Keeneland Breeders’ Spotlight: An Apple From a Blooming Orchard

It was 2007: compared with a year or two later, not the best timing in terms of what was on the market and how much it would cost you. “And it was a little bigger than we wanted,” admits Larry Doyle. “But once we had the farm, well, we had to fill it.”

That might sound a bit cart-before-horse, as a strategy for repurposing 330 acres of cattle pasture for the rather more expensive models that nowadays graze KatieRich Farms outside Midway, Ky. But Doyle accepts that the Thoroughbred game is played to different rules to the one by which he made the money required.

“That's what I love about this business,” he says with a chuckle. “I make my money on Wall Street. But that's too easy. That's tic-tac-toe. This? This is hard, this is challenging. On Wall Street, you always look for that 20% return, year on year. Here, people try to improve on a 30% negative return. So it's always something to weigh. But sometimes you're a lot better off being a riverboat gambler than an accountant or financier!”

It was as a born “numbers guy” that Doyle was first intrigued by the handicapping side of the Turf, fatefully led astray by his older brother when growing up in Babylon, Long Island. But when the first horse race you ever see happens to be the 1973 Belmont S., then there will always be unquantifiable elements in the equation. All Doyle knows is that he's still paying his dues, and enjoying every minute.

And if Secretariat was hardly a representative introduction to the game, then nor was the first yearling Doyle bought, who won a stakes. “They put the needle in my arm quite early!” Doyle says. “It was easy, right? No way back after a start like that.”

Remarkably, things quickly became better yet–and that's why we're talking, a couple of decades later, on the eve of the Breeders' Cup. Because the KatieRich homebred American Apple (American Pharoah), who lines up for the GI Juvenile Turf Sprint on Friday, is a daughter of only the third horse Doyle ever purchased. Whatever she can do at the adjacent racetrack, moreover, she's already highly eligible–as winner of the GIII Matron S. and half-sister to a GI Kentucky Oaks-placed millionaire–to improve the balance sheet when offered as hip 234 in the Keeneland November Sale, just a couple of days later.

American Apple's dam Miss Mary Apples (Clever Trick) was bought in the same ring in 2001, with Doyle's buddy Chris Connors, for $37,000 at the September Sale.

“She was just a gorgeous yearling in Book 5,” Doyle recalls. “When she won on debut at Keeneland, she went off favorite and that was just on looks. Then she went up for the Fashion S., where against the track bias she ran down a big Lukas filly and lost by a head. And then we took her up to the [GII] Schuylerville and again ran a close second. The money they were throwing at us then was just crazy. I remember talking to a bloodstock agent about the offer and he goes, 'Kid, 11 times out of 10, you take that deal.'”

Ah, yes, but remember that the numbers guy was using a different abacus for the ponies. The Schuylerville winner dropped dead a week later, after all, apparently clearing a path for Miss Mary Apples in the GI Spinaway S.

“Unfortunately she came up with a throat problem that needed a surgery,” Doyle recalls. “So maybe not taking the money looked a bad deal then. But she came back the next year, placed in a few stakes, and then just became a very productive mare. She threw off 11 winners, plus one filly that didn't win but went on to produce [GISP] Parlor (Lonhro {Aus}). Miss Mary Apples was a great mother, very protective, and we only lost her last year three months after she delivered American Apple.”

And nor did she protect only her foals. Though KatieRich is always striving to make commercial sense, this mare simply didn't produce commercial foals. Time after time, that proved a win in the longer game.

“We got her pregnant to Empire Maker, $100,000 stud fee,” Doyle recalls. “We put her filly through the sale, she didn't make $85,000, so we brought her back. That was Miss Red Delicious: she won stakes herself, her daughter [Nootka Sound (Lonhro {Aus})] won a graded stakes, and another one Zapple (Ghostzapper) won her debut by nine lengths this summer. Then Miss Mary Apples had a filly by Curlin, another $100,000 stud fee. But she was small, didn't bring $75,000. So we brought her home, too, and that was Lady Apple. Won a million and sold for $1.2 million. Any time we tried to sell something out of that mare, they just didn't look precocious enough. But then they would blossom.”

By the time American Apple came along, then, the lesson had been thoroughly absorbed. She was never put through the ring at all.

