The blog at Werk Thoroughbred Consultants
By Frances J. Karon According to an account by Murphy Givens, a chronicler of King Ranch’s Richard King, King Ranch was founded in 1853 by the 29-year-old King, who bought 15,000 acres of land for two cents an acre—an expenditure of $300. King, being a great visionary, may have had some idea that the name … Continue reading Verrazano bridges King Ranch to Coolmore
By Frances J. Karon WinStar Farm’s new stallion recruit Fed Biz has all the proper credentials to succeed as a sire: pedigree, looks, race record, and the backing of a farm that has helped get freshman sire Super Saver, with seven stakes horses in his first crop, off to a great start in 2014. The … Continue reading Getting down to Biz-ness
By Elaine Belval Up With the Birds, the reigning Canadian Horse of the Year, won the G2 Nijinsky II S. at Woodbine on July 19 for owner-breeder Sam-Son Farm and trainer Malcolm Pierce for his seventh win in 12 starts and $1,286,409 in earnings. Last year, the colt won the G1 Jamaica at Belmont Park. … Continue reading Stormy Atlantic flying high
By Elaine Belval When Unbridled’s Song died last year, Taylor Made Farm in Nicholasville, Kentucky, lost a top sire. But his G1-winning sons, of which there are 11 to date and five with foals of racing age, were not anywhere near as good as their sire. Of the five, only First Defence has sired a … Continue reading In Fashion
By Elaine Belval As mentioned in this space in 2012, for many years, Put it Back was one of my favorite stallions in the USA. A son of Champion Honour and Glory, Put it Back was a very solid racehorse, winning five sprints at three, including the G2 Riva Ridge S. for owner-breeder Hobeau Farm … Continue reading Put It Back Stayed Put
By Elaine Belval In my opinion, there is no greater racing event than the five-day Royal Ascot meeting. And what a five days it was…again! What notes can breeders take from the results this year? First, that there is reason to persist with Starspangledbanner, who was taken out of service in Ireland for sub-par fertility, … Continue reading Notes From Royal Ascot
By Elaine Belval. When Rahy died in 2011, it appeared that would be the end of the line for this particular branch of the Blushing Groom sireline, because despite having a number of quality sons at stud, none appeared ready to wear Rahy’s mantle. Noverre was one of his better sons at stud, but he … Continue reading The light of Le Havre
By Elaine Belval. Awesome Again’s son Game on Dude won three G1 races and over $2 million in earnings in 2013 alone, but the Adena Springs sire is definitely about more than just Game on Dude. His son Oxbow became his first Classic winner when he won this year’s Preakness S., and that colt is … Continue reading Awesome Again…and again…and again