stud fees

"When you figure it out, let me know." Those were the parting words of a highly esteemed breeder this week, after we exchanged a few thoughts on the diminishing viability of stallions once they have covered their first book of mares. Not that "diminishing," as an adjective, is really equal to the case. I suppose you could diminish down a lift shaft, but it wouldn't be the first word that would occur to you in the time available. Spoiler alert: I haven't figured it out. But I think I know...

Bought yourself a mare in Lexington this week? Good for you. You have kept the faith. In many cases, that will be because you have seen it all before: you've ridden out bumps in the economy, and eked out value from these stoical and enduring creatures by borrowing their impassive engagement with the patient rhythms of Nature. It's a long game, after all, one that will absorb pandemics and presidential cycles like a passing April shower. But even the longest journey starts with a single step. And many of you...

McMahon of Saratoga's 2021 roster is headed once again by Central Banker (Speightstown), whose fee was reduced from $7,500 to $6,000 LFS&N for 2021. Solomini (Curlin), who will be standing his second year at stud in 2021, also had his fee cut from $6,5000 to $5,000 LFS&N. Redesdale (Speightstown) was decreased from $5,000 to $3,000 LFS&N. "Recent months have been very hard for everyone involved in racing and breeding and we are reducing the fees for our stallions for the 2021 breeding season to reflect the challenges brought on by...

As we have come to expect, in a trading environment that nowadays owes so much to their boss, it was the guys at Spendthrift who first put their heads over the parapet. This week, anyway. To be fair, the original lead actually came from Chuck Fipke--a match for the unorthodoxy and initiative even of B. Wayne Hughes, and prepared way back in the spring to waive his 2020 stallion fees altogether. Fipke reasoned that his entire pitch was to small breeders, who were already looking down the barrel as the...

Not This Time (Giant's Causeway), whose record-setting, undefeated daughter Princess Noor is a leading candidate for the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies, will stand the 2021 breeding season for a fee of $40,000 at Taylor Made, the farm announced Thursday. He commanded an advertised fee of $12,500 in 2020. Most of the nursery's other stallions will stand for reduced fees next year. 'TDN Rising Star' Princess Noor is one of 14 first-crop winners for Not This Time and has run the table in her three career starts to date, posting...

Spendthrift Farm announced Tuesday the reduction of stud fees for most of its current roster of stallions set to stand at the Lexington-based farm in 2021. Leading sire Into Mischief (Harlan's Holiday) heads the roster at a previously announced fee of $225,000 S&N. Booked full, he represents the only stallion with an increased fee in 2021. Top sire Malibu Moon (A.P. Indy) and second-season sire Omaha Beach will both stand for $35,000 S&N. Malibu Moon stood for $60,000, while Omaha Beach stood for $45,000 in 2020. Fellow second-season sire Vino...

Into Mischief (Harlan's Holiday--Leslie's Lady, by Tricky Creek), the reigning leading general sire whose son Authentic became his first Classic winner in the GI Kentucky Derby last month, will command a fee of $225,000 for the 2021 breeding season, officials at Spendthrift Farm have announced. The sire of 26 stakes winners and 11 graded winners in 2020, the 15-year-old stood for $175,000 this past year. Only War Front ($250,000) currently stands for a larger advertised fee. Also the sire of the brilliant dual Grade I-winning 'TDN Rising Star' Gamine, Into...

Rockridge Stud, a full service Thoroughbred farm in Hudson, New York, has set stud fees for the 2020 season. Leofric (Candy Ride {Arg}) ($7,500 LFSN), winner of the 2018 GI Clark H., and millionaire Disco Partner (Disco Rico) ($5,000 LFSN) are new for 2020. Rockridge Stud 2020 Stud Fees: A Shin Forward (Forest Wildcat) $3,500 LFSN Disco Partner (Disco Rico) $5,000 LFSN *new for 2020* Frank Conversation (Quality Road) $5,000 LFSN Giant Surprise (Giant's Causeway) $4,000 LFSN Leofric (Candy Ride {Arg}) $7,500 LFSN *new for 2020* Micromanage (Medaglia d'Oro) $4,000...

With Claiborne's announcement that War Front would remain at $250,000 in 2019, the 16-year-old sire becomes the top-priced U.S.-based stallion, along with Medaglia d'Oro. Tapit will stand for $225,000, Gainesway Farm announced Wednesday. The leading sire by percentage of lifetime graded stakes winners, War Front has sired 29 black-type horses in 2018, and four Grade or Group 1 stakes winners, including U S Navy Flag, Fog of War, and Lancaster Bomber. War Front's yearlings have brought prices up to $2.4 million. The stud fee for Claiborne's Blame--sire of two GI...