passive transfer from the dam to protect the foal until his own immune system can start producing its own antibodies. Thus, it is very important for the foal to nurse as soon as possible after birth.
Peter Sheerin, DVM, of Nandi Veterinary Associates in New Freedom, Pennsylvania, says the mare produces antibodies to pathogens she is exposed to in her environment. “This is one reason many farms request that foaling mares come to the facility at least 30 days prior to foaling,” he explained. “This will allow the mare to develop antibodies to local pathogens, to help protect the newborn foal. “In addition, pre-foaling vaccinations we give mares will stimulate production of antibodies that will hopefully appear in the colostrum. Owners should vaccinate mares against diseases that might be a concern on their farm and should do this four to six weeks ahead of the mare’s expected foaling date.” This gives maximum opportunity for peak levels of antibodies in her colostrum. “The foal needs to consume the colostrum within the first couple hours of life,” Sheerin continued. “When a foal is first born, the antibodies can cross the intestinal mucosa and be absorbed. Once the foal starts ingesting colostrum, the ability to AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 37
38 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
Courtesy EZ Animal Products
absorb these large antibodies decreases. This does not decrease in a linear fashion, however. Even though the absorption rate is 100 percent at birth and by 24 hours is zero, you can’t draw a straight line from 100 percent to zero and say that at 12 hours it’s 50 percent. It drops off much more quickly than that once the foal begins to nurse.” This is nature’s way to “shut the door” to opportunistic pathogens that might also cross through the gut lining. It’s always a race between the pathogens and the protective antibodies, so horse owners need to get as much colostrum into the foal as early as possible. “The foals we’re most concerned about are the ones that don’t nurse sufficiently and the compromised foals that don’t nurse aggressively all the time,” he said. “The amount of antibodies they absorb might be too low. It’s important to check IgG [immunoglobulin] levels on these foals, anytime from 12 to 24 hours after birth. At 12 hours it may not be at the level we want. If it’s too low we may check it again at 24 hours, or we may consider running plasma to that foal. If we check at 12 hours and get the results fast enough, we may just tube the foal with some more colostrum, while he may have a chance to absorb some of it. This would be less expensive than the plasma. But you’d need to have a source of good colostrum available, like frozen banked colostrum [or another mare that just foaled, with good colostrum].” John Madigan, DVM, of the University of California, Davis, says there are many things colostrum does locally in the gut to help the foal, besides providing the antibodies that can slip through the gut lining into the bloodstream and lymph system to stimulate systemic immune response. “Colostrum is a natural laxative,” he said. “It also contains glucose and energy from fat that gives the foal more strength to stand and nurse or deal with inclement weather [without becoming so chilled] or other stresses.” Colostrum also contains other types of antibodies, IgA, that do not cross through the gut lining; they stay in the tract to fight off pathogens that cause diarrhea. These can be helpful even after gut closure occurs and the foal can no longer absorb antibodies into the bloodstream. Several years ago, Madigan started recommending that horse owners hand-feed the foal’s first meal before it gets up. “This recommendation is based on evidence that foals, during the process of seeking the udder, can acquire bacteria that go into the intestinal tract and cross what we call the open gut,” he said. “On a farm where we experienced a large Salmonella outbreak, we began this process of getting colostrum into the foals before they nurse the mare, along with washing the mare and having a clean udder before the foal nurses. After the mare passes her placenta, there’s a lot of contamination because mares defecate during stage two labor; there is bacteria on her and on the afterbirth. After the udder is cleaned up, as soon as the mare gets up, we milk the mare [4 to 8 ounces] and while the foal is still lying down feed him from a bottle.”
Using a Mare Milker Makes Life Easier at Foaling Time A mare may need to be milked for a number of reasons—if her colostrum needs to be obtained, if she suffers from painful mastitis or if her foal develops neonatal isoerythrolysis. The last-named occurs when there’s an incompatibility between a mare’s and foal’s blood type and the foal must be fed an alternate source of colostrum. The dam needs to be milked until her colostrum is gone and she’s producing regular milk to avoid passing her antibodies to her foal. Instead of milking by hand, mare owners can use a hand-held electric pump to milk mares more safely and quickly. A well-known pump that has been on the market for more than 13 years is the Udderly EZ mare milker, a trigger-operated pump that is held with one hand. A soft, smooth flange fits over the teat and seats snugly against the udder, with a bottle attached to the bottom. A few squeezes of the trigger create vacuum and suction—and a few more pulls on the trigger quickly fill the bottle with milk. This is much easier than hand-milking or using a modified syringe to create suction to aspirate milk. Some maiden mares with small teats are hard to get hold of with your fingers, and this pump works no matter what size the teats are. An updated version of the Udderly EZ allows you to milk both teats at one time and comes with two sizes of silicone inflations for different size teats, and a third size is available for very large teats. This makes the process more efficient—a big factor when dealing with a nervous mare. You can stand beside the mare, well away from her hind feet, and stay safe while using the pump, keeping your other hand on the mare’s hip and moving with her instead of risk being kicked. The pump doesn’t make any noise that might spook the mare, and there’s no chance for spilling the milk.— Heather Smith Thomas
Once the foal tries to stand, he is concentrating on trying to get up and may not be as cooperative. But the suckle reflex is very strong right after birth. “While the foal is still lying there, and starting tongue movement and suck reflex, we feed him from a bottle,” Madigan said. “He may have tried to get up but hasn’t gained his feet, yet has already started making sucking motions. We just put the bottle in his mouth. We found that these foals take a bottle very readily, before they stand up.” Then the foal will generally go ahead and get up and do more nursing on his own, so that the owner is assured that the foal received antibodies in a timely fashion. Madigan has found that a number of farms have followed that procedure for several years, quite successfully, and feel it has helped reduce their incidence of disease in newborns. When milking a mare, a person can readily obtain anywhere from 4 to 8 ounces of colostrum. Madigan recommends using the Udderly EZ mare milker, a hand-held, trigger-operated pump with a bottle attached. This makes the milking much easier, faster and safer, and it’s less irritating to the mare than milking by hand because there is no friction on the teat. The bottle can be filled within seconds, and then it can be detached from the pump, a nipple put on it and the colostrum fed to the foal. “The big advantage to [bottle-feeding] is knowing that the foal received the colostrum,” Sheerin said. “What happens occasionally is that mare owners have been up for several nights in a row waiting for the mare to foal, and they’re exhausted. The foal gets up and heads toward the mare’s udder and may be playing around back there, and maybe sounds like he’s nursing, but no one actually checks to make sure he is actually nursing. Or, they watch the foal and it latches on and nurses a bit
Courtesy EZ Animal Products
Courtesy EZ Animal Products
then lies down and goes to sleep. The exhausted owners then go back to bed and don’t know how much the foal actually received or how much it nurses after that. So the advantage of bottle-feeding the foal would be the assurance regarding how much the foal actually got, initially. “The downside of bottle-feeding these babies is that you have to be careful to make sure they don’t aspirate any of the fluid and end up with pneumonia,” he advised. “There would be some risk, especially if the nipple flows too fast. Generally speaking, people are not very patient. The foal starts to nurse and is not nursing fast enough, so they squeeze the bottle to get more into him faster, and he may get some in his windpipe.” If a foal for some reason is unable to nurse the mare or a bottle, then you definitely need to assist. “In these instances, we’d need to pass a stomach tube and give colostrum that way, after milking the mare, if the foal is not so compromised that he has no suckle reflex or cannot swallow,” Sheerin explained. “A severely compromised foal may have ileus [the intestines are not moving] and needs to be on IV fluids rather than being fed orally. With these foals, tubing them may actually make things worse.” So before you start making plans for when your foal hits the track, make sure you have a plan in place to deliver vital colostrum to that foal and help assure a healthy future. H
Heather Smith Thomas has raised and trained horses for 50 years and has been writing about them for nearly that long. Recent books include Storey’s Guide to Raising Horses, Storey’s Guide to Training Horses, The Horse Conformation Handbook and Stable Smarts. She and her husband raise beef cattle and horses. AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 39
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Equine Dentistry
ask a vet
Why You Shouldn’t Overlook
z
PROPER CARE OF TEETH CAN HELP KEEP YOUR HORSE HEALTHY AND HAPPY By Megan Tracy Petty, DVM
AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 43
T
his year starts my fifth in veterinary practice—peanuts compared to most of my colleagues. I have practiced in two states at two equine clinics and treated almost every type of horse in every type of discipline. Yet, even with that kind of variety, there is a situation I encounter almost weekly: a client concerned that their horse “is a little thin.” The most common solution to this issue might surprise you: it’s dentistry. The client typically describes the efforts they have made to combat their horse’s condition, usually including deworming and an increase/ change/modification to the horse’s diet. Without fail, after hearing what they have tried, my very first question is/has been/will always be, “When was the last time your horse had their teeth done?” The response is almost universally a pregnant pause. This pause happens for a variety of reasons. Sometimes it is to shake off the cobwebs and remember when just exactly that was. Sometimes it is to find a reason that it has been so long. Sometimes it is because the owner does not know the answer at all.
A horse’s dental anatomy Dentistry, also referred to as “floating,” is a supremely important aspect of horse husbandry that is often overlooked. Cost is occasionally a factor, as is the availability of a person able to perform quality work. Yet, all too often, it is because people simply do not know it needs to be addressed. Horses have hypsodont teeth, meaning the teeth are constantly erupting and growing longer and taller as the horse ages. As the horse chews, the in-wear portion of the tooth is ground down, but the tooth does not get appreciably shorter due to this almost constant growth. However, due to a horse’s rotary chewing motion and the anatomy of its jaw, this cycle of grinding and growing can create a real issue. The top jaw, or maxilla, is wider than the lower jaw, the mandible, and this asymmetry can cause a horse to develop sharp enamel points along the cheeks on the upper teeth and along the tongue on the lower teeth. These sharp points make chewing remarkably uncomfortable and can cause the horse to drop feed and sometimes be reluctant to eat at all due to the pain. We all know the purpose of teeth is to grind up food, but in truth, the mouth and teeth are the first part of the digestive tract. Without a good way to break down large food particles in the mouth, the rest of digestion does not occur appropriately. This is especially true for the horse who is designed to eat a predominantly long-stem roughage diet. Horse teeth fall into three broad categories—incisors, premolars and molars—and in all, a horse has anywhere between 36 and 44 teeth. The number disparity occurs due to the fact that some horses lack canine teeth (located just behind the incisors) and their first premolars, more commonly referred to as “wolf teeth.” It is more typical to find wolf teeth in male horses, and mares usually will not have canine teeth. Horses are born with deciduous premolar teeth already present, 44 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
the exception being the wolf tooth that erupts at approximately 5-6 months of age. Next to erupt are the first set of deciduous incisors at 6-8 days, followed by the second set at 6-8 weeks and the third set at 6-8 months. Deciduous teeth are baby teeth, or caps, which will be replaced with permanent teeth as the horse grows. When molars erupt, they do so without a baby tooth to precede them and they erupt in order starting at 1 year of age until around 4 years.
