New York Thoroughbred Breeders

The 8-year-old Power Broker mare Showmethemagic topped the Saratoga fall mixed sale on a $260,000 bid from Jonathan Thorne’s Thorndale Farm. Fasig-Tipton Photo.

By Mary Eddy

The strength of the New York-bred program and its sires was again on full display at this year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale, which saw considerable increases in total sales, average price and median Tuesday at the Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion in Saratoga Springs.

“The market has been strong all year, and with the positive buzz leading into the sale, we were excited, but seeing the final numbers is tremendous,” said Najja Thompson, executive director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “All credit goes to our breeders and program participants for continually raising the quality of New York-breds, and to Fasig-Tipton for their ongoing commitment to our program and another outstanding sale.”

Gross sales totaled $6,177,500 for 133 horses sold, up from just over $3.9 million when 148 horses sold at last year’s auction. The average sale price rose from $26,663 to $47,438 with median rising from $15,000 to $23,500.

“It was a tremendous sale with lots of interest, and it is reflective of the quality of horses that were on offer today, in terms of both their physicals and their pedigrees,” said Boyd Browning Jr., Fasig-Tipton president and chief executive officer. “Average was up 80 percent, the median was up 67 percent, and gross sales were up about 57 percent. We’ve seen a strong marketplace throughout 2025. We all had high expectations and optimism coming into this sale, but I don’t think any of us thought it would be this strong.

“The New York-bred program is so strong, and has such recognition around the United States. Obviously, it helps when you had two Grade 1-winning New York-breds earlier this month, and it just shows the type of horses that can be produced and raised in New York. We are very thrilled with the results today.”

The sale was topped by the 8-year-old broodmare Showmethemagic, Hip 98, who hammered for $260,000 to Thorndale Farm. Showmethemagic, along with her Golden Pal weanling colt (Hip 99) that sold for $210,000 to Cherry Knoll Farm, were part of the first consignment at a Saratoga fall mixed sale for Garrencasey Sales, which sold 14 horses for a combined $954,000.

Emma Quinn, who owns Garrencasey Sales with her husband Dermot, expressed satisfaction with their first foray at this sale, which she chose to enter because of the growing popularity of the New York-bred program.

“This is my first consignment here and I wanted to come up with something special – we felt this package would do it,” Quinn said. “The foal is a nice, correct foal that came up here and presented himself very well. He was extremely busy, and each time he did a fantastic job. The mare is a beautiful physical and her first foal is now black type, so what more would you want? We thought it would be smart to come here, and we are absolutely thrilled with the result.

“We normally do small consignment and not normally regional ones, so this was our maiden voyage, and I am delighted with the results. The New York breeding program is so exciting. People are becoming more involved and we just felt this was a good package to present here.”

Showmethemagic, a daughter of Power Broker, is from a strong female family. Her second dam, Malibu Magic, is a half-sister Grade 1 winner Imaginary Lady, the second dam of 2021 champion older dirt female Letruska. Her family also includes 2008 champion 3-year-old filly Proud Spell and Grade 1 winner J P’s Gusto.

Showmethemagic sold in-foal to popular first-year sire Cogburn, and caught the eye of bidders as her juvenile Not This Time filly, Believe in Magic, finished third in Kentucky Downs’ Untapable Stakes in September. The foal she carries is of close relation, with Cogburn being a son of the red-hot Not This Time.

“I tell you what, she’s a young mare and her 2-year-old can really run,” said Jonathan Thorne, who signed the ticket for the mare. “I love Cogburn and it’s the same cross as the 2-year-old. It’s hard to come across mares that have that much going on. The whole female family is riddled with champions, and I think this will pay off in the long run. A beautiful horse, and it’s hard to find those types.”

First-crop stallions again proved popular, with Spendthrift Farm’s Arabian Lion siring three six-figure weanlings. Among them was Hip 58 from The New Hill Farm consignment, a bay colt out of the Gemologist mare Our Hope Diamond that hails from the family of Grade 2-winner Inside Straight.

Agent Ricardo Gonzalez signed the $150,000 ticket on behalf of buyer Mahmud Mouni, and said he and his client are pleased to get in on the action early with new stallions.

“First crop, and it’s a nice-looking colt,” Gonzalez said. “He has a lot of quality.”

The colt was bred by Dutchess Views Farm, SGO Thoroughbred LLC and Winding Road Thoroughbreds.

Just a few horses later, Mouni also purchased Hip 62, the highest-priced weanling of the sale as the Yaupon colt hammered for $240,000. The bay colt was bred by Sequel Thoroughbreds and Milan Bloodstock, and foaled at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson, which also consigned him.

Gonzalez noted the colt’s professionalism in the sales ring.

“A lot of class,” he said. “He’s really smart and in the ring, he acted like an older horse.”

Five weanlings sold for more than $200,000, starting early with Hip 4, a Vekoma colt out of the Trappe Shot mare Kathryn’s Sky that sold to En Fuego Stables for $230,000. The chestnut was consigned by Rhapsody Farm, who bred and foaled him at their Plymouth farm. Progeny of Vekoma weanlings were in high demand, and each of the leading freshman sire’s three weanlings that sold did so for six figures.

Hip 170, a daughter of Vekoma bred by Highclere Inc., brought the sale’s top price for a weanling filly at $210,000 from MWG. Consigned by Gracie Bloodstock and foaled at Saratoga Glen Farm in Schuylerville, the filly is the second foal out of the winning Midshipman mare Bella Figura.

