New York breeding

A winner of the GII Joe Hernandez Stakes, GISP Chewing Gum (Candy Ride {Arg}--Shared Heart, by Forestry) will take up residence at Rockridge Stud for the 2025 season and will stand for a partnership including Wachtel and Pantofel Stables, the farm announced via presser Friday. The five-time winner claimed the aforementioned graded contest at Santa Anita in 2022 but had made an appearance at the highest level the year prior, finishing two-lengths second to Casa Creed (Jimmy Creed) in the GI Jackpocket Jaipur Stakes the summer of 2021. He'd run...

MGSW War Dancer (War Front--Deed I Do by Alydeed) will return to Rockridge Stud in 2025, it was announced Thursday. The millionaire, who began his stud career at Rockridge Stud in 2017, led New York's turf sire since his first foals hit the track in 2020, with current progeny earnings nearing $10 million. "We are thrilled to once again partner with Rockridge in standing War Dancer, who has proven himself as a top turf sire," said Robin Malatino. "With the introduction of Tapeta at Belmont, he can only improve on...

The first foal by GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf winner and Sequel Stallions sire Fire At Will (Declaration of War--Flirt, by Kitten's Joy) was born recently. Bred in New York by Horse Haven Racing and born on Jan. 30, the colt is the first foal out of the unraced Marital Joy (Practical Joke). The mare is from the same extended family as Breeders' Cup winner Shared Account (Pleasantly Perfect) and her Breeders' Cup-winning daughter Sharing (Speightstown). "The colt has a lot of scope to him," said Sequel's Becky Thomas. "He...

The first foal for three-time Grade I winner Mind Control (Stay Thirsty) was reported born Thursday, Jan. 4, at Irish Hill Farm in Stillwater, New York. The filly, who is also the first foal out of the winning mare Gentle Annie (Freud), was bred by Blue Streak Racing LLC. "She looks just like her daddy," said Irish Hill's Rick Burke. "We all like her a lot. One of her owners was out here and commented that she looks just like her sire. That's a good thing. If they all come...

The New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund Corporation (the Fund) Board of Directors' unanimously approved a motion during its Dec. 12 meeting to increase the breeder award rates for all New York-breds, the organization announced Tuesday. The increase, which covers all New York breds competing in the state beginning Jan. 1, was approved by the Fund board due to projected revenue increases expected in the upcoming season. An increased hold-back rate from 10-15% will also be implemented to ensure the Fund can payout awards up to the new...

Beginning on Jan. 1, 2026, New York-bred overnight races for 2-year-olds on the NYRA circuit will offer purse amounts matching the race's open-company counterpart, which will directly benefit the state's 2024 foal crop and pave the way to compete for some of the richest purses of any state-bred program in the nation, the association said in a release Wednesday. At the 2023 summer meet at Saratoga Race Course, maiden races restricted to New York-bred 2-year-olds featured a purse of $88,000 compared to a purse of $105,000 offered for 2-year-olds competing...

CHC Inc. and WinStar Farm LLC's Americanrevolution (Constitution--Polly Freeze, by Super Saver) has been retired from racing and will stand in 2024 at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, NY, his connections announced in a release late Thursday afternoon. The Todd Pletcher trainee was a four-time stakes winner at three, culminating in the $750,000 GI Cigar Mile H. as he registered a Beyer Speed Figure of 105. "This is the best horse to retire in New York in a very long time," said Rockridge Stud's Lere Visagie. "We all know we need...

The blinkered Tourist ran into a scorching :21.81 and :44.61 pace in the 2016 GI Breeders' Cup Mile, split horses in a thriller, and emerged from battle not only with the win, but with the Mile record. In 39 years of Breeders' Cups and so many champions, no one has run the eight furlongs on the grass faster than his blistering 1:31.71. After standing his first few seasons at WinStar in Kentucky, Tourist relocated to Rockridge in New York for the 2023 season. "Tourist is the perfect blend of fire...