Dentistry for young horses A common misconception I encounter is that the only horses that require dental attention are older horses. While it is true that older horses do require special attention to their teeth, they aren’t the only ones who need their mouths addressed. Young horses also benefit from more frequent dental work due to the presence of caps. Premolar caps are shed from front to back at approximately 2 years 6 months, 2 years 8 months and 3 years 6 months. Permanent incisors erupt from inside to outside at 2 ½, 3 ½ and 4 ½ years. Usually a cap breaks loose and falls out on its own as the permanent tooth below it erupts, but for our racing and performance horses, occasionally we have to expedite the process by pulling the caps. A loose cap provides the perfect location for hay and grain to become lodged, and the roots as they loosen are sharp and can pinch the tongue, cheeks or gums as the horse chews or when pressure is applied to the mouth via the bit. Many young racehorses will present with the complaint that they are “blowing the turn,” throwing their head or running through the bit, and more often than not, when their mouth is checked, caps will be identified. Wolf teeth are often pulled when young horses enter training for fear their interference with the bit within the interdental space, or bars of the mouth, will cause behavior issues during training. These vestigial teeth serve no real purpose to the horse, and their short, shallow roots make their removal a typically uncomplicated procedure. The difficulty with these teeth arises when the tooth is present but unerupted from the gums. When this occurs, the teeth are referred to as “blind,” and a more invasive technique is required for removal. Blind wolf teeth often cause the horse more discomfort than their appropriately erupted counterparts. Due to the presence of caps and the eruption of permanent teeth, horses between the ages of 2 and 5 should have their teeth checked at least twice a year. By age 5, all permanent teeth have erupted and are “in wear” and a horse is said to have “a full mouth” because all the teeth they will ever have are present.
Caring for older horses’ teeth Horses over the age of 15 also benefit from having their teeth checked at least twice a year. After age 15, horses begin to have age-related changes to their mouth. Wave mouth is so called because of a wavy appearance of a horse’s
teeth due to uneven wear. It develops as a consequence of the varied ages of the teeth themselves. Because a horse’s teeth erupt at different times, they expire at uneven intervals as well. As a tooth continues to erupt, eventually its lifespan is met and it can no longer grow. When this point is reached, the grinding and wear on the tooth becomes greater than the growth and it will begin to wear down and become shorter. It is also common to encounter fractured teeth, which can be painful, and if the tooth root becomes infected, a secondary sinus infection can result due to the close association of molar roots to the sinus cavity. Older horses are not the only ones susceptible to fracturing a tooth, and any unilateral (one-sided) nasal discharge should be evaluated by a veterinarian as a tooth is likely involved. Dental work becomes a precarious situation for horses over 20 years of age. These horses often need dental attention, but floating (rasping or filing the teeth) with a hand or power float can loosen already weakened tooth roots and cause more harm than good.
Ensuring proper dental care The changes made throughout history to the way we feed horses and the types of foodstuffs they eat have necessitated changes to the way we care for our horses’ mouths. The horse is designed to graze throughout the day, and grazing helps keep the tooth growth in check. Grain meals require far less chewing power than grazing or even hay meals, and the increase in the incidence of feeding grain has also created an increase in the necessity of floating to keep sharp
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points in check. Horses between ages 5 and 15 should have their oral cavity examined annually, but it is not uncommon to find horses in this age bracket who do not require floating every year. Dentistry is an important and necessary part of equine husbandry and management. While it may seem like a simple act to grind down sharp enamel points, in reality, there is much more than this to floating. Do not trust dental work to just anyone, as there can be serious, long-term consequences to poor technique and missed diagnoses. A precise understanding of equine dental anatomy is needed to appropriately assess any situation in the horse’s mouth, and sedation is required to adequately access the back of the mouth and to provide a less stressful experience for the horse. If your veterinarian does not provide dentistry services, check with them for recommendations of equine dental professionals in your area. Whether it’s pulling baby teeth or floating sharp points on a pasture pet, routine dental examinations and procedures make for a happier, healthier horse. H Megan Tracy Petty, DVM, is an associate equine veterinarian at Tularosa Equine Clinic in Tularosa, New Mexico. A born and raised Texan, Petty is a member of the Texas Thoroughbred Association, serving as current president of the Paddock Foundation and board member of the Texas Thoroughbred Educational Fund. She is passionate about horse owner education, racehorses and spending time with her husband, Bryan, and their dogs Maverick and Ray on Creekside Farm, their work-inprogress horse farm in Bent, New Mexico.
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AFTERCARE IS NOT SOMEONE ELSE’S RESPONSIBILITY. As an owner, there is no stronger demonstration of responsibility to the Thoroughbred than vigorously supporting aftercare. Without it, not only do we commit the ultimate disservice to our horses, but we expose our entire industr y to well-deser ved scrutiny by the public. Five years ago, dedicated industry organizations, breeding farms and individuals helped create the most effective aftercare initiative in the sport’s history. The Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has since accredited, awarded and inspected over 64 entities dedicated to aftercare. But they remain seriously underfunded in addressing the role they were tasked to pursue for Thoroughbred racing. Another bold step is needed for the TAA to fulfill its mission. For our Thoroughbreds and for our sport, we cannot afford to do other wise.
46 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
Accredit | Award | Inspect
The Mystery of General Custer’s War Horse,
Courtesy of the National Park Service, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, LIBI_00019_00173
Victory
George Armstrong Custer (below) rode two horses leading up to his final battle, Victory (right) and Dandy, pictured with John Burkman, Custer’s “striker” or assistant.
ss, of Congre 1-1314 83 of Library Courtesy n Number LC-BH o ti c u d ro p Re
While Custer’s fate is well known, what ultimately happened to his Thoroughbred is not
T
By Kim Mariette
he Thoroughbred destined to carry General George Armstrong Custer in the Battle of the Little Bighorn was foaled in 1864. That much we know. We also know a fair amount about his race record, though we don’t know if he sired any offspring. His transition from racehorse to war horse is well recorded, but his ultimate fate nearly 150 years after Custer’s Last Stand at Little Bighorn is still unknown. Born at Ashland Stable in Kentucky, Victory was by Uncle Vic and out of Magnolia, with Glencoe and Lexington as grandsires. Uncle Vic was unraced, and little is known of him as a sire. Victory’s speed, it seems, came from his dam’s side. Magnolia was foaled in 1841, and by 1847 she was producing racing foals by top sires Boston, AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 47
Yorkshire and Lexington. Victory, who was described as a sorrel (often used interchangeably with chestnut) horse with a blaze and white stockings, was Magnolia’s only foal by Uncle Vic and her last; she died later that year.
Victory on the Track
A Military Mount
If Victory was in the breeding shed in 1872, there is no record of it. History does not mention a foal crop sired by him, and he remained absent from the tracks during this time. In 1873, Custer’s friend Daniel Swigert arranged for him to purchase Victory. Custer, who was stationed in Elizabethtown, Kentucky, in the early 1870s, was very desirous to own a winning Thoroughbred for himself, having been a longtime admirer of the breed. Custer had Victory gelded and began calling him “Vic,” intending to use the horse as a personal mount on his military assignments. In February 1873, Custer received orders to leave Kentucky for Fort Rice in the Dakota Territory. Once there, Custer used
Courtesy of the University of Kentucky Archives
Under the ownership of Kentucky breeder John M. Clay, Victory began his racing career in 1867 as a 3-year-old. His first event was the Phoenix Hotel Stakes in Lexington on May 13. In four one-mile heats, Victory finished fourth, first, third and second, respectively. He won the second heat in a time of 1:49. Victory ran next in Louisville in June, placing third and second in two one-mile heats. He didn’t race again until October, placing third in a 1 ¾-mile sweepstakes and second and fourth in one-mile heats. As a 4-year-old, still under the ownership of Clay, Victory only raced in the month of May, but he was raced hard with six starts—and he won all of them. The first win came in one of three one-mile heats at Lexington, crossing the finish line in 1:52 ¾. Nine days later he won a three-mile purse race in 5:37. He followed that by taking two more one-mile heats. Victory then was sent to St. Louis, Missouri, where he won a pair of one-mile heats just three days after his wins at Lexington. No racing records are found for Victory in 1869 and 1870. It is presumed he did not race due to an injury. During his layoff, Victory was sold to Kentucky breeder George H. Rice. Victory started another season on the track at age 7 with two one-mile heat wins in Alabama in March 1871. He was
promptly sold to A. Keene Richards, who moved him to New Orleans and entered him in a club purse dash of 1 ¾ miles. Victory didn’t win that race, but he won the next dash, at two miles. His winning time was 3:40 ¼. Just two days later, Victory won another two-mile club dash with a faster time of 3:35 ¼. Still racing for Richards in New York, Victory was entered in two premium races at a June meet, not placing in the first race but winning the second in 3:17 over 1 ¾ miles. Victory traveled back to Kentucky, where he was back under Rice’s ownership. On August 17, 1871, Rice put the aging horse in a selling race, where Victory finished last in a field of five horses. The once solid campaigner sold for just $600 to Murray Forbes, who intended to advertise Victory’s stud services at his Virginia farm for the 1872 season.
