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2023 Mating Plans, Presented by Spendthrift: Stonehaven Steadings

With the breeding season underway, the TDN staff is continuing the '2023 Mating Plans' series, presented by Spendthrift Farm, to find out what stallions breeders have chosen for their mares this year, and why. Here Aidan and Leah O'Meara of Stonehaven Steadings talk us through their plans for the year. Before getting into their individual mares, Aidan discusses their process for drawing up the farm's mating plans each year.

We usually begin our matings by drawing up a short list of stallions that we intend to use for the coming season. We'll break them into three groups of proven, up-and-coming and freshmen sires and we try to diversify as much as possible amongst our broodmare band of 30 mares. We'll have a short list of potential mates for each mare which, when considering stud fee ranges, usually ends up being a list of four or five stallions. This is refined further with pedigree and conformation considerations before reaching the ultimate choice.

This year we had a particularly deep draft of incoming freshman sires and you're not always able to use as many of the younger stallions that you would like to depending on a mare's particular fit or the make up of your broodmare band. Some of the up-and-comer stallions can take a huge and somewhat unwarranted jump in stud fee due to supply demands. That can make you sit out a year and wait to see if it's legit or not, especially if a younger stallion has a couple of weak crops coming down the pipeline.

Proven

VENETIAN SONATA (m, 14, Bernardini – Moonlight Sonata, by Carson City) and STUNNING SKY (m, 6 Declaration of War – Sky Walk, by Unbridled's Song) to be bred to Quality Road

This will be Venetian Sonata's second time to Quality Road. One of our top two yearling fillies for this year is her daughter by Quality Road and he has been the pick for her again for this year for quite some time. She is smaller mare, but despite that she has been a big producer at the track and in the sales ring. Quality Road is one of the better stallions out there to get a little commercial leg under a mare and he has already had a significant filly out of this family in MGISW Abel Tasman. The Quality Road-Bernardini cross has been a potent one.

We had some great success mating a classy turf filly with Quality Road in the past and hope lightning might strike twice here with Stunning Sky, who was herself a Grade III winner at Keeneland and was Grade II placed at Saratoga. She is a big, robust filly and will benefit from the refinement Quality Road brings to his offspring.

JILTED BRIDE (m, 6, Wicked Strong – Cry At My Wedding, by Street Cry {Ire}) and MISS COSTA RICA (m, 5, Hit It a Bomb – Five Star Daydream, by Five Star Day) to be bred to Into Mischief

These are two new graded stakes fillies we added to the broodmare band this year. We try to give the younger mares as much opportunity as possible and there is no better sire than Into Mischief for that job. Both are bigger, well-conformed mares. Those traits will complement Into Mischief physically. Pedigree selection is a little easier with Into Mischief as he works so well with so many lines.

BECKLES ROAD (m, 14, Smart Strike – Padmore, by French Deputy) to be bred to Gun Runner

Beckles Road is another mare that has been a big producer for us at the track and sales. She has another beautiful Into Mischief filly this year that rivals her full-sister Class on Class that we sold in Book 1 last year at Keeneland September. When breeding at the upper echelons of the stallion ranks, we try to use mares that have shown us that they can consistently produce the kind of quality and ability in their offspring to warrant such a strong investment. She is a big, beautiful-profiled mare who is a little offset in front, but hasn't been passing that on. Gun Runner will suit her beautifully in the pedigree and physique department.

Figure of Speech broke her maiden on debut at Saratoga in 2019. This year she will be bred to Curlin | Sarah Andrew

FIGURE OF SPEECH (m, 6, Into Mischief – Starlight Lady, by Elusive Quality) to be bred to Curlin

Figure of Speech is a young, Grade I-placed Into Mischief filly currently in foal to Gun Runner. Curlin is the preeminent sire of Classic horses in the country and a mix of blood of these two stallion rockstars can only be a positive thing. Figure of Speech is a very classy-looking filly who will complement Curlin's powerful physique.

