WinStar Farm

Dec. 21 Insights: Well-Connected Debuters Make an Appearance in the Sunshine State

3rd-GP, $60k, Msw, 3yo/up, 6 1/2f, 1:18p.m. ET Fashionably late to the party, but making it to the races for the partnership of WinStar Farm, Siena Farm, and Rockridge Racing, TUCSON (Constitution) seeks to validate their patience against a field of experienced maidens over the main track. Hammered down for $1.3-million at KEESEP in 2022 but later having to be resold by Keeneland the following spring, the chestnut has been working steadily for Todd Pletcher out at Palm Beach Downs. A half-brother to Grade I-winning and Royal Ascot Group 1-placed...

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Kentucky Value Sires For 2025, Part 2: Stallions Under $10K

Having dealt with the rookies separately, we now start our quest for value among those stallions already at stud. We'll be going through the pyramid by price band, and today kick off at the level most accessible to breeders on a budget. But do not be deceived that we must be scraping the barrel here. If anything, candidly, there are more horses standing at four figures that one could trust--above all, for a breed-to-race program--than among far more expensive newcomers featured in the first instalment. Whether one could also recommend...

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2017 Kentucky Derby Winner Always Dreaming Dies of Colic

Always Dreaming (Bodemeister--Above Perfection, by In Excess {Ire}), the 2017 Kentucky Derby winner, died of colic Tuesday, December 10 at River Oaks Farm in Oklahoma, according to Chad Schumer, who brokered the deal to send the stallion from WinStar Farm where he originally stood to River Oaks. "The horse was sick," said Schumer. "He had a very typical colic, and they brought him to the clinic. He was there for four days. They didn't do any surgery on him. Everything was fine. He seemed to be okay. He turned the...

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Messier, Chewing Gum New to Rockridge Roster in 2025

Rockridge Stud, with a pair of new stallions in 2025, has released its stud fees for next year's breeding season. New to the New York operation next year are Chewing Gum (Candy Ride {Arg}), winner of the 2022 GII Joe Hernandez Stakes and runner-up in the 2021 GI Jaipur Stakes, and three-time graded winner Messier (Empire Maker), who was second in the 2021 GI Santa Anita Derby. Chewing Gum's fee is private and Messier will stand his initial season at stud for $5,000 LFSN. Rockridge Stud, in partnership with WinStar...

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Book Review: Hovdey's Script Brings Well Armed Story To Bear

On Saturday at Churchill Downs, 2-year-old Patch Adams (Into Mischief)--yes, as in the 1998 Robin Williams film where the best line might be, "Donner, party of 50!"--earned his very own 'Rising Star' on TDN's Walk of Fame. The colt turned in what Alan Carasso called "a jaw-dropping performance" as he broke his maiden by an eye-catching 10 1/2 lengths at second asking. The time over the fast main track was just 0.33 off the record held by MGISW Groupie Doll. Thoroughbred bloodlines can highlight connections to a rich past and...

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Star of Wonder, Half to Shedaresthedevil, Back in Winner's Circle at Churchill

4th-Churchill Downs, $120,685, Alw (NW2X)/Opt. Clm ($125,000), 11-24, 3yo, 1 1/16m, 1:42.24, ft, 1/2 length. STAR OF WONDER (c, 3, Uncle Mo--Starship Warpspeed, by Congrats) was tabbed a 'TDN Rising Star' following his 3 1/2-length debut victory going one mile at Churchill Downs June 2. He added a seven-furlong allowance tally Sept. 14 before suffering his first defeat when a well-beaten sixth in a nine-furlong allowance at Keeneland Oct. 24. Shedding the blinkers here, the 4-5 favorite lugged in at the break, but straightened out and rushed up to attend...

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A Lot to Look Forward To for WinStar in 2025

WinStar Farm is hoping to see plenty of activity come out of their stallion division in the near future. In 2025, the farm's flagbearer Constitution, currently ranked a top five general sire, will stand for a fee of $110,000 while his son and fellow WinStar resident Independence Hall will see his first 2-year-olds hit the racetrack. Also this coming year, Life Is Good and Nashville will be represented by their first crop of yearlings while Country Grammer and Two Phil's are expecting their first foals. Meanwhile, three new sires have...

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David Ingordo Joins TDN Writers' Room Podcast

When bloodstock agent David Ingordo bought Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}) for just $60,000 out of the 2005 Keeneland September Sale he probably thought he had found that once-in-a-lifetime horse. Little did he know that the 2010 Horse of the Year, who was admitted to the Hall of Fame in 2016, might not be his very best purchase. Fourteen years after he discovered Zenyatta, he picked out Flightline (Tapit), paying $1 million for the future superstar. There was nothing coincidental about any of these selections. Over the years, Ingordo has solidified...

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Elliott Walden, Bo Butler Honored by Race Track Chaplaincy of America

The Race Track Chaplaincy of America (RTCA), which ministers to the needs of those in the racing industry, honored WinStar Farm's Elliott Walden and outrider Bo Butler with the 22nd annual White Horse and Community Service Awards during the RTCA's "Night of Faith, Hope & Love" held during Breeders' Cup week. The awards are meant to recognize "selfless servants" throughout the industry. Walden, who has served as the RTCA National President for six of the last seven years, was named the RTCA 2024 Community Service Award recipient. Among his other...

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Kevin Attard Joins TDN Writers' Room Podcast

It was quite a few days for Canadian-based trainer Kevin Attard. On Saturday, he won his first Breeders' Cup race with Moira (Ghostzapper) in the GI Maker's Mark Filly & Mare Turf and some 48 hours later she went through the ring for $4.3 million. Knowing he'd have plenty to say, we invited Attard to join us on this week's TDN Writers' Room Podcast presented by Keeneland. He admitted that saying goodbye to the best horse he has ever trained was difficult. "Well, right now it's extremely difficult, no doubt...

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Cogburn To Stand At WinStar For $30,000

North American track record-setter Cogburn (Not This Time) will stand at WinStar Farm for an opening fee of $30,000 S&N, the farm announced Tuesday. The GI Jaipur Stakes winner arrived in good order at WinStar Farm and will be available for showing at WinStar's open houses each day Nov. 6-15, between 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visitors are welcome without an appointment during the designated times. Cogburn set a North American record for 5 1/2 furlongs on the turf in that Jaipur win, completing the distance in a final time...

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April Vintage Tops Inglis Digital USA's October Sale

Carrying a foal by hot sire Justify on Southern Hemisphere time, stakes-placed April Vintage (Vino Rosso) topped the Inglis Digital USA October Sale Tuesday when selling to Widden Stud of Australia for $180,000. More details on the mare and her consignment by WinStar Farm are available here. "She is an outcross to our traditional Australian sire lines and the fact that she showed good, natural speed as a 2-year-old was important," said Antony Thompson of Widden Stud. "Physically, she looks suitable to plenty of our own stallions, and buying through...

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