The interior of Ashland Stables, where Victory was foaled in 1864. 48 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
Vic’s Adventure Custer’s fondness for his Kentucky Thoroughbred Victory was always apparent to his wife, Libbie, who felt her husband “was safe when he was mounted on Vic.” Vic may have been safe when he was carrying Custer, too, but left in the stable, he found a way to get in trouble. In the book, Nomad, a compilation of 15 letters Custer contributed to the sportsman’s journal, Turf, Field, and Farm, under the titular pseudonym, he related an entertaining story about his beloved Vic:6 “Now an item on horses. You have been publishing from time to time the past season the results of the racing at Jerome Park, Long Branch and Saratoga, and have told the world that time has been cut down in this and that race, until there seems to be no limit to the capabilities of our Thoroughbreds, but I desire to place on record the performance of a Thoroughbred saddle-horse that I bought from Kentucky, mention of which I made in your columns some months ago. He is a son of Uncle Vic, a grandson of old Lexington. I was absent from home for a few weeks, during which time some repairs were made in the stable occupied by horses. In the stable is a well 32 feet deep, the water usually being about four feet deep. It became necessary in making the repairs referred to, to temporarily remove the well curb, and owing to some neglect or forgetfulness on the part of those whose duty it was to tend to it, the curb was not replaced at night. It so happened that on that night—of course—my horse Vic got loose in the stable, and in roaming about in the darkness fell down the well, tail first. He was missed at daylight the following morning, and as the door was open it was supposed he was running at large. Search was made for him, but it was several hours before it was discovered that he was at the bottom of the well. A large force of men was at once assembled, ropes and pulleys prepared, and a man was lowered into the well for the purpose of attaching the ropes to what was supposed the worthless or broken remains of a once-valuable horse. Ropes were place under his body in rear of his forelegs, while another was attached to the head to keep the latter in proper place. After considerable time and labor the horse was drawn to the surface and placed on terra firma once more. He evinced his joy and gratitude by a distinct whinny. Upon examining him, to discover his broken bones or other injuries, he was found to be in comparatively as sound condition as before his visit to the bottom of the well, the hair being rubbed away in but two places on a strip as large as a little finger on the eye, and a slightly Custer, se a larger place on one of wife, Eliza ted, with his beth “Lib Bacon C b his hips. Considering uster, an ie” d his brother, T h omas the distance and W. Custe r direction of the course, and the conditions of his performance, I believe Vic’s exploit is unequalled.” Courtesy of Libra ry Number LC-USZ of Congress, Re 62-1147 producti 98 on
Vic’s considerable speed to chase wild game and provide for the mess tent. Custer often boasted that his horse could even “outrun an antelope.” Vic was used extensively during the Black Hills Expedition of 1874, where Custer was ordered to scout out a possible site for an army post. Vic shared the march with Custer’s other favorite horse, a bay Morgan named Dandy. That horse could withstand the harsh prairie winter on his own; Vic was not so lucky. Custer’s thin-skinned Thoroughbred had a difficult time enduring the cold weather. On the worst days and nights, Custer was often seen bringing the shivering horse into his tent and covering him with extra blankets. In 1876 Custer was ordered to lead the U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry in the campaign against the Sioux nation. As was the military custom at the time, cavalry companies rode horses of a specific assigned color; for example, Company C of the 7th Cavalry rode sorrel horses, a fact that would contribute to the volume of inaccuracies regarding Vic’s fate at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Two factors contributed to Custer’s decision to ride Vic on the afternoon of June 25, 1876. The first was Custer’s heavy use of Dandy along the march to the engagement; in fact, Custer was still mounted on Dandy on the morning of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. When it was clear that there was going to be an altercation, Custer asked his groom to saddle Vic. The second factor was Custer’s assumption that the fight would be short and the main “battle” would be a great chase of retreating Sioux warriors across the western plains. The results of the Battle of the Little Bighorn are well documented as Custer and some 265 U.S. troops perished. Vic’s fate was documented by both soldiers and Sioux, but accounts are riddled with inaccuracies and confusion. Company C rode sorrel horses, some of which no doubt had white markings like Vic and some of which survived. Of the sorrel horses found dead on the battlefield, none were ever positively identified as
AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 49
Courtesy of Library of Congress, Reproduction Number LC-DIG-pga-04166
Though not an accurate depiction, this circa 1878 lithograph by H. Steinegger shows Custer’s famous last stand, likely aboard Vic.
Vic, and there is no accurate account by Sioux warriors or surviving cavalrymen that Custer’s horse died or was found in the possession of the Sioux. The Sioux insisted that Vic survived, while the soldiers were convinced he was dead on the battlefield. Who was right? Several Sioux claimed to have seen Custer’s horse in camp after the battle, having been captured by them after he lost his rider during the fight. According to battle participant Flying Hawk (of the Oglala Sioux), Custer’s horse was one of the animals that ran into Sioux capture. “The Custer soldiers got off their horses and made a stand, but it was no use,” he said. “Their horses ran down the ravine right into the village. The squaws caught them as fast as they came. One of them was a sorrel with white stockings. A long time afterwards, some of our relatives told us they had seen Custer on that kind of a horse when he was on the way to the [Little] Big Horn.”1
Vic’s Uncertain Fate
Years after the battle, Sitting Bull (Lakota) stated to his biographer, “One day, not long after this fight, White Bull [Miniconjou] drove his ponies to water. At the watering place, he saw a fine sorrel in the bunch of Sounds-the-Ground-AsHe-Walks [Santee] and a son of Inkpaduta [Dakota]. White Bull asked if it was a good horse. The Santee answered, ‘I know it is a good horse, for it used to be Long Hair’s.’ ”2 In 1923, several residents of North Dakota’s Fort Totten Indian Reservation claimed to have had possession of Custer’s horse after the battle ended; many also reported sightings of Vic in the Sioux camp when the fighting was over. The most notable statement was made by Gray Earth Track (Santee), who described Vic as “a sorrel, with four white feet and legs,
50 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
and a blaze in the face.” Gray Earth Track was reported to have ridden Vic into camp, still tacked up with his cavalry saddle and bridle. Samuel Charger (Lakota) told his interviewer in 1928: “The elder son of Inkpaduta captured General Custer’s horse and gave it to his younger brother. One day while we were going into the mountain country some of the warriors chased an antelope, and Stamps-the-Ground [Santee], who was on this sorrel horse, ran down the antelope and shot it. Everybody knew this horse must be the horse that Custer used to ride, as he rode a sorrel which was said to be a fast horse. Walking-in-the-Clouds [Santee] later had the horse back. My uncle, Tall Ghost [Santee], traded two horses to Walking-inthe-Clouds for the sorrel horse, and when he fled into Canada he sold the horse to a Canadian officer and probably Custer’s horse died in Canada.”3 (Historians speculate that Walking-in-the-Clouds was a nickname for Gray Earth Track.) It is interesting to note that most of the warriors interviewed in the months and years after the battle said they did not recognize Custer during the battle, but they remembered that he was riding a sorrel horse with white markings. However, both the Sioux and the cavalry had herds of horses with the sorrel coat color and white markings. Remember Company C of the 7th Cavalry? They were mounted exclusively on sorrel horses. In stark contrast to Sioux accounts, members of the burial party insist that Vic was killed on the battlefield, although no one is sure exactly where. Some references have Vic lying next to Custer’s body; others have his body some distance from Custer or used in breastworks (temporary fortifications used in battle). Visiting the site the day after the battle, Lieutenant Edward G. McClernand observed a dead horse about 100 to 150 feet from where Custer’s body lay. He was told that this was the horse
Courtesy of Library of Congress, Reproduction Number LC-DIG-ppmsca-15846
A year after the Battle of the Little Bighorn, horse bones still remained on the field. Was Vic’s skeleton among them?
ridden by Custer, although no mention was made of the method used to identify the animal. On a scout to the Bighorn battle site 14 months later, 7th Cavalry trumpeter A.F. Mulford saw skeletons of four men and their horses, “among the latter being the skeleton of the horse Custer rode.”4 Again, no mention was made of methods used to identify the horse. Lieutenant John G. Bourke also claimed to have seen the skeleton of Custer’s horse at the top of the hill. How he knew that is unclear. Captain Edward Smith Luce of the 7th Cavalry noted in a later correspondence, “On the site where Custer and 51 men made their last stand, they shot and killed their horses and laid behind them for protection. Three years ago, I found their skeletons. These horses had been buried about 50 feet in a grave behind the Custer Monument. Their bones are in perfect condition. At the time they were buried, one year after the battle, the men built a wooden crib and placed the bones within the crib and then covered them with dirt.”5 We will never know what really happened to Victory. Was he killed in action or shot to form breastworks with the rest of the horses on the hill? Was he captured by the Sioux, and did he live the rest of his life among them, or did he spend his remaining years as a Canadian officer’s horse? From racetrack warrior to battlefield charger, the final fate of a Thoroughbred horse named Victory is lost to history, but not to memory. H Kim Mariette is a Minnesota-based author who specializes in horses and related subjects, with an emphasis on military themed topics. Her 35-year career spans a diverse range of equine publications, from Art Horse to Western Horseman.
Notes 1. Richard G. Hardorff, The Custer Battle Casualties, II: The Dead, the Missing, and a Few Survivors, El Segundo, CA: Upton and Sons, 1999, Reference RH556. 2. Elizabeth Atwood Lawrence, His Very Silence Speaks: Comanche, the Horse That Survived Custer’s Last Stand, Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Press, 1989, 31–33. 3. Lawrence, His Very Silence Speaks, 31–33. 4. Lawrence, His Very Silence Speaks, 32. 5. Mamie Wynne Cox, “Three Celebrated Cavalry Horses,” The Cattleman, September 1954, Vol. 41, 43. 6. Brian W. Dippie, ed., Nomad: George A. Custer in Turf, Field, and Farm, Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1980, 110–111. Bibliography Custer, Elizabeth B., Following the Guidon: Into the Indian Wars with General Custer and the Seventh Cavalry, Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press, Vol. 33, The Western Frontier Library Series, 1966. Dippie, Brian W., ed., Nomad: George A. Custer in Turf, Field, and Farm, Austin, TX: University of Texas Press, 1980. Frost, Lawrence A., General Custer’s Thoroughbreds: Racing, Riding, Hunting and Fighting, Mattituck, NY: J.M. Carroll & Co., 1986. Hardorff, Richard G., The Custer Battle Casualties: Burials, Exhumations and Reinterments, El Segundo, CA: Upton and Sons, 1990. Hardorff, Richard G., The Custer Battle Casualties, II: The Dead, the Missing, and a Few Survivors, El Segundo, CA: Upton and Sons, 1999. Johnston, Gary Paul, James A. Fischer, Harold A. Geer, Custer’s Horses, Prescott, AZ: Wolfe Publishing Company, 2001. Lawrence, Elizabeth Atwood, His Very Silence Speaks: Comanche, the Horse That Survived Custer’s Last Stand, Detroit, MI: Wayne State University Press, 1989. Parsons, John E., John S. du Mont, Firearms in the Custer Battle, Harrisburg, PA: The Stackpole Company, 1953, 48–52. Stewart, Miller J., “The Silent Veterans: U.S. Cavalry Mounts,” Western Horseman, July 1972, 46, 48, 124, 125. Tippin, Brenda L., “Shaping America with General George A. Custer,” The Morgan Horse, November/December 2013, 44, 46, 48, 59, 53, 54–56, 58, 60–64. Wooten, Dickie, “Gen. George A. Custer and His Last Battle,” Breakthrough, Issue 54, 14–20. AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 51
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STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS ALABAMA HORSEMEN’S BENEVOLENT AND PROTECTIVE ASSOCIATION NEWS
ARKANSAS THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS’ AND HORSEMEN’S ASSOCIATION NEWS
Kenneth Cotton Memorial
Arkansas-bred Stakes Recap
The Alabama HBPA is pleased to announce that the third running of the Kenneth Cotton Memorial will be held the first week of May at Evangeline Downs. The purse will be $25,000 (including $5,000 of slots revenue) with the same conditions as previous runnings: for Alabama-bred 3-year-olds and up, maidens or non-winners of two races that broke their maiden in a claiming race for $25,000 or less. Weights will be 118 pounds for 3-year-olds and 123 for older horses with a distance of six furlongs. Sponsored by the Alabama HBPA with slots revenue from the Louisiana HBPA, the race will be in the second condition book of the Evangeline Downs meet. The Alabama HBPA will reimburse up to $500 of travel expenses (with a legitimate gas receipt or hauling bill) for horses finishing fourth and out.