Leading the New York-based sires was Americanrevolution, whose first weanlings were met with an enthusiastic response and were topped by Hip 85 from the Vinery Sales consignment, a chestnut filly out of the unraced Union Rags mare Royal Rags that hammered for $100,000 to Amanda Gillman. The filly’s second dam is the dual stakes-winner Career Oriented, and hails from the family of graded stakes-placed Kept Waiting. She was bred by Denlea Park Ltd.

Gillman worked for trainer Todd Pletcher during Americanrevolution’s Grade 1-winning tenure with the Hall of Fame conditioner, and said the filly demonstrates the young sire’s best qualities.

“She is gorgeous and stood out from the first day I saw her,” Gillman said. “She has all the parts to be a good horse and I really like Americanrevolution. He’s throwing a lot of nice foals, and I’m excited to get one. They’ve very similar. I think he’s throwing a lot of himself, which is good – you want to see that with young sires. He was very good-looking and still is.”

Hip 4, a colt by Vekoma bred by Rhapsody Farm, got things going when he sold for $230,000 in the first few minutes. Fasig-Tipton Photo.

Other top sellers for the son of Constitution include Hip 64 from Vinery Sales, a $50,000 dark bay filly out of the First Samurai mare Paris Cruise bred by Pure Bred Funding LLC that went to Bronco Bloodstock, and Hip 101, a colt bred by Jeremiah Desmond and a $90,000 purchase for Magnolia Lane Farm from The New Hill Farm consignment. Americanrevolution stands at Rockridge Stud in Hudson.

Additionally, New York stallion Honest Mischief is the sire of Hip 132 from the Sequel New York consignment, a colt out of Tiznowornever bred by Sequel New York and Barone’s Sunny Crest Farm that sold for $70,000 to Seth Morris, agent for Sabby Racing. Honest Mischief stands at Sequel Stallions New York.

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Inspections were busy on the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga sales grounds leading up to Tuesday’s fall mixed sale. Fasig-Tipton Photo.

By Mary Eddy and Tom Law

The Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale Tuesday kicks off the season’s autumn breeding stock slate and an overall sense of optimism could be seen and heard throughout the grounds this past weekend and into Monday.

The single-session sale starts at 10 a.m. and with a catalog of 281 horses before scratches, including nearly 230 New York-bred weanlings, there figures to be something for every potential buyer. Those prospective buyers scoured the sales grounds over the weekend and consignors hope the increased traffic leads to increased interest in the ring.

“The market in general has been really good across the board, so we had high hopes coming up here that this sale would be strong,” said Matt Bowling of Vinery Sales. “A lot of guys that bought babies last year and brought them back to the preferred sale did really well, so I know they were eager to get back here.

“There’s been a lot of new faces that we typically don’t see, so maybe it’s that some guys weren’t able to get a yearling in September because the market is so strong or how well the New York program has been here the past few years, but our foot traffic and showings have been up probably 20 percent from what they normally are, so we’re very optimistic that it will be a good sale.”

“Yesterday was a very strong day of showing,” said Turning Point Bloodstock’s Bill Johnson. “I expected maybe a slow-down [Monday, due to weather], but we’re not seeing that. People are pushing through the weather to come see the horses and we’ve been non-stop all morning. A strong yearling market means a strong weanling market, and I don’t see any slowdown here.”

Results at the Saratoga fall sale have been strong the last few years, including last year when 148 horses sold for $3,920,500, an average price of $26,490 and median of $14,500.

Other recent editions:

• 2023: 157 sold for $4,597,200, an average price of $29,282 and median of $20,000;

• 2022: 142 sold for $4,599,700, an average of $32,392 and median of $20,000

• 2021: 163 sold for $3,657,800, an average of $22,440 and median of $10,000;

• 2020: Sale not conducted (COVID-19);

• 2019: 134 sold for $3,384,700, an average of $25,259 and median of $15,000; and

• 2018: 115 sold for $3,381,200, an average of $29,402 and median of $20,000.

“Saratoga fall is New York’s breeding stock sale,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning Jr. “With purse parity beginning next year, the New York-bred program will go from strength-to-strength. New York-bred weanlings offered at Saratoga fall will be eligible to compete for these higher purses when they reach the track as 2-year-olds. The same applies to foals carried by mares cataloged in this sale. Now is the time to get involved in New York – the future is bright.”

The sale offers the opportunity for buyers to purchase weanlings from the first crops of promising sires based in New York and beyond, including New York-bred Horse of the Year and Grade 1 winner Americanrevolution. He’s represented by 14 weanlings after updated scratches through early Monday morning. Americanrevolution stands for $12,500 at Rockridge Stud in Hudson.

Other sires with weanlings from their first crops include Annapolis, Arabian Lion, Arcangelo, Country Grammer, Dr. Schivel, Elite Power, Fulsome, Gunite, Loggins, Mage, Mullion, Pappacap, Taiba, Two Phil’s, Up to the Mark and Zandon.

“I think it’s even better than last year. I’m very optimistic,” said Mill Creek Farm’s Anne Morgan. “I would like to see it do well. New York has become a big part of nationwide racing, and I think it needs to be shown to be competitive. This sale is a great pinhook sale. People pick up nice, quality weanlings and get a chance to move on with them. First year sires are always a big deal.”

Mullion, a full brother to Kentucky Derby Mandaloun, stands at Sequel Stallions New York in Hudson and is also represented by weanlings from his first crop.

“Very happy with the interest we’ve seen in him,” said Sequel New York’s Becky Thomas. “I’ve looked at a couple that are really nice. We’re cautiously optimistic. Enthusiasm gets better as yearlings and 2-year-olds