“She'd only have been weaned three months, she was immature, she had a pot belly,” Doyle reasons. “So we ended up holding on to her–and here we are at the Breeders' Cup. She's always been brilliant in the morning. Gerardo [Corrales, jockey] told us in early March, 'This is my Breeders' Cup horse.' And we were laughing at him.”

The real thrill about the whole ride, with this filly, has been the early boost to the career of the program's 28-year-old trainer Daniel Leitch, who took over when Mark Hubley–who goes back a long way with Doyle and his brother, and indeed trained Miss Mary Apples–stepped back into the role of managing consultant only a year or so ago.

“Danny's been with us since he was working weekends at 15,” Doyle's wife Karen notes. “And he's always been the same, even now he stops at the barns after training in the morning to see if he can help out in any way. We were so happy for him when she won the Matron, I still get chills thinking about it.”

“Yes, he's just a solid, solid citizen,” agrees Doyle. “Always a helping hand, great personality, always upbeat. His confidence in this horse has never wavered. I'm 64, I've been around a bit longer, and I would say, 'All right, kid, we'll see. And he's like, 'We've got this!'”

After a couple of starts on dirt and a two-turn experiment on grass, American Apple won a valuable sprint maiden at Kentucky Downs.

“We had no reason not to believe that she'd run on dirt,” Doyle reflects. “I just think she needs a pace to close into. She has this burst of speed, that's why she's better suited to grass. We still think she can run long, but going short is just the way the races have played out for us. After she won at Kentucky Downs, we opened the condition book and there was only one place to go; and then it was the same after we shipped to New York and won up there. She's made the choices for us, really.”

American Apple | Horsephotos

The tougher choice, naturally, was to put her into the sale. But those numbers do have to stack up a little.

“This is just hedging,” Doyle says. “I'm a trader. A horse isn't worth what you think it's worth. It's worth what they pay you. But if you don't do it, you'll pay. And if you do, you can get rewarded. Remember, I have three half-sisters. We have stakes-winning daughters of the sisters. So the family is going to be well represented [in the program], and her mother's legacy is going to live on for many years.”

Zapple is another already promising to contribute. After her dazzling debut she tried stakes company, but came out with a few cuts and has been recuperating on the farm. She'll be resuming soon, and overall KatieRich–named for the Doyles' two children–appears to be evolving with persuasive energy: these days there's a sales prep division, there's training and pre-training, there's constant upgrading of stock.

“I think we're looking for different types of mares, to breed more two-turn horses,” Doyle reflects. “But basically we just want to keep learning, to get a better and better product out there. At the age I am, probably I'd be looking to breed to race a bit more, going forward. I think we've got some nice foundation mares. In terms of numbers, we're up a little high at 33, so we actually have nine going into the sale. But meanwhile we're keeping daughters, we're breeding them to nice sires, it's just time to look down the road a little bit.”

One intriguing measure of that perspective is that Doyle elected to retain an Uncle Mo colt–out of the Phipps mare Enhancing (Forestry), and therefore a half-brother to farm graduate Instilled Regard (Arch)–as a $475,000 RNA at the September Sale.

“I think that's a potential sire,” he explains. “Though it was me really stepping out, for a big colt, because it's selling those horses that pays the bills. But right now I feel let's take a shot with this one, and see how we go.”

Karen adds with a laugh that she was not present on that occasion to restrain her husband, and “didn't hear from him for two days after, either!”

But Doyle has been at the game long enough now to make calculations of this kind.

“My brother Jimmy owned a piece of a horse with Mark maybe as long ago as 1983, and I went in a few years later, in 1992,” he recalls. “I had no right to own a horse in those days. But I started the first internet mutual fund, and after that took off around 1999, 2000, I was able to go back to what I had seen years before, when I got an entry-level job with Thomas Mellon Evans on Park Avenue. He bred Pleasant Colony, and I got to meet with his bookkeeper and learn a bit more about ownership. He was very big into getting good mares. I didn't have the money then, to put it to use, but I was learning a lot.”

The physical imprint of the farm over the past 15 years, under Robert “Elmo” Richardson, has reflected conspicuous flair and ambition. But the real bedrock, not least given that the Doyles still spend much of their time in New York, is the caliber of the people.