As of press time for this issue, two of the five restricted Arkansasbred stakes races have run at Oaklawn Park, both at six furlongs and purses of $100,000 each. In the Downthedustyroad Breeders’ Stakes for fillies and mares, Ministry scored the victory for owner Starfish Stable LLC, trainer Jaime Gonzalez and jockey Thomas Pompell. The daughter of Ordained was bred by Arthur Hall and C.F. Newman. Avisionofchocolate, owned by Jean Zehnder and trained by William Fires, took second with Ms Fifth First St. in third for owner J & J Thoroughbreds (Eugenia Thompson-Benight) and trainer Albert Stall Jr. David Whited’s homebred J. E.’s Handmedown, by Storm and a Half, captured the Nodouble Breeders’ Stakes for colts and geldings with Ramon Vazquez up for trainer Elueterio Altamirano. Glacken’s Ghost, trained by Mac Robertson for Greg Giles and Hugh Robertson, finished second with Five O One in the show spot for Flurry Racing Stables LLC and trainer Brad Cox. As mentioned last issue, the ATBHA is again offering a bonus purse supplement for registered Arkansas-breds running first, second or third against open company at Oaklawn. Through March 18, a total of $44,000 had been paid out with seven wins, six seconds and four thirds.
Alabama-bred Added Money and Purse Supplements For Alabama-bred horses running at the four Louisiana tracks, we have continued our added money program. These funds are paid pro rata based on the condition book purse structure and are distributed directly to the owner with their purse winnings. A total of $35,000 has been paid with an additional $12,000 deposited for the 2018 racing year. Congratulations to the Alabama-bred owners listed below for their 2017 purse supplement earnings. These are funds paid to any Alabamabred running in North America in open company races. The total amount paid was $28,600, and we are continuing this program for 2018 as well. Horse Owner Supplement Arnina . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hackett Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,000 Artemis Talent . . . . . . . . . . . Hackett Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $600 BabaLight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Hackett Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . $3,600 Ballado Ballet . . . . . . . . . . . Laurie Sanderson/Nanette Cartier . $800 Branchwater . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dennis Murphy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,600 Bubbassecondchance . . . . . . Stephen K Gremmels . . . . . . . . . . $2,000 Debeck Road . . . . . . . . . . . . Mary Anne Pruitt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200 Excelisburg . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Tom Denham . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,400 Ginky Lou Winky . . . . . . . . . Rhett Harrellson . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,200 Guyana Star . . . . . . . . . . . . . South Fork Creek Stables . . . . . . . $1,600 Indy’s Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Live-Lee Farm . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $4,200 Mamaslittlesecret . . . . . . . . Gary House . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $600 Mamaslittlesecret . . . . . . . . George Bruce . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $800 Miss Mississippi . . . . . . . . . . Diane M Harrington . . . . . . . . . . $1,600 Noisy Ripples . . . . . . . . . . . . Hackett Brothers . . . . . . . . . . . . . $2,600 Pipedreams . . . . . . . . . . . . . Arnold Hugo Ramirez . . . . . . . . . . . $600 Sir Charles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rhett Harrellson . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,600 Two Mikes N Doc G . . . . . . . Stephen K. Gremmels . . . . . . . . . . $600 Please contact nancy.m.delony@ms.com or call (205) 969-7048 and let us know when your Alabama-breds are running. We look forward to the 2018 Kenneth Cotton at Evangeline Downs in May and the racing year ahead. —Nancy Delony, Executive Director
GEORGIA HORSE RACING COALITION NEWS Horse Racing Facility Would Generate Billions for Georgia, Study Finds A single horse racing facility in Georgia would have an economic impact of more than $1.2 billion a year while bolstering the agricultural and tourism industries and providing new revenues for health care, education and rural development programs, according to an economic study commissioned by the Georgia Horse Racing Coalition. State Rep. Brett Harrell (R-Snellville) said he would present the proposal to the House Rural Development Council and work with state Sen. Brandon Beach (R-Alpharetta) to introduce legislation in the 2019 legislative session that would allow for three venues in different parts of the state. “A horse racing facility would create thousands of jobs, deliver tens of millions in new state and local tax dollars and bring new revenues and business development to rural Georgia through its equine industry,” Harrell said. “Georgia is one of only six states that have no gaming outside of its lottery, and I believe horse racing would bring together different strengths our state has in tourism and agriculture. “As legislators, we’re constantly looking for new ways to fund the demand for HOPE scholarships, which cover less and less of tuition costs, and horse racing allows us to do it in a way that fits well with what Georgia has to offer.” The economic impact study conducted by The Lewis Group based its assumptions on a horse racing facility in suburban Atlanta that included a 300-room hotel, a racetrack, live table games and slot maAMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 55
chines, an array of dining and lounge venues and a state-of-the-art entertainment center. The report found the horse racing facility would: • Create a $525 million investment and 4,000 jobs directly tied to construction. • Employ more than 2,225 people, grow state GDP by $640 million and have a $1.2 billion economic impact in its first year of operating, with each metric growing over time. • Generate $210 million in state and local taxes in first year and $1.1 billion over five years. • Boost rural development by injecting new revenues into purses and breeding programs—91 percent of the industry’s agribusiness impacts are in rural communities and affect 85 percent of Georgia counties. Sen. Beach said the legislation would benefit not only rural communities but all Georgia taxpayers. “This report gives lawmakers a clear vision of what a horse racing facility would contribute to Georgia,” Beach said. “We’ll work to pass legislation that enables a horse racing track in Georgia that is one of the nicest in the world.” The Georgia Horse Racing Coalition is committed to building worldclass facilities that will benefit the state and serve as an asset to their local communities. “Allowing for horse racing will stimulate Georgia’s equine industry, which is an important part of the agricultural sector but currently isn’t growing,” said Dean Reeves, president of the Georgia Horse Racing Coalition. “We know from experiences in other states that these facilities lead to new jobs and growth in the equine industry as well as the profitable preservation of undeveloped rural lands. Our industry wants to be a part of a solution that gives rural Georgia an economic boost while also providing for the pressing revenue needs of the state as a whole.” Read the full report at gahorseracing.org.
INDIANA THOROUGHBRED OWNER’S AND BREEDER’S ASSOCIATION NEWS Indiana Thoroughbreds Honored for Remarkable 2017 The Indiana Thoroughbred Owner’s and Breeder’s Association’s awards banquet celebrated a banner year for Indiana-breds who excelled on the national stage and in the Hoosier State. Held April 15 at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, the banquet featured three awards presented by the Indiana Horse Racing Commission and the Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development Program and a slew of awards presented by ITOBA. The awards presented by the IHRC/ITBDP went to the following: Horse of the Year: Bucchero Bucchero, a son of Kantharos, had a breakout year in 2017 after scoring a win in the Brickyard Stakes at Indiana Grand and his first graded win with the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes at Keeneland. That led to a trip to Southern California for trainer Tim Glyshaw and owner Ironhorse Racing Stable LLC for a shot at the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1), where the Indiana-bred finished fourth in a tight race for the finish. “[2017] was, in one word, fulfilling,” said Harlan Malter, part of the 56 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
Steve Queen
STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS
Bucchero at the Breeders’ Cup
Ironhorse Racing Stable group. “For the horse, it was his opportunity to show the type of horse he is to the whole country. For us, it was the culmination of a long-term strategy to let him develop at his own pace and let him become the type of hard-grinding, older horse that drew us to the sport. For the breeders, it was a way for us to pay them back for recommending the horse and the confidence they had in him from the start. To the fans of horse racing in Indiana, it was fantastic to give them a local horse that they could follow outside the state—support that the whole team sincerely appreciated.” Greg and Karen Dodd of Southern Chase Farm bred Bucchero, who boasts lifetime earnings of $770,741 as of press time. The 2012 chestnut was purchased for $43,000 at the 2014 Ocala Breeders’ Sales horses of racing age sale by Ironhorse Racing from Southern Chase Farm. Malter, co-owner Vince Liptak and Glyshaw needed many hands to carry their awards from the evening. Team Bucchero also brought home the ITOBA Older Indiana-bred and ITOBA Horse of the Year awards. The Dodds were awarded an inscribed silver julep cup from Daily Racing Form for breeding the horse with the highest Beyer Speed Figure of any Indiana-bred in 2017, hitting 99. “We have been very proud to carry the flag for Indiana in Bucchero’s travels,” Malter said. “He certainly has racked up more airline miles than we expected.” Bucchero was being aimed for the Grade 3 Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs on Kentucky Oaks Day, May 4, with a campaign toward the Breeders’ Cup World Championships, also at Churchill Downs, in November. Breeder of the Year: Michael and Penny Lauer Michael and Penny Lauer once again brought home the trophy as Breeder of the Year, thanks to earning $187,475 in total breeder awards in 2017. The Michael E. Lauer Racing Stable saw many Indiana-breds go to the winner’s circle at Indiana Grand, including stakes winners Whistle Stop, Flurry and Bibbidibobbidi Boo. The Lauers’ farm is located in Finchville, Kentucky, and their horses race not only in Indiana, but at Oaklawn Park, Turfway Park, Churchill Downs, Arlington Park and more. The farm is family-owned and -operated, with Michael as head trainer; Penny managing the bookkeeping, horse juggling and daily operations; and their daughters, Elizabeth Lauer Sharrett, Sara Lauer Turley and Abby Lauer, helping in the office and on the farm.