LUCY IN DIAMONDS (m, 11, Rock Hard Ten – Spritz, by Relaunch), THISSMYTIME (m, 6, Carpe Diem – Seraphic Too, by Southern Halo), CHAMPAGNE IVY (m, 5, Shackleford – Wonder Upon a Star, by Street Cry {Ire}) and BERNIN MIDNIGHT (m, 8, Midnight Lute – Venetian Sonata, by Bernardini) to be bred to Uncle Mo

These are all young mares and Uncle Mo is probably the best value now of the top-tier stallions. All are very clean-legged fillies in front, which tends to help with this sire too. Uncle Mo brings such diversity in his offsprings' abilities, whether it's distance or surfaces, and he works so well with such a variety of sire lines that he helps make the decision-making process a lot easier. He gives breeders a great shot at building a strong foundation under their younger mares.

Lucy In Diamonds had her best foal to date by this horse that sold well in September to SF Bloodstock and company. Part of the play here would be anticipating that this colt may develop into a promising runner by the time a full sibling gets to auction in a couple of years.

Thissmytime is a young, stakes-winning filly and a track record holder. She lacks a little size and Uncle Mo is one of the better stallions out there to help a mare in that department.

Bernin Midnight's first three foals have been impressive, most notably the Street Sense yearling from last year, and she continues to get an increased opportunity with quality of her perspective mates.

Champagne Ivy is a maiden stakes filly with a big family backing her up.

Freshmen

Aidan O'Meara with the Quality Road colt out of True Feelings that topped the 2022 Keeneland September Sale | Keeneland

TRUE FEELINGS (m, 14, Latent Heat – Grand Charmer, by Lord Avie) to be bred to Flightline

True Feelings is the jewel of our broodmare band. She has consistently produced quality stock from multiple sire lines that have different looks physically, but all had the quality physical and stylish walk that has stood them well in the sales ring. Flightline is a rare talent that is arguably the most impressive dirt runner of the modern era. The plan in this case was simple: breed a special mare to a special stallion and hope for something special.

NOTAPRADAPRICE (m, 9, Paddy O'Prado – Brenda's Slew, by Straight Man) to be bred to Life Is Good

We are very fortunate this year to have two very high-caliber incoming freshmen sires that had that “next level” natural ability. Life Is Good's Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile was arguably the most impressive performance in that race's history and, coupled with his ability to take that speed a little further, his physique takes him to the top of the list of the best-looking sons of Into Mischief.

Prada is a graded stakes winner and a stakes winner on both surfaces. She is a big, beautiful filly who should work well physically with Life Is Good.

EASY LIVING (m, 12, Big Brown – Jaramar Miss) and EARLYBIRD ROAD (m, 19, Cherokee Run – Kiss N Make Up, by Private Terms) to be bred to Corniche

Corniche is obviously our pride and joy and we are fortunate enough to still be minor shareholders in him, so we are trying to play our part in helping him in his future career. Both mares are quality stakes producers and consistently throw the right kind of physical.

Easy Living's Into Mischief colt will be our best colt headed to auction this year and her daughter My Kentucky Girl (American Pharoah) is a current-year stakes filly with potential to add to her resume as the year progresses. She had a beautiful Quality Road filly a few years back and should hopefully work well here again.

Corniche was a magnificent-looking foal. Still to this day he is the most impressive-looking foal we've ever had on the farm and he has the potential to be one of the standouts of this very deep group of freshmen sires when the first foals hit the sales next year and go on into their yearling stages.

Up-And-Coming

DEBBY D'ORO (m, 10, Giant's Causeway – Dashing Debby, by Medaglia d'Oro) and QUIRL (m, 8, More Than Ready – Beckles Road, by Smart Strike) to be bred to Good Magic

STEELIN MEMORIES (m, 3, Quality Road – Steelin' by Oreintate) and CANNY (m, 9, Big Brown – Sharp Instinct, by Awesome Again) to be bred to Justify

SCOOTER BIRD (m, 13, War Pass – Miz Emmalou, by Well Decorated) to be bred to Bolt d'Oro

PRINCESSDIANE (m, 7, Uncle Mo – Romantic Fibs, by Prized) to be bred to Violence

MIZ KELLA (m, 11, Harlan's Holiday – Steelin' by Orientate) and MIDNIGHT DIVA (m, 5, Midnight Lute – Pizza Lady, by Dance With Ravens) to be bred to Constitution

In any given year, we are lucky to have one stallion that shows enough early ability with his first crop of two-year-olds to suggest long-term viability as a major Kentucky stallion. But the deep group this year has three very solid candidates, all with strong early commercial success and strong groups of mares bred each year to help maintain the momentum.

