the florida horse january 2010
DESCRIPTION
The Florida Horse January 2010TRANSCRIPT
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10 FLORIDA FOCUS
18 FTBOA NEWS DIGESTGulfstream Park meet offers big money to Florida-breds.By Nick Fortuna
20 CLASS ACTSThe 2009 Florida-bred champions distinguishedthemselves as talented,determined and versatilethroughout the racing season.By Jo Ann Guidry
30 FTBOA CHASE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP
32 SUNSHINE MILLIONS EARLY-BIRD NOMS RELEASEDBy Nick Fortuna
34 FLORIDA BARGAINSIn an economy demanding bargain hunting,breeders need only look south.All the way south.By Bill Heller
40 STALLIONS ON PARADE
46 EQUINE CARE: PREDICTING FOALINGBy Dr.Catie DeLuca
SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION SECTION
52 TRAVELING WITH YOUR HORSEBy Dr.Amanda House
58 ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOMThroughout the past few centuries,horses have beenwrapped,packed and shipped in a multitude of ways.By Summer Best
62 INSIDE TRACK
64 YOUR FLORIDA HORSE PARKBy Connie Duff Wise
65 DO HORSES NEED ORANGES?By Dr.Karen Davison
66 PRACTICALLY SPEAKING: HORSE HAULIN’By Mark Shuffitt
67 FLORIDA’S LEADING SIRES
70 PLAYER’S PAGEBy Paul Moran
CONTENTS JANUARY 2010 • VOL 53/ISSUE 1
COVER PHOTO BY EQUISPORT/ECLIPSE SW: CONTENTS PHOTO BILL DENVER
4 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
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FTBOA OFFICERS ANDBOARD OF DIRECTORS
Gilbert G. Campbell, PresidentFred Brei, First Vice President J. Michael O’Farrell, Jr., SecondVice PresidentGeorge G. Isaacs, Secretary Diane Parks, Treasurer
DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVEVICE PRESIDENTRichard E. Hancock
801 SW 60thAvenue • Ocala, Florida 34474(352) 732-8858 • Fax: (352) 867-1979 • www.ftboa.com
American Horse Publications • FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION • MEMBER BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU
© THE FLORIDA HORSE (ISSN 0090-967X) is publishedmonthly except July by THE FLORIDA HORSE, INC., 801SW 60th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34474, including the annual Sta-tistical Review in February.
Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors anddo not necessarily reflect those of Florida Equine Publicationsor the Florida Thoroughbred Breedersʼ and Ownersʼ Associa-tion. Publication of any material originating herein is expresslyforbidden without first obtaining written permission from THEFLORIDA HORSE©.
Statistics in the publication relating to results of racing inNorth America are compiled from data generated by Daily Rac-ing Form, Equibase, Bloodstock Research Information Serv-ices, and The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc., thecopyright owners of said data. Reproduction is prohibited.
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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Michael Compton
BUSINESS MANAGER
Patrick Vinzant
MANAGING EDITOR/ADVERTISING MANAGER
Summer Best
ART DIRECTOR
John Filer
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
JoAnn Guidry
WRITER
Nick Fortuna
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Beverly Kalberkamp
CORRESPONDENTS
Jay Friedman, Doug McCoy, Cynthia McFarland, Mark Shuffitt
PUBLISHERFlorida Equine Publications, Inc.
(A corporation owned by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association)
Executive Office - 801 SW 60th Avenue • Ocala, Florida 34474
BOARD OF DIRECTORSGilbert Campbell, President/Board Chairman
Fred Brei, 1st Vice PresidentJ. Michael O’Farrell, Jr., 2nd Vice President
George G. Isaacs, SecretaryDiane Parks, Treasurer
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Richard E. Hancock
CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
Michael Gilliam
Printed by Boyd Brothers, Inc. BOYD
THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 5
Joe BarbazonDean DeRenzoSheila DiMareDonald Dizney
Barry W. Eisaman
Brent FernungBonnie M. Heath IIIPhil MatthewsJessica SteinbrennerPeter Vegso
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6 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
Asyou know, there is a strong correla-
tion between purse money offered dur-
ing a race meet and the quality of
racing stock taking to the track each day to set-
tle the scores. If the recent agreement between
the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Own-
ers’Association, the Florida Horsemen’s Benev-
olent and ProtectiveAssociation and Gulfstream
Park, which increases opportunities for Florida-
breds to the tune of up to $1.4 million is any in-
dication, the next few months in South Florida
should feature competitive racing with large
fields of quality Sunshine State products.
All races during the meet—with the excep-
tion of stakes and races restricted to Florida-
breds—will offer Florida Owners’ Awards
totaling 30 percent of the race’s gross purse, up
to $30,000 per race. The contract provides
more opportunities for Florida-breds, with a
big emphasis on the 90 percent of horses that
run in allowance and claiming races.
Fred Brei, FTBOA’s first vice president and
chairman of the Florida Stakes Committee,
Ken Dunn, Gulfstream Park president and gen-
eral manager and Kent Stirling, FHBPA exec-
utive director, all were instrumental in putting
this agreement together.
Florida-breds will also take center stage at
Gulfstream Park on Jan. 30 during the $1.8 mil-
lion SunshineMillions, featuring six races (three
at Gulfstream and three at SantaAnita Park) be-
tween Florida-breds and California-breds.
Gulfstreamwill also offer 10 starter allowance
races for Florida-breds worth $30,000 each.
Another highlight for breeders and owners
of Florida-breds will be the inaugural running
of the $60,000 Florida Thoroughbred Charities
Stakes April 24. The event is for 3-year-olds
and up who are registered Florida-breds by
Florida stallions that have had seasons offered
at the Florida Thoroughbred Charities live auc-
tion. A list of eligible stallions will be available
on the FTBOA’s website, www.ftboa.com.
That same day will feature six to eight
starter allowance races for Florida-breds worth
$50,000 apiece.
For more details on the Gulfstream Park
meet, see the article on page 18.
The expanded opportunities at Gulfstream
Park follow on the heels of a lucrative season
for Florida-bred juveniles at Calder. Purses for
Calder’s juvenile racing program last season
were also increased through a cooperative ef-
fort between the FTBOA, FHBPA and
Churchill Downs. Straight maiden purses were
hiked to $32,000, which included $5,000 in
FSS supplements and $5,000 in Florida Own-
ers’ Awards.
These programs have proved beneficial for
everyone involved in Florida’s Thoroughbred
industry. We look forward to continuing our
positive work with the horsemen and racetracks
to implement earning opportunities for breed-
ers and owners of Florida-breds at all levels—
stakes, claiming and allowance—to ensure the
thrill of victory and the challenge of breeding a
good horse are worth the investment.�
Executive Vice PresidentFlorida ThoroughbredBreeders’and Owners’Association
AWinning Combination:Florida-breds andGulfstream Park
BILL
DENV
ER/E
QUI-P
HOTO
publisher’s point of view
Richard E. Hancock/ELEANOR HANCOCK
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It’s10minutes before post for the first of the day’s 18 live races.
Under a blanket of blue sky, bells that call the runners to the
track can be heard ringing off in the distance. You read cor-
rectly, 18 live races, and bells, not bugles, announce a race is near.
With small, measured steps and eyes focused on the program
inmyhands, I cautiouslymakemyway to the bank of pari-mutuel
clerks. Generally, my handicapping prowess, or lack thereof, is
enough impetus to stir some nervous anxiety prior to placing a
wager. In this instance, however, there is even greater cause for
not exactly charging to thewindows overflowingwith confidence.
The marathon offering of races, replete with full fields (up-
wards of 20 runners in some contests), is at a circuit new to me
with unfamiliar names in a different country with a different lan-
guage. As if selecting winners—even in my native tongue—is
not challenging enough.
“Hola,” I say, greeting the clerk and acting as if I have complete
command of the Spanish language. Her smile in return suggests
strongly that she is aware I don’t. I pause and then deliver my line
just as rehearsed moments earlier back at
our table. “Diez pesos para ganar en el nu-
mero cinco.” Or, simply, 10 pesos to win
on number five. It didn’t sound smooth,
but whatever works.
It is, as some say, a chamber of com-
merce daymade to order atHiprodomode
San Isidro in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Dec. 12th. The feature
race is the Grade 1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, the last leg of
Argentina’sTriple Crown.A crowd in excess of 40,000 has turned
out for the festivities that began in late morning andwill spill over
well into the evening hours.
As guests of the Argentine Jockey Club and the Argentina
Thoroughbred Breeders Association and its President, Ricardo
Soler, our party, which includes Paul Davis from the Florida De-
partment of Agriculture and Consumer Services, enjoys Pelle-
grini day from a tent reserved for breeders, owners, officials and
their guests positioned just past the finish line.
Our conversationswith horsemen inArgentinamirror the dis-
cussions we have with horsemen at home.Asmuch as this expe-
rience is different than a typical visit to a racetrack in the United
States, it’s also the same in many respects.
Paramount issues facing our industry are universal. Horsemen
here, as at home, are concerned about theThoroughbred industry’s
future. They care passionately about the health and welfare of the
horses themselves, about medication issues, integrity, landing top
stallions, alternative gaming at the racetrack and attracting new
fans, breeders andowners to the business. InArgentina, as at home,
the industry’s leaders have had to get good at managing change.
The biggest difference I notice on this day is that there are a
large number of families at the racetrack. Officials at San Isidro
are reaching out to a younger audience in a way that might just
engage the next generation for life.
Plenty of entertainment opportunities arewrapped around a day
andnightof racing.Art exhibits andsculpturesare stationed through-
out the facility. Livemusic can be found at various locations around
the plant.There is aminiature soccer field in front of the grandstand
andaway fromthe trackwith inflatableboundariesmarking the field
ofplay.Areferee supervises theactionand thechildrenwhileparents
gather around thewalking ring towatchhorsesbeing saddled.There
is evenavintagecar showthat attracts interestedeyesbetween races.
Most importantly, though, there are long lines of bettors at the win-
dows in the grandstand.Whatever works.
Winners of each of the day’s three Grade 1 races are seriously
celebrated in the winner’s circle following their victories.Approv-
ing fans are loud in their support of the winners and all the con-
nections.The atmosphere feels like Breeders’Cup day in the U.S.
My Spanish has improved ever so slightly as the card heads
into the stakes action. I hit my largest wager of the day, 100 pesos
(less than $30) to win, on a gray filly named Cacho de Baires. I
backed her simply because her breeder had the same name as
my wife’s grandfather. Whatever works.
It’s now well after 8 p.m., the sun has set and the runners in
the next-to-last race just crossed the finish line under lights. I
loosen my tie and think about how far away from home I am,
but how similar our worlds really are when it comes to the horse
business. I consider that I have just met everyone I spent the day
and part of the eveningwith and yet, it feels like we haveworked
together a lifetime. I guess we have in the sense that we have
dedicated careers to preserving and advancing this great game of
ours.�
Enjoy the January issue.
8 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
editor’s welcome
Michael Compton/JOE DIORIO PHOTO
WhateverWorks
In Argentina, as athome, the industry’s
leaders have hadto get good at
managing change.
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It’s not often that breeders can send their
mares to an Eclipse Award winner for just
$4,000, but such is the case with Benny the
Bull, who recently arrived at Vinery in Sum-
merfield to begin his stud career.
Benny the Bull, bred at Tomoka Hills
Farm in Alachua, won an Eclipse Award as
the nation’s top sprinter in 2008 after going
4-for-4 during his 5-year-old campaign. He
won the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) at Nad
Al Sheba, the Smile Sprint Handicap (G2)
at Calder Race Course, the True North
Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park and the
Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream
Park during a dominant year in which he be-
came one of Florida racing fans’ favorite
runners.
“We’re really excited to have a champion
and a two-time Grade 1 winner with earn-
ings like he has,” said Declan Doyle, who
manages Vinery’s Florida stallions. “So far,
we’ve been thrilled with the response we’ve
gotten. We’ve had a lot of calls from breed-
ers. The fact that he’s a Florida-bred and has
a great race record is all really positive.”
Benny the Bull arrived at Vinery sev-
eral days after the farm held a two-day
stallion show for prospective breeders last
month, so Doyle said the farm is planning
another open house to showcase the 6-
year-old horse during the OBS winter
mixed sale, scheduled for Jan. 19-20.
Doyle said Benny the Bull likely would be
standing for a higher stud fee if not for the
sour economy.
“I think it’s one of those situations where
the stars have kind of
aligned for the breed-
ers because it’s a tough
year, and you can’t
bring any horse in for
a high stud fee,” he
said. “I think probably
in a normal year, he’d
stand for a lot more,
but with a first-year
stallion, you have to get the mares to him,
and in order to do that, you have to make the
fee reasonable.”
Benny the Bull was set to begin his stud
career last year after suffering an ankle in-
jury, but he recovered and returned this year
to run in three races. He was the runner-up
in both the Smile Sprint and the True North,
losing to Eaton’s Gift and Fabulous Strike.
Benny the Bull finished his career with nine
10 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
Benny the Bull to Stand
If a race covers nine furlongs, then
Florida-bred Black Hills figures to be
tough to beat. The gelding improved to
3-for-3 at that distance Dec. 6, rallying to
win the $200,000 Zia Park Distance Hand-
icap by 1¼ lengths.
Black Hills, a 5-year-old son of Judge T
C, stopped the clock in 1:53.22 to win the
richest race of the meet at the New Mexico
track.
With Catalino Martinez aboard, Black
Hills ran toward the back of the field of six
3-year-olds and up for most of the race be-
fore going four wide to close the gap at the
quarter pole. Black Hills caught second-
place finisher Orientate Express with
about half a furlong to go and surged clear
late to earn his third stakes victory.
“He outran some decent horses,” win-
ning trainer Bart Hone said. “When they
turned for home, I knew he had quite a bit
of horse left, and then the ones in front
started weakening.”
Black Hills was bred by Juan Centeno
and is owned byA and R Stables and Class
Racing Stables. He’s won seven of his 17
starts for $317,580 and has finished in the
money in all eight of his starts for Hone.
Prior to being transferred to Hone’s barn in
January, Black Hills
had made nine starts
for Jeff Mullins but
had won just once.
“If there’s enough
speed in the race, he
runs a really good
race,” Hone said.
“Since we’ve gotten
him, he’s run good
every time. When he has gotten beat, he’s
had some excuses. Either there was no pace
or he got into trouble. The horse was going
to be a good horse for Jeff, but he had a sus-
pensory ligament injury and needed some
time off. I think Jeff thought the horse was
going to tail off, and that’s why they sent him
to me, but he’s gotten healthy and has flour-
ished out here.”�
Black Hills Goes theDistance at Zia Park
By NICK FORTUNA
Florida-bred gets third stakes win in $200,000 Distance Handicap
Florida-bred Eclipse champion will have $4,000 stud fee
COAD
YPH
OTO
Black Hills
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wins in 20 starts for $2.35 million. He
had six stakes victories.
Benny the Bull was purchased at the
2004 Keeneland September yearling sale
for $38,000 by Greg James, who cam-
paigned him early in his career. The
horse made his debut at age 3, winning
two out of five starts. As a 4-year-old in
2007, Benny the Bull won the Iowa
Sprint Handicap at Prairie Meadows, and
a group led by IEAH Stables soon pur-
chased a majority interest in him.
Benny the Bull finished his 4-year-
old season with a win in the Frank J. De
Francis Memorial Dash (G1) at Laurel
Park. He also finished second to Mid-
night Lute in the Forego Stakes (G1) at
Saratoga that year.
“Benny the Bull has been a dream
horse – talented, totally sound and bril-
liantly fast,” said James, who reacquired
the horse for stud duty. “I’m very ex-
cited about his future atVinery, and with
the stud fee we have decided on, I think
he will offer breeders a wonderful op-
portunity to breed to a champion at a
very fair and reasonable price.”
Benny the Bull is easily the most suc-
cessful horse ever sired
by Lucky Lionel, who
won the Prix Robert
Papin (G2) in France and
the Norfolk Stakes (G3)
in England as a juvenile
in 1995 and finished his
career with $208,568 in
earnings.
Benny the Bull is
out of the Birdon-
thewire mare Comet Cat, a stakes win-
ner at age 2 who earned $52,657 at the
racetrack. �
THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 11
at Vinery
Bridlewood Farm StallionBlack Mambo Euthanized
Bridlewood Farm stallion Black Mambo was eutha-nized last month after suffering from a severe case ofequineprotozoalmyeloencephalitis (EPM),adiseasecausedby a protozoan parasite that affects a horse’s central nerv-ous system.Hewas 10.
“BlackMambo contracted EPM in June,” said GeorgeG. Isaacs,Bridlewood’s generalmanager.“FromDay 1,anaggressive treatment programwas administered to com-bat this insidious disease.Although he fought valiantly, hewas not able to recover from the damage that the para-site caused. Inmy entire career, I have never seen a horseso affected by this condition.We’re very saddened by hispassing, and our hearts go out to all involved.”
Black Mambo ranked second among Florida’s sec-ond-crop sires with $1.2 million in progeny earnings in2009 and had gotten 42winners this year.Only SignatureStallions sire Chapel Royal,with $2.99million in progenyearnings this year, had been more productive amongFlorida’s second-crop stallions.
BlackMambo’s career as a stallion had hit a high noteDec. 3 when two of his Florida-bred sons, Big Push andAfricanKing, finished first and second in the $65,950ChanBalum Stakes at Aqueduct.
It was the second career stakes victory for Big Push,who also captured the $60,000GildedTimeStakes on theMonmouth Park turf course in September. Big Push haswon five of his 14 starts and is themost successful horseever sired by Black Mambo with $204,034 in earnings.
