Taylor Made

It is the typically interesting opinion of John Sikura that "a stallion's genetic switch is either on or off." The quality and quantity of his books may affect his profile, but his potency (or otherwise) will be operative the day he covers his first mare. Sure enough, six Grade I winners to date for Not This Time all belong to his first two books, conceived at just $15,000. Whatever he might yet achieve with his upgraded mares, paying $135,000 last year and now $150,000, he did not need their help...

In 2023, when Porta Fortuna (Caravaggio) went to Ascot for a shot at the G3 Albany Stakes, which she would go on to win, the other partners in the ownership group tried to convince Mark Taylor to come along on the trip. Taylor Made's Medallion Racing had bought Porta Fortuna along with Barry Fowler, Steve Weston and Dean Reeves after her two-year-old debut win at the Curragh last April, and had already been rewarded with three graded stakes wins, including the G1 Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes, and a second in...

It was during the moments after Billy Major came face-to-face with death, and momentarily lost the battle, that he knew something needed to change. On November 14, 2022, as he awoke on the floor of a motel room after overdosing on heroin, Major felt the hand of God rest upon his shoulder. And this time, he reached over to take it. "I woke up laying on the floor in front of my refrigerator. I saw people sitting on the bed, some of my friends, and there was a gentleman with...

The exhilarating rush of adrenaline created when seeing your Thoroughbred soar across the finish line creates a sweet taste of victory that brings a sense of satisfaction and a touch of disbelief. That often-elusive flavor remains on one's tongue in a constant search for more. Taste of Victory Stable's founders Kyle Yost and Brian Richardson have reveled in that sensation, knowing it can be interspersed with bitter moments that only life and owning Thoroughbred racehorses can produce. The seeds of Thoroughbred ownership are typically planted by family and/or friends. Yost,...

Taylor Made Farm, which grew from a small family farm begun in 1976 to a global leader in the industry today, is celebrating the anniversary of the 100th birthday of family patriarch Joe Taylor, known as "Daddy Joe." Taylor was born on Feb. 23, 1924 and passed away in 2003. In celebration of the milestone, Taylor Made has introduced the first annual Taylor Made Servant Leader Awards. Winners, who are nominated by their peers, will win a $1,000 cash prize and a charity donation. Winners will be announced Friday with...

Frank Taylor joins this week's TDN Writers' Room to discuss the massive success story that is Taylor Made's School of Horsemanship and Stable Recovery programs.

Unbeaten Horse of the Year and champion older male Flightline (Tapit) was represented by his first two foals Friday evening. Juju's Map (Liam's Map) foaled a filly late Jan. 12 at Taylor Made in Kentucky and Lady Scarlet (Union Rags) foaled a colt in the early hours of Jan. 13 at Thirty Year Farm in New York. Both are first foals for the mares. Juju's Map, owned by Albaugh Family Racing Stables LLC, won the GI Darley Alcibiades S. and was runner-up in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies. "We...

To many horsepeople and fans, the news that 2022 GI Preakness S. winner Early Voting (Gun Runner) had been cured of a syndrome that initially--apparently--spelled doom to his stud career was a complete surprise. To New Zealand-born veterinarian and scientist Dr. Padraig (Paddy) O'Casaigh, it was just another day at the office O'Casaigh, the 'brain and chief researcher/inventor' behind the 'unique' product Chaperonze (his birthplace a contributor to this intentional misspell), has treated 'about 100' stallions with breeding problems. "My experience in my 35 years," he said, "is that I've...

The first reported foal for Taylor Made's Idol (Curlin) is a New York-bred colt, according to the farm. Born on Wednesday, Jan. 3, the colt is out of Meteoric Matron (Mineshaft), a full-sister to MSW & GSP Mine Over Matter, and was bred by Bill Johnson's Stonegate Stables. "This is the best foal that this proven mare has ever produced," said Johnson. "He has excellent size and bone. For a January 3rd baby, we have size, bone, and a very strong foal. We love the sire's pedigree. We specifically bred...

Forestry (Storm Cat--Shared Interest, by Pleasant Colony), winner of the 1999 GI King's Bishop S. at Saratoga and sire of GI Preakness S. winner Shackleford and fellow GISWs Discreet Cat, Forest Danger and Diplomat Lady, passed away at the age of 27 in Paraná, Brazil on Wednesday. One of the longest-lived and most successful sires in all of South America, Forestry died due to health problems caused by old age, according to Dr. Joaquim Antunes, chief veterinarian of Haras São José da Serra. Bred by Robert S. Evans in Kentucky,...

As 2023 draws to a close, the TDN is asking industry members to name their favorite moment of the year. Send yours to [email protected].  There are so many great moments from 2023. It really is hard to choose. I would say that from a "Taylor Made'' perspective it has to be selling the highest-priced yearling in North America. The Curlin colt out of the legendary Beholder was raised and prepped beautifully by the team at Spendthrift. Having the opportunity to represent Spendthrift on a horse of that quality was a...

After wrapping up the annual whirlwind doubleheader between the Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland November breeding stock sales, Mark Taylor has a lot to be grateful for as he reflects on another successful year for the Taylor Made Sales consignment. Taylor Made was the leading consignor at both auctions, with 35 horses sold at Fasig-Tipton for $22.965 million and 262 sold for over $22.8 million at Keeneland. While the Lane's End consignment beat Taylor Made out for the title last year at Keeneland by a little under $500,000, Taylor Made was back...