All the above mares are younger and these stallions give breeders the opportunity to access a somewhat proven stallion without the steep stud fees of the older brigade.

Violence has the potential to have a huge year with Forte on the Derby trail, Newgrange headed to the GI Santa Anita H. and Dr. Schivel back on the warpath.

Constitution is entering the upper echelons of the sire ranks, but with his current production and more importantly his potential for even further success when his bigger, better-bred crops hit the track, we think he is still in the up-and-coming stage. Some of the best opportunities for breeders comes with riding the success of these young stallions as they climb the ladder and it has stood us well in the past.

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2023 Mating Plans, Presented by Spendthrift: Jay Em Ess Stables (Samantha Siegel)

As we approach the opening of the 2023 breeding season, the TDN staff is once again sitting down with leading breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why. Today we caught up with Jay Em Ess Stable's Samantha Siegel.

ACTING HAPPY (m, 16, Empire Maker–Ain't Bluffing, by Pine Bluff)
This mare is a reigning member of the decades-old breeding program established by Samantha Siegel and her late parents, Mace and Jan. The Empire Maker mare is a daughter of the 1998 GI Milady H. winner I Ain't Bluffing, who was also campaigned by the Siegels, and a half-sister to Grade II producer I Ain't P T (A.P. Indy) and Grade II producer Taunt (Deputy Minister). Acting Happy won the 2010 GII Black-Eyed Susan S. and was third in the GI Coaching Club American Oaks and GI Alabama S.

She is in foal to Maclean's Music on a Mar. 14 cover and is booked this year to Army Mule.

AUNT LUBIE (m, 8, Uncle M–Galloping Girafffe, by Tapit)

Siegel laid down $325,000 for this mare as a Keeneland yearling and after a career that spanned 17 races with a single win she was retired to become a member of the Jay Em Ess broodmare band. Some of the more notable names to appear in her pedigree include GII winner Timber Reserve (Forest Camp), Sweet Reason (Street Sense) and Don't Forget Gil (Kafwain). Her first foal is an unnamed yearling filly by Maclean's Music and currently she is in foal to City of Light. She is booked back to Girvin.

“Girvin is off to a great start and should give speed to her foal,” Siegel said of the mating plan.

BY THE LIGHT (m, 18, Malibu Moon–Dixie Tempo, by Major Impact)This mare was purchased by the Siegel family for $190,000 as a Fasig-Tipton Midlantic yearling 17 years ago and after winning half of her 20 starts and placing in a number of stakes, including the 2008 GII Prioress S., she has served as a productive member of Siegel's broodmare band. Her most successful offspring is By The Moon and she is in foal to Into Mischief on an Apr. 22 cover and booked back to leading sire Good Magic.

BY THE MOON (m, 11, Indian Charlie–By The Light, by Malibu Moon)
Aside from I Ain't Bluffing, By The Moon is perhaps one of Siegel's most notable runners, which is saying a lot considering Jay Em Ess Stables campaigned champion Declan's Moon, Grade I winners Rail Trip and Include Me Out and dozens of other graded stakes winners. In a career that saw her bankroll $1,552,940 from a line of 20-7-6-2, the 2014 GI Frizette S. winner is the dam of Full Moon Madness (Into Mischief), who was third in the GIII Nashua S. last year.

“She has a beautiful Quality Road yearling filly,” Siegel said, adding she currently is in foal to Curlin and booked to visit Gun Runner this spring.

BY THE GATE (4, f, Arrogate–By The Moon, by Indian Charlie)
This bay filly is from the first crop of her late sire and didn't make the races. She is in foal to Good Magic and booked to Not This Time.

GO GOOGLE YOURSELF (m, 8, Into Mischief–Taunt, by Deputy Minister)
A Grade III winner, she had her first foal–a beautiful Gun Runner filly–on January 24. Her next foal will be from the first crop of newly crowned Horse of the Year Flightline

INCLUDE ME OUT (m, 15, Include–Don't Trick Her, by Mazel Trick)
This Siegel hombred won the 2012 GI Santa Margarita Invitational S. at Santa Anita and GI Clement L. Hirsch S. at Del Mar and was also third in the 2012 GI Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic. She's had six foals so far and is currently in foal to Munnings. She is booked to Oscar Performance this year.