African King, who was making his stakes debut, haswon six of his 11 starts for $135,442.
Black Mambo, a son of Group 1 winner Kingmambo,won three of his 21 career starts for $100,790 and fin-ished second behind Love That Moon in the ReappealStakes at Calder RaceCourse as a 5-year-old in 2004.Hebegan his stud career at Bridlewood in 2005.
Horses most commonlycontract EPM by coming intocontact with the feces of in-fected opossums. Horsescannot pass the disease toone another. Symptoms in-clude a lack of coordination;stiff, stilted movements; ab-normal gait or lameness;weakness; muscle atrophy;paralysis of the muscles of
the eyes, face ormouth; difficulty swallowing; seizures orcollapse; and abnormal sweating.Many horses show im-provement when treated with antiprotozoal drugs.�
Benny the Bull
COGL
IANE
SEPH
OTO
Black Mambo
LOUI
SERE
INAG
ELPH
OTO
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12 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
Journeyman Stud freshman stallion
Wildcat Heir set a Northern Hemisphere
record for 2-year-oldwinners in a seasonwith
39 when one of his Florida-bred daughters,
FutureHeiress, won a $23,700maiden special
weight race at Calder RaceCourse onDec. 17.
The victory allowed Wildcat Heir to
break the Northern Hemisphere record of
38 2-year-old winners set in 2008 by Chapel
Royal, who stands at Signature Stallions in
Reddick. Chapel Royal also got one juve-
nile winner in Peru last year, so through
Dec. 17, he was tied with Wildcat Heir for
the worldwide record for 2-year-old winners
in a season with 39.
Through Dec. 17, Wildcat Heir ranked
fourth in the nation among first-crop sires
with $1.16 million in progeny earnings, trail-
ing only OffleeWild ($1.89 million), Roman
Ruler ($1.87 million) and Pollard’s Vision
($1.19 million). He has 108 named 2-year-
olds in his first crop, and 58 of them have
made at least one start.
“The horse is having a great year,” said
Brent Fernung, the owner of Ocala-based
Journeyman Stud, who previously served as
general manger at CloverLeaf Farms II in
Reddick before the operation was moved to
Kentucky in 2007. “This is a new operation,
and Wildcat Heir is the first of our horses to
send babies to the races, so this is pretty grat-
ifying.
“About two out of every three of his horses
break their maiden, and he’s had about 25
maiden special weight winners, so not only
does he get a lot of winners, but he gets a lot
of high-class winners.”
Wildcat Heir has had two stakes winners.
Florida-bred Wild Mia won the $100,000
John Franks Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes at
Calder in November, and Karmageddon cap-
tured the $60,000New Jersey Juvenile Stakes
at The Meadowlands last month. With
$73,130 in earnings, Karmageddon isWildcat
Heir’s most successful horse.
Wildcat Heir was bred to 135 mares dur-
ing the 2009 breeding season, Fernung said.
Though the stallion has had a record-break-
ing freshman season, his 2010 stud fee of
$6,500 remains unchanged from 2009.
“Perception means a lot in this business,
and for people to perceive him as a good deal
is important to me,” Fernung said. “Our ap-
proach was to put this horse at a level where
everybody would love him.”
Wildcat Heir is a 9-year-old son of Forest
Wildcat out of the Pentelicus mare Penniless
Heiress. He made a dozen starts from ages 2
to 5, with six victories and $424,460 in earn-
ings. His biggest win came as a 4-year-old in
2004, when he captured the Frank J. De Fran-
cis Memorial Dash (G1) at Pimlico. He also
captured the $60,000 Icecapade Stakes at
Monmouth Park that year, and the following
season he won the $100,000 Teddy Drone
Stakes at Monmouth.
“When I went and looked at him in Ken-
tucky after he had just retired, at a glance I
knew I had to have the horse because he’s an
exceptionally good-looking horse, and when
you combine that with the talent and the race
record, to me, he just fit Florida to a T,” Fer-
nung said. “The response he’s gotten from
breeders here has a lot to do with the success
he’s had.”�
Wildcat Heir Sets RecordFor 2-Year-Old Winners
Wildcat Heir
LOUI
SERE
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OTO
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14 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
BY TAMPA BAY DOWNS PUBLICITY
TheLightningCityStakes, a$65,000racefor
fillies and mares 3 years old and up, headlined
OpeningDayforTampaBayDowns’84th live race
meeting. In thefinal startofhercareer,Taletobetold
won theLightningCity for ownerRobertDeWitt,
trainer EddieKenneally and jockeyTony Farina.
The mare, a 5-year-old daughter of Tale of
the Cat, captured the five-furlong turf dash in
front of 5,004 fans. The on-track handle of
$449,131.80 was on par with last season’s on-
track handle, while the total handle of $4.92
million was up 7.6 percent from last year, set-
ting an Opening Day record.
“The caliber of racing, the great weather
and full fields havemade a huge impact on the
Tampa Bay Downs product,” said Peter
Berube, vice president and general manager of
Tampa Bay Downs. “The record handle attests
to the growing popularity of the track, and we
look forward to keeping the momentum
going for a successful season.”
Taletobetold finished the Lightning
City Stakes in 58.19 seconds.
Trainer Anthony Pecoraro saddled the
winnersofopeningday’s first three races. It
was the first time in the track’s recent his-
tory that a trainer has won three races in a
row.TwoofPecoraro’svictories camewith jockey
JuanC. Levya in the irons.
Pecoraro and Levya teamed up to win the
season’s opener with Arrow’s Flight, a 5-year-
old, Florida-bred daughter of Snuck In bred by
theUniversity of Florida Foundation and owned
by John A. Damico. Pecoraro completed the
early double with Snuck In Love. The Florida-
bred Snuck In gelding was guided by new
Tampa Bay Downs jockey Inez Karlsson, who
wore the colors of Roman Hill Farm LLC.
Pecoraro rounded out his hat trick with
Sunny Exchange, again with Levya in the
irons. Sunny Exchange is a 3-year-old son
of Exchange Rate bred in Florida by Dr.
Thomas Croley and owned by Roman Hill
Farm LLC. �
Taletobetold Wins Lightning City Stakes
Taletobetold
TOM
COOL
EYPH
OTO
Tampa Bay Downs sees record handle on Opening Day
Longtime Breeder FrancisMcDonnell Dies at 74
Francis C. “Skip” McDonnell, a longtime horsebreeder who owned Cimarron Farm in Ocala, diedNov. 23 at Massachusetts General Hospital after abattle with cancer. He was 74.
McDonnell, a native of Saugus, Mass., beganhis career hauling snow and plowing streets witha dump truck in nearby Lynn before becoming asuccessful real estate developer, restaurant ownerand horseman. He built apartment complexes inNew England as well as hotels and motels.
McDonnell ran large stables of horses at Rock-inghamPark andSuffolkDowns,racingNewEnglandchampions such as Sandy Gator, Nana’s Toy andCimarron Secret. Cimarron Secret won the TropicalPark Handicap (G3) at Calder Race Course as a 5-year-old in 1996 and finished his career with$454,503 in earnings.Thehorse stoodas a stallion atMcDonnell’s 130-acreCimarronFarm in recent years.
McDonnell also owned Boston Fox,who was Florida’s 2003 ClaimingHorse of the Year after capturing the$40,000 Noel Stakes at Delta Downsthat year. Boston Fox had 21 wins for$263,183 in career earnings.
McDonnell, a resident of Hampton,N.H., received the Sam McCrackenAward for Lifetime Achievement from
the New EnglandTurfWriters Association last year.He is survived by his wife, Barbara; sister,
Carmel A. O’Brien, of Seabrook, N.H.; son, Michael,of Stratham,N.H.; daughter,Barbara Jean Lanum,ofMedford,Mass.; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held for Mc-Donnell at St.Theresa Church in Rye Beach,N.H.�
ELEA
NOR
HANC
OCK
PHOT
O
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16 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
She’s OurAnnie did her best impersonation
ofHorseof theYear candidateRachelAlexandra
in the$60,000EsplanadeStakesatFairGrounds
onDec. 19, leadingevery stepof theway toearn
her third consecutive stakes victory.
She’s Our Annie, who, like Rachel
Alexandra, was sired byMedaglia d’Oro and
is out of a Roar mare, stretched her winning
streak to five races with a 2 ½-length victory.
The 3-year-old filly, bred and owned by the
Ocala-based Destiny Oaks farm of Bill and
Janet Grube, delivered as the even-money fa-
vorite in a field of nine fillies and mares.
She’sOurAnnie,with usual rider JonCourt
aboard, broke sharply from the No. 1 post and
was pressured by Florida-bred Juliet’s Spirit
while setting fractions of 22.53 seconds for the
opening quarter-mile and 45.86 seconds for a
half-mile. She’s Our Annie widened her lead
around the turn to get to the top of the lanewith
a 2½-length advantage and preserved her lead
down the stretch, finishing the 5 ½-furlong
sprint in 1:03.97.
“With her natural speed, I wanted to use
the (No. 1 post) to my advantage,” Court said.
“It takes a few jumps for her to get her feet un-
derneath her. She has such a long stride, and
she’s ready to contest anything that wants to
challenge her, and at the same time, I was able
to get her to relax on the front end. I had enough
horse to finish in front of them today without
having to ask her for everything she had.”
She’s Our Annie has been perfect in five
races since finishing third in her career debut
at Oaklawn Park in January. She captured a
$34,000 maiden special weight race and a
$55,000 optional claimer there by a combined
nine lengths in February. She then made the
jump up to stakes company in March and
captured the $50,000 Prima Donna Stakes at
Oaklawn Park by 2 ½ lengths with a 102
Beyer Speed Figure.
Over the spring, She’s OurAnnie had sur-
gery to repair a hairline fracture and a chip in
her left front knee. She returned to the barn
of trainer Jinks Fires in the fall and captured
the $52,800 Dream Supreme Stakes by 2 ½
lengths at Churchill Downs. She bruised her
foot in that race and hadn’t been able to train
hard heading into the Esplanade.
“We knew that we had something special
the second time she worked,” Fires said.
“Now she’s coming along just like we antici-
pated. We lost a little time with her with a
bruised foot at Churchill, so we backed off
andmissed someworks. I was a little worried
going into this race, but with her talent, you
might as well take a chance.”
After the race, her connections said they’ll
likely run her in longer races and could point
her toward graded stakes. She’s Our Annie
has earned $142,080 through six starts.
“She has the bloodlines to go on, and
we’re hoping for the best for her future if she
continues to train in a positive, forward way,”
Court said. “No telling how far she can go.
It’s nice to have one that wins that many times
in a row. I just kept the whip quiet on her and
just kept her gathered up. I really didn’t even
have to stroke her.My son had beenwatching
her train and had told me, ‘Dad, she’s not
training good; she’s training great.’”
Juliet’s Spirit, a 3-year-old daughter of for-
mer Florida stallion Exchange Rate, was bred
and is owned by Padua Stables. A three-time
stakes winner, the filly has won four of her 10
starts for $301,399.�She’s Our Annie
She’s Our Annie Gets Fifth Straight Win
HODG
ESPH
OTO
Sweet Repent really seems to have a
nose for the wire – literally. The Florida-bred
filly won a race by a nose for the third time
in her career Dec. 26 at Calder Race Course,
where she earned the first graded stakes vic-
tory of her career in the $100,000 Stage
Door Betty Handicap (G3).
Sweet Repent, bred by Nikki and Roger
Schick, deliveredas the even-money favorite in a
field of a dozen fillies andmares, getting up just
in time to nip Florida-bredAmazing at thewire.
The 3-year-old daughter of Repent has won
four straight races at Calder, having captured
a $25,000 optional claimer by a nose in Au-
gust and the $75,000 Judy’s Red Shoes Stakes
in September. Her biggest victory came with-
out as much drama, a 3¼-length score against
rival Florida-breds in the $200,000 Elmer
Heubeck Distaff in November in Miami.
Owned by the Buongiorno A Tutti Stable,
Sweet Repent has won six of her 12 starts for
$299,190. She’s finished in the money in all
nine of her starts inMiami, where she’s earned
all six of her victories. She’s also hit the board
in all five of her starts at the 11⁄16-mile distance,
including three wins.
“I definitely wasn’t sure she could get there
with the way that horse (Amazing) was going
so well on the lead, but she did,” winning
trainer David Braddy said. “This was defi-
nitely the best field of horses she’s beaten so
far, and winning a graded stakes certainly
takes her to another level.”
Braddy said Sweet Repent will be pointed to-
ward the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff, a
11⁄16-milecontest thatpitsFlorida-bredsagainstCal-
ifornia-bredsatGulfstreamParkonJan.30.She’ll
likely get a break after that race,Braddy said.�
Sweet Repent WinsAnother Close One
Sweet Repent
Florida-bred filly earns third straight stakes victory in Esplanade
JIMLI
SAPH
OTO
Focus.qx:Layout 1 12/29/09 3:49 PM Page 16
Stonehedge Farm SouthGilbert and Marilyn Campbell, Owners
u
Larry King, Farm Manager u P.O. Box 87, Williston, FL 32696 u 352/528-4951 u Fax 352/528-4952CINDY MIKELL photo
– STANDING –
Forty Niner – Narrate, by Honest Pleasure
103830-Stonehedge-FH.indd 1 10/30/08 11:19:20 AM
By NICK FORTUNA
Thenew year at Gulfstream Park brings new,
lucrative opportunities for owners of
Florida-bred horses.With up to $1.4million
in Florida Owners’ Awards available at the meet,
your Florida-bred runner is eligible for big paydays.
An agreement between the FloridaThoroughbred
Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, the Florida
Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association
and Gulfstream Park has dramatically increased op-
portunities for Florida-bred runners at theHallandale
Beach oval, which opened its 79-day meet Jan. 3.
All races during themeet – with the exception of
stakes and races restricted to Florida-breds – will
offer Florida Owners’Awards totaling 30 percent of
the race’s gross purse, up to $30,000 per race.
“We are pleased with the contract that was
agreed to between the FTBOA, Gulfstream Park
and the FHBPA,” said Jacks or Better Farm owner
Fred Brei, the FTBOA’s first vice
president and chairman of the
Florida Stakes Committee.
“The contract provides more op-
portunities for Florida-breds, with a
big emphasis on the 90 percent of horses that run in
allowance and claiming races,” said FTBOA Exec-
utive Vice President Richard E. Hancock. “I’d like
to thank (Gulfstream Park President and General
Manager) Ken Dunn and (FHBPA Executive Di-
rector) Kent Stirling for all their efforts and sug-
gestions in putting this agreement together.”
The $1.8 million Sunshine Millions is scheduled
for Jan. 30, with three races to be run at Gulfstream
and three more at SantaAnita Park inArcadia, Calif.
Gulfstreamwill host the $300,000SunshineMillions
Turf, the $300,000 Distaff and the $200,000 Sprint,
while SantaAnita will host the $500,000 Classic, the
$300,000 Filly andMareTurf and the $200,000 Filly
andMare Sprint.Two raceswere eliminated from the
2010 Sunshine Millions, and the total value of the
races was reduced from $3.6 million in 2009.
For Florida-breds, one of the highlights of the
meetwill beApril 24,when the trackwill hold the in-
augural running of the $60,000
Florida Thoroughbred Charities
Stakes. The event is for 3-year-olds
and up who are registered Florida-
breds sired by Florida stallions who
Gulfstream Meet Offers Big Money to Florida-breds
18 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
Gilbert G. CampbellPresident
Fred BreiFirst Vice President
J. Michael O’FarrellSecond Vice President
George G. IsaacsSecretary
Diane ParksTreasurer
DIRECTORS
Joe Barbazon
Dean DeRenzo
Sheila DiMare
Donald Dizney
Barry W. Eisaman
Brent Fernung
Bonnie M. Heath III
Phil Matthews
Jessica Steinbrenner
Peter Vegso
Richard E. HancockEXECUTIVEVICE PRESIDENT
FloridaThoroughbredBreeders’ and
Owners’Association
801 SW 60th Ave.Ocala, Florida 34474Phone: (352) 629-2160Fax: (352) 629-3603
visit us at www.ftboa.come-mail: [email protected]
Up to$1.4 millionin Florida
Owners’Awardsavailable
FTBOA.NEWS.qx:Layout 1 12/29/09 1:14 PM Page 18
THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 19
have had seasons offered at the Florida Thor-
oughbredCharities live auction.A list of eligi-
ble stallions will be available on the FTBOA’s
Web site, www.ftboa.com.
Florida Thoroughbred Charities benefits
the Florida division of theThoroughbred Re-
tirement Foundation, and Dunn said Gulf-
stream Park will make a contribution to the
charity inApril.
Also onApril 24 will be six to eight starter
allowance races for Florida-breds worth
$50,000 apiece. A starter allowance is a race
open to horses that have run in a claiming race
within a specified time.
“We think it’s going to add very nicely to
the program that we have here,” Dunn said of
the agreement. “It gives us a chance to feature
Florida-breds, and the event day inApril gives
us something to focus on and promote after
the (March 20) Florida Derby. It’s an oppor-
tunity to workwith the FTBOAon something
very positive. Hopefully, we’ll be able to do
what we all want to do collectively, and that’s
reward the people who support the meet.”
Gulfstream Park also will offer 10 starter
allowance races for Florida-breds worth
$30,000 each. One such race will be held
each Friday from Jan. 22 to March 26.
“We’re obviously very happywewere able
to work this out,” Stirling said. “It’s going to
be beneficial for everybody, particularly for
owners of Florida-breds.The Friday races and
the grand finale in April will be very impor-
tant to people with Florida-breds.”