“I had a very experienced horsewoman come to the farm, helping out for a while,” Doyle says. “And she was saying, 'Oh my God how do you get these people?' Everything's working well: you drop anybody in, they know how it works. We now have another very gifted young horseman in [farm president] George Barnes: he and Danny are working very well together, and that's so nice to see. And that has all been Mark and [farm manager] Tammy Ingebritson, it really has: they're the whole foundation of this farm. They have helped me to do this without mistakes, to have enough good sales along the way. That way we hope we can stick around and hopefully someday get a big horse.”

Who's counting? The numbers guy, that's who. Hence this filly being up for sale. But it's not just about the bottom line: he's counting on people, and on the intangible magic of the Thoroughbred.

The post Keeneland Breeders’ Spotlight: An Apple From a Blooming Orchard appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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George Barnes Promoted To President Of KatieRich Farms

KatieRich Farms, a recognized boutique horse breeding, training and boarding farm in Midway, Ky., has announced that Mark Hubley, who has been with the farm since its inception, has stepped down as president but will continue on as a consultant.

George Barnes, who was most recently vice president, has been tapped to fill the role. As president, Barnes will work closely with Farm Manager Tammy Ingebritson in the day-to-day activity of the farm, while also overseeing bloodstock research, stallion matings and sales. In addition, Danny Leitch has been promoted from assistant trainer to trainer, where he will be responsible for all training duties at the farm as well as Rice Road. The management changes go into effect immediately.

“On behalf of everyone at KatieRich Farms, we want to thank Mark for his many contributions to the farm since its inception,” said Larry and Karen Doyle, owners of KatieRich Farms. “He has been with us every step of the way – from a trainer to farm visionary to president – and we wouldn't be where we are today without his vision, experience, knowledge and business acumen. Moving forward, we are so grateful we can still tap into his expertise in a consulting capacity.”

George Barnes entered his role as vice president of KatieRich Farms in 2018. He has been involved in the thoroughbred industry since graduating from the University of Kentucky with a degree in Animal Science in 2014. Barnes previously worked at Blackburn Farm and the Larry Jones Racing Stable. He completed his Masters in Business Administration from Midway University in 2021.

For as long as Daniel Leitch can remember, horses have been a part of his life. After walking hots and cleaning stalls during summers and school breaks, he joined Katie Rich Farms in the fall of 2012 for foaling season on weekends and then fulltime after graduating in 2013. His responsibilities have evolved over the last decade from sales prepping and breaking yearlings to assistant trainer and now his new position as trainer.

“With his astute familiarity of bloodlines, pedigrees and breeding trends along with his extensive contacts in the Lexington area, George Barnes, along with Daniel Leitch, who I've watched mature into a consummate professional, will resolutely lead the farm into a successful future,” said Mark Hubley, outgoing president of KatieRich Farms. “I have the utmost confidence that they will both make great contributions to the farm in the coming years.”

“The changes in management at KatieRich Farms demonstrate the quality and depth of our tenured bench, and we look forward to working with the team as we continue to lead the farm to meet its targets, sales goals and fulfill its mission of being one of the country's leading horse breeding farms,” said the Doyles.

The post George Barnes Promoted To President Of KatieRich Farms appeared first on Horse Racing News | Paulick Report.

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Shackleford Filly Sets Quarter-Mile Mark at OBS Breeze Show Monday

The six-session under-tack show for next week’s Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s July 2-Year-Olds and Horses of Racing Age Sale began Monday and, with temperatures quickly rising into the upper 80’s, the day’s last of three sets was twice delayed as fierce rainstorms swept through the area.

A filly by Shackleford (hip 15), working early in the day’s first set, turned in the session’s fastest quarter-mile time of :20 4/5. Consigned by Jesse Hoppel’s Coastal Equine, the bay filly is out of Peace Queen (Indian Charlie), a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Tizaqueena (Tiznow).

“We expected her to be a very fast horse,” Hoppel said. “I didn’t know if she’d be the fastest horse breezing today, but I knew she would be right up there.”

Hoppel continued, “She is a big, classy-looking filly. She doesn’t have any vices about her, physically or mentally. She is a horse you can count on. So leading her up there, we expected her to breeze well and she did.”

The consignor said he was happy with the track conditions at OBS Monday.