LOTSANDLOTSOFHOPE (m, 13, TIznow–Hope Rises, by Mr. Greeley)
She raced once for Seigel and finished second before being retired to the broodmare band. She is the dam of GIISW and GISP Extra Hope (Shanghai Bobby) and after a barren year for 2023 she is booked to Omaha Beach.

ROAD RAGER (m, 7, Quality Road—She Is Raging, by Aggressive Chief)
This Grade II-placed mare had her first foal this year, a beautiful filly by Daredevil, and is booked back to visit Mo Town.

Interested in sharing your own mating plans? Email garyking@thetdn.com.

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A New Look Ringfort Stud? Derek Veitch Announces Mating Plans

Derek Veitch, famous for producing Group 1-winning sprinter Minzaal (Ire) and high-class runners Threat (Ire), Miss Amulet (Ire), Ubettabelieveit (Ire) and Indigo Lady (Ire), has outlined his intention to dramatically scale back his broodmare band to 15 or less at his Ringfort Stud base in County Offaly this year.

The move will come as a surprise to many, given the Rhode-based Veitch has just enjoyed his greatest year as a breeder after Minzaal scorched the Haydock turf when landing the G1 Sprint Cup, not least his wife Gay, who is taking a 'believe it when she sees it' approach to the decision.

“He was one of the nicest foals we've sold for a long time. He could be a Derby or St Leger type of horse. That's what he was bred to be and the vibes that I am getting back on him are really good,” – Derek Veitch.

However, Veitch is concentrating on diversifying the Ringfort Stud brand, and explained how his decision has been made in the knowledge that none of his three kids have any desire to continue the famous breeding operation.

He explained, “This year is slightly different for us because we've had a transition of assets over the past four years and it finishes this year in December 2023. I was 65 last weekend and the plan has been to cut back a lot. We started this plan five years ago so, what we will be doing this year will be the same as every other, in that we will foal down a good number of mares and get them back in foal. But, in June or July, things will be very different in that we are going to aim a lot of mares at sales and we will have a big reduction in the size of the farm and try to take things a little bit easier.”

He added, “We have three kids and none of them have any interest in the farm. We have to plan for the next 20 to 25 years without the kids coming in as a support structure on the farm. There's no point structuring the place so that it stays the same or possibly gets even bigger. We are trying to restructure and get to a point where we'd probably sell the farm to get to a small acreage. We could retire into that and not be what we are for the past 20 years. That's a big change. We've been here 22 years and have done nothing but expand since we got here.”

Many of the Ringfort mares are owned in partnership, meaning they will be offered at public auction, although no concrete plans have been made as to what sales they will be entered up at. While revealing mating plans to TDN Europe ahead of what promises to be another busy breeding season, Veitch explained how he could turn his hand to pinhooking foals or possibly racing horses in the future.

He said, “I don't know if you can time a group of mares to be at their best to go to the sales but it's a necessary evil so that we can get to where we want to go and not still be killing myself working when I'm 75. The plan is to make things more manageable. In a way, that affords us to consolidate and concentrate on quality. It's also an opportunity to diversify into racing ownership a little bit more and to foal pinhooking rather than just breeding. We could run a slightly different business model and reinvent the Ringfort image. That's what we're trying to do this year. It will be more of a surprise to people, even Gay, if I actually do it. They don't think it's in my nature.

“They think I need to work to live. The plan is to try and balance the rest and relaxation element of life and emphasise that a lot more than the work end of it, which has been a necessity to get three kids through college and through private school. We had to work hard but we don't have to do that anymore if we reduce our number. Our partnership mares will go to the sales to be sold and there's a bunch who can't be sold because they're too old or if they have veterinary issues. Then there's younger mares who are unexposed and are maybe starting to breed this year. They could stay around for the next few years. That's the plan anyway.”

Asked how he feels stepping off the wheel, Veitch said, “I'd loved to have stepped off it at 21 and lived the high life but you can't do that. The idea of getting up at half six in the morning having been up all night foaling mares and then working all day, it's not appealing anymore, the whole novelty of that has worn off. As I said, we don't need to do it anymore because the kids have got their own jobs.”

The important milestone achieved with Minzaal, who Veitch intends to support with three or four mares during his debut season at Derrinstown Stud, helped fulfil a lifelong ambition for the breeder which Gay believes will help with the decision to scale back on the operation.

