Who’s going to be the next major force among the Kentucky stud farms? I’m bettin’ on Darley. Considering Sheikh Mohammed’s yearling and broodmare acquisitions over the past few years (he spent $60 million alone in September), future stallion prospects are almost a given. The latest example is Darley’s three recently-retired high-profile stallion prospects: Rockport Harbor was a yearling purchase; Henny Hughes was a private purchase after he won his first two starts; and Barnardini is a homebred. From what I’ve heard, thier phones are ringing off the hook for all three, as well as Street Cry, sire of soon-to-be Champion Juvenile Colt Street Sense. This brings Darley Kentucky stallion roster to 12. Currently, Kentucky’s two biggest farms by number of stallions are Lane’s End with 22 and Ashford Stud with 17.
They’ve just announced their 2007 stud fees. They are:
- BARNARDINI — $100,000
- CHEROKEE RUN — $40,000
- CONSOLIDATOR — $20,000
- E DUBAI — $15,000
- ELUSIVE QUALITY — $100,000
- HENNY HUGHES — $40,000
- HOLY BULL — $15,000
- KAFWAIN — $10,000
- OFFLEE WILD — $10,000 (down from $15,000 in 2006)
- QUIET AMERICAN — $20,000
- ROCKPORT HARBOR — $20,000
- STREET CRY — $50,000 (up from $30,000 in 2006)
Final score: 1 stud fee UP, 1 stud fee DOWN, and 7 stud fees remain the same.