“The track was a slow track today, but the slow tracks let horses separate themselves more,” Hoppel said. “A fast track will speed up a slow horse, but not necessarily help a fast horse.”

Hoppel is consigning the youngster on behalf of New York breeder James Doyle, brother of KatieRich Farm owner Larry Doyle. James Doyle, who purchased Peace Queen for $10,000 at the 2013 Fasig-Tipton New York Mixed Sale, currently has just two broodmares. Also through Coastal Equine, he will be offering a filly by Dialed In out of a granddaughter of Inside Information (Private Account) (hip 542) who is scheduled to work Thursday.

“I am lucky my brother has a great operation down there, so many times I drop them in New York and then they go to KatieRich for some kindergarten training in Kentucky,” Doyle said. “And I kind of draft on him a little bit.”

Asked if it was his brother who led him into racing, Doyle said with a laugh, “It was just the other way around. He blames me.”

Of his Shackleford filly, Doyle said, “She has just been a joy since the day she hit the ground. She has size and she’s obviously fast. The mare is a great Darley mare and Jesse Hoppel has just done an outstanding job with her.”

As for how the juvenile ended up at the 2-year-old sales, Doyle laughed again and said, “I forgot to put her in a yearling sale–how about that?”

Six juveniles shared the day’s fastest furlong time of :10 flat.

A colt by Ride on Curlin (hip 66) was first to work the co-fastest :10 flat time Monday. Consigned by Grassroots Training and Sales, the dark bay is out of Rated Xtreme (Magna Graduate), a full-sister to graded winner Blueeysintherein. He was purchased by Grassroots for $11,000 at last year’s OBS October Yearling Sale.

A colt by Race Day (hip 27) went the furlong in :10 flat for consignor Bobby Dodd. He is out of Pistolpackinsenora (Closing Argument). Also from Dodd’s consignment, hip 143, a filly by Tale of Ekati, worked in :10 flat. The bay is out of Shelby’s Song (Songandaprayer). Both juveniles were bred by Misty and Brad Grady.

Hip 49, a daughter of Into Mischief, went in :10 flat. Consigned by Brick City Thoroughbreds, the bay filly is out of graded stakes winner Prospective Saint (Saint Ballado) and is a half-sister to graded placed Island Saint (Speightstown). Bred by Mulholland Springs, the juvenile RNA’d for $170,000 at the OBS March sale following a :10 2/5 work earlier this year.

A daughter of Frosted (hip 82) worked in :10 flat for consignor Eddie Woods. The bay filly is out of the unraced Ride to Houston (Candy Ride {Arg}), a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Runway Model (Petionville), who is the dam of Grade I winner McKinzie (Street Sense). Bred by Whisper Hill Farm, she RNA’d for $275,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sale.

From the Wavertree Stables consignment, a filly by Malibu Moon (hip 115) went in :10 flat Monday morning. The chestnut it out of Samsational (Unbridled’s Song), an unraced half-sister to Grade I winner I Want Revenge (Stephen Got Even). She was purchased by Joe Minor’s JSM Equine for $125,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton October Yearling Sale.

The last of the bullet workers went to the track shortly before 10 a.m. and the day’s final set was delayed twice for about 20 minutes between 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

“The later part of the day, the weather affected conditions,” Hoppel said. “I don’t know how it affected the track itself. The last page of the breeze show was riddled with a lot of scratches, so there weren’t as many horses who had to deal with the weather later in the day. Early in the day, down here this time of year, it gets hot pretty fast. So we just do everything we can to help these horses be as happy as they can be and of course help ourselves-it’s hot for us, too.”

The first session of the under tack show was lightly attended, but Hoppel noted it’s a long time to sale time.

“It’s a six-day breeze show and it’s hot,” he said. “I think OBS does a good job of putting these videos online and now incorporating walking videos. I think a lot of people are going to be doing their homework and getting their notes off the tougher individuals who are sitting on the turn, possibly. So I think right now, with the six-day breeze show, it’s too early to tell what the attendance is going to be like here. I think for a filly like [hip 15], there are going to be people looking for good horses like that. The other levels, I don’t know what parties are scheduled to attend, but the more the merrier.”

The under tack show continues through Saturday with sessions beginning daily at 7:30 a.m. The July sale will be held next Tuesday through Thursday with bidding commencing at 10 a.m.

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