She said, “You have to remember, Derek has to be doing something different otherwise he's bored. He's bred his Group 1 winner and he always said that he would breed until he got a Group 1 winner. Now that he has it, I suppose he can turn his hand to something else. He reinvents himself.”

Derek added, “Winning the race was a big thing but, being there on that particular day was unique because, nine times out of ten, it happens to be when we're sitting at home watching it on the television. It was lovely to be there on the day.”

And they have their daughter to thank for being there. With no intention of making the trip to Haydock for the race, a last-minute plan was hatched to support their superstar graduate, and boy was it worth it.

Gay explained, “We were just lucky because our daughter lives in Manchester and she phoned to ask us what we were doing at the weekend. Derek was going to Newmarket for the Somerville Sale anyway, and my daughter asked did we know that Manchester was only half an hour away. She told us to get on a flight and come racing. It was pure fluke and was literally organised at the last minute.”

Derek added, “It was a nice fluke. It's a wee memory that is important about the whole thing and justifies getting up at night, rearing and bringing a foal to auction. It's an interesting journey and the story continues 50 minutes away from here at Derrinstown Stud. He seems to be popular and he's going to get plenty of mares so, if he is fertile, he could be a successful sire. He's had over 300 mare applications but they are limiting him to 175. We have three mares that will visit him.

“Rocana (GB) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}), the dam of Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who won the Chester Vase will visit Minzaal. She is the dam of a nice Australia (GB) colt who is in training with James Ferguson as well. I'd say that Australia horse is a dark one for this year and we're looking forward to seeing him run. I'd say he's a Group horse. He was one of the nicest foals we've sold for a long time. He could be a Derby or St Leger type of horse. That's what he was bred to be and the vibes that I am getting back on him are really good.”

He continued, “The other mares booked in to Minzaal are Shenoya (Fr) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Aunt Bee (Ire) (Australia {GB}). Shenoya is a young mare and her first foal was by Gleneagles (Ire) and we sold her to Cathy Grassick and she is gone into training with Joseph O'Brien. The second foal was by Ghaiyyath (Ire) and we sold her to Tally-Ho Stud for €130,000. We liked her a lot. She could be an Oaks filly. Aunt Bee is a stakes-placed mare and in foal to Bated Breath (GB). That will be her first foal. We've a mare in partnership with Corduff Stud, Boo Boo Bear (Ire) (Almutawakel I {GB}), and she will go to him as well.”

Along with Minzaal, Ringfort will support a nice blend of up-and-coming and proven stallions, with Baaeed, Sea The Stars, Ghaiyyath and Mehmas featuring on the list.

Veitch said, “Coolminx (Ire) (One Cool Cat) will go to Baaeed (GB). She has a very nice Cracksman (GB) called Madly Truly (Ire), who I sold to Brendan Holland of Grove Stud for 95,000gns, but she subsequently sold to Joseph O'Brien and Justin Casse at Book 1 for 410,000gns. She's won her maiden at Naas and is well-regarded. She's a big filly and is very much a three-year-old. David Redvers bought the two-year-old by Profitable (Ire) for 65,000gns and she's one who could rock and roll in early June. She was bought to be a fast, precocious two-year-old and that's what she is. Coolminx is the dam of Fearby (Ire) (Havana Gold {Ire}), a nice horse we bred.

We haven't made any plan for the dam of Minzaal, Pardoven (Ire) (Clodovil {Ire}), who is in foal to Mehmas {Ire}). She is not due until April so we are going to see how she foals down. If everything is okay, we'll consider something for her rather than resting her for the year. There's a very nice mare called Daring Diva (GB) (Dansili {GB}), who has a big page. We sold the Violence filly out of her for €190,000 to Niall Brennan, who is a very good breeze-up man, so she could be a lovely breeze-up filly. He will do well with her. Daring Diva is the dam of Brooch (Empire Maker), who is the dam of Mandaloun (Into Mischief), the new Juddmonte stallion. It's a classy pedigree and Violence is an exciting stallion in America. We haven't organised who she will visit yet.”

He added, “Woven Lace (GB) (Hard Spun) is in foal to Ghaiyyath and is almost ready to foal. She's going to Camelot. Like A Charm (Fr) (Charm Spirit {Ire}) is in foal to Zarak (Fr) and will go to Mehmas. La Australiana (Australia), the dam of the Kitten's Joy colt we sold to WH Bloodstock for 130,000gns last year, is in foal to Starman (GB) and is going to Kodiac (GB). We've a breeding right in Kodiac.

