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Pensioned Awesome Again, Milwaukee Brew Welcomed To Old Friends Farm

On Friday, Old Friends, the Thoroughbred Retirement Farm in Georgetown, KY, announced the arrival of two new stallions: Multiple graded stakes winners Awesome Again and Milwaukee Brew.

Both were pensioned from stud duty in 2019 at Frank Stronach's Adena Springs, near Paris, KY., and have now been donated to the non-profit organization.

Awesome Again, now 27, boasts an exemplary resume as both a racehorse and a stallion. He broke his maiden at Hollywood Park in just his second start as a 3-year-old in 1997. He returned a few weeks later to capture that year's Queen's Plate Stakes at Woodbine. Back in the U.S. that summer the son of Deputy Minister went on to win the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) and was third to Deputy Commander in the Travers Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

At 4, he completed an undefeated season that included five graded stakes victories, among them The Stephen Foster Handicap (G1), The Whitney Handicap (G1), and one of the most memorable editions of the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1), where, looking defeated, he rallied in the stretch to defeat grade 1 winners Coronado's Quest and Swain and that year's Kentucky Derby-Preakness hero, Silver Charm.

As significant in the breeding shed as he was on the track, Awesome again sired three champions: Ghostzapper, 2004 Horse of the Year and champion older horse; Ginger Punch, 2007 champion older mare; and Nominee, a multiple champion in Trinidad and Tobago. His other elite runners include: Old Friends retirees Game on Dude–who captured 14 graded stakes and is the only three-time winner of the Santa Anita Handicap in history–and Awesome Gem, who captured the Hollywood Gold Cup at age 7; Breeder's Cup Distaff winner Round Pond; Breeders' Cup Juvenile winner Wilko; and 2019 year Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston.

He has sired 13 millionaires and five multi-millionaires as well as four Breeders' Cup Champions. Awesome Again is also the first Breeders' Cup Classic winner to sire a BC Classic winner (Ghostzapper).

Milwaukee Brew, 23, earned eight wins in his 24 starts and is best known for his back-to-back victories in the 2002 and 2003 Santa Anita Handicap (G1). Other wins include the 2002 California Stakes (G2) and the 2000 Ohio Derby (G2). The son of Wild Again retired in 2003 with earnings of well over $2.8 million. Also a prominent stallion standing at Adena Springs North, near Ontario, his top runners include Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Milwaukee Appeal, Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Ginger Brew, and Panamanian champion Coltimus Prime

The new stallions will join Adena's Belmont Stakes winner Touch Gold and Breeders' Cup Classic winner Alphabet Soup, who were retired to Old Friends in 2015.

“We're very grateful to Frank and Belinda and everyone at The Stronach Group for trusting us with these two great Thoroughbreds,” said Old Friends founder and President Michael Blowen. “The Stronachs have always been extremely generous when it comes to supporting their retirees. When Alphabet Soup's cancer needed special attention, Frank made sure all of his medical bills were taken care of. And I adore Awesome Again's victory in the Breeders' Cup Classic even though he beat Silver Charm.”

“When it comes to Awesome Again and Milwaukee Brew, they are two of the best-natured stallions I've been blessed to work with,” said Adena Springs Stallion Manager Bill Drury. “When it came time to consider retirement settlements, if not my own backyard, there was no place I would rather they be than with Michael at Old Friends. His has a reputation of exemplary care, and the fan access is exactly what these champions deserve in their twilight years.”

In addition, in the coming weeks, a third Adena stallion, Silver Max, will be pensioned with Old Friends. Silver Max, is perhaps best known for ending reigning Horse of the Year Wise Dan's nine-race win streak with his upset win in the 2013 Shadwell Turf Mile Stakes (G2) at Keeneland. In 2012 Silver Max had earned his first graded stakes over the same oval with a score in the Transylvania Stakes (G3T). He retired in 2014 with 12 wins from 27 starts and over $1.9 million in earnings.

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New York Breeding Fund Adopts Mare Residency Rule Changes

In a public meeting subject to the Open Meetings Law, the Board of Directors of the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund on Oct. 29, 2020 adopted new rules concerning the residency requirements for dams of New York-bred foals, including certain mares that were purchased at public auction on or after Nov. 1, 2019.

It is anticipated that these new rules will become final upon publication in the State Register of New York on or about Nov. 18, 2020, and shall have retroactive effect with regard to eligible mares purchased at public auction sales occurring on or after November 1, 2019.

The new rules establish definitions for resident mares and non-resident mares and set forth program eligibility requirements for their foals. Under the new rules, a resident mare would be a mare that is continuously in residence in New York State from date of conception in New York State or within 120 days after her last cover in the year of conception occurring outside of New York State and that remains in the state until foaling the following year, with no breed-back required. Mares that maintain their New York State resident status can be covered each season by a stallion located anywhere in the world.

