Pin Oak Stud

Michael Hardy, the former Head of Sales for Goffs and general manager of Margaux Farm near Lexington, has been appointed as the new director of farm operations and property at Jim and Dana Bernhard's Pin Oak Stud, officials at the nursery announced Monday. Born into a racing family in Northern Ireland, Hardy gained early experience on his family's stud farm before completing a degree in Equine Science at the University of Limerick. He was a participant in the Irish National Stud's Management Course in addition to the Godolphin Flying Start...

2nd-Keeneland, $77,839, Msw, 4-25, 2yo, 5 1/2fT, 1:03.29, fm, neck. INTO DIAMONDS (c, 2, Into Mischief--Diamond Sparkles {GSP}, by War Front) was overlooked by the betting public at odds of 6-1 for his debut here. The bay settled mid-pack up the backstretch as the tone was set by fellow firster Cheval de Guerre (Caravaggio). Trying to get involved around the far turn, the colt fanned four wide at the top of the lane and uncorked a bid to catch the leader. With a final push just the before the wire,...

Several farms in and around Lexington, KY will be represented as part of a two-day breeding clinic hosted by the Thoroughbred Owners and Breeders Association. The event, which will be held June 7-8, will take attendees to Lane's End, Mulholland Springs, Crestwood Farm and Pin Oak Stud and also includes a tour of Hagyard Equine Medical Institute. Educational opportunities will touch on all aspects of breeding including mating plans, foaling procedures and veterinary perspectives. Registration for this event is open to the public and available here.

7th-GP, $89K, MSW, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 4:15 p.m. DERBY STREET (Street Sense) sold to Pin Oak Stud for $700,000 at the 2022 Keeneland September Sale from breeder Bonne Chance Farm. Out of a winning Medaglia d'Oro mare who has already produced two winners from two to race, the Bill Mott trainee traces back to third dam Quiet Dance, the dam of Horse of the Year Saint Liam (Saint Ballado) along with GISW Funtastic (More Than Ready) and GSW Quiet Giant, herself the mother of Horse of the Year and successful...

The TDN's popular annual series 'Mating Plans, presented by Spendthrift,' continues today in a conversation with Pin Oak Stud's Clifford Barry "Planning matings is always fun, putting all the tools you have available to make the best decision for your mare in hope of breeding the next champion," said Barry, a long-time advisor to the late Josephine Abercrombie and now serving the farm's current owners, Jim and Dana Bernhard. "As a team, we sit around the table and make the best decisions we can to help our mares achieve the...

Trainer Mike Stidham, who recorded the highest earnings mark of his 34-year career in 2023, got the new year off to a quick start when Godolphin's Heckled (Hard Spun) broke her maiden in the eighth race at Fair Grounds Monday. The  conditioner has a pair of promising newly turned 3-year-olds who could help keep the momentum going in 2024. Godolphin homebred Central Avenue (Street Sense), a first-out winner at Colonial Downs last August, was second in the Oct. 7 GI Frizette S. and, most recently, third in the Nov. 25...

Pin Oak Stud LLC's Parchment Party (Constitution), who overcame a bit of traffic and a tight spot inside at a crucial stage when belying debut odds of 16-1 over this track and distance Sept. 15, doubled up with an equally eye-catching performance in a Thursday allowance at Churchill Downs, becoming a new 'TDN Rising Star' in the process. He is the eighth 'Rising Star' for his WinStar-based stallion. Drawn widest in a field of 10 and only lightly regarded in the wagering at just north of 11-2, the $450,000 Keeneland...

GI Haskell S. winner and GI Breeders' Cup Classic contender Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}--Beyond Grace, by Uncle Mo), who was pulled up with an open condylar fracture earlier this week in routine morning work at Santa Anita, has been euthanized, his connections announced Wednesday afternoon. He had undergone successful surgery Sunday evening, but did not recover as well as hoped, owner Pin Oak Stud had originally said in a Monday update. Pin Oak gave a final update on X, formerly known as Twitter, late Wednesday, saying, "Our hearts...

Pin Oak Stud has tweeted an update on the condition of its Grade I winner Geaux Rocket Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}), who suffered an open condylar fracture with intersesmoidian ligament damage during a work at Santa Anita Saturday. He underwent surgery Sunday evening. "Rocket is having an unexpected response to the surgery and isn't recovering as we hoped," the tweet stated. "He appears to be in no pain and is eating. Our boy is still fighting hard, so we will keep fighting for him. Under Dr. Carpenter's recommendation, he is...

A colt by Twirling Candy broke clear of the pack when selling for $925,000 to Jim and Dana Bernhard's Pin Oak Stud during an otherwise steadily consistent conclusion to the Book 4 section of the Keeneland September Yearling Sale Tuesday in Lexington. Through both sessions of Book 4, Keeneland sold 606 yearlings for $46,078,000. The book average of $76,036 declined 5.0% from last year, while the median dipped 8.3% to $55,000. During last year's Book 4 section, 609 yearlings sold for $48,726,500. The section's average was $80,011 and the median...

Jim and Dana Bernhard's Pin Oak Stud continued its buying spree at the Keeneland September Yearling sale, going to $925,000 to acquire a colt by Twirling Candy (hip 2555) from the Paramount Sales consignment Tuesday. Bred by Alice Bamford and Highfield Investment Group, the yearling is out of stakes-placed Hiking (First Defence). Pin Oak has now purchased 19 yearlings at the auction for a total of $8,835,000.

LEXINGTON, KY - The Keeneland September Yearling Sale continued to produce steady, competitive bidding as the 12-day auction's Book 3 section concluded Sunday in Lexington. A total of 562 yearlings sold during the two Book 3 sessions for a gross of $86,894,000. The Book 3 average was $152,251--down 4.0% from last year's corresponding figure--and the median fell 8.0% to $115,000. During last year's Book 3 section, 573 yearlings grossed $90,919,500 for an average of $158,673 and a median of $125,000. A colt by Constitution brought the section's top price when...