African Moonlight is also worth a mention. She is the dam of Anmaat (Ire) (Awtaad {Ire}), a good horse for Owen Burrows last year, and her yearling filly by Kodiac was bought by John Dance for 300,000gns. She's a nice filly and we're looking forward to her. That mare is in foal to Palace Pier and will go to Sea The Stars (Ire). There's another mare in foal to Violence, who we bought in America, and her name is Air Cavalry (Air Force Blue). She's going to see Earthlight (Ire). I think that will be a good covering for her.

Indigo Lady (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}) has been very lucky for us in partnership with our friend Paul Hancock. She produced Indie Angel (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}), a winner at Royal Ascot. Indigo Lady is in foal to Dark Angel so she is carrying a full brother or sister to Indie Angel. She's going to Ghaiyyath this year.”

Not only is Ringfort's faith in Ghaiyyath notable, but the fact that the majority of the mares breeding on the farm were sourced for relatively small fees is another trend to emerge. The best example of that is Flare Of Firelight (Birdstone), the dam of Threat, who Veitch picked up for just 9,000gns in 2014 before selling privately to Juddmonte for a great deal more. Veitch may be winding down his operation this year, but he is not afraid to share some of the advice that has helped him grow his empire.

He explained, “A workable number is ten mares. There's always two or three barren mares and you might only get four or five foals. Of those foals, you'd be lucky to get one or two that would ring a bell at the sales so, to make it pay, year on year, you need that sort of number. If you go below that number, it's never practical. You'd do better out of it by just buying the foals that you want at the sales.

He added, “For me, it's never about the produce record of the dam at the time, but more about where she is. If she's in a good hotel and has been well-covered, then something will happen. I wouldn't buy a filly unless she has a very good third and fourth dam. It has to have great depth. But I would rather buy the 54-rated or the unraced filly out of a nice mare who was rated 100 plus or had minor black-type. That's the sort of thing that turns me on when I open the page.”

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Mating Plans: Jim Connor

As we approach the opening of the 2023 breeding season, the TDN staff is once again sitting down with breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why. Up this week, Jim Connor.

GIBBET (m, 8, War Front–Cross, by Mighty), in foal to Liam's Map and going to Practical Joke in 2023
I own this mare in partnership with my cousin Vincent Colbert, who bred Chocolate Gelato, so he is a big Practical Joke fan…didn't take much to convince me. We take turns picking the stallions, but she threw two beautiful colts from Arrogate and Volatile in the last 2 seasons–both sold at Keenland this past year. Really looking forward to this year's Liam's Map foal as well.

DIASTOLE (m, 9, Lonhro {Aus}-Bridgette Bordeux, by Medaglia d'Oro), foal to Catholic Boy and going to Mitole
A++ nick to Mitole. With Mitole's speed and Diastole's power and size from Lonhro, this should be a nice match.

PURE VALUE (m, 15, Value Plus–Melancholy, by Run Softly), in foal to Creative Cause and going to Cupid
A+ nick to Cupid. I purchased Pure Value in foal to Global Campaign [for $10,000 at KEEJAN] last year and she had a great looking filly by Global Campaign. Cupid is on the rise–a true bargain for $5,000.

KILKEA (m, 6, Blame-Miz Topgallant, by Mizzen Mast), in foal to Tacitus and going to Volatile
A recent digital auction purchase for me. My first mare (Gibbet) had her first foal by Blame. So, I've been a big Blame fan ever since and watched [SP] Kilkea race and have a lot of success. Almost $200,000 earnings and a stunning grey/roan, I had to have her. Sending another mare to Volatile was easy decision helped by the A + nick. But I'm very bullish on Volatile.

SUNCOAST VIXEN (f, 3, Malibu Moon-The Other Woman, by Tiznow), going to Independence Hall
I purchased The Vixen as a 2-year-old with plans to race her, but she had a couple of minor setbacks and I decided she was very worthy of going to breeding shed. Who wouldn't want a Malibu Moon broodmare?! Winstar agreed Independence Hall would be a great match so I chose him. He is a stellar looking stallion and I'm excited to be on the front end of his career.

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