In addition, Gulfstream will offer three
Florida-bred-preferred races per day, up from
one at the 2009 meet. The Florida-breds can
be entered in the race ahead of horses from
all other states and countries.
GULFSTREAM PARK RETURNINGTO NORMAL AFTER FLOOD
Training resumed Dec. 20 at Gulf-
stream Park after a week that saw massive
flooding at the Hallandale Beach track.
After more than a foot of rain was
dumped on the track over two days, about
150 horses had to be moved to stalls at
Calder Race Course and the nearby Payson
Park and Palm Meadows training facilities.
All told, 12 of the track’s 20 barns and about
600 horses were affected by the flood, which
wiped out much of the feed on the grounds
as well as training equipment.
“The water was two or three feet deep in
those 12 barns,” said trainer Tim Ritvo, a
vice president of the Florida Horsemen’s
Benevolent and Protective Association.
“Most of the feed was all wiped out, and
there was standing water for 36 hours. It
was pretty rough, but everyone’s been great
and has been cooperating.”
Many of the grooms and hotwalkers
who live in the old dormitories at Gulf-
stream saw their homes flooded and much
of their personal property destroyed by the
flood. Ritvo said the FHBPA was seeking
donations to help buy mattresses, pillows
and clothing for the track’s backstretch
workers.
Ritvo said that as bad as the flood was, it
could have been worse had it occurred dur-
ing the Gulfstream Park meet, which began
Jan. 3.
“We got really lucky that it happened
when it happened, or it would have been a
huge disaster,” Ritvo said. “Everybody –
horsemen, management, Calder – pitched
in to do the best they could with a bad sit-
uation.” �
QUARANTINE LIFTED AT CALDERBy CALDER PUBLICITY
The three-week quarantine at Calder Race Course was officially lifted Dec. 21. Several in-fection-control measures were put into effect at Calder when one horse was diagnosed with thehighly contagious Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) on Nov. 30. No other horses at Calder have con-tracted the disease.
Lifting the quarantine allowed 60 horses to resume normal training and racing activity at Calder.“While the quarantine was hard on our December performance, our team was successful to
effectively isolate the infection and prevent it from affecting others,” said John Marshall, Calder’svice president and general manager of racing.“We appreciate the patience of our horsemen andcooperation of several agencies at the state and federal levels.We contained a very serious sit-uation, ensuring the overall safety and welfare of our industry’s participants.”
December was a high-profile month at Calder’s Tropical meet, featuring competition amongan already talented local contingent with horses shipping south for the winter racing season.
As the Tropical meet reaches a crescendo, anticipation is also building for the opening of thetrack’s new slots facility – the Calder Casino – in late January.The 104,000-square-foot casinowillfeature more than 1,200 slot machines and three new restaurants. Calder also offers year-roundsimulcasting and live poker action in the Studz Poker Club. �
MATT
DEAN
/EQU
I-PHO
TO
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20 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
By JOANN GUIDRY
Presious Passion and Vineyard Haven headed
the class of 2009 Florida-bred champions, not
only repeating as champions but each collect-
ing dual titles as well. Presious Passion developed into
one of the best turf horses in the country, earning the
the titles of Florida-bred champion turf horse and
older male.Vineyard Haven encored his juvenile sea-
son with a stellar sophomore one, being named this
season’s Florida-bred champion 3-year-old colt and
sprinter.
Juvenile runners Bridgetown and Sweetlalalbye
emerged as bright new stars. On the distaff side,
Hooh Why had a grade-one sophomore season and
Dubai Majesty proved to be the best of older mares.
The Florida-bred champions are determined by
points accumulated during the year-long FTBOA
Chase To The Championship. In the case of ties by
points, the tiebreaker is most money earned. The
Florida-bred Horse of theYear and Florida Breeder of
theYear, as well as other awards are determined by the
FTBOA Board of Directors and year-end statistics. �
BIL
LD
EN
VE
RP
HO
TO
2 0 0 9Florida-Bred CHAMPIONSThe 2009 Florida-bred championsdistinguished themselves as talented,determined and versatile throughoutthe racing season.
ClassActs
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22 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
Bridgetown comes by his speed naturally.
His sire is Speightstown, who won the
2004 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) and gar-
nered that season’s Eclipse Award as champion
sprinter. But while Bridgetown inherited his sire’s
speed, he utilizes it on the turf instead of the dirt.
Bridgetown has excelled on the turf, winning a
graded stakes and just missing a victory in the
Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G2). In but five life-
time starts, he has posted two wins and two sec-
onds in but five lifetime starts to bank $392,198.
A homebred for Eugene and LauraMelnyk, who
also raced Speightstown, Bridgetown took quickly
to winning. The chestnut colt broke his maiden on
August 14 at Saratoga Race Course, winning by
five and a quarter lengths in 1:02.09 for the five and
a half furlongs.A mere month later, Bridgetown be-
came a graded stakes winner in but his third outing.
At Woodbine on September 19, the Kenneth
McPeek trainee captured theSummerStakes (Can-G3)
on the turf to guarantee himself a berth in theBreeders’
Cup Juvenile Turf (G2). In the Summer Stakes,
Bridgetown took over the lead fromStormyLord at the
top of the stretch. He held off the late challenges of
Becky’s Kitten and Fantastico Roberto to win by a
length and a half. Bridgetown’s winning time for the
mile over a firm turf was 1:35.04.
Bridgetown proved to be the horse to beat in the
Breeders’Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) on November 7 at
Santa Anita. He led the field from the gate, setting
fractions of :23.61, :48.50 and 1:12.47 for the first
six furlongs of themile event. In the stretch, Pounced
rallied on the inside and overtook a gameBridgetown
by three-quarters of a length. Bridgetown secured a
runner-up finish with Interactif third.
Out of the stakes-placed Tabasco Cat mare
Ellesmere, Bridgetown is a half-brother to Florida-
bred stakes winner Carnacks Choice. The Melnyks
purchased Ellesmere for $380,000 at the 1998
Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August yearling sale. Rac-
ing for the Melnyks, Ellesmere won four times, was
third in the Miss Moneypenny Stakes and earned
$78,994. Ellesmere, who resides at the Melnyk’s
Ocala-based Winding Oaks Farm, had a 2008
Strong Hope colt, a 2009 BrokenVow colt and was
bred to Harlington for 2010. �
Bridgetown
MICH
AELB
URNS
PHOT
O
BRIDGETOWN2007 chestnut colt
by Speightstown – Ellesmere,by Tabasco Cat
Breeders/Owners:Eugene & Laura Melnyk (Melnyk
Racing Stables Inc.)
Trainer: Kenneth McPeek
2009 Race Record & Earnings5-2-2-0/$392,198
2009 Stakes Record1st – Summer Stakes (G3-T)
2nd – Breeders’ CupJuvenile Turf (G2-T)
2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding
2 0 0 9Florida-Bred CHAMPION
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 23
2 0 0 9Florida-Bred CHAMPION
Aclassy and talented filly, Amen Hallelujah
has her owners singing her praises. Com-
peting against some of the best juvenile fil-
lies in the country, Amen Hallelujah has earned her
accolades with a pair of thirds in Grade I events.
AmenHallelujah, a dark bay/brown filly by lead-
ing Florida sire Montbrook, broke her maiden in her
third start. Actually, she finished in a dead heat win
with Malibu Legacy in a maiden special weight on
August 23 atArlington Park.Winning margin was a
length in 1:11.37 for the six furlongs.
In her next start, Amen Hallelujah had the win-
ner’s circle all to herself. She rolled to a five-
length win in an allowance test on September 19 at
Arlington Park. Her winning time in the six-furlong
race was 1:11.22. From those two winning efforts,
Amen Hallelujah was moved into the big leagues of
Grade I competition.
OnOctober 9 at Keeneland,AmenHallelujah fin-
ished third to Negligee in the Darley Alcibiades
Stakes (G1). Finishing second was graded stakes
winner She Be Wild. Following the Alcibiades
Stakes,AmenHallelujah was sold privately to IEAH
Stables andWhizway Farms.
Amen Hallelujah’s first start for her new owners
came in the Hollywood Starlet Stakes (G1) on De-
cember 20. Now trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., she
responded with a third-place finish to Blind Luck
with Miss Heather Lee nabbing second.
Bred byThorobeamFarm,AmenHallelujah is out
of the stakes-winning Concorde’s Tune mare Sara’s
Success. Sara’s Success won four stakes, including
the 2001 Calder Oaks, and was stakes-placed five
times on her way to earning $422,337. As a brood-
mare, Sara’s Success has had only two live foals with
Amen Hallelujah being her only one to race.
Consigned by Hidden Brook, agent, Amen Hal-
lelujah was sold for $40,000 to Cecil Seaman,
agent, at the 2008 Keeneland September yearling
sale. On six starts for the season, Amen Hallelujah
posted two wins, one second and two thirds to
bank $132,370. �
FOURFOOTEDFOTOS
AMEN HALLELUJAH2007 dark bay/brown filly
by Montbrook – Sara’s Success,by Concorde’s Tune
Breeder: Thorobeam FarmOwners: IEAH Stables &
Whizway FarmsTrainer: Richard E. Dutrow Jr.
2009 Race Record/Earnings6-2-1-2/$132,370
2009 Stakes Record3rd - Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1)3rd – Hollywood Starlet Stakes (G1)
Amen Hallelujah
2-Year-Old Filly
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24 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
3-Year-Old Colt/GeldingFlorida-bred Champion Sprinter
2 0 0 9Florida-Bred CHAMPION
ForVineyard Haven, the 2009 racing season
was a bit of the more things change, the more
they stay the same. A year older and with a
new owner and trainer,Vineyard Haven captured yet
another Grade I race and two more Florida-bred
champion titles as well.
After back-to-back Grade I victories in 2008,
Vineyard Haven was sold privately to Sheikh Mo-
hammed bin Rashid alMaktoum’sGodolphin Racing
LLC and Saeed bin Suroor took over the training du-
ties. For his outstanding juvenile season, Vineyard
Haven was named the 2008 Florida-bred champion
2-year-old colt. With another successful racing sea-
son as a sophomore, Vineyard Haven was doubly-
honored as 2009 Florida-bred champion 3-year-old
colt and Florida-bred champion sprinter.
Vineyard Haven, who was shipped to Dubai fol-
lowing his private purchase, next made his first U.S.
start again in the King’s Bishop Stakes (G1) at
Saratoga on August 29. And it proved to be a good
news/bad news situation. The good news was Vine-
yard Haven appeared to have won his third career
graded stakes. The bad news was that he bumped
Capt. Candyman Can in deep stretch and was dis-
qualified to second.
But it was all good news in the Frank De Francis
Memorial Dash (G1) on October 24 at Laurel Park
Overcoming a slow start and traffic problems,Vine-
yard Haven finally found a clear path on the rail.
With a late surge, Vineyard Haven scored a deter-
mined half-length win over Ravalo with fellow
Florida-bred Fleet Valid third. His winning time for
the six furlongs over a sloppy track was 1:09.62.
Vineyard Haven closed out the season on Novem-
ber 28with touch third toKodiakKowboy in theCigar
Mile (G1) atAqueduct. On four starts, the Lido Palace
(Chi) gray/roan colt posted one win, one second and
one third in three Grade I events to earn $282,500.
Bred by owner/trainer Lynne Scace, Vineyard
Haven is out of the winning Aloha Prospector mare
PrincessAloha.Also bred, raced and trained by Scace,
PrincessAloha is also the dam of Florida-bred stakes
winner On the Vineyard. Scace owned and trained
VineyardHaven at the time of hismaiden victory, sell-
ing him privately shortly thereafter to the partnership
of the late trainer Bobby Frankel, Louis Lazzinnaro
and Joe Torre’s Diamond Pride LLC. After Vineyard
Haven’s victories in the 2008Hopeful Stakes (G1) and
Champagne Stakes (G1), the partnership sold himpri-
vately to current owner Godolphin Stables.�
MCCU
EPH
OTO
VINEYARD HAVEN2006 gray/roan colt by Lido Palace
(Chi) – Princess Aloha, by AlohaProspector
Breeder: Lynne ScaceOwner: Godolphin Stables LLC
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
2009 Race Record/Earnings4-1-1-1/$282,500
2009 Stakes Record1st – Frank J. De Francis
Memorial Dash (G1)2nd – King’s Bishop Stakes (G1)
3rd – Cigar Mile (G1)
Vineyard Haven
Champions.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 1:42 PM Page 24
THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 25
2 0 0 9Florida-Bred CHAMPION
Hooh Why’s motto might be try, try and try
again.After being stakes-placed five times in
her career, the 3-year-old CloudHopping filly
was still looking to notch her first stakes win. So it only
seemed fitting that when she did, it was a big one and
nothing less than a Grade I victory.
Bred by Gail Gee, HoohWhy opened the 2009 sea-
son with a second to Beltene in the Sunshine Millions
Oaks at Santa Anita Park on January 24. A little less
than two months later, the chestnut filly finished third
to Stardom Bound in the SantaAnita Oaks (G1).
Shipped to Keeneland, Hooh Why took to the
change of scenery. On April 4 and as a 24-1 longshot,
Hooh Why scored a neck victory over graded stakes
winner Gozzip Girl in the Ashland Stakes (G1). Fin-
ishing third was Santa Anita Oaks (G1) winner Star-
dom Bound. The winning time for the mile and
one-sixteenths race was 1:43.80.
HoohWhy encored that Grade I win with a victory
in the La Lorgnette Stakes onMay 17 atWoodbine. She
defeated Tasty Temptation by a half-length with Mil-
waukee Appeal finishing third. Winning time for the
mile and one-sixteenths race was 1:45.46.
Also on the season, HoohWhy posted thirds in the
Selene Stakes (G3-Can) atWoodbine andDouble Delta
Stakes atArlington Park. Racing for Gee’s Derby Daze
Farm andMark Hoffman, she banked $452,174 on the
season.
Gee, who owns Ocala-based Derby Daze Farm,
bought Hooh Why’s dam, the unraced Corporate Re-
port mare Magic Merger privately. From a Quarter
Horse background, Magic Merger was the first Thor-
oughbredmare that Gee bought shortly after buying her
80-acre farm. In addition to HoohWhy, Magic Merger
is also the dam of Florida-bred stakes winner Rumbling
Cloud. Magic Merger had a 2007 D’wildcat filly
namedD’wild Beach, a 2009With Distinction colt and
was bred to Put It Back for 2010. �
3-Year-Old Filly
MICH
AELB
URNS
PHOT
OHOOH WHY
2006 chestnut filly by Cloud Hopping –Magic Merger, by Corporate Report
Breeder: Gail GeeOwners: Derby Daze Farm
& Mark HoffmanTrainer: Kenneth Hoffman
2009 Race Record/Earnings8-2-1-3/$452,174
2009 Stakes Record1st – Ashland Stakes (G1)1st – La Lorgnette Stakes
2nd – Sunshine Millions Oaks3rd – Santa Anita Oaks (G1)
3rd – Selene Stakes (G3-Can)3rd – Double Delta Stakes
Hooh Why
Champions.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 1:42 PM Page 25
After Presious Passion won three graded stakes,
became amillionaire andwas named aFlorida-
bred champion in 2008, itwould be asking a lot
for the Royal Anthem gelding to top that. But that’s just
what Presious Passion did. In 2009, Presious Passionwon
four stakes, including three graded andwith two of those
being Grade I events. He set a course record and added
$1.5 million to his bankroll. Little wonder that Presious
Passion earned the dual title of 2009 Florida-bred cham-
pion older male and champion turf horse.
Presious Passion opened up the seasonwith a runner-
up finish to fellow Florida-bred Soldier’s Dancer in the
Sunshine Millions Turf on January 24 at Santa Anita. A
month later, theMary Hartmann trainee led gate-to-wire
to bestQuasicobra by a half a length in theMacDiarmida
Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.Winning time for the 11
furlongs over a firm course was 2:12.10.
Hartmann then shipped Patricia Generazio’s color-
bearer back to herMonmouthPark base.On June 13, Pre-
sious Passion scored a gutsy nose win in the Monmouth
Stakes in his first race back after a three-month break.
The bestwas yet to comewith a pair ofGrade I triumphs.
It was a grand Fourth of July celebration for his con-
nectionswithPresiousPassion’s secondconsecutiveUnited
Nations Stakes (G1) victory. Presious Passionwon by two
in course-setting time of 2:10.97 for the 11 furlongs. The
second Grade I win came back out at SantaAnita, where
Presious Passion captured the Clement L. Hirsch Memo-
rialTurfChampionshipStakes (G1)onOctober11.Hewon
by two and a half lengths in 1:59.13 for the 10 furlongs.
PresiousPassionclosedouthis stellar seasonwithagal-
lant and memorable effort in the Breeders’CupTurf (G1)
on November 7 at Santa Anita. He led by as many as 10
lengths, set fractionsof :23.08, :45.14, 1:09.24,1:34.56and
1:59.72 before being collared by Conduit (Ire) in deep
stretch. Conduit (Ire), who also won the 2008 BC Turf,
posted a half-length victory over Presious Passion.
Bred by Joseph andHelenBarbazon, Presious Passion
is out of the unraced Marquetry mare Princesa’s Passion.
The Barbazons, who own 220-acre Pleasant Acres Farm
just outsideOcala inMorriston, purchased Princesa’s Pas-
sion privately. In addition to Presious Passion, Princesa’s
Passion has also produced winner Just Livin a Dream ,a
2006 fillybyTrippi, anda2007ExchangeRate fillynamed
Exchangeable. PatriciaGenerazio andher husband,Frank,
a retired trainer, are longtime clients of the Barbazons and
purchased Presious Passion privately as a yearling.