The pair also bred and owned the ITOBA Indiana-Sired 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding award winner Evader and took home a special honor from BloodHorse as Breeder of the Year. Stallion Owner of the Year: Swifty Farms Swifty Farms, located in Seymour, Indiana, stands some of the state’s top stallions. Owner Dana Myers has continued the legacy built by her husband, Don, when he originally founded the farm in 1972. The farm earned $75,455 in stallion awards in 2017, thanks to a strong year from stallions Pass Rush and Notional, with the latter earning ITOBA’s Indiana Stallion of the Year honor. Other stallions standing at Swifty Farms include Airoforce, Cashel Castle, Fear the Kitten, Fort Prado, Guys Reward, Majestic Harbor and Unbridled Express. Here are the other ITOBA award winners: Indiana-bred 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Jersey Justice • Breeder: Justice Farm (Greg Justice) • Owner: Maggi Moss • Trainer: Thomas Amoss Indiana-bred 2-Year-Old Filly: Piedi Bianchi • Breeder: Deann and Greg Baer, DVM • Owner: Nice Guy Stables, Jack Bick and Jay Oringer • Trainer: Doug O’Neill Indiana-sired 2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Mo Money • Breeder/ Owner/Trainer: R. Gary Patrick Indiana-sired 2-Year-Old Filly: Paisley • Breeder/Owner/Trainer: Marvin A. Johnson Indiana-bred 3-Year-Old Colt/Gelding: Retrospection • Breeder: Randy Burkett • Owner: Beth Burkett • Trainer: Michael Maker Indiana-bred 3-Year-Old Filly: Marina’s Legacy • Breeder/Owner: Bone Doctors Stable • Trainer: Aaron West Indiana-Sired 3-Year-Old Filly: Defining Hope • Breeder/Owner: Colette Marie Vanmatre • Trainer: Barbara McBride Indiana-bred Older Mare: Sweet N Wicker • Breeder: Ron Brown • Owner: Felipe Salas • Trainer: Wayne Minnock Indiana-sired Older Horse: Supreme Justice • Breeder: Justice Farm (Greg Justice) • Owner: Acclaimed Racing Stable and Gumpster Stable LLC • Trainer: Cipriano Contreras Indiana-sired Older Mare: Joyous Lady • Breeder: Dennis and Cynthia Claramunt and Randy Klopp • Owner: Randy Klopp and Dennis Claramunt • Trainer: Randy Klopp Broodmare of the Year: Adore You • Owner: Deann and Greg Baer, DVM ITOBA Hall of Distinction: Jon Schuster
Added Bonus: Award Winners Take Home Serious Incentive Money It’s been well documented that the strong racing program at Indiana Grand and the lucrative Indiana Thoroughbred Breed Development Program have helped fuel healthy gains in Indiana’s breeding and racing industry, even while some other states are seeing declines. As a further example, the following list shows the ITBDP incentive amounts earned by some of the recently crowned award winners in 2017, which in some cases amount to nearly 50 percent over and above the horse’s purse earnings. Joyous Lady: $76,890 in incentives and $160,398 in purse earnings Retrospection: $63,072 in incentives and $131,130 in purse earnings
Defining Hope: $54,825 in incentives and $146,509 in purse earnings Supreme Justice: $54,555 in incentives and $140,576 in purse earnings Marina’s Legacy: $51,470 in incentives and $176,290 in purse earnings Jersey Justice: $47,640 in incentives and $140,376 in purse earnings Bucchero: $44,470 in incentives and $326,875 in purse earnings Mo Money: $41,970 in incentives and $93,520 in purse earnings Evader: $36,375 in incentives and $93,403 in purse earnings Sweet N Wicked: $23,148 in incentives and $102,548 in purse earnings Paisley: $20,940 in incentives and $64,979 in purse earnings For more information, go to the ITOBA website at itoba.com or the ITBDP website at in.gov/hrc/tb.htm.
Indiana Horse Racing Commission Offers Fractional Ownership Seminar The Indiana Horse Racing Commission on April 15 held a free fractional ownership seminar at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino to help educate and interest potential new owners. The seminar covered different aspects for both potential owners and trainers of Standardbreds, Thoroughbreds and Quarter Horses so they can be a part of the excitement during the 2018 racing seasons at Indiana’s two pari-mutuel tracks—Indiana Grand and Hoosier Park Racing & Casino. Scheduled speakers included Anthony MacDonald from TheStable.ca and Harlan Malter from Ironhorse Racing Stable to discuss what to look for in fractional ownership opportunities, how to get the most out of a fractional ownership, estimated costs or things to be aware of and more. Representatives from Grand Gesture Stables and First Turn Stables, Indiana Grand’s and Hoosier Park’s own fractional ownership stables, were also on hand to share their experience from previous years and how they’ve gotten more involved in horse racing in Indiana. “We look at fractional ownership as the future of horse racing,” said MacDonald, whose efforts have expanded from his base in Ontario, Canada, to across the United States, including Indiana. “I’m excited for this seminar because I feel it’ll help grow the interest of horse racing in Indiana even more,” said Jessica Barnes, director of racing and breed development for the IHRC. “This is outsideof-the-box thinking to promote our Hoosier breeders and trainers.” The seminar continues the IHRC’s commitment to help educate and improve the state’s breed development programs. The first seminars were held in 2017 focusing on marketing and advertising as well as basic broodmare health. The effort is a first of its kind among racing commissions in the country.
Indiana Breeders Pack Hospital to Learn About Foaling and Reproduction Emergencies The Indiana Horse Racing Commission and Centaur Equine Specialty Hospital hosted more than 65 horse racing breeders and owners for an information-packed afternoon on February 16 in Shelbyville. Centaur Equine veterinarians presented a seminar on foaling and reproduction emergencies to better prepare breeders for the alreadybusy foaling season. Topics included what to expect if your mare requires a cesarean section, foaling complications, infertility issues due to reproductive AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 57
STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS tract injuries, postpartum management and rebreeding and foal conditions requiring surgical care. Attendees shared their experiences with foaling and asked questions related to their program. Afterward, everyone was invited for a tour of the revolutionary referral hospital, which celebrates its first year later this spring. “We are appreciative of the commission for coming to us to present this information to breeders,” said Dr. Timm Gudehus, senior veterinary surgeon at Centaur Equine. “Sharing this information now can save us many precious minutes when the owner calls and says his mare is having issues giving birth, which can help us save the mare and hopefully the foal.” Gudehus was joined by Dr. Alec Davern and Dr. Javier Martinez. Attendees ranged from Standardbred breeders based in Northern Indiana to Thoroughbred owners in Illinois interested in the Indiana program, as well as veterinary students from Ohio State University and seasoned owners and breeders in Northern Kentucky. “This was such an eye-opening seminar,” said Pam Coleman, a Standardbred breeder with Fair Meadow Farm. “We appreciate being offered the opportunity to come and learn how to be better breeders.” The seminar was provided free of charge to those interested, and refreshments were provided by Equidone Gel (domperidone). “We support any initiative to educate horse owners,” said Michele Butler, equine sales manager for Dechra, makers of Equidone. “We want to thank Equidone for their support, the owners for driving to Shelbyville for this seminar and, of course, the great veterinarians of the Centaur Equine Specialty Hospital for hosting and educating us today,” said Jessica Barnes, director of racing and breed development for the IHRC.
Stakes Purses Top $4.3 Million for Thoroughbred Meet at Indiana Grand Thirty-five Thoroughbred stakes worth more than $4.3 million in purses are scheduled for the 2018 racing season at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino. The 120-day meet began April 17 and runs through November 7. The 24th running of the Grade 3, $500,000 Indiana Derby, slated for Saturday, July 14, once again headlines the stakes schedule. Indiana’s richest horse race will be surrounded by five other stakes on the card, including the Grade 3, $200,000 Indiana Oaks. Total purses for the evening will top more than $1.1 million. The 13th running of the $200,000 Centaur Stakes highlights the turf stakes schedule. The race is set for Wednesday, September 5, and will be accompanied by the $200,000 Indiana Grand, also on the grass. Last year, Indiana Grand hosted the most turf races in its 15-year history with 184 races contested over the seven-furlong turf course, including nine stakes with purses in excess of $1.1 million. Nine stakes are again earmarked for the turf in 2018. “We are heading into 2018 off another banner year of racing at Indiana Grand,” said Jon Schuster, vice president and general manager of racing. “For the second straight year, we set new records for handle and attendance during our Indiana Derby, and for the first time, we had not only one, but two Indiana-bred horses compete in the Breeders’ Cup. That is a major testament to the direction our state breeding program is heading, and it is so exciting to be a witness to this escalating growth.” 58 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
A majority of stakes will be held on Wednesday afternoons. Kevin Greely, director of racing, has also moved several stakes to Tuesdays, capitalizing on strong undercard programs that have developed at Indiana Grand on those days. Two Thursday racing programs have also been added to the schedule with July 19 playing host to the $100,000 Ta Wee Stakes, an open 3-year-old filly stakes on the turf. The full 2018 stakes schedule can be found at indianagrand.com.
Indiana-bred Sells for $575,000 at OBS An Indiana-bred colt by Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) winner Mucho Macho Man was one of the top sellers at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales March 2-year-olds in training sale with a price tag of $575,000. Bred by Robert Losey, the unnamed colt first sold for $12,000 as a short yearling at Keeneland in January 2017 and then that September went for $170,000, also at Keeneland. The final sale result to OXO Equine was a nice pinhook profit for Texas-based Lane Richardson of Richardson Bloodstock. The colt is out of the winning Cherokee Run mare Dusty Rose, who is from the family of Canadian Horse of the Year and U.S. turf champion Chief Bearhart. We look forward to following this promising colt’s career and hope to see him race in the Hoosier State to take advantage of our lucrative program.
ITOBA Spring Training Sale Set for June 10 Duane Swingley Auctioneers will be providing the Indiana Thoroughbred Owner’s and Breeder’s Association with its auctioneering services for the 2018 spring training sale and fall mixed sale. The spring training sale, set for June 10 at 2 p.m. at Indiana Grand Racing & Casino, will consist of 2-year-olds in training and horses of racing age. It is open to all horses regardless of where they were foaled, and the sale will be limited to 40 horses with preference given to Indiana-sired horses. Conformation photos and walking and workout videos will be posted online prior to the sale. For more info, go to itoba.com.