A non-resident mare would be a mare that does not qualify as a resident mare. However, under the new rules, a non-resident mare that is purchased in foal through public auction will be deemed to be a resident mare for all purposes if all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) the mare is purchased for at least $50,000 in the public auction, (2) the mare is present in New York State within 15 days after the sale is concluded, (3) the foal from public auction mare is foaled in New York State and (4) the mare thereafter is continuously in residence in New York State from within 120 days after her last cover in the year of conception of another foal and remains in residency until foaling.

Breeding Fund chairman John Poklemba noted, “These changes will bring the New York Thoroughbred Breeding Program more in line with other states by removing perceived barriers to mares locating here. Also, by allowing high-priced mares to establish residency by moving to New York after they are purchased at auction, we expect to see even more quality New York-breds following in the hoofprints of Grade 1 winners such as Tiz the Law and Simply Ravishing.”

Breeding Fund executive director Tracy Egan said, “The Board can review the threshold price annually at its summer meeting and adjust it up or down as needed to recruit quality mares.”

There is an incentive to purchase New York-sired New York-breds pegged to these rule changes. One year after adoption, the Fund and NYRA will begin providing up to $650,000 per year in purse bonuses to owners. The bonus will be $5,000 every time a New York-sired New York-bred wins at the maiden special weight or allowance level at NYRA's tracks.

While the measure adopted by the Breeding Fund's board states that it starts in November of 2019, in practice the new rules would become effective starting with the mixed sales in November 2020 and the foal and breeding seasons of 2021.

For a complete description of these newly adopted rules, click here.

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Classic Empire Colt Leads Final Session Of Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearlings Sale

A colt from the first crop of 2016 Eclipse champion 2-year-old male Classic Empire led five yearlings sold for $200,000 or more during the final session of the 2020 Kentucky October Yearlings sale on Thursday in Lexington, Kentucky.

The Classic Empire colt topped the session when sold for $310,000 to Mike Ryan, agent from the consignment of St George Sales, agent (video).

Offered as Hip 1398, the bay colt is out of the winning Bernardini mare Delay of Game, whose first foal, Spa Ready (Street Sense), was a 3 1/4-length winner on debut last month at Belmont Park. The immediate family includes U.S. and European champion 2-year-old colt Johannesburg. The session-topper was bred in New York by EKQ Stables Corp.

Four other yearlings sold for $200,000 or more during the final session, including:

Hip 1173, a colt by Empire Maker out of Bagatelle Park (Speightstown), sold for $200,000 to Tonja Terranova, agent from the consignment of Gainesway, agent. From the immediate family of Grade 1 winner Seattle Slew, the colt was bred in Kentucky by D. H. Steve Conboy & Empire Maker Syndicate.
Hip 1372, a filly by Empire Maker out of Curlin's Mistress (Curlin), sold for $200,000 to X-Men Racing LLC from the consignment of Gainesway, agent. Out of a full sister to multiple Grade 2 winner Curlin's Approval, the filly was bred in Florida by Happy Alter and Empire Maker Syndicate.
Hip 1422, a filly by Constitution out of Distinct Sparkle (With Distinction), sold for $200,000 to Shepherd Equine Advisors, agent for Sanders and Hirsch from the consignment of Bluewater Sales, agent. From the immediate family of Breeders' Cup winner Very Subtle, the filly was bred in Pennsylvania by Roberta L. Schneider MD.
Hip 1534, a filly by Nyquist out of Four Sugars (Lookin At Lucky), sold for $200,000 to Oracle Bloodstock, agent from the consignment of Eaton Sales, agent. A half-sister to multiple Grade/Group 1 placed stakes winner Gronkowski, the filly was bred in Kentucky by Diamond Creek Farm.

During the final session, 235 yearlings sold for a $7,290,900, good for an average of $31,025. The session median was $15,000. Over the course of four days of selling, 961 yearlings changed hands for $32,743,000. The average was $34,073. The four-day median was $15,000, a 15 percent increase over the median posted during the 2019 sale.

Results are available online.

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Woodbine: Rookies Race For Top Prize In Sunday’s $250,000 Coronation Futurity

Eight hopefuls, including Barb Minshall trainees British Royalty and Threefiftyseven, and Gail Cox charge Tio Magico, square off in Sunday's $250,000 Coronation Futurity Stakes, at Woodbine.

The 1 1/8-mile Tapeta event for Canadian-foaled 2-year-olds is a significant race on the road to the 162nd running of the Queen's Plate, first jewel of the OLG Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing.

Minshall, in the midst of a strong campaign, packs a powerful punch in the form of British Royalty and Threefiftyseven.

British Royalty, an Ontario-bred son of English Channel, impressed in his career bow on October 11 at Woodbine.

Under Jerome Lermyte, who once again gets the call in the Coronation Futurity, the Bruce Lunsford-owned gelding was pinched back at the start of the 1 mile and 70 yard main track race. Last of nine early, British Royalty steadily gained on his eight rivals, and was travelling well around the final turn. Sixth at the stretch call, he continued to gobble up ground and went on to a 1 ¾-length score in a time of 1:43.74.