In nine starts in 2009, Presious Passion posted four
wins and three seconds to earn $1,524,275.Over five sea-
sons of racing to date, he has banked $2,576,293.�
26 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
Champion Older MaleChampion Turf Horse
2 0 0 9Florida-Bred CHAMPION
COGL
IANE
SEPH
OTO
PRESIOUS PASSION2003 chestnut gelding
by Royal Anthem –Princesa’s Passion, by Marquetry
Breeders:Joseph & Helen Barbazon
Owner:Patricia Generazio
Trainer:Mary Hartmann
2009 Race Record/Earnings9-4-3-0/$1,524,275
2009 Stakes Record1st – United Nations Stakes (G1)
1st – Clement L. HirschMemorial Turf Classic (G1)
1st – Mac Diarmida Stakes (G3)1st – Monmouth Stakes
2nd – Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1)2nd – Pan American Stakes (G3)
2nd – Sunshine Millions Turf
Presious Passion
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 27
2 0 0 9Florida-Bred CHAMPION
Older Female
Abit of a late bloomer, Dubai Majesty flashed
her talent early on but didn’t score her initial
stakeswin until shewas four.As a sophomore,
DubaiMajestywas graded stakes-placed three times and
her connections knew it was only amatter of time before
she came into her own.That confidence paid off in 2009
with two stakes wins, including a graded victory, three
stakes-placings and $296,480 in earnings.
DubaiMajestyopened theseasonwitha second toHigh
Resolve in theSunshineMillionsFilly andMareSprint on
January 24 at Gulfstream Park.After an allowance win at
Fair Grounds, Bret Calhoun shipped his charge to Ken-
tucky.ThereDubiaMajesty finished inadeadheat for third
withModification towinner InformedDecision in theHu-
manaDistaff Stakes (G1) onMay 2 at Churchill Downs.
Three weeks later, Dubai Majesty notched her initial
stakes and grades stakeswin at the same time in theWin-
ningColorsStakes (G3) atChurchillDowns. ItwasDubai
Majesty and Lady Chace battling through the first half-
mile, setting fractions of :21.78 and :45.11. Lady Chace
actually took a short-lived lead in the stretch beforeDubai
Majesty rallied to win by a length. Keep the Peace came
on for second while Lady Chace hung on for third. The
winning time for the six-furlong race was 1:10.61.
After a third to Canadian Ballet in theTurfAmazon
Handicap at Philadelphia Park, Dubai Majesty paid a
visit to the Keeneland Race Course winner’s circle. On
October 16, she showed her versatility and captured the
Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes by a length and
a quarter on the turf.
Her winning time for the five and a half furlongs
over a soft course was 1:03.64.
By Essence of Dubai and out of the winning Great
Abovemare GreatMajesty, DubaiMajesty is owned by
Martin Racing Stable LLC and Dan Morgan. Her cur-
rent owners bought her privately from her breeder
Harold J. Plumley, who raced her in her first 10 starts.
Plumley, who owns Ocala-based Plumley Farms,
purchased Great Majesty for $7,000 in foal to Birdon-
thewire at the 1998 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s
October mixed sale. Great Majesty would become a
stakes producer shortly thereafter when her first foal
Majestic Dinner, a 1997 gelding by Formal Dinner, be-
came a multiple stakes winner of $497,374. Barren in
2008, Great Majesty has a 2009 colt byTrippi and is in
foal toA.P.Warrior for 2010.�
PALM
ERPH
OTO
DUBAI MAJESTY2005 bay filly
by Essence of Dubai –Great Majesty, by Great Above
Breeder: Harold J. PlumleyOwners: Martin Racing Stable LLC
& Dan MorganTrainer: W. Bret Calhoun
2009 Race Record/Earnings9-3-1-2/$296,480
2009 Stakes Record1st – Winning Colors Stakes (G3)
1st – Buffalo TraceFranklin County Stakes2nd – Sunsine MillionsFilly & Mare Turf Sprint
3rd – Humana Distaff Stakes (G1)3rd – Turf Amazon Handicap
Dubai Majesty
Champions.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 1:43 PM Page 27
the Best State for Business
BusinessClimate.C.34706.qx:Layout 1 8/18/09 3:53 PM Page 1
BusinessClimate.C.34706.qx:Layout 1 8/18/09 3:54 PM Page 2
30 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
Following are the “FTBOA Chase to the Championship ” Point Standings through December 23, 2009.
Year-end divisional champions will be determined using the “FTBOAChase to the Championship” point system, a ranking that awards pointsfor success in stakes races.
The “FTBOA Chase to the Championship” allocates points for stakeswins in graded races, open-company stakes and Florida’s signature rac-ing days, with the number of points awarded based upon the classifi-cation of the race. International stakes race status is governed by theInternational Cataloguing Standards Committee. The first three finishersin all Group/Graded and listed races appearing in Part I of the Interna-tional Cataloguing Standards and International Statistics Book printed byThe Jockey Club receive “black-type” designation.
The Florida-bred with the most points in each division on December31 is deemed champion of that division. Horse of the Year, Broodmareof the Year and Breeder of the Year will be voted on by the FTBOA Boardof Directors and announced at the FTBOA’s annual awards dinner.
In the case of a year-end tie in points in any division, earnings will beused to decide the tiebreaker.
Points are assigned as follows:
� World Thoroughbred ChampionshipBreeders’ Cup Race:Win: 20 pointsPlace: 15 pointsShow: 10 points
� Grade 1 Stakes Race:Win: 15 pointsPlace: 10 pointsShow: 5 points
� Grade 2 Stakes Race:Win: 5 pointsPlace: 3 pointsShow: 2 points
� Grade 3 Stakes Race:Win: 3 pointsPlace: 2 pointsShow: 1 point
� Sunshine Millions(equivalent to a Grade 2 Stakes Race):Win: 5 pointsPlace: 3 pointsShow: 2 points
� Other Florida-bredSignature Race Days(equivalent to a Grade 3 Stakes Race):(The Florida Million, Florida Cup,Florida Stallion Stakes Series):Win: 3 pointsPlace: 2 pointsShow: 1 point
� Open-Company Stakes($50,000+Purse) Points for WIN ONLY:Win: 2 points
� Selection Criteria for Florida-bred champions
Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Breeder Owner TrainerBridgetown (Speightstown) - 18 Eugene Melnyk Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc. Kenneth G. McPeekAikenite (Yes It’s True) - 15 Brylynn Farm, Inc. Dogwood Stable Todd A. PletcherJackson Bend (Hear No Evil) - 11 Jacks or Better Farm, Inc. Jacks or Better Farm, Inc. Stanley I. Gold
Two-Year-Old FillyAmen Hallelujah (Montbrook) - 10 Thorobeam Farm IEAH Stables Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.Joanie’s Catch (First Tour) - 9 Rose Family Stable Ltd. Rose Family Stable Ltd. Barry R. RoseSweetlalabye (Sweetsouthernsaint) - 9 Jacqueline Tortora & Toni & Richard Ancona Jacqueline Tortora & Toni & Richard Ancona Emanuel TortoraJealous Again (Trippi) - 7 Harold J. Plumley Robert Abrams, Ron Brewer, Mitch Dutko &Wesley A.Ward Wesley A.Ward
Three-Year-Old Colt/GeldingVineyard Haven (Lido Palace) - 30 L. M. Scace Godolphin Racing LLC S. bin SuroorThis Ones For Phil (Untuttable) – 12 Gilbert G. Campbell Paul Pompa Jr., Jack Mandata & Michael Dubb Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.No Inflation (Repriced) - 10 Glen Hill Farm Glen Hill Farm Thomas F. Proctor
Three-Year-Old FillyHoohWhy (Cloud Hopping) – 26 Gail Gee Derby Daze Farm, Inc. & Mark Hoffman Donna L. DupuyFrolic’s Dream (Smoke Glacken) – 8 Robert A. Murphy & Dr. Sandy L. Price-Murphy Lael Stables Barclay TaggRomacaca (Running Stag) - 8 Cashel Stud, Inc. Frank Carl Calabrese Danny L. MillerCentury Park (General Meeting) - 7 Donald R. Dizney Donald R. Dizney Bob Baffert
Older Male (Four-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding)Presious Passion (Royal Anthem) – 57 Joseph & Helen Barbazon Patricia A. Generazio Mary HartmannMacho Again (Macho Uno) - 40 Milan Kosanovich West Point Thoroughbreds Dallas StewartCrown of Thorns (Repent) - 25 Clover Leaf Farms II, Inc. Spendthrift Farm, LLC Richard E. Mandella
Older Female (Four-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare)Dubai Majesty (Essence of Dubai) - 13 Harold J. Plumley Martin Racing Stable LLC & Dan Morgan W. Bret CalhounBriecat (Adcat) - 12 Ocala Oaks, Inc. & Don R. Graham David W. & Holly F.Wilson Vladimir CerinDawn After Dawn (Successful Appeal) – 12 Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds Ike & Dawn Thrash JohnW. SadlerUnforgotten (Northern Afleet) - 11 Charles T. Rognom & Robert A. Adams Robert A. Adams Dallas Stewart
Sprint (Three-Year-Olds and up, male and female, race distances one mile and less)Vineyard Haven (Lido Palace) - 30 L. M. Scace Godolphin Racing LLC S. bin SuroorCrown of Thorns (Repent) - 25 Clover Leaf Farms II, Inc. Spendthrift Farm, LLC Richard E. MandellaBig City Man (Northern Afleet) - 20 Four Horsemen’s Ranch Prince Sultan Mohammed Saud Al Kabeer Jerry Barton
Turf (Three-Year-Olds and up, male and female, races run on the turf)Presious Passion (Royal Anthem) – 55 Joseph & Helen Barbazon Patricia A. Generazio Mary HartmannGlobetrotter (Street Cry) - 10 Live Oak Stud Earle I. Mack JohnW. SadlerMy Princess Jess (Stormy Atlantic) - 10 Adena Springs Lael Stables Barclay TaggNo Inflation (Repriced) - 10 Glen Hill Farm Glen Hill Farm Thomas F. ProctorSoldier’s Dancer (Lost Soldier) - 10 Franks Farm Herman Heinlein David A. VivianRomacaca (Running Stag) - 8 Cashel Stud, Inc. Frank Carl Calabrese Danny L. Miller
ChaseToChampionship.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 3:54 PM Page 36
Florida Dept. of Agricultureand Consumer ServicesCharles H. Bronson, Commissioner850-488-4366 • Fax 850-922-0374
e-mail: [email protected] S. Calhoun • 412 Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399
Florida ThoroughbredBreeders’ and Owners’ Association801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603www.ftboa.com • [email protected]
COOK
IESE
RLET
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Dept.Ag.33546.qx:Layout 1 12/15/08 10:10 AM Page 1
32 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
FLORIDANEWS
BY NICK FORTUNA
Florida-bred stakes winners Macho Again, Dry Martini,
Duke of Mischief and Palladio were among the 31 horses
nominated to the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic, a
nine-furlong race that pits Florida-breds against California-bred at
SantaAnita Park on Jan. 30.
The Sunshine Millions will feature three races at Santa Anita
and three more at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 30. Two races were
eliminated this year, and the total value of the races was reduced
from $3.6 million last year to $1.8 million this year.
MachoAgain, bred byMilanKosanovich at Broken Back Farm
in Ocala, had a steller 4-year-old season in 2009, capturing the
Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs and
the New Orleans Handicap (G2) at Fair Grounds
before finishing second in both the Whitney
Handicap (G1) and theWoodward Stakes (G1) at
Saratoga. He finished seventh
behind Florida-bred It’s a Bird
in last year’s Sunshine Mil-
lions Classic.
Dry Martini, bred by
Marty and Carol Hershe at
Turtle Pond Farm inWilliston,
finished second in last year’s
Classic. He went on to win
the Suburban Handicap (G2)
and the $65,000 Three Coins
Up Stakes at Belmont Park
this year. Dry Martini also
was nominated to the
$300,000 Sunshine Millions
Turf, a nine-furlong race to
be run at Gulfstream Park.
Duke of Mischief, bred by Marilyn McMaster, won the
$250,000 Iowa Derby by five lengths at Prairie Meadows in June.
Palladio, bred and owned by Ocala’s Haras Santa Maria de
Araras operation, won the $147,965 Autumn Stakes at Wood-
bine last month to get within $40,000 of the million-dollar mark
in career earnings.
Among the top nominees for the Sunshine Millions Turf are
Florida-breds Soldier’s Dancer and Presious Passion, a pair of mil-
lionaires who finished first and second in last year’s edition.
Soldier’s Dancer, bred by Franks Farm, won the $250,000
PTHA President’s Cup at Philadelphia Park for the second
straight year in September before capturing the $150,000 Bon-
nie Heath Turf Cup at Calder in November.
Presious Passion finished a disappointing fifth while seeking
a third straight victory in the W.L. McKnight Handicap (G2) at
Calder Race Course Dec. 26. Prior to that, he finished second
behind defending champion Conduit in the Breeders’ Cup Turf
at Santa Anita. The gelding was bred by Joseph and Helen Bar-
bazon at Pleasant Acres Farm in Morriston.
Gulfstream Park also will host the $300,000 SunshineMil-
lions Distaff, which covers nine furlongs, and the
$200,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint, which spans
six furlongs. Santa Anita will host the $300,000
SunshineMillions Filly andMareTurf going nine
furlongs and the $200,000
Sunshine Millions Filly and
Mare Sprint at six furlongs.
Among the nominees for
the Distaff was Florida-bred
Sweet Repent, who won the
$100,000 Stage Door Betty
Handicap (G3) at Calder on
Dec. 26 for her fourth straight
victory.
Florida-bred Crown of
Thorns, who finished second
behindDancing in Silks in the
Breeders’ Cup Sprint last
month, was nominated to the
Sunshine Millions Sprint but
might be run in the race because of a severe throat ulcer. Dancing
in Silks also was nominated, as were stakes-winning Florida-breds
Pashito the Che, This Ones for Phil andAccredit.
Florida-bred Century Park, who won the $75,000 California
Cup Distance Handicap at SantaAnita last October, is among the
top horses nominated for the Filly and Mare Turf.
Florida-bred Dubai Majesty, the winner of the $116,700 Buf-
falo Trace Franklin County Stakes at Keeneland last season, was
among the leading nominees for the Filly and Mare Sprint.�
Florida-bred Macho Again AmongSunshine Millions Early Nominees
Six races set for Jan. 30 at Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita
PALM
ERPH
OTO
Macho Again
To view all early-bird nominations, visit www.ftboa.com
SunshineMill.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 1:51 PM Page 1
NOMINATED TOFlorida Stallion Stakes
� 899 S.W. 85th Ave., Ocala, FL 34481 � (352) 237-3834 � Fax: (352)237-6069� www.doublediamondfarm.com
Also s tand ing : AMERICAN SPIRIT � � PROUD AND TRUE � � REY DE CAFE � � WEKIVA SPRINGS
Wild Again—Rhythm of Life, by Deputy Minister
Florida’s only Belmont Stakes winner!An earner of $773,832 during his racing career, Sarava defeated leading sire
Medaglia d’Oro in the 2002 Belmont Stakes (G1).
History is the best guide to future success
Sarava is byWild Again, sire of such champions asWilderness Song, and Free at Last,
and millionaires Milwaukee Brew,Wild Rush,Shine Again and Elmhurst
LOU
ISE
REI
NAG
ELPH
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/IN
SET:
NYR
APH
OTO
SARAVA
DD.35397.Sarava.qx:Ad 12/30/09 11:34 AM Page 1
By BILL HELLER
hile no state can disrupt Kentucky’s dom-
inance in breeding statistics, Florida’s stal-
lions made quite a dent in 2009. Through
early December, Kentucky had the top 12 stallions in
2-year-old progeny earnings and 23 of the top 28
spots. Florida had three of the other five, and all three
stood for a modest fee in 2009.
Wildcat Heir, who stood for $6,500 at Journey-
man Stud, ranked 13th. Twentieth-ranked Proud Ac-
colade, who died of a congenital neurological
condition last June 16, stood for $4,000 at Bridle-
wood Farm. Vinery Ltd.’s D’wildcat ranked 24th
after standing for $6,500.
Two other Florida sires, Hear No Evil, who moved
from Rising Hill Farm to Journeyman Stud for 2010,
and Ocala Stud’s Sweetsouthernsaint, ranked 46th and
61st after standing for $5,000 and $2,500, respectively,
in 2009. Sweetsouthernsaint, who has just left Ocala
Stud, had the lowest stud fee of any of the top 100.
Add the five Florida stallions’stud fees together, and
the total ($24,500) was still far less than many individ-
ual Kentucky stallions on the list.
“Bargains, that’s what we’re known for, we being
Florida,” Brent Fernung of Journeyman Stud said.
“That’s the key here. Mr. Prospector started out here for
$7,500.We do a good job making horses.”
34 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
In an economy demanding bargainhunting, Thoroughbred breeders need only
look south. All the way south.
FloridaWildcat Heir, who
stood for $6,500 atJourneyman Stud,
ranked 13th inprogeny earningsfor 2009 through
press time.
W
LOUISE
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 35
Declan Doyle, stallion administrator for Vinery
Ltd., agreed: “It’s difficult times right now, but Florida-
breds are very much appreciated within the horse busi-
ness.As we move on from here, that won’t change that
much. It’s a great place to train and run a horse. It’s a
great place to breed horses.”