IOWA THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS AND OWNERS ASSOCIATION NEWS Important Announcements from Prairie Meadows Racetrack Live Thoroughbred racing returned to Prairie Meadows on April 26 with a Starter Bonus Incentive program and purse increases for overnight races. Prairie Meadows and the Iowa Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association worked jointly to develop the Starter Bonus Incentive. The incentive, which covers the first 12 days of the season, offers a purse increase of $3,500 for overnight races leaving the paddock with eight or more runners. “We encourage our Thoroughbred horsemen to take advantage of this opportunity to race for additional purse money,” said Chad Keller, Thoroughbred assistant racing secretary at Prairie Meadows.
“In return, we can offer our wagering guests bigger field sizes, which should increase the overall handle and help promote the racing industry in Iowa.” The first condition book reflects the $3,500 purse increase for the first 12 days. If an overnight race is carded or leaves the paddock with fewer than eight horses, the purse will revert to the base purse for the meet. “We’ve also increased the overnight purses by $500 per race across the board for the 2018 Thoroughbred season,” Keller added. “Our Purse Participation Incentive for horses finishing sixth through last place in overnight races will be increased from $125 to $200.” Horsemen are advised that out-of-competition testing will be conducted for the duration of the 2018 live racing season at Prairie Meadows. Under out-of-competition testing, if a horse tests positive for a prohibited substance or a trainer refuses to submit a horse for testing, that horse will not be allowed to race at Prairie Meadows. Additional actions may include the refusal to take entries of any horse under the trainer’s care or revocation of stalls for the meet. For more information, visit prairiemeadows.com.
speaker as we celebrated the accomplishments of our members and their stables. Congratulations to the following 2017 award winners. To be eligible for an MTA award, every owner must be an MTA member. Older Male: Hold for More • Breeder: Wood-Mere Farm • Owner: Dale Schenian Older Female: Honey’s Sox Appeal • Breeder: Paul Knapper/Robert Lindgren • Owner: Robert Lindgren 3-Year-Old Male: Hot Shot Kid • Breeder/Owner: Warren Bush 3-Year-Old Female: Pinup Girl • Breeder/Owner: Gary and Brenda Bergsrud 2-Year-Old Male: Speeding Kid • Breeder: Scott Pierce • Owner: James Zahler 2-Year-Old Female: Firstmate • Breeder: Rick Bremer and Cheryl Sprick • Owner: Barry and Joni Butzow Broodmare of the Year: Memory Divides • Owner: Ann Sachdev/ Lori Bravo Minnesota Stallion: Kela • Owner: Kela Minnesota LLC Minnesota Owned: Giant Payday • Owner: Lothenbach Racing Stables
MICHIGAN THOROUGHBRED OWNERS AND BREEDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS
Deadline Reminders
Hazel Park Closes, Property to Be Sold Just as horsemen were coming in for the 2018 meet, Hazel Park Raceway near Detroit abruptly shut down and owner Hartman and Tyner Inc. indicated that the property had been sold. Approximately 90 track employees are now out of a job, and Michigan horsemen are left without a Thoroughbred track in the state. The closing of the track was announced just before press time for this issue, so further information about the status of purse money and breeders awards was not available. “Over the past 25 years, the gaming industry has dramatically changed throughout the country. Clearly, this has had a significant impact on the proud tradition of horse racing throughout Michigan. For nearly 70 years, Hazel Park Raceway has appreciated the hard work and support of both employees and fans, as well as the economic and entertainment value this venue has brought to the community,” the track said in its statement.
MINNESOTA THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION NEWS Canterbury Meet Preview Spring is a busy time in foaling and breeding barns around the country, and Minnesota is no exception. While breeders and owners are busy with the future of our racing industry, the Minnesota Thoroughbred Association is busy planning and preparing for our live meet at Canterbury Park. On April 21, the MTA honored our outstanding Minnesota-bred and Minnesota-owned equine athletes, their owners and breeders, in addition to the Trainer of the Year and Member of the Year for 2017. We were thrilled to have Rosie Napravnik join us as our guest
June 1 is the deadline for nominating your 2016 foal to the 2019 MTA Stallion Auction Stakes. Nomination forms and a complete list of eligible stallions for the 2019 race are available on the MTA’s website, minnesotabred.com. June 1 is also the deadline for late nominations to the 2018 MTA Stallion Auction Stakes at a cost of $1,000. Day of entry nominations can also be made for this race. A nomination form and list of eligible stallions are available on the MTA website. June 29 is the consignment deadline for the 2018 MTA yearling sale. Minnesota-breds are preferred for the auction set for Sunday, August 19. Horses will arrive at Canterbury Park on Saturday, August 18. Consignment forms will be available on the MTA website.
Leg Up Fund Day Leg Up Fund Day will take place on Sunday, May 27, at Canterbury Park. The day will be filled with a variety of fundraising activities with 100 percent of the proceeds dedicated to our injured jockeys. The Leg Up Fund committee is busy soliciting corporate sponsorships, procuring terrific raffle items (think four wheels and an engine!), taking silent auction donations and getting exciting items for a live auction. Fans can meet our jockeys for a photo and autograph opportunity, and pick up a custom tie-dyed Leg Up Fund t-shirt, socks, headbands or bandannas made by jockey Dean Butler’s daughters. Founded in 2014, the Leg Up Fund is a 501(c)(3) organization that provides emergency transitional financial assistance to jockeys who have sustained on-track injuries in the performance of their profession at Canterbury Park. The Leg Up Fund is a cooperative effort with Canterbury Park, the Minnesota Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association, Minnesota Thoroughbred Association and the Minnesota Quarter Horse Racing Association. AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 59
STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS Many jockeys face financial hardship during their rehabilitation from injuries sustained on the track. The needs of our injured jockeys can be substantial. The day-to-day living and family support expenses pose financial challenges to these individuals who courageously test their physical limits every day. The Leg Up Fund is flexible in the support it provides, taking into account the level of each jockey’s injury and needs. Support may come in the form of a one-time grant or an extended period of weekly or monthly supplemental support, for up to one year. The fund strives to reach out to everyone in the Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing industry, their business partners and the great fans of this sport for their ongoing support. Our long-term goal is to create a legacy that will enable the fund to sufficiently assist every jockey injured at Canterbury Park in the years ahead. Reaching that goal requires the continuous support of all who participate in, and are connected to, the sport of horse racing. The Leg Up Fund is committed to raising awareness of the importance of supporting Canterbury Park’s injured jockeys and providing opportunities for participants and supporters of the racing industry to contribute to the fund. No matter what your level of participation in horse racing, it is our sincere hope that owners, breeders, trainers and fans will take that participation one step further and offer financial assistance to this much-needed, worthy cause. Through the 2017 race meet, the Leg Up Fund was able to provide financial assistance of over $35,000 to seven jockeys who were injured during 2016 and 2017. The jockeys received up to $200 per week from the time of their injury until they were cleared to return to riding by their medical teams. Some jockeys received assistance for a few weeks, while some needed our help for eight months or more. The funds provided by the Leg Up Fund were used in a variety of ways to meet daily needs and served to relieve a bit of the financial stress a career-delaying injury can cause. We hope you can join us at Canterbury Park for the 2018 Leg Up Day Fund event or please consider making a donation to the fund. For more information, contact kay@minnesotabred.com or call (952) 233-4802. Follow us at facebook.com/canterburyparklegupfund to see what we’re up to and how we’re helping those who give so much of themselves for our sport.
NORTH CAROLINA THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION NEWS NCTA Awards for 2017 On April 28, the North Carolina Thoroughbred Association celebrated our 2017 champion horses and our members at the Queen’s Cup Steeplechase in Mineral Springs, North Carolina. This year the organization added the Partnership Champion Horse and Owner of the Year awards. To qualify for the Partnership award, a horse must belong to a sizeable corporate-type organization. It doesn’t matter if our member owns as little as 1 percent or as much as 20 percent of the horse; the only consideration to win the award is the total year-end earnings of the horse. This award gives many of our members a chance to be an active participant and take home a trophy. Plus, it’s fun and horse racing is supposed to be fun. We hope it helps to encourage continued 60 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
support of the industry. We present the Owner of the Year award to the member who is supporting the industry by running one or more horses. Racehorse ownership is a costly endeavor that can often inspire the semblance of acute, rapid-onset, manic-depressive personality disorder. We’re all in favor of honoring those willing to put themselves in that position. The honorees for this award and Breeder of the Year were to be announced at the event on April 28. Following are the other 2017 award winners: 2-Year-Old: Texas Wedge • Breeder: Nancy Shuford Male Claiming: Coronado Again • Breeder: Nancy Shuford Female Claiming: Liberty Fire • Breeder: Beth Muirhead Male Allowance: Beasley • Breeder: Nancy Shuford Female Allowance: Frost Wise • Owner: George and Stephanie Autry Steeplechase: Indigo Heart • Owner: William and Carrington Price Stakes Horse: Pretty N Cool • Breeder: Nancy Shuford Graded Stakes Horse: Beach Patrol • Breeder: Nancy Shuford Partnership: Best Performance • Owner: Caroline Cooper with West Point Thoroughbreds Broodmare of the Year: Bashful Bertie • Owner: Nancy Shuford We are pleased to announce the collaboration with Foxhall Ltd., curators and artisans of equestrian lifestyle products. They’re a shop where art meets utility without compromise. Foxhall offers our members and guests a discount on orders placed through a link included on our site, ncthoroughbred.com. Visit them at foxhallltd.com to graze through their collection. Happy shopping.
OHIO THOROUGHBRED BREEDERS AND OWNERS NEWS 2018 Mixed Sale Set for October 7 Due to the response and feedback from buyers and consignors at the revived Ohio Mixed Sale on December 3, 2017, the OTBO Sales Committee has recommended Sunday, October 7, for the sale in 2018. “It wasn’t easy, but Dr. George Sikora and James Fraser found a day that fits beautifully into the sale and racing schedule,” stated OTBO Executive Director John Engelhardt. “The day falls between the two fall sales in Kentucky, Majestic Farm had no events scheduled and, with it on a Sunday, there will be no tracks racing in Ohio. We really dodged a bullet having it in December last year. The weekend following the sale there were snow squalls.” Officials operating the sale want to remind all that the sale is not just for Ohio-breds, and all breeds and ages are able to enter. As we get closer to entry time, there will be information and forms obtainable at otbo.com.
New Stallions to Ohio The roster of stallions in the state of Ohio continues to be infused with high-quality performers and pedigrees that boast proven sire lines and strong, legendary female families. Da Big Hoss enters stud in Ohio as one of the all-time moneyearning stallions to stand in the state. He earned $1,551,696 from 22 starts with a record of 12-1-3. Dr. Harvey Diamond of owner Skychai Racing fell in love with him at first look.