For Minshall, the ending was far more pleasing than the start.

“It was quite the effort. His effort is almost exactly him. He's a very tall, lanky, green horse. He was bought later in the year, so he wasn't as advanced as my other babies. He was the only baby that I've had in probably 10 years who had a bit of a shin. So, I had to stop on him for 45 days. He definitely got a little bit behind the eight ball.”

Bred by Richard Lister, British Royalty now gets a sterner test in his second outing.

Minshall believes her young pupil is up to the task.

“He has a lot of ability and he showed it. Being an English Channel, I think, definitely as he gets older, things should really start to come together. Here, there's not really anywhere else we could run him, if I want to give him another race. So, he'll race in here and then we'll go from there.”

A less complicated trip would be ideal.

“When he broke out of the gate and he was really far behind, I was thinking, 'Oh, no. Am I going to be embarrassed here with a horse I told the owner I like?' But I thought Jerome did a good job. He didn't rush him. He let him get his legs going. Once he found his stride and weaved his way through some traffic, he just took off like a bat out of hell. He's a talented horse, but I don't know if he really knew what he did. He's going to appreciate every bit of the distance and he's a nice two-year-old who needs another race. We're going to take a shot. There's a lot of money on the line and he's a nice horse.”

The multiple graded stakes winning conditioner also sends Threefiftyseven postward.

A son of Run Away and Hide, the gelding, whom Minshall owns and also co-bred (with Bruce Lunsford), is 1-2-0 from four starts.

The bay's most recent effort was a runner-up result in the 1 1/16-mile turf Cup & Saucer Stakes on October 10. Sent off at 8-1, Threefiftyseven crossed the wire 3 ¼ lengths behind the Mark Casse-conditioned winner Master Spy, who will also compete in the Coronation Futurity.

Finishing fourth in his debut, a five-furlong Inner Turf race on July 12, Threefiftyseven finished second in his following start on August 9, breaking his maiden the next time out, a 1 ¼-length triumph at 6 ½ panels on the Toronto oval Tapeta.

“He [British Royalty] is the total opposite of Threefiftyseven, who has had a few races,” noted Minshall. “He's a very professional horse, a very strong horse. He hasn't put – knock on wood – a foot wrong since he's started. He's also going into the race in really good order. “They're both very different horses on a very different level of knowledge, but we're going to take a shot with both of them and see what happens. I really, really like 2-year-olds and I love training them.”

Gail Cox, also in the midst of a successful season, will turn to Tio Magico to deliver her first Coronation Futurity title.

The Sam-Son Farm homebred finished sixth to Threefiftyseven in his debut on September 7.

“He got in a bit of trouble early,” noted Cox. “Then he made a great, big middle move, and I think he just got a little bit tired.”

The dark bay son of Uncle Mo was magic in his second start, a 1 1/16-mile main track race that was originally scheduled for the turf. Tio Magico, despite ducking in twice, held a 5 ½-length lead at the stretch call, and secured a half-length victory in a time of 1:44.85 ahead of the Kevin Attard-trained Coronation Futurity contender Stephen.

“He's doing great,” said Cox, who is one win shy of tying the career-best 15 victories she posted in 2011. “He's really good. After it came off the turf, I was thinking that you have to look ahead to the future. He trains well on the surface, so I wasn't really that worried about it. The only thing you question is, 'Now we're going two turns.' As it worked out, it was great that he had the opportunity to do that.”

The multiple graded stakes winning trainer, who has a personal-best four stakes scores this season, is excited to see what's in store for her young charge.

“He's a very nice horse and I think he's very talented. He's got a great mind… easy to train. He's still a colt and he's pretty good about it. He can run. He's always worked really well.”

Ayrshire Lad won the first running of the Coronation Futurity in 1902. The late Avelino Gomez won four straight (1964-67) editions of the race, a feat also achieved by Sandy Hawley (1973-76). Last year, Halo Again won the race in a time of 1:51.82. The last horse to notch the Futurity-Plate double was Norcliffe in 1975-76.

The 117th running of the Coronation Futurity is slated as race eight on Sunday's 11-race card. First post time is 1:10 p.m. Fans can also watch and wager on all the action via HPIbet.com.

$250,000 CORONATION FUTURITY

Post – Horse – Jockey – Trainer

1 – Master Spy – Patrick Husbands – Mark Casse

2 – Tio Magico – Luis Contreras – Gail Cox

3 – One Flint – Emma-Jayne Wilson – John LeBlanc Jr.

4 – Giant Waters – Rafael Hernandez – Daniel Vella

5 – British Royalty – Jerome Lermyte – Barbara Minshall

6 – Threefiftyseven – David Moran – Barbara Minshall

7 – Flex – Slade Callaghan – Michael De Paulo

8 – Stephen – Justin Stein – Kevin Attard

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