Ocala Stud has been doing exactly that for more than
50 years. The farm opened in 1956 and two years later
sold its first crop of 2-year-olds. Traditionally, Ocala
Stud sells its entire juvenile crop at the Ocala Breeders’
Two-Year-Olds in Training Sales in Ocala. Since its in-
ception, the farm has sold 26 horses who earned more
than $200,000 each and more than 90 stakes winners.
Ocala Stud consists of three farms in Ocala and
Marion County totaling 500 acres. “It’s doing well,”
said 29-year-old David O’Farrell, who helps his dad,
Michael, Ocala Stud’s general manager, run the op-
eration. “Times are tough, but we’re going to just
hang on tight, and we’ll
get through this.”
One stallion who has
helped them do that is
Sweetsouthernsaint.
Sweetsouthernsaint certainly delivered value in 2009.
His 2-year-old filly Sweetlalabye earned $363,700, the
top earnings of his four winners from 16 starters. “He
had a lot of talent,” David O’Farrell said. “An injury
ended his career early. He was a good 2-year-old.That’s
one thing we look for in a stallion. That’s important in
Florida.We stood his oldman, Saint Ballado.We started
him out for $2,500. He had Captain Bodgit in his first
crop and really took off. Sweetsouthernsaint has been a
very good sire.Arguably, he’s themost successful son of
Saint Ballado.”
One reason for Ocala Stud’s success is the farm’s
willingness to breed its own mares to its own stallions.
“Michael O’Farrell is proactive,” Journeyman Stud’s
Fernung said. “He breeds his ownmares to his own stal-
lions. If you’re not willing to support your own horses,
nobody else will. I have bred 40 to 45 ofmymares tomy
stallions.”
Bargains
D’wildcat (above) ranked 24th in 2009 after standing for $6,500,while Hear No Evil (below), despite his considerable success last year,will stand at Journeyman Stud for $3,500.
SERI
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Bargains.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 1:16 PM Page 35
Fernung is certainly doing his part to stimulate the
economy. Hear No Evil, who stood at Rising Hill Farm
for $5,000 in 2009, stands this year at Journeyman Stud
for $3,500, despite his considerable success last year.
From a first crop of just 11 horses in 2009, Hear No Evil
sired three winners from seven runners, including Jack-
son Bend, who earned $477,820 by winning 3 stakes at
Calder—defeating subsequent Grade 2 Saratoga Spe-
cial and Futurity Stakes winner D’Funnybone in the
Frank GomezMemorial in one of them—to stamp him-
self as a legitimate Triple Crown contender in 2010.
Hear No Evil was one of three stallions to relocate to
Journeyman Stud, joining Consolidator, who ranked
59th in 2009 2-year-old progeny earnings, and Teufles-
berg. Consolidator will stand for $5,000 in 2010 and
Teuflesberg for $3,500.
“Hear No Evil didn’t get that many mares last year;
he didn’t sell a whole bunch of seasons,” Fernung said.
“I want to increase this horse’s book. I want to get him
started. The things that this horse has done are tremen-
dous. He just needs numbers now. He just really needs
to get mares here. For $3,500, we’ll get them. Maybe
that will pay off down the line.”
Maybe it already has. “I’m already getting calls for
him,” Fernung said in late November. “That’s unusual
this time of year.”
HearYe HearYe’s victory in the $150,000 Jack Price
Juvenile Stakes at Calder on Nov. 14th didn’t hurt as he
became Hear No Evil’s second stakes winner.
Fernung has also received calls forWildcat Heir, who
didn’t benefit from a single six-figure-winning 2-year-
old in his first crop. His top earner in 2009, Karmaged-
den, banked $73,130 as the most successful of Wildcat
Heir’s 35 winners from 53 starters out of 107 foals. A
day after Karmagedden captured a $60,000 stakes for
New Jersey-breds at The Meadowlands, Nov. 13, Wild
Mia gave her sire another stakes winner, taking a
$100,000 stakes for Florida-breds at Calder.
“We got off to a great start withWildcat Heir,” Fer-
nung said. “He’s not like a horse we get down here.
He was the winter-book favorite for the Kentucky
Derby. He was the Hopeful winner, by Thunder
Gulch. It’s a great family. He was a good 2-year-old,
a good 3-year-old and a good 4-year-old. To get that
kind of sire in a regional market is very unusual. They
just don’t happen.”
Fernung and his wife Crystal have been on their
present 150-acre farm since 1989, though Brent took
a seven-year sabbatical to work at CloverLeaf Farms
before returning to Journeyman Stud in 2007. Since
his return, Journeyman Stud has added a new barn/of-
fice complex. Expansion of the farm is a possibility.
“We could use a little more acreage,” Brent said.
“This is a tough market economically, but we’ve got
some bullets down here.”
36 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
Florida-bred JacksonBend (below) has
stamped himself as alegitimate Triple Crown
contender this year.
Florida Bargains
JIMLIS
APHO
TO
Bargains.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 1:16 PM Page 36
Closing Saturday, December 5, 2009Saturday, December 12, 2009 $65,000 Guaranteed(Includes $15,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE LIGHTNING CITY STAKESFor Fillies And Mares Three Year Olds and UpwardAbout Five Furlongs (Turf)
Closing Saturday, December 12, 2009Saturday, December 26, 2009 $75,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE INAUGURAL STAKESFor Two Year OldsSix Furlongs
Closing Saturday, December 12, 2009Saturday, December 26, 2009 $75,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE SANDPIPER STAKESFor Fillies Two Year OldsSix Furlongs
Closing Saturday, December 19, 2009Saturday, January 2, 2010 $65,000 Guaranteed(Includes $15,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE MINARET STAKESFor Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and UpwardSix Furlongs
Closing Saturday, December 26, 2009Saturday, January 9, 2010 $65,000 Guaranteed(Includes $15,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE PELICAN STAKESFor Four Year Olds and UpwardSix Furlongs
Closing Saturday, January 2, 2010Saturday, January 16, 2010 $75,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE GASPARILLA STAKESFor Fillies Three Year OldsSeven Furlongs
Closing Saturday, January 2, 2010Saturday, January 16, 2010 $75,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE PASCO STAKESFor Three Year OldsSeven Furlongs
Closing Saturday, January 16, 2010Saturday, January 30, 2010 $65,000 Guaranteed(Includes $15,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE MANATEE STAKESFor Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and UpwardSeven Furlongs
Closing Saturday, January 23, 2010Saturday, February 6, 2010 $75,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE SUPER STAKESFor Four Year Olds and UpwardSeven Furlongs
Closing Saturday, January 30, 2010Saturday, February 13, 2010 $75,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE SUNCOAST STAKESFor Fillies Three Year OldsOne Mile And Forty Yards
Closing Saturday, January 30, 2010Saturday, February 13, 2010 $225,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE SAM F. DAVIS STAKES - GRADE IIIFor Three Year OldsOne Mile And One Sixteenth
Closing Saturday, January 30, 2010Saturday, February 13, 2010 $125,000 Guaranteed
THE ENDEAVOUR STAKES - GRADE IIIFor Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and UpwardAbout One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf)
Closing Saturday, February 6, 2010Saturday, February 20, 2010$150,000 Guaranteed(Includes $50,000 from BC Fund)
THE TAMPA BAY BREEDERS' CUPFor Four Year Olds and UpwardAbout One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf)
Closing Saturday, February 13, 2010Saturday, February 27, 2010 $65,000 Guaranteed(Includes $15,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE WAYWARD LASS STAKESFor Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and UpwardOne Mile And One Sixteenth
Closing Saturday, February 20, 2010Saturday, March 6, 2010 $65,000 Guaranteed(Includes $15,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE CHALLENGER STAKESStakesFor Four Year Olds and UpwardOne Mile And One Sixteenth
Closing Saturday, February 27, 2010Saturday, March 13, 2010 $75,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE TURF DASHFor Three Year Olds and UpwardAbout Five Furlongs (Turf)
Closing Saturday, February 27, 2010Saturday, March 13, 2010 $300,000 Guaranteed
THE TAMPA BAY DERBY - GRADE IIIFor Three Year OldsOne Mile And One Sixteenth
Closing Saturday, February 27, 2010Saturday, March 13, 2010 $175,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE FLORIDA OAKS - GRADE IIIFor Fillies Three Year OldsOne Mile And One Sixteenth
Closing Saturday, February 27, 2010Saturday, March 13, 2010 $150,000 Guaranteed
THE HILLSBOROUGH STAKES - GRADE IIIFor Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and UpwardAbout One Mile And One Eighth (Turf)
Closing Saturday, March 20, 2010Saturday, April 3, 2010 $85,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE OCALA BREEDERS' SALESSOPHOMOREFor Three Year OldsSeven Furlongs
Closing Saturday, March 20, 2010Saturday, April 3, 2010 $85,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE STONEHEDGE FARM SOUTHSOPHOMORE FILLIESFor Fillies Three Year OldsSeven Furlongs
Closing Saturday, March 20, 2010Saturday, April 3, 2010 $85,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE DAYTON ANDREWS DODGESOPHOMORE TURFFor Three Year OldsAbout One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf)
Closing Saturday, March 20, 2010Saturday, April 3, 2010 $85,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE HILTON GARDEN INN SPRINTFor Four Year Olds and UpwardSix Furlongs
Closing Saturday, March 20, 2010Saturday, April 3, 2010 $85,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE L & D FARM TURF DISTAFFFor Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and UpwardAbout One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf)
Closing Saturday, March 20, 2010Saturday, April 3, 2010 $85,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)
THE KINSMAN FARM TURF CLASSICFor Four Year Olds and UpwardAbout One Mile And One Eighth (Turf)
TAMPA BAY DOWNS2010 STAKES SCHEDULE
FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONContact Duby Christo, Stakes Coordinator
Tampa Bay DownsP.O. Box 2007 • Oldsmar, FL 34677
Ph: 800-200-4434 • Fax 813-854-2438www.tampabaydowns.com*Please note that the Breeders’ Cup money allotted to the Grade III Endeavor Breeders Cup and the
Tampa Bay Breeders’ Cup is pending the Breeders’ Cup board’s approval
*
38 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
So does Vinery Ltd., which is taking a gamble with
D’wildcat by raising his stud fee from $6,500 to
$10,000. “He’s been kind of a bargain the last few
years,” Doyle said. “He was afford-
able. A lot of people jumped on it.
This year it came down to either an
increase or a promotion (to Vinery
in Kentucky).”
About to begin its sixth year in
Florida, Vinery Ltd. will stand four
stallions in 2010. The farm is
owned by Dr. Tom Simon. “We
don’t board mares and don’t board
yearlings, but we have a training
track,” Doyle said.
Florida-bred D’wildcat, whose
top earner was D’Funnybone
($278,206), sired 106 2-year-olds
in 2009, getting 25 winners from
47 starters, impressive numbers from his first Florida
crop. “He stood for a few years in Canada, then he
came down here,” Doyle said. “He’s been very well
received and supported in Florida.We were excited to
see that first crop run. Last year was a weak economy,
and he still bred 99.”
Doyle thinks he knows why: “I think one of the
things is he’s the archetype for pinhook breeders. A lot
of the market down here is driven by pinhookers. He
throws those speedy types.”
ProudAccolade seemed to be doing the same when
he died last summer just 10 days after getting his first
winner, Mr. Green, at Calder. The 7-year-old son ofYes
It’s True had 15 winners from 28 runners led by Proud
Zoe, who bankrolled $154,238.
Proud Accolade spent his first
two seasons at stud at Padua Sta-
ble’s Florida farm before moving to
Bridlewood, where he seemed to be
doing fine. Then he died. “It was
very disappointing, but in this busi-
ness, you never know what’s going
to happen around the corner,” Bri-
dlewood Stallion Director Jeff
Schwietert, said. “We feel fortunate
that we have four Proud Accolade
crops out there.”
Another Bridlewood stallion can
help fill his absence. Indian Ocean,
who stood for $4,000 last year,
ranked 95th with his first crop of 2-year-olds. His stud
fee will remain at $4,000 in 2010, yet another breeding
bargain in the state of Florida.
If eitherD’Funnybone or JacksonBendmakes an im-
pact on this year’sTriple Crown trail, a lot more breeders
will wonder why they didn’t breed their mares to one of
Florida’s conservatively-priced stallions. Schwietert
summed it up: “There’s no question there’s value here.”�
Florida Bargains
If either D’Funnybone
or Jackson Bend makes
an impact on this year’s
Triple Crown trail, a lot
more breeders will
wonder why they didn’t
breed their mares to one
of Florida’s conserva-
tively-priced stallions.
Florida-bredDʼFunnybone
earned $278,206in 2009.
COGL
IANE
SEPH
OTO
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AD bleed check.qx:Layout 1 12/28/09 3:24 PM Page 1
40 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
2010StallionsHartley/
DeRenzo
Ocala/Marion CountyThoroughbred farms opened
their doors to prospectivebreeders last month as the
area’s popular stallionshows got underway. More
shows are slated for thismonth, and they will be
featured in future issues.PHOTOS BY SERITA HULT
Stallion Shows.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 12:55 PM Page 40
THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 41
on Parade
Belgravia (above) andSimon Pure
Opposite page,clockwise from top:
City Place,With Distinction andThe Green Monkey
Stallion Shows.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 12:57 PM Page 41
Clockwise from top left:Shakespeare,Bachelor Blues andChapel Royal
42 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
SignatureStallions
2010Stallion Shows
Stallion Shows.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 3:57 PM Page 42
Clockwise from top:Straight Man,Western Pride andUnbridled Time
THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 43
Stallion Shows.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 12:56 PM Page 43
2010Stallion Shows
44 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
Get Away FarmClockwise from top left:Double Honor,Imperialism andTwo Step Salsa
Stallion Shows.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 12:56 PM Page 44
THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 45
Strong Hope (at left)and Graeme Hall (above)
Winding Oaks
Vinery stallions Dʼwildcat (right)and Pomeroy (below)
Vinery
Stallion Shows.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 3:40 PM Page 45
By CATIE DELUCA,DVM,MS DiplomateACTUniversity of Florida
First, refer to the mare’s breeding dates.The
average gestation length for a horse is
330-360 days, which is a pretty big win-
dow of time. Most owners don’t want to sleep in
the barn for three weeks waiting for their mare to
foal, so we use other information to help narrow
the window. If a mare has had foals before, you
can use her previous gestation lengths to help pre-
dict future ones, as mares tend to be fairly con-
sistent. Still, relying on gestation length alone to
predict foaling is a great way to miss everything!
Luckily, the mare goes through some other
changes that help us predict when she will foal.
The mare’s udder begins to develop and fill with
milk three to six weeks prior to foaling. Mares
that have never foaled before (termed maiden
mares) will sometimes develop their udder only
in the final two to three weeks, whereas mares
that have foaled in previous years tend to develop
more slowly over five to six weeks. In the final
week prior to foaling, the teat ends will start to
fill and finally engorge with milk, and in the final
one to three days prior to foaling, the mare will
often “wax up.” This means that some thick,
sticky secretions will leak from the mare’s udder
and dry on the end of her teats. Since the secre-
tions are so thick, they look like drops of candle
wax on the end of the teat.This is a very good in-
dication that the mare will foal soon.
Calcium levels in the mare’s milk are also use-
ful in the prediction of foaling. A variety of stall
side kits are available and are simple to use. A
small amount of milk is collected from the mare’s
udder and the calcium level is tested. As mares
get close to foaling, the calcium level in milk in-
creases. The level typically increases a few days
prior to foaling, however some mares will have a
dramatic increase in just one day and foal that
night. These tests are best performed daily once
the mare develops a large udder and milk can be
expressed relatively easily. While certainly help-
ful, the kits are not perfect for every mare.
In the last day or so before foaling, many
mares will show some behavioral changes.These
changes are most obvious in maiden mares and
may not be observed at all in experienced brood-
mares. The mare will often go off feed, and she
may separate herself from her herd mates if out at
pasture. She may urinate and defecate frequently,
and appear to have trouble getting comfortable.
She may be somewhat restless or even show signs
of mild colic. This is likely due to some discom-
fort during repositioning of the fetus for delivery,
and foaling usually commences in the next few
hours. If there is excessive activity in the barn or
too many onlookers, the mare may delay foaling
until things quiet down. Many experienced horse-
46 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
It’s that time of year again, and babies aresoon to be born. Only Mother Nature knows for sure
when a mare will foal, but we can use a variety ofdifferent clues to help us predict the big event.
PHOT
OCO
URTE
SYDR
.CAT
IEDE
LUCA
Predicting
Dr. Catie DeLuca witha new born foal
PredictingFoaling:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 4:01 PM Page 46
men have observed that while the foal controls
the day that it is born, the mare controls the
hour.Whatmarewouldwant to give birth with
a barn full of people? Most mares wait until
late at night, usually between 10 p.m. and 2
a.m., to have their foals. The best advice is to
leave the mare alone as much as possible and
watch her by a video camera or very quietly
from a few stalls away. Once labor begins, it
can be very tempting to rush in and help de-
liver the foal, however doing so may upset the
mare and actually slow the process down.
The first stage of labor usually lasts sev-
eral hours and consists of “warm-up” con-
tractions where the fetus gets positioned for
delivery. The duration of stage 1 is variable,
with maiden mares having the longest dura-
tion, but usually lasts several hours.The signs
described above (off feed, mild discomfort or
colic) are an indication that the mare is in
stage 1 of labor. Stage 1 ends when the mare’s
water breaks. Stage 2 of labor involves deliv-
ery of the foal. Contractions are strong and
frequent, and stage 2 is usually only 10-30
minutes in duration. Once the foal is deliv-
ered, the mare usually rests for a few mo-
ments before getting up and greeting her foal.
A longer duration of stage 2 can indicate a
problem, such an improperly positioned foal,
and can result in serious complications if not
corrected promptly. Inexperiencedmare owners
may choose to have their mares foal at a farm
where experiencedhelp or a veterinarian is close
by.While foaling problems are uncommon (1-
2 percent of deliveries), the consequences can
be life-threatening for the mare and foal, and
time is often the most important factor.
The final stage of labor involves passage
of the placenta. This usually occurs within
minutes to a few hours following birth.A pla-
centa should not be retained longer than 3
hours post-foaling; if it is, you should call
your veterinarian.
While mares have been delivering foals for
centurieswithout our help, it is still a good idea
to have an experienced horseperson present at
all foalings. Accurate prediction of foaling
helps us be present for deliveries and able to
assist or call for help if needed, and ultimately
leads to the birth of more healthy foals.�
THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 47
About Dr. DeLucaCatie DeLuca, D.V.M., M.S., is a graduate of theVirginia-Maryland Re-
gional College ofVeterinary Medicine. She served an internship at the pres-
tigious Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center in New Jersey, then performed
her reproduction residency at Colorado State University, one of the meccas
of equine reproduction. DeLuca obtained her board certification in therio-
geneology in 2009 and recently presented a scientific paper at the annual meeting for the
AmericanAssociation of Equine Practitioners.
In her role with the University of Florida’s Veterinary Medical Center, DeLuca manages a
mobile reproduction service that focuses solely on breeding work. Her assignments center
around repro tasks such as breeding soundness examinations, pre-breeding checks to predict
ovulation, ultrasound pregnancy checks, Caslick procedures, and other non-emergency work.
“Because we are a teaching hospital, I’ll have students with me,” DeLuca said, “and I’ll
often be teaching as I go – talking to the students about what I’m doing and quizzing them on
what type of plan we might want to implement for our cases.”—DENISE STEFFANUS
FoalingPredictingFoaling:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 4:01 PM Page 47
Special Editorial Includes
Fit your budgetwith full-color, glossy, or black & white options.Discounts available for the seven-week circuit!
For rates, deadlines and specifications, contactSummer Best • [email protected]
� (352) 732-8858, ext. 227Beverly Kalberkamp • [email protected]
� (352) 732-8858, ext. 222
The historic and elite hunter-jumper horse show begins eachJanuary with an influx of horsemen and women from through-out the world, infusing an estimated $50 million into ourlocal economy. The show circuits include seven weeks of thehighest equine competition, exhibitor parties, an outdoor trade
show, family-fun weekend festivals and spectator activities.Competitors and horse owners arrive in Ocala ready to pa-
tronize restaurants, hotels, retail and entertainment venues.Every year, they buy and rent real estate, automobiles, andcountless big ticket items.
Reach this affluent crowdADVERTISE in Horse Capital Digest,official weekly publication of HITS Ocala.
Profiles of Top Riders, �Trainers & Horses
Show Results �
Calendar of Events �
Society Style �
Places to go, �Things to do
Gourmet on the Go �
Judges’ Comments �
Insight from �Course Designers
Photo Spreads �
Grand Prix Coverage �
The Winning Lifestyle �
…and More! �
Horse Shows in the Sunhas been an Ocala tradition since 1982.
Don’t Miss HITS!
Magazines are available on newsstands throughout Ocala/Marion County and on the HITS show grounds.
35000.DontMissHits.FHsize.qx:Layout 1 10/19/09 1:09 PM Page 1
50 Editor’s Note
52 Traveling with Your HorseVeterinary advice and reminders forsafely hauling horses.By Dr. Amanda House
58 Zoom, Zoom, ZoomDifferent means and modes ofequine transportation.By Summer Best
62 Go, Gators!University of Florida horse judging teambrings home top honors.By Dr. Saundra TenBroeck
62 Inside TrackNames and faces in our equine industry.
64 News from Your Florida Horse ParkBy Connie Duff Wise
65 Do Horses Need Oranges?How horses metabolize vitamin C.By Dr. Karen E. Davison
66 Practically SpeakingHorse Haulin’By Mark Shuffitt
49 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
In thissection
Transition.Section.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/30/09 11:21 AM Page 1
50 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
editor’s note
Summer Best/COOKIE SERLETIC PHOTO
For the past month or so, it’s been tempting to gawk backwards.
Oursociety closed the first decade of the 21st century with worries and oddities most unbecom-
ing.You know the stories. We’re shouldering a great recession. Massive unemployment. Infla-
tion. Stagnation. Stagflation. Frozen credit and rising everyday costs. Our country is at war.
We’re implicated in deeply divided political debates. Runaway deficits. National and international secu-
rity scares. Food safety. H1N1. Unparalleled energy and environmental concerns. In our personal lives,
priorities are shifting – perhaps by default, and perhaps some for the better.
The horse industry has received its share of blows throughout the past few years. Our farms, equine busi-
nesses, shows, training centers and tracks are stinging from setbacks. It’s easy to get stuck in the negative.
Today, at this January juncture of old stuff and new beginnings, we pause long enough to acknowl-
edge, remember, accept and learn. And then we move forward. No muddling or med-
dling. No could’ve, would’ve, should’ve.
You’ve probably heard about themajor, successful companies formed in a recession or
depression. FedEx began shipping its first packages during the sluggish days of 1973.For-
tune Magazinewas launched in 1930, just four months after theWall Street crash. IHOP
served up pancakes in 1958 during the Eisenhower recession. CNN opened its doors in
tough times of the 1980s. Critics from the Wall Street Journal point out that these busi-
nesses are few and far between, but their biggest success is due to early tenacity, innova-
tion, and ability to serve customers with a new product like never before. These
entrepreneurs didn’t wait for their ships to come in – they swam out to get them, then they got on board,
revved the engines and took off. I’m excited to think about business ideas and models being developed by
innovators right now…ideas thatwill impact our society, economy and equine industry for decades to come.
MOVING HORSES
To switch gears on a similar topic, we’ve included in this month’s issue of The Florida Horse a for-
ward motion-esque equine transportation section. It seems that, over the centuries, horses have traveled
via every vessel that humans have traveled – maybe with the exception of spaceships.We wanted to take
a look at how horses journey today, so we visited with commercial haulers, trailer and truck dealers, an
equine airline forwarding company, a lawyer who represents the equine travel industry, a veterinarian
who helped us review equine safety, a local horseman who tells scary tales of preventable accidents that
can happen on the road, and more.
I hope your 2010 is positive and purposeful, full of action.As the plain-spokenWill Rogers once said,
“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”
It’s a privilege to journey forward with you.
ForwardMotion
“As the plain-spoken
Will Rogers once said,
“Even if you’re on the
right track, you’ll get
run over if you
just sit there.”
EditorsNote.qx:EditorWelcome 12/29/09 5:02 PM Page 6
Toll Free: 800-852-6169 • KY: 502-419-4540 • West Coast: 626-482-2923 • East Coast: 518-470-6531
Every Seat is
FirstClass!
The First Name inEquine Air Travel
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• Walk-On Ramp Loading
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• Climate-Controlled Cabin
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• Expert Handling
First Class Equine Air Travel
Sutton.32681.qx:Layout 1 7/23/08 4:29 PM Page 1
Documentation for the Road� COGGINS TEST
Horses infected with the equine infectious anemia
virus will experience lifelong persistent infection. The
disease is also called “swamp fever” because of its his-
torical prevalence in the Gulf Coast States. However, the
number of infected horses per year is typically very
small (fewer than 10 out of more than 100,000
Florida horses tested). Transmission of the virus oc-
curs through horseflies and deerflies, or iatrogenically
from blood products or needles. The disease has three
forms: acute, chronic, and inapparent. It causes ane-
mia, low platelet numbers, and intermittent fevers in
most infected horses. By law, all horses are required
to have a negative Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)
test, also called a Coggins test, within 12 months of
transportation within Florida or when traveling over
the state line. (Coggins papers must travel with the
horse.) The only exception to this rule: foals
under 6 months of age, if they are accompa-
nied by their dam who has had a negative test
within the past 12 months. A negative EIA
test within the previous 12 months is also re-
quired for horses congregated at public or
private assemblies, including boarding sta-
bles and pastures, shows, exhibitions, fairs,
rodeos, racetracks, trail rides, and any other
public or private assemblies.
� COGGINS TEST CARDS
The Division of Ani-
mal Industry of the De-
partment of Agriculture
and Consumer Services
offers two types of lami-
nated Coggins test cards.
As a voluntary alternative
to the standard paper EIA
document, these sturdy
cards are approximately
the size of a credit card
and contain digital pictures of the horse. The Negative
EIA Test Verification Card will be accepted within
Florida as proof of a negative test.The card has the same
expiration date as the official Coggins reporting form,
but is not valid for change
of ownership (original
form is required).
� PASSPORT CARD
The Equine Interstate
Passport Card will be ac-
cepted by participating
states asproofof anegative
EIA test and as anOfficial
Certificate of Veterinary
54 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
Veterinary Health Care RemindersFor Travel into Florida:Coggins – current original documents or Negative EIA Test Verification Card
or Equine Interstate Passport CardHealth Certificate or Equine Interstate Passport CardVaccinations – Recommended but not required by lawProvide your own feed and plenty of opportunities for waterShipping boots or wraps to help protect the distal limbs
Trailer First Aid Kit:Thermometer (normal equine temp is 99-101.5 F)StethoscopeScissorsAdhesive tape and duct tapeHemostatsLeg wrapsSoapFlashlightClippersLatex GlovesBandage Materials – roll cotton, gauze pads, cling wrap, sheet cotton, etc.Antiseptics (Chlorahexidine, Betadine solution)Wound dressingHoof pick and knifePhenylbutazone (Bute)Bottles of Sterile salinePVC pipe for splinting
Traveling WithYour Horse
FRONT
BACK
FRONT
BACK
Special Transportat ion Section
TravelingWithHorse.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 12:50 PM Page 54
Inspection (health certificate) within the previous six
months. The Passport Card is not valid for change of
ownership. The states that honor the Florida Equine
Passport Card are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Ken-
tucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ten-
nessee, Oklahoma, South Carolina,Virginia, andWest
Virginia. Health certificates are required for horses
transported into Florida from other states, but not
specifically for movement within the state. The health
certificate requirement is waived for horses being
moved across state lines for emergency medical treat-
ment at a veterinary facility.
Final NotesIn addition to aforementioned state regulations
and recommendations, a first aid kit is a valuable
addition to every trailer. To minimize the possibil-
ity of limb abrasions or lacerations, shipping
wraps or boots can provide an additional layer of
protection for your horse. If a commercial or pri-
vate shipper is hauling your horse for you, be cer-
tain that they have your contact information,
insurance information, and can authorize emer-
gency veterinary treatment for you. Ideally, pro-
vide your own feed and plenty of opportunities to
drink water, especially during prolonged trips.
Bringing your own feed and water buckets if you
plan to stable overnight, as well as grooming and
cleaning equipment, will help reduce your horse’s
exposure to infectious disease. Most importantly,
drive safely and enjoy your time away with your
equine companion. �
For updates on equine travel restrictions through-
out Florida, visit ftboa.com, or contact the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,
Division of Animal Industry at (850)410-0901.
THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 55
Pre-Travel OptionFor very long distance traveling, some horse own-ers feel it may be worthwhile to have a veterinar-ian administer 1 gallon of mineral oil or water andelectrolytes via nasogastric tube (tubing) within24 hours of shipping. Because some horses maynot drink as well while trailering, this practicemight help lubricate the horse’s digestive tract.
Recent Health AlertsAffecting Equine TravelOUTBREAK OF EHV-1
On Nov. 30, Calder Race Course placed three
barns under restrictions after a filly was diagnosed
with Equine Herpes Virus Type-1 (EHV-1), wild
type (non-neuropathogenic). The filly, which
began showing signs of illness on Thursday, Nov.
27, was referred to the University of Florida, Col-
lege of Veterinary Medicine on Sunday, Nov. 29,
where she was diagnosed with EHV-1. In addition
to the three barns under restriction at Calder, three
horses exposed to the positive filly were then quar-
antined in Ocala.
According to the state
veterinarian’s office, au-
thorities worked closely
with Calder Race Course
management to ensure the
appropriate precautions
were taken to prevent the
spread of the virus. En-
hanced biosecurity was es-
tablished at the track and
the three restricted barns
were not allowed to race or
have horses ship in or out
for at least three weeks.
EQUINE PIROPLASMOSIS
In November 2009, a temporary restriction
was added for importation of horses to Florida
from Texas due to equine piroplasmosis. Piro-
plasmosis results from a tick-borne protozoal in-
fection of horses with Babesia caballi or Theileria
equi. Clinical signs may be variable but include
anemia, low platelet counts, icterus, and swelling
of the limbs. Due to piroplasmosis being identi-
fied in Texas, health certificates must be issued
within 14 days prior to entry into Florida and
must include specific statements on the premises
the horse is coming from as well as testing infor-
mation for Theleria equi. Horses must be exam-
ined and found free of ticks. Horses from Florida
that are consigned to Texas and are returned to
Florida within 30 days of the Florida issued
health certificate are exempt from the require-
ments of this rule. �
TravelingWithHorse.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 12:50 PM Page 55
Situated on 100 grassy acres in northeastMarionCounty,the Florida Thoroughbred Retirement Farm is home to more than 50Florida-bred ex-racehorses. All of the horses arrive at the farm after theircareers on the racetrack are over. Sure, their racing days are behind them,but after rest and retraining, many of the horses at the Florida TRF areready for adoption. Many go on to enjoy second careers in dressage, trailriding, jumping, pleasure riding and other uses. Even those horsesthat are not rideable may find adoptive homes as companion an-imals. As more horses are adopted into new homes, more spacesare available for horses to join the Florida TRF program.
The farm is operated in conjunction with the Florida Departmentof Corrections and Marion Correctional Institution and all thehorses are cared for by female inmates from the LowellCorrectional Institute.Thewomen, all non-violent offenders, spendtheir days learning barn management skills including grooming,feeding, doctoring, and physical therapy and they help teach thehorses new disciplines. It’s a symbiotic relationshipwhereby the horses learnthe skills they need to go on to new careers and the inmates learn about team-work and trust. At the conclusion of the year-long program,having successfully passed 22written tests covering all aspects of horse care,inmates graduate with a vocational certificate in equine care technology.Upon their release, some of the graduates have gone on to work in theindustry as grooms and stable managers.
Two famous Florida-bred champions permanently reside at the farm:Carterista, the 1993 Florida ChampionTurf Horse andwinner of eight stakesraces, and Shake You Down, the 2003 Florida Champion Sprinter andwinner of nearly $1.5 million.
The Florida TRF currently has a waiting list for incomingThoroughbreds. In order to join the list, the horse should be aFlorida-bred Thoroughbred, coming straight from the track. The
horse should be retired due to age or physical condition. ContactFlorida Thoroughbred Charities for more information at 352-629-2160.A donation is requested along with each horse accepted into the program.
Founded in 2001, the farm is supported though the concentrated effortsof Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, FloridaThoroughbred Charities, Ocala Breeders’Sales Company, Gulfstream Park,Calder RaceCourse,TampaBayDowns, the FloridaHorsemen’s Benevolentand Protective Association, the national Thoroughbred RetirementFoundation, as well as by many individuals who contribute through dona-tions and fundraising efforts.
For more information on adopting a retired Florida-bred racehorse, pleasecontact the FTBOA offices at 352-629-2160.
Since 1990 Florida Thoroughbred Charities, the non-profit, charitablearm of the FTBOA has raised more than $3.5 million for a variety ofcommunity and Thoroughbred industry causes. Much of the fundraisingefforts are made possible due to thesupport FTBOA and FTC receivefrom corporate sponsorship.
Mer
edith
Woo
dsPh
otos
Florida Thoroughbred Retirement Farm
FLORIDA THOROUGHBREDBREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION
801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603www.ftboa.com • [email protected]
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By SUMMER BEST
It’s a total cliché, but it still rings true: Our world is
more connected and mobile than ever. And just as
we have come to casually journey the miles, our
horses have joined us as frequent travelers. They have
voyaged by sea. By rail. By highway. By air.
This month, we’ve taken a look at equine mobility –
from safety concerns, to efficiency and proper docu-
mentation. Plus, the financial considerations. When is
it practical to own your own truck and trailer? When
does it make sense to hire a commercial hauler? Why
might you consider loading your horse onto a jet?
OWNING THE RIG
For many individuals, purchasing and maintaining a
truck and trailer to haul their own horses is an obvious
choice. Trucks can double as personal vehicles, and the
convenience of hitching to a trailer on a whim can be in-
valuable. Still, there aremaintenance costs to factor, and
drivers must be confident and skilled to pull thousands
of pounds of cargo down the road.
Aswith all markets, consumer confidence influences
purchases of horse trailers, saidMike Petty, generalman-
ager of the Ocala-based Shadow Truck and Trailer. If
people feel nervous about the future, they hesitate before
reaching for their checkbooks.
Tightened-down financing for
luxury items has also added a
new perspective for some.
Still, Petty feels positive about
the horse trailer industry, espe-
cially as Florida’s busy equine
training, showing and breeding
season picks up this winter.
“Trailer purchases fluctuate
with seasonality,” Petty said.
“Everything is changing quickly. We sell some unique
trailers, too, like cargo trailers. The biggest advantage
for us is our hands-on approach.You can custom-order
a living quarters trailer or any size, and you can visit the
factory here locally to see it being built.”
To diversify and serve the broadest range of cus-
tomers, the company also offers bumper-pull horse
trailer rentals and a full maintenance service.
LEAVIN’ ON A JET PLANE
When time is money, the expediency of air travel is
unparalleled. Consider that by highway, a trip from
Ocala to the Los Angeles area will take days when
pulling a horse trailer or driving a van. By air, that trip
should last approximately 5 ½ hours, start to finish.
“The main reason customers choose to ship horses by
air is that it saves time,” said Rob Clark, president of H.E.
SuttonForwardingCompany. It also triggers a trickle-down
effect: less time spent traveling translates to less stress on
thehorse, less chanceof health problems, and less rest time
needed once the horse reaches its final destination.
“We work symbiotically with van companies and
ground transportation,” Clark said. “Obviously, air travel
doesn’t make sense for short distances. For longer dis-
tances, we provide a quality service that is useful to a
lot of people and horses.”
H.E. Sutton contracts a
Boeing 727-200 series, which
holds amaximumof 21 horses.
When fully loadedwith horses,
minimal equipment, shavings
and hay, the aircraft weighs in
at 45,000-48,000 lbs.
Owners can purchase one
stall, or ante up for a larger stall-
and-a-half, or a converted box
58 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
Throughout the past few centuries, horses have been
wrapped, packed and shipped a multitude of ways.
ALL ABOARD! Special Transportat ion Section
Zoom, Zoom,
Export and import quarantine
requirements and restrictions
vary from country to country
and can change frequently.
Refer to a quarantine facility for
updated rules and regulations.
Transportation Section.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 3:22 PM Page 58
THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 59
stall. Stalls are filled with shavings, and hay and water is
available. Five handlers travelwith the horses, and a fore-
man on board is authorized to sedate horses if necessary.
“If they are good shippers, they are good fliers,”
Clark said, noting that few horses need sedation. “The
only moment when they might hesitate is going up the
ramp. Sometimes the horses will get up that high and
see all the activity going on in the airport and pause.
After they enter the plane, there are no windows, and it
feels just like a horse trailer or van.”
Greg Otteson, sales manager for H.E. Sutton, reiter-
ated the efficiency of the flight process.
“Our biggest advantage is that we concentrate on the
horses,” Otteson said. “We minimize ground time. We
only fly horses, so the plane isn’t stuck on the ground
waiting for other freight to arrive. Our crews are horse-
ZoomTo Own or Not to Own?
“Typically, when people think of buying their own rig, they think of it interms of equipment cost,” said Nicole Pieratt of Salle Horse Vans. “For some,that works out perfectly. Others donʼt realize the cost of upkeep and labor.Youʼre often paying an employee to leave your farm and drive the truck andtrailer. If they donʼt take care of the equipment or arenʼt accustomed tohauling horses, then the additional cost will add up quickly.”
Transportation Section.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 3:22 PM Page 59
men, and they understand the necessity for
being fast, efficient and safe.That’s what we
wake up every morning thinking about.”
The pilot and flight crew are cautious
with their equine cargo. Planes take off
gradually. They corner slowly. The idea is
for horses to feel that they are taking a nor-
mal trailer ride.
A flight from the Ocala International
Airport to the Ontario InternationalAirport
in California (outside LosAngeles) will usu-
ally fly for 2 ½ hours then touch down in
Dallas to refuel. Within 30-45 minutes, the
plane is on its way again and typically
reaches California in another 2 ½ hours.
COMMERCIAL VAN
Nicole Pieratt, third-generation owner/op-
erator of Sallee Horse Vans based in Ken-
tucky, Florida and NewYork, explained the
three biggest variables that affect a commer-
cial van fee.
“Stall space, distance and carrier’s con-
venience are the main factors affecting
price,” she said.
Think of stall space rates like airline
travel, she said. Economy class is the small-
est space – three horses stand cross-tied,
abreast, in three individual stalls, taking up
the width of the van. Coach class would be
similar to a larger stall-and-a-half, whereby
two horses travel abreast and cross-tied.
First-class travel is likened to a roomy box
stall, actually the size of three single stalls
with petitions removed.
The term “carrier’s convenience” refers
to just how flexible owners can be on ship-
ping dates and times.Themore you are flex-
ible, the better price you can secure.
And the thirdvariable, distance, is obvious:
The longer the distance, the higher the cost.
Some owners prefer to send their own
grooms with their horses; others pay addi-
tional to have a groom provided by the van
company. On a typical long-distance trip,
Pieratt said the vans stop about every 3 ½ to
4 ½ hours. Hotter weather usually calls for
more frequent stops andmore opportunities
for horses to be offered water.
THE LEGALESE
Rob Kinsey, general counsel for the Na-
tional Horse Carriers Association, reminds
horse owners that not all horse haulers come
with the same credibility. In fact, anyone
who hauls a horse, for a fee, must be an au-
thorized carrier, havingmet all filing and in-
surance requirements and safety standards
of the U.S. Department ofTransportation, as
well as individual state regulations.
“The Federal Motor Carrier Safety As-
sociation is the enforcement side of the De-
partment of Transportation,” Kinsey said.
“Carriers who are not authorized to ship
horses can be fined and potentially im-
pounded. You can imagine how that could
impact a horse in transit.”
Since 1971, Kinsey has assisted haulers
with the authorization process, which costs
less than $1,000 and includes a $350 fil-
ing fee. For most carriers, that procedure
takes 65-75 days.
“When you entrust someone to haul your
horse, you want to make sure they adhere to
strict safety standards,” Kinsey said. “You
want them to be good horsemen and you
want them to put your horse’s safety first
and foremost.”
For a list of interstate and intrastate au-
thorized carriers in the U.S.,
visit www.horse-transporters.com, or con-
tact the Federal Motor Carrier SafetyAsso-
ciation and Department of Transportation.
60 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
352-215-9702
WDTRANSPORTLOCAL/LONGDISTANCE
Your horsearrives readyto perform.No need for"down time."We rest, waterseveral timesduring the trip.Reasonable rates.
Special Transportat ion Section
Ocala Breeders SalesStandard documentation for horsesconsigned in an Ocala BreedersSales Company auction.
If you purchase a horse at an OBSauction, the horse will likely have most,if not all, the paperwork youʼll need totransport to another location.
Horses consigned at OBS musthave:• Jockey Club registration papers• Negative Coggins test within the
past 6 months• Negative Equine Viral Arteritis test
within the past 3 months• Veterinary verification of having
received a rhino-flu shot (EHV1)• Mares must have verification of
breeding soundness or breeding sta-tus within 10 days of when they sell.
• Horses entering the sale fromoutside Florida must have acurrent health certificate.Note: Any horse traveling across
state lines must have a current healthcertificate.Horses may not leave the OBS
grounds without a stable release,which is given upon payment for thehorse or after acceptable credit hasbeen established. Jockey Club papersare given to new owners when thehorse has been paid for.
—Weighty Stuff!—A full load of 21 horses and minimal equipment on a 727-200series weighs in at 45,000-48,000 lbs. A full load of human pas-sengers with luggage on the same plane weighs about 35,000 lbs.
Transportation Section.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 3:22 PM Page 60
Over the Thanksgiving holidays, 69 Thoroughbreds in various statesof poor condition were taken under the protection of the HorseProtection Association of Florida. Dr. Bill Russell of Peterson& Smith Equine Hospital volunteered his services toperform minor treatments, microchips and to pullCoggins on these horses. However, the associationstill needs help - donations of money or feed orhay would be welcome.
Helping the needy at Christmas -instead of holding our annual staffChristmas Party this year, Peterson & Smithdecided to donate the food to the localkitchens to help feed those less fortunate.Golden Ocala cooked and prepared thefood, which was taken to Brothers Keeperand served as part of theChristmas dinner.
Peterson & Smith Equine HospitalA tradition of leadership and excellence in equine medicine
4747 SW 60th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34474 • 352 237 6151www.petersonsmith.com
CONTINUING EDUCATIONTen Peterson & Smith veterinarians attended the Amer-
ican Association of Equine Practitioners annual con-vention in December, some as speakers or facilitatorsand others as attendees. The conference, with over4,000 registered participants, provides over 30 hours ofcontinuing education on subjects ranging through medi-cine, surgery, management, and ethical issues.
VETS ON SITEJanuary 16-17
Horse Shows in the Park, Gainesville
January 19-21OBS Winter Mixed Sale
PetersonSmith.35343.Jan.10.qx:Layout 1 12/16/09 3:00 PM Page 1
CFCC EQUINE STUDIES PROGRAM WINS STATE AWARDThe Equine Studies program Central Florida Community College
has received the Chancellor’s Award in Academic Affairs for theFlorida College System.The Equine Studies Program educates its students with a business-
based model and provides students with the skills needed for newand emerging professions in the equine industry. CFCC initiated theprogram in 2004 as a response to local business needs for qualifiedworkers to fill farm management positions.“We appreciate the partnerships we have formed with local horse
farms as a cost-effective means to educate students,” said Dr. CharlesDassance, CFCC president. “I am extremely proud of our EquineStudies program and this well deserved recognition’’CFCC is the only two-year institution in Florida that offers an
equine program and Equine Studies is the college’s most popularAs-sociate in Science degree program.The Chancellor’s Award recognizes programs that help students
achieve their educational and life goals by improving curriculum orinstruction while striving for excellence in the quality of learning.The award was presented Nov. 18 at the annual convention of FloridaAssociation of Community Colleges, which represents faculty, staff,administrators, trustees, presidents and retirees from Florida’s 28public community colleges.
MARCIA LIGHTSEY OF LAKE WALES TO BE NAMED WOMAN OFTHE YEAR IN AGRICULTURE FOR 2009
The award, now in its 25th year, recognizes women who havemade outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture. It is spon-sored by the Florida Department ofAgriculture and Consumer Serv-ices and the Florida State Fair Authority. Florida AgricultureCommissioner Charles H. Bronson is scheduled to present the awardon Feb. 4, 2010, during the opening-day luncheon at the Florida StateFair in Tampa.“Marcia Lightsey and the rest of the Lightsey family are known for
their groundbreaking efforts to preserve Florida’s natural places,along with the best of our rural values and traditions,” Bronson said.“The Lightseys have made Florida a better place to live.”Marcia Lightsey was born in 1954 in San Antonio, Texas, to
Ralph and Hattie Hubbard. The family settled in Brandon, Fla., in1962. Marcia’s father was in the Air Force, but the family alwayslived off base, out in the country. Marcia graduated from BrandonHigh School in 1972, and in 1973 she married her high schoolsweetheart, Cary Lightsey, a sixth-generation Florida cattle rancher.Marcia and Cary moved to one of the Lightsey family ranches, eastof Lake Wales, where she learned to ride, rope, build fences, plantgrass, and sort, brand, and vaccinate cattle. Marcia, Cary, and Cary’sbrother, Layne, worked side by side to build their herd and expand
The University of Florida’s Horse Judg-ingTeam wrapped up the 2009 judgingyear with outstanding performances at
both the All American Quarter Horse Con-gress and the AQHA World ChampionshipShow. The team outperformed all previous UFHorse Judging teams, setting the bar high forthe new members who will begin spring term.As a team, the group placed 5th in Halter,
7th in Performance, 7th Reasons and 5thOverall at the Congress, and 1st in Halter, 5thin Performance, 6th in Reasons and 3rd over-all at the World Show.
Outstanding individual performanceswere turned in by Sandy Bass, Jocelyn Skip-per and Katie Batten. Sandy Bass, from VeroBeach, was 8th in halter, 1st in performance,3rd in oral reasons and 2nd high overall at theCongress and 1st in Halter, 8th in reasons, and6th overall at the World Show.
Jocelyn Skipper from Zolfo Springs was 10thin halter and 12th overall at the Congress whileKatie Batten from Palm Coast was 2nd in hal-ter and tied for 10th overall at theWorld Show.Financial support for the team’s travel was
sponsored by Seminole Feed and the Univer-sity of Florida Foundation.�
TYLE
RLE
NNONJO
NES
/IFAS
Pictured from left to right: Saundra TenBroeck,UF Associate Professor and team coach;
Samantha Wilson, assistant coach;Eric McCarthy, senior from Newberry, Fla.;Stephanie Wilson, senior from Oveido, Fla.;Katie Batten, senior from Palm Coast, Fla.;Sandy Bass, senior from Vero Beach, Fla.;Justin Forehand, senior from Green CoveSprings, Fla,; Kayla Kurtz, assistant coach
,,
62 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 63
land holdings. Today the family runs more than 6,000 head of cat-tle on over 32,000 acres in three Florida counties.The Lightseys have been honored with countless awards for their
conservation efforts. They practice rotational grazing, water recy-cling, and controlled burning. The family has preserved 40 percentof their land in its native state to provide wildlife corridors and pro-tect soil and water quality, and they haveplaced more than 80 percent of their prop-erty in conservation easements to protect itfrom future development.Marcia enjoys coordinating eco-tours of
the family’s ranches and has hosted groupsfrom the Audubon Society and localschools. The ranches are home to many rareand endangered species, including scrubjays, gopher tortoises, black bears, and baldeagles. Visitors are always delighted by thewildlife they encounter. They also enjoy the300-year-old live oaks, beautiful views, andopen spaces.Marcia is a tireless advocate for agricul-
ture and has long been active in beef promo-tion and agriculture education.A member ofPolk County CattleWomen, Inc., since 1993,she has held every position on the board sev-eral times over and is currently treasurer and state director.As promotion chairman for Florida CattleWomen, Inc., she or-
ganized a traveling team of CattleWomen to promote beef in Pub-lix supermarkets around the state. She managed 20 in-storedemonstrations in non-cattle-producing areas, working closely withstore meat managers and provided recipes, promotional handouts,nutritional information, and evaluation sheets for each demonstra-tion. She also conducted store surveys for the National Cattlemen’sBeef Association and worked to place new cooking labels on beefpackaging in local grocery stores.In 2001 Marcia became the Florida CattleWomen’s education
chairman. She also organized the CattleWomen’s annual beef shortcourse, which included a field trip to the Lightseys’3,000-acre ranchin Lake Kissimmee, pristine Brama Island, a haven for 28 endan-gered species.In 2002 Marcia became president of Florida CattleWomen, Inc.
That year, the organization began participating in the popular South-ern Women’s Show in Orlando and Jacksonville, conducting cook-ing demonstrations and passing out tens of thousands of beefsamples. During Marcia’s presidency the Florida CattleWomen alsohosted the National Beef Ambassador Contest, a competitive pub-lic-speaking program for young people. The contest helps studentsdevelop leadership skills while spotlighting the positive impact thecattle industry has on the economy and families.In 2004 Marcia was asked by the president of the Florida Cattle-
men’sAssociation (FCA) to co-chair his public relations committee.She helped develop a new web site for both FCA and Florida Cat-tleWomen, Inc., and helped create an FCA calendar featuring beau-tiful photographs of Florida cattle ranches. She worked withwell-known photographer Carlton Ward on the photos for the cal-endar, whose purpose is to educate Floridians about the importanceof preserving our working ranchlands. The calendar has proven verypopular and is now in its fifth year of production.Marcia’s service in the agriculture community has brought her
many awards and honors. In 1988, after years of working closelywith their local FFA chapter, Marcia and Cary were presented withan Honorary Chapter Degree. In 2003 Marcia was chosen as theFlorida CattleWomen’s Outstanding Cattlewoman of the Year. In
2005 the Lightsey family won the NationalCattlemen’s Beef Association EnvironmentalStewardshipAward and the Florida Commis-sioner of Agriculture’s Agricultural-Environ-mental Leadership Award. That same yearMarcia received the Florida Agri-Women’sFounder’s Award.Her list of accomplishments just keeps
growing. In 2008 Marcia became RegionII Director for the American National Cat-tleWomen (ANCW), based in Denver. Inthis position she oversees membership co-ordination, beef promotion, and beef edu-cation for seven southeastern states. Shehas conducted two Region II meetings,one in Georgia in 2008 and one inLouisiana in 2009. She has been success-ful in all the tasks she has undertaken forthe group, and this summer in Denver she
was named ANCW Promoter of the Year.Marcia and Cary Lightsey live near LakeWales. They have three
children and seven grandchildren, and the entire family works to-gether to continue to grow the Lightsey Cattle Company. �
Marcia and Cary Lightsey
PHO
TOCO
URTE
SYFL
ORI
DA
DEP
ARTM
ENT
OF
AGRI
CULT
URE
INSIDE TRACK
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64 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
We began 2009 with a lot on our
plate.Themost looming concern
of 2009 was the indebtedness of
this organization.We identified our largest is-
sues, and one by one began the tedious job of
tackling the monster the only way we know
how – one bite at a time.
We began 2009 with more than $1.3 mil-
lion in debt. It is my pleasure to announce we
have resolved over $925,000 of this debt.
I am constantly amazed by the generosity
of our friends and patrons. I would like to
thank our patrons and those companies that
have reduced, completely eliminated or taken
a sponsorship in lieu of payment, such as
Lamar Signs, PartyTime Rentals and Florida
Express and to assure all of youwho have do-
nated their time and money in 2009 that we
will not let you down.
We realize that there are still outstanding
debts owed by the Florida Horse Park. We
will continue to keep debt reduction at the top
of our agenda.Wemust keep in mind that fu-
ture boards should not be burdened by debt
that had no solid source of revenue for repay-
ment.Wemust steward this organization with
an eye to the future.
Like many other businesses and organiza-
tions, the Florida Horse Park has undergone a
thorough reorganization and restructure.