Courtesy Kentucky Downs
“On paper you could see he was a horse who liked to win,” he said. “We watched him on the walk over at Churchill Downs, and he was a striking individual with good size and scope. Trainer Mike Maker agreed, and [breeders Gary and Mary West] took a chance racing him for $50,000, and we took him home. Of his 12 lifetime wins, seven were for us. In his third race for us, he became a graded stakes winner
Da Big Hoss
while setting a track record in the Kentucky Cup Turf (G3) at Kentucky Downs—a race he would also win a year later.” In his next nine starts, Da Big Hoss would race at seven different tracks, earn Beyer Speed Figures of 100 or more in four and win four more graded stakes races while recording two more track records. His record time of 3:17 1⁄5 in the $300,000 Belmont Gold Cup established a North American record on turf or dirt for two miles, eclipsing the great Kelso’s time by two seconds. “Sure, he excelled at distance races, but he didn’t just wear horses down,” Diamond said. “When the jocks asked him, he had a powerful speed move and he displayed desire and courage and that’s what I believe he can pass along to his foals.” Diamond plans to support Da Big Hoss with mares by Curlin, Tapit, Pioneerof the Nile and his 21-time winner Brandys Secret. The 7-year-old was unraced since November 2016. He returned to the work tab in January after a nine-month layoff for three timed workouts at Gulfstream Park before the decision was made to retire him. He covered his first mare in March. Bred in Kentucky by the Wests, Da Big Hoss is by Lemon Drop Kid out of the winning Touch Gold mare Lady Struck Gold, who is the dam of five winners from six foals to race. His extended family includes numerous group and graded stakes winners. He will enter stud at Poplar Creek Horse Center in Bethel, where he will stand for a private fee alongside Factum and Kiss the Ghost, who are also new to the state this season. Factum is a winning half brother to leading sire War Front ($250,000 stud fee), the No. 1 sire in North America by percentage of stakes winners, graded stakes horses and Grade 1 stakes horses. Factum is a son of the breed-shaping sire Storm Cat and out of multiple stakes winner, $564,789 earner and five-time graded stakes-placed producer Starry Dreamer. She is the dam of four stakes winners by four dif-
ferent sires: Teammate ($618,276), a multiple graded stakes winner by A.P. Indy; graded stakes winner Ecclesiastic ($346,472), by Pulpit; Riviera Cocktail ($204,095), by Giant’s Causeway; and graded stakes winner War Front ($424,205), by Danzig. Factum’s 2018 fee is private. Kiss the Ghost is a son of Horse of the Year Ghostzapper ($85,000 stud fee) who has an impressive record of 11 percent black-type winners. Kiss the Ghost hails from a strong female family. His dam, Kiss the Devil ($381,629), was a graded stakes winner and multiple graded stakes-placed performer. She has proven to be a solid broodmare from the Carl Pollard band. Bred to Malibu Moon, she produced Kiss Moon ($535,969), who like her dam is a graded stakes winner who has multiple graded stakes placings on her resume. Kiss the Devil’s daughter Kiss Mine ($489,862), by Mineshaft, is a 10-time winner with six stakes wins and two graded stakes placings to her credit. Another daughter, Dixieland Kiss, produced Besharah (Ire) ($375,564), a two-time group stakes winner who has also placed in three other group stakes. Kiss the Ghost never had the chance to live up to his bloodlines. A paddock accident as a weanling cost him his racing career. He stands for a stud fee of $1,500. Awesome Patriot is a stakes-winning son of the outstanding sire Awesome Again out of Tizamazing, by Cee’s Tizzy. That makes him a full brother to Oxbow, a winner of $1,243,500 who captured the Preakness Stakes (G1) and Lecomte Stakes (G3) and was second in the Belmont Stakes (G1) to Palace Malice while defeating Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Orb. Awesome Patriot’s dam is a full sister to Hall of Famer, Horse of the Year, champion sire and emerging sire of sires Tiznow. Pedigree pundits will note that the Awesome Again/Cee’s Tizzy cross has produced four stakes winners from 12 starters, which in addition to Awesome Patriot and Oxbow includes Grade 1 winner and classic-placed Paynter. Awesome Again has sired 70 stakes winners. Dr. George Sikora of Mapleton Thoroughbred Farm has his 2018 Kentucky Derby pick selected in $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) winner Bravazo. The Calumet Farm runner is by Awesome Again out of a Cee’s Tizzy mare from the Seattle Slew line, the same as Awesome Patriot. On a two-year lease from Spendthrift Farm, stakes winner Awesome Patriot will stand at Mapleton Thoroughbred Farm in Polk for $2,500. He joins Mobil and Cowtown Cat. “We were very pleased to enter into this agreement with a farm that has the stature of Spendthrift,” Sikora said. “He has an amazing and storied pedigree. He also showed a lot of promise on the track with his maiden win over Grade 1 winner Coil and as a 2-year-old ran a mile in 1:35 while being a graded stakes-placed juvenile. He won from 6 ½ furlongs to 1 1⁄8 miles.” Raimonde Farms is bringing Kennedy into the Ohio program and with him one of the most potent sire lines in the country. Kennedy, a winning son of A.P. Indy, is a three-quarters brother to champion Bernardini ($3,060,480) and a half brother to Thiskyhasnolimit ($777,828). Bernardini, who stands for $100,000, has sired 13 Grade 1 winners and only the mighty Danzig ever had more Grade 1 juvenile winners in his first six crops. Kennedy’s second dam, Cara Rafaela, won the Grade 1 Hollywood Starlet Stakes and Grade 2 Alcibiades Stakes while running second in the Grade 1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies and four other Grade 1 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 61
STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS races. She was named Broodmare of the Year in 2006. From limited opportunity, Kennedy’s first crop, now 3-year-olds, has 66 percent winners including $100,000 stakes-placed Baby K. “We were at the right place at the right time and were able to secure him. What a great addition to our farm and we are very happy to have him added to our roster here in Ohio,” Brian Raimonde said. “He is a stunning individual physically from the powerful A.P. Indy sire line and his female family speaks for itself.” Kennedy joins Added Edge, Hostile Takeover, Quick Change and Vaquaro at Raimonde Farm in Wooster.
THOROUGHBRED RACING ASSOCIATION OF OKLAHOMA NEWS TRAO Champions Banquet and Auction Set for May 18 The seventh annual TRAO Champions Awards Banquet and Auction will be held Friday, May 18, at the River Spirit Casino Resort in Tulsa. Cocktails will begin at 6:30 p.m. with dinner, auction and awards to follow. Look for invitations in the mail soon. Hotel rooms are available by calling (888) 748-3731 and mentioning the “Thoroughbred Racing” room block. You can also make your room reservation online through a link at traoracing.com. Please make your room reservations by May 11.
2018 Oklahoma Fact Book Now Online The 2018 Oklahoma Fact Book, a statistical guide prepared by The Jockey Club, is available online at jockeyclub.com/factbook.asp. The report has been compiled as an industry service by The Jockey Club with the intent of shedding some statistical light on the Thoroughbred industry in our state and, in particular, trends that have evolved over the past two decades. It contains sections on breeding, racing and auction sales. Many other statistics, both nationally and state-by-state, about the Thoroughbred industry can be found on The Jockey Club website.
Will Rogers Downs Receives Enhanced TVG Coverage for Spring Thoroughbred Meet Trainers arrived from across the country for the 30-day Thoroughbred meet at Cherokee Casino Will Rogers Downs that opened March 12. The track is in its 12th year of operation, and track representatives expect a successful season as they embrace a few new changes. The spring meet runs through Preakness Day on Saturday, May 19, and continues to hold the traditional calendar we’ve come to see over the past two seasons. Races begin at 1:05 p.m. every Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturday, while the Monday cards begin at 12:55 p.m. in March and 1 p.m. for April and May, which allows for more simulcast coverage across the country. “We are optimistic about our enhanced live coverage on TVG Mondays and Tuesdays,” said John Lies, racing secretary and track announcer. “We hope our efforts to avoid post-time conflicts with other tracks will be successful.” 62 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
The track also has seen an uptick in the amount of trainers preparing for the 2018 Thoroughbred meet. Trainer Karl Broberg, who led all trainers in North America for 2017 with 412 wins, was expected to bring a full string of 28 horses to Claremore. His arrival should figure both prominently at the entry box as well as in the standings. Local standouts Scott Young and Roger Engel have returned for the meet on a backstretch where stall space was on high demand. “We received stall applications from over 50 trainers for the coming season,” Lies said. “I feel we are poised to take another step forward, producing even better quality fields this spring.” The meet offers more than $420,000 in total for the Oklahomabred program and more than $3.5 million in estimated total purses. Eight stakes races will be run over a six-week period within the meet with purses no less than $50,000-guaranteed per race. The stakes end with the Cherokee Nation Classic Cup on May 15 for colts and geldings 3 years old and up. Horses will race one mile and 70 yards for a guaranteed $55,000. Lies will return to the announcer’s booth in the afternoons this spring, with Quarter Horse racing announcer Jeff Cernik to perform on-air handicapping duties as part of the simulcast production. For the spring 2017 Will Rogers Downs meet, more than $17.4 million was wagered on live racing, with one day surpassing $1 million.
TRAO Survey Results TRAO conducted a member survey regarding breeding in Oklahoma and the Oklahoma-bred program. Following is a list of the survey questions with the most popular answer from respondents. Thank you to all who participated. 1. Which of the following categories best describes your participation within the Oklahoma racing or breeding industry? Answer: Breeder/Owner 2. How long have you been in the Oklahoma breeding industry? Answer: More than 10 years 3. Do you think the sale value of an Oklahoma-bred foal is adequate? Answer: No 4. Do you service your broodmare(s) to out of state stallions? Answer: No 5. If you could breed your broodmare(s) to an out of state stallion annually, would you? Answer: No 6. In 2017, did you foal any Thoroughbreds in Oklahoma by an accredited Oklahoma stallion? Answer: Yes 7. In 2017, did you foal any Thoroughbreds in Oklahoma by an out of state stallion? Answer: No 8. If you did not foal any Thoroughbreds in 2017, have you in the past five years? Answer: Yes 9. How would you describe your level of participation in the breeding industry in Oklahoma? Answer: Part-time 10. Do you think the Oklahoma-bred incentive awards (OK-bred money) is adequate? Answer: Yes 11. Do you own any accredited Oklahoma stallions? Answer: No 12. Do you own any accredited Oklahoma broodmares? Answer: Yes 13. To be a registered Oklahoma broodmare, which eligibility of
participation do you prefer? (Provided all other requirements are met). Answer: An accredited Oklahoma broodmare who is bred to an accredited Oklahoma stallion and must produce a foal in alternating years by an accredited Oklahoma stallion. When serviced by an out of state stallion in alternating years, the broodmare will receive 100% of the available broodmare awards for that foal. 14. Indicate the preferred distribution for owner and breeder awards for Oklahoma-bred races. Answer: Distribution to top three places (50%/30%/20%) 15. Do you attend the TRAO General Membership meeting? Answer: No
SOUTH CAROLINA THOROUGHBRED OWNERS AND BREEDERS ASSOCIATION NEWS Aiken Trials Kicks Off Triple Crown The 76th Aiken Trials was a fun-filled day on Saturday, March 17. This event marked the beginning of the Aiken Triple Crown. The Aiken Steeplechase was held Saturday, March 24, and a day featuring polo games was on display the following Saturday. The Aiken Trials was a mixture of pony races and Thoroughbred trials. The 2-year-olds covered a quarter-mile from the starting gate while the older horses went a half-mile. Many owners and trainers use these races as a learning experience and tune-up for their horses before sending them to tracks such as Keeneland and Woodbine. Woodbridge, owned by Aiken’s Gustav Schickedanz, a member of the Canadian Horse Racing Hall of Fame, and local resident Don Howard, won the feature race, the City of Aiken Trophy, for the second year in a row. Trainer Mike Keogh campaigns his horses at Woodbine and brings his stable to Aiken for the winter. Also on the local front, Ron and Kathy Madden’s Gallanor won the Gaver Trophy. The 2-year-old filly is trained by Aiken-based Marcus and Crystal Ryan (Mason Springs). Other trainers in South Carolina including R.B. McCutchen from Kingstree and Travis Durr from St. Matthews brought their young horses for the learning experience. The McCutchen Stable won three races on the day with Big Bruiser, Sun Dress and Even It Up.
Weston Hamilton Planting Roots in Maryland Jockey Weston Hamilton continues to make strides in Maryland. Weston prepared for his career as a jockey at Franklin “Goree” Smith’s Elloree Training Center. Goree has been known over the years as a developer of young riders including Hall of Fame jockey Chris Antley. As of March 17, Hamilton was the second leading jockey at Laurel Park accounting for 25 victories. He is one of the leaders in acquiring mounts indicating the confidence trainers have in him.
TEXAS THOROUGHBRED ASSOCIATION NEWS Texas Juvenile Sale Posts Increased Gross, Average Nearly Steady The Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale held April 10 on the grounds of Lone Star Park concluded with a sizable increase in gross sales and a slight decrease in average compared to last year’s smaller catalog. A total of 106 horses went through the ring at the sale operated by the Texas Thoroughbred Association in partnership with Lone Star Park and 84 horses found new homes. Last year’s auction included 93 head with 70 selling. Gross sales this year totaled $2,161,900, up 15.4 percent from last year’s mark of $1,873,900. This year’s average was $25,737, down 3.9 percent from last year’s $26,770, and the median slipped 18.2 percent from $16,000 to $13,100. Buybacks this year came in at 20.8 percent compared with 24.7 percent last year. “I was really pleased that we attracted a larger catalog this year after last year’s successful sale, and it was great to see the average almost the same with a nice increase in the gross,” Sales Director Tim Boyce said. “We had four horses sell for more than $100,000 with a Texas-bred, Louisiana-bred and two Kentucky-breds, so that shows the variety of quality offerings we had.” A Louisiana-bred filly named Charlotte G by promising young Louisiana stallion Bind topped the sale with a $140,000 bid from Gary Simms, agent for M&M Racing. The April 30 foal was one of two horses to work the fastest time of :10.2 during the April 8 under tack show at Lone Star. She is the first foal out of the unraced Summer Bird mare Promise Me G, whose family includes Grade 3-winning Texasbred Promise Me Silver. Three other horses cracked six figures, including a Texas-bred colt by Texas stallion Grasshopper who sold for $120,000 from Wolf Creek Farm, agent. Another purchase by Gary Simms, agent for M&M Racing, the colt is a full brother to multiple stakes winner Supermason, an earner of $331,985. He clocked an eighth-mile in :10.4. Also selling for $120,000 was a filly by Uncle Mo who is a half sister to Grade 1 winner Romance is Diane and Grade 2 winner Romanceishope. Consigned by Inside Move Inc., agent, and purchased by Swan Equine Co., the Kentucky-bred worked :11.2 in the under tack show. The other six-figure horse was a Kentucky-bred colt by Twirling Candy who sold for $110,000 to Susan Moulton from Twin Oaks Training Center, agent. The March foal covered an eighth-mile in :10.3 to tie for the second-fastest time. Full results are available at ttasales.com. Next up on the Texas sale calendar is the summer yearling sale on August 27. The consignment deadline for that auction is June 15. Consignment contracts will be mailed in early May and are also available on the TTA Sales website.
AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018 63
STATE ASSOCIATION NEWS Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon Reminder
Ed Few, a longtime owner, breeder and TTA board member, passed away April 8 at his home on Glorianna Farms in Jasper, Texas. He was 79. A native and lifelong resident of Jasper, Ed was a 1957 graduate from Jasper High School and earned a business and economics degree in 1961 Ed Few from Lamar Tech. In addition to a long and successful career in business, Ed was also very successful in the horse industry. He took up this passion in the 1980s and was a top Texas breeder for decades. He served on the TTA board for 20 years and bred five Texas champions over the years. In 2010 he received the T.I. “Pops” Harkins award for lifetime achievement from the TTA. Ed is survived by his wife, Lyn Few of Jasper; his son, Steve Few and wife Jenni of Jasper; daughters, Kendall Few Grober and husband Darrell of Granbury, Texas, and Nicole Few Colvin and husband Zac of Porter, Texas; brother, Arthur Allen Few Jr. and wife Joan of Gold Hill, Colorado; sister, Bonnie Few Walker and husband Danny of Jasper; and eight grandchildren: Brooks and Walker Few; Mallory Grober Williams and husband Cole; Colton, Carson and Cash Womack; and Max and Braxton Colvin. Ed is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews and a host of family and friends. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Few Memorial Scholarship Fund or the First United Methodist Church, both at 329 N. Bowie St., Jasper, TX 75951.
The TTA Annual Meeting and Awards Luncheon will be held Saturday, June 23 at Lone Star Park. The Lane’s End Danny Shifflett Scholarship Stakes for Texas-bred fillies and mares will be the featured race on the card. Invitations will be mailed in May, and more information will be posted on the TTA website at texasthoroughbred.com.
Denis Blake
Longtime TTA Board Member Ed Few Passes Away
Lone Star Park Launches Racing Club A new program is coming to Lone Star Park to give fans a low-cost option to enter the world of racehorse ownership. The Lone Star Park Racing Club offers the ownership experience for an extremely reasonable, one-time fee. Participants will experience Thoroughbred racehorse ownership with a horse that will be selected and trained by multiple graded stakes-winning trainer J.R. Caldwell. The club is a low-cost, low-risk glimpse into the life of a Thoroughbred owner. There is simply a $500 one-time membership fee, used to purchase a horse and pay for training fees and expenses, with no additional expenses. Some perks of being a club member include a behind-the-scenes look at horse ownership, breakfast during select morning workouts to watch the club’s horse prepare for racing and learn from Caldwell about his approach to training the horse, privileged access to the paddock before the horse races, exclusive racing club events at Lone Star Park, free general admission for the owner and a guest for the full 2018 Lone Star Park Thoroughbred racing season and one seasonlong owner parking pass. For more information, go to lonestarpark.com. 64 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
We Have Your Money...You Have Our Information! Is your name on this list of breeders and owners who have earned money through the Accredited Texas-Bred Program for 2016 racing? For various reasons, the TTA has been unable to pay the individuals listed below. Usually the problem is very simple to correct. Perhaps a transfer form was never completed when you purchased your money-earning Texas Thoroughbred, or maybe you have moved and forgotten to tell us. Please call the TTA’s Accreditation Department at (512) 458-6133 so we can complete your paperwork—and so you can collect your ATB earnings. JONATHAN BOXIE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $145.85 DIAMOND ENTERPRISES (STACIA DAVIS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $931.23 SCOTT FRIESENHAHN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $119.79 CINTHIA J. GARCIA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $135.66 WILLIAM E. GOSS & RICHARD MARTOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $72.81 TRINIDAD GRANADOS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $129.12 ELTON H. HARTWICK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $87.34 MAGNOLIA RACING STABLE & JIM WARD . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $210.79 KENNY MCPHERSON . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200.55 KEVIN MULLIKIN. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $259.90 KAY REED . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $657.13 MARIO SALAZ DE SALAS BUERBA . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,142.07
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GROWING IN THE SOUTHWEST! Thank you to all consignors and buyers for the very successful Texas 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale at Lone Star Park!
NOW TAKING ENTRIES FOR THE TEXAS SUMMER YEARLING AND MIXED SALE! market is bouncing back and we are looking forward to another great sale !
A Texas-bred colt by Grasshopper sold for $120,000!
Mary Cage
T he
A Louisiana-bred filly by Bind sold for $140,000!
Denis Blake
CHECK OUT THE NUMBERS: G ross S ales – UP 15.4%! A verage price - $25,737! F our horses sold for $100,000 or more , including a T exas - bred and a L ouisiana - bred !
A ugust 27 • L one S tar P ark ENTRY DEADLINE IS JUNE 15!
TTA SALES
For consignment forms and more information, go to www.ttasales.com or call Tim Boyce at (972) 523-0332 or the Texas Thoroughbred Association office at (512) 458-6133. 68 AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SPRING 2018
AMERICAN RACEHORSE • SUMMER 2017 68
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EAGLE
Candy Ride (Arg) – Sea Gull, by Mineshaft 2018 FEE: $5,000
2018 FEE: $2,500
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Gilded Time – Bistra, by Classic Go Go
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Douglas Scharbauer Ken Carson, General Manager Donny Denton, Farm Manager • David Unnerstall, Attending Veterinarian Post Office Box 966 • Pilot Point, Texas 76258 (940) 686-5552 • Fax (940) 686-2179 www.valorfarm.com • www.facebook.com/valor.farm Twitter and Instagram: @valorfarm