Events are ongoing and growing.We have had
a recent meeting with Florida Commissioner
of Agriculture Charles Bronson. We shared
with him the success of the past year, our build-
ing and construction plans and our Christmas
list. First on our list is the license plate, second
is the Coggins test assessment. And last, we
wished him good tidings and joy as we dis-
cussed the possibilities of future funding.
We have an upcoming trip planned to tour
the Perry, Ga., Georgia National Fairground
andAgri-center show facilities.Wewill be tour-
ing the grounds and plan to spend some time
discussing the operations and construction.
Our first vertical structure for the Florida
Horse Park – a concession/lavatory facility –
is scheduled to be completed by June of 2010.
In conclusion, I would like to share with
each of youmy sincere gratitude.This has not
been an easy project. Many of you have been
involved with the park for years. You have
seen the many changes, many site plans, lis-
tened to presentations on how we could raise
a million and stayed awake at night thinking
of ways to repay debt. I have given much
thought to our strengths andweaknesses. I be-
lieve that each of us just desires to see the
park built. Built for our
state, for our community,
for our love of the out-
doors and for all the agri-
cultural and horse things
that go with it. My per-
sonal best to all of you.
Sincerely,
Connie Duff Wise, Chairman
Happy NewYearfrom the Florida Horse Park
Your FLORIDA HORSE PARK
YourFloridaHorsePark.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 10:46 AM Page 1
THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 65
Karen E. Davison, Ph.D.
Manager-Equine Technical Services—Land O’Lakes Purina Feed
Oranges are an important part of Florida business and culture,
where the citrus industry has a $9 billion annual economic
impact on the state.That translates to about 1 billion gallons
of healthy, refreshing juice recognized throughout the world as nutri-
tious and delicious.
O.J., or other vitaminC supplementation (ascorbic acid), is one of the
most common dietary supplements taken by people.VitaminC supple-
mentation is proposed to combat everything from the common cold to
cancer, and people have been encouraged to consume “mega-doses” of
these supplements. This has been tempered by some reported side-ef-
fects of excessive chronic vitamin C intake. Because people take vita-
min C supplements and derive some health benefits, it is reasonable to
wonder if your horsemay benefit fromvitaminC supplementation, too.
Most species, including the horse, can synthesize vitamin C in the
liver from glucose, but not humans, monkeys or guinea pigs. Those
species require a dietary supply of ascorbic acid or they develop
scurvy, which causes symptoms such as nose bleeds, bleed-
ing gums and skin discoloration. Scurvy, first de-
scribed byHepocrates in the fifth century B.C.,
was a factor in many military conflicts in
the early ages as soldiers and sailors ac-
tually died from this condition. Scurvy
was considered a plague before it was
discovered that simply eating citrus
fruits, such as oranges and limes,
would prevent the devastating health
issues incurred by sailors traveling for
prolonged periods on a limited diet. Use
of the term “limey” to describe the British
was originally due to British sailors eating
limes on extendedmilitary campaigns to prevent
the devastating health problems associated with
chronic dietary vitamin C deficiency.
VitaminC functions as a biological antioxidant and as a cofactor in-
volved in the synthesis of collagen, carnitine and norepinephrine. Clas-
sic vitamin C deficiency has not been reported in the horse, probably
because of the effective liver synthesis. Some researchers have sug-
gested a relationship between decreased blood levels of ascorbic acid
in horses and several diseases includingwound infections, nose bleeds
(exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage), strangles, and reduced per-
formance. However, several studies report quite a wide range in serum
ascorbic acid levels in healthy horses, so there is no established con-
centration that is indicative of vitamin C deficiency in the horse.There
is also no known toxicity or upper tolerance amount published for di-
etary vitamin C in the horse. Daily doses of 20 grams per day have
been administered to horses over an 8-month period with no reported
negative effects. The question still remains whether or not there is a
benefit to the horse from oral vitamin C supplementation.
Several factors, including disease, transport, recurrent airway ob-
struction, old age and endurance exercise, have been reported to de-
crease serum concentrations of ascorbic acid in horses. This may
suggest that these states result in an increased consumption of ascor-
bic acid pools within the body. However, there have also been reports
of increased blood levels of ascorbic acid following endurance exercise
and in conditioned Thoroughbred race horses over a 12-week period.
Horses suffering fromRecurrentAirwayObstruction (RAO) have been
found to have lower ascorbic acid levels in pulmonary fluid than unaf-
fected horses. Oral ascorbic acid supplementation increased plasma
concentration of ascorbic acid but failed to statistically increase levels
in the pulmonary fluid of RAO affected horses. Interest-
ingly, supplementation did result in increased ascor-
bic acid level in pulmonary fluid of healthy ponies
in another study. In calves and other animals,
ascorbic acid concentration of body tissues,
especially skin and bone, have been reported
to be higher than the concentration found in
the blood, indicating that blood levels may
not reflect total body pool.
While oral vitamin C supplementation
has been shown to increase circulating blood
levels of ascorbic acid in horses in some trials,
other studies have actually reported a decrease
in plasma ascorbic acid concentrations and still oth-
ers reported no change. Some of the variation may be
due to the chemical form of vitamin C used in each study.
Many oral joint supplements contain ascorbic acid and there are clin-
ical trials that report improved soundness in horses supplementedwith
certain vitamin C supplements. However, controlled scientific studies
have not been conducted to prove this effect. In one study feeding oral
ascorbic acid to male guinea pigs actually worsened the severity of
spontaneous osteoarthritis. This may simply be a matter of “a little is
good, but more may not be good” and provides an example of why it
is very important to conduct controlled research to measure physio-
logical response to specific nutritional supplementation. �
DoHorsesNeed
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66 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
Saturday afternoon, May 2, 2009, just prior to the 135th running
of the Kentucky Derby, much attention was given to the fact
MindThat Bird was hauled 1,700miles in a horse trailer pulled
by a pickup truck and driven by his trainer, ChipWoolley.Whilewatch-
ing the pre-raceTV coverage, it seemed every reporterwho interviewed
Mr.Woolley was fascinated the trainer had personally driven his horse
from New Mexico to Kentucky. So much, in fact, that Mr. Woolley’s
first comment to the gaggle of trackside reporters after his gelding’s im-
pressive upsetwas “Nowmaybe you all will talk about something else.”
I knowhorses travel by commercial vans, tractor-trailers and even air-
transport, but the reality ismost horses in theUnitedStates are transported
in ahorse trailer drivenby their owner.Haulinghorses requires
more than just good driving skills.The driver should not only
be experiencedwith thenuances of transporting large animals,
but should also be a bona fide horseman or horsewoman.
To start with, if you are hauling horses, make sure the
towing vehicle is the correct size for the trailer you will be
using. Just because you can hook up to a trailer does not
mean your vehicle is suited to pull that trailer, especially
when loaded. Be sure truck-to-trailer connections are se-
cure and safety chains are attached.
Many precarious situations can be avoided by taking a
few extra minutes to check all tires, including spares, for air
pressure, uneven wear and dry-rot. Look over the trailer for excessive
wear and tear. Check forwasp nests, spiders and other critters thatmight
have moved in while the trailer was idle. Inspect the floor as well as all
windows, doors and latches. Test all lights, turn signals and brakes be-
fore loading horses.
I’ve learned someof these horse hauling lessons “the hardway.”Back
in the day,when Iwas a college freshman, I used to break and train horses
for extra money. One of my clients had two horses outside of Louisville
and asked me if I would be interested in going up there to get them. He
wanted one delivered to his place and hewantedme to take the other one
for a couple ofmonths.Onmywayhome,while stoppedon the exit ramp
at the Shepherdsville truck stop, my entire truck and trailer shook vio-
lently. I thought someone had hit me from behind and got out to check
the damage. To my surprise, I had not been hit, but when I looked in to
check on the horses they were both standing on the asphalt.
The trailer I was pulling had not been used for a fewweeks and the
floor, consisting of pressure-treated 2 x 6’s, had several rotten boards
that had given way under the weight of the two horses I was hauling.
Now, here I was, alone, on an exit ramp and two horses that belonged
to someone else were standing on the ground while still inside the pa-
rameters of my trailer. The horses were calm as I backed them off and
tied them to the side of the trailer while traffic continued to pass. I
was able to remove the busted boards and slide enough good boards
together to load the horses on the trailer safely. Once the horses were
back on the trailer, I drove to the truck stop and called a friend to come
with his truck and trailer to haul the horses home. The horses arrived
at their destinations none the worse for wear and I learned a hard les-
son about the importance of checking your equipment and being re-
sponsible for someone else’s horses.
A fewweeks later, as Iwas followinga livestock trailer up the entrance
ramp to the Interstate, I noticed ahorse loose in that trailer.The trailer had
one large swinging door that was equippedwith an internal sliding door.
The large door was latched and fastened securely, but as the trailer made
its way up the ramp the sliding door kept opening wider and wider. The
slidingdoorhadnot been latched, and thebankingof the ramp–combined
with the vibration of the road – set up the prefect circumstances for the
door to slide open. As the truck leveled out and started to
merge into traffic, thehorse steppedout of the trailer onto the
Interstate. The driver had not seen his horse step out of the
trailer and continued to pick up speed.
The horsewas right in front ofme and fortunatelywent
to his right, toward the shoulder of the road, away from the
median and oncoming traffic. I tried to get the driver’s at-
tention by flashing my lights and blowing the horn, but he
never sawme. Iwas slowing down, trying to keepmy truck
between the traffic behind me and the loose horse on the
road.When the driver of the tractor-trailer beside sawwhat
was going on, he pulled up besideme and slowed to a stop
as I got out ofmy truck to catch the horse or at least keep him from run-
ning back to the road. About that same time, I noticed the trailer the
horse was previously riding in had stopped about a quarter mile down
the road.Thankfully, someone up ahead had been able flag them down.
The horse was surprisingly calm as I approached him and he al-
lowed me to grab his halter without incident. The horse’s owner was
sheepishly pale as he approached and thankedme for stopping to help.
What he said next made a huge impression on me and it’s something
I’ll never forget. His commentwas, “They toldme you’re good to go!”
Lesson learned. Don’t take someone else’s word for “good to go.”
Make a habit of conducting a walk-around inspection every time
you hook up. This exercise is important for all trips and is extremely
crucial for trailers that have not been used in several days or weeks. Ul-
timately, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure the safety of the
horse(s) they are hauling.�
PRACTICALLY SPEAKING
Marion Countylivestock agentMark Shuffitt
HorseHaulin’
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THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 67
The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing resultsupdated through December 28, 2009. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.
Leading Florida Sires
GRAEME HALLMONTBROOK CHAPEL ROYALNA Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yo
Name Sire Name Farm Name Earnings Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's Earnings Earner Earnings Sold Avg Sold Avg
Montbrook Buckaroo Ocala Stud $3,757,430 144 80 7 11 0 $3,778,725 Big Drama $358,500 9 $10,856 18 $36,650
Graeme Hall Dehere Winding Oaks $3,553,469 140 90 4 6 1 $3,560,970 Duke of Mischief $312,800 16 $7,430 5 $105,400
Chapel Royal Montbrook Signature Stallions $2,931,875 150 75 3 3 1 $3,079,039 Advice $232,251 43 $13,263 11 $48,364
Put It Back Honour and Glory Bridlewood Farm $2,665,015 167 91 10 12 5 $2,986,199 Jessica Is Back $220,385 11 $38,282 4 $19,500
D'wildcat Forest Wildcat Vinery $2,547,346 91 53 3 4 1 $2,659,055 D' Funnybone $278,200 14 $14,964 23 $41,661
Concerto Chief's Crown Ocala Stud $2,301,164 111 59 2 3 1 $2,308,199 Finallymadeit $365,375 2 $4,750 5 $29,200
Three Wonders Storm Cat deceased $2,175,550 136 77 1 1 0 $2,182,190 Helicopter $108,205 12 $5,300 5 $8,440
Full Mandate A.P. Indy Hartley/De Renzo $2,032,764 149 72 0 0 0 $2,032,764 Kissa Melissa $147,750 8 $2,325 10 $9,390
Double Honor Gone West Get Away Farm $1,954,233 131 70 2 2 0 $1,977,916 All Night Labor $122,513 2 $1,850 10 $9,940
Halo's Image Halo Bridlewood Farm $1,854,169 106 58 1 2 1 $1,854,169 How's Your Halo $184,375 15 $7,573 7 $24,500
Leading Sires.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 11:38 AM Page 67
68 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing resultsupdated through December 28, 2009. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.
Leading Florida Juvenile Sires
PROUD ACCOLADED’WILDCATWILDCAT HEIRNA Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yo
Name Sire Name Farm Name Earnings Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's Earnings Earner Earnings Sold Avg Sold Avg
Wildcat Heir Forest Wildcat Journeyman Stud $1,169,339 60 39 2 2 0 $1,169,339 Karmageddon $73,130 56 $20,423 39 $39,115
D'wildcat Forest Wildcat Vinery $899,758 46 24 1 2 1 $1,011,467 D' Funnybone $278,200 14 $14,964 23 $41,661
Proud Accolade Yes It's True deceased $959,626 29 15 2 2 0 $959,626 Proud Zoe $154,238 8 $24,126 14 $39,107
Hear No Evil Carson City Journeyman Stud $640,355 7 3 2 5 0 $640,355 Jackson Bend $477,820
Consolidator Storm Cat Journeyman Stud $471,815 58 18 1 1 0 $586,118 Absolute Music $78,862 52 $13,601 17 $64,406
Chapel Royal Montbrook Signature Stallions $585,465 46 15 0 0 0 $585,610 Dahlgren Chapel $133,383 43 $13,263 11 $48,364
Montbrook Buckaroo Ocala Stud $518,991 25 14 0 0 0 $540,286 Amen Hallelujah $132,370 9 $10,856 18 $36,650
Roar of the Tiger Storm Cat Hartley/De Renzo $485,069 39 15 1 1 1 $486,521 Bear Tough Guy $180,338 23 $5,243 20 $30,220
Indian Ocean Stormy Atlantic Bridlewood $410,118 30 13 1 1 0 $410,118 Winey Taylor $85,415 22 $5,055 7 $17,857
Concorde's Tune Concorde Bound Ocala Stud $368,123 26 12 0 0 0 $368,123 Seeuat Sticknstein $49,060 2 $23,600 12 $48,250
Leading Sires.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 11:38 AM Page 68
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Classifieds.Jan.qx:Layout 1 12/29/09 12:01 PM Page 1
70 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010
The year from which we have just emerged was
a study in stark contrast framed in global tur-
moil that appears in retrospect no less a trial
than is was in passing.
If the heroics of Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra pro-
vided racingwith relief from the bruised public image the
sport has suffered in recent years, the industry has been
battered to its core by a hostile economic climate that has
spanned the globe, as well as political turmoil.Wagering
and purses declined in everyAmerican racing market as
did sales receipts and the number ofmares bred.A blood-
letting is no less painful
when widely shared.
With final figures for
2009 not yet complete as
this is written, betting in the
U.S. was on pace to decline
by 10 percent year over
year to about $12.3-billion,
the second straight annual drop of more than $1 billion.
Purses were anticipated to decline about 5.8 percent to
$1.1-billion, a total comparable with 2005.With yearling
prices declining, many breeders have reduced stud fees
and breeding activity is anticipated to decline to levels
not seen in three decades, this without considering the
international fallout from a dicey economic climate in
Dubai, home to racing’s most wealthy family.
The only growth within the racing business during
this dark age appears to be the ever-widening network of
organizations devoted to the rescue of horses and the
number of animals in dire need of such effort.
From upstate NewYork, where early last year dozens
of horses were found starving on a farm owned by Ernie
Paragallo, a prominent, highly successful figure who
could well afford their support, to stories of farm owners
locking gates at night to prevent others already at the
door of desperation from turning loose horses they are
no longer capable of supporting under cover of darkness.
In Florida, abandoned horses were found recently in des-
perate condition, and far toomany animals have become
the innocent victims of the economic downturn that has
not loosened its grip on the racing and breeding indus-
tries. This, even as the stock market recovered in 2009
and depending upon to whom you are listening, the re-
cession abated, remains in full rage or is destined for an-
other, deeper swoon.
At least 16 organizations are involved in the rescue
of horses of all breeds on national or multi-state levels.
They are all busy. There is no agency that counts horses
saved from slaughter, neglect or the insolvency of oth-
erwise upstanding owners but the numbers are obvi-
ously staggering.
The need for permanent homes is not limited to re-
tired geldings and horses not suitable for the stud nowa-
days. Reduction in the number of mares bred has
resulted in hundreds if not thousands of perfectly sound,
healthy, fertile broodmares that would be bred in more
bountiful times.
This is not a movement born originally from eco-
nomic strife but in recognition of the need to locate
homes and purposes for horses no longer capable of rac-
ing. The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation was
founded almost three decades ago. Through the years
other organizations have taken up the cause which has
gainedwider attention and support in the face of the anti-
slaughter movement. But difficult economic times have
steepened the slope.
Economic turmoil in the world, nation and the busi-
ness of breeding and racing horses promises nothing
more than continued uncertainty in the near term. The
good news is that selfless, concerned and dedicated peo-
ple from all walks of life who share a love of the animals
central to racing and throughout history the companion
of humans work tirelessly to save horses of all breeds.
They are saviors of the animals who have fallen victim to
the dire times and are an inspiration to us all. �
PLAYER’S PAGE
by Paul Moran
The good news is that selfless,
concerned and dedicated people are
saviors of the animals who have
fallen victim to the dire times and
are an inspiration to us all.
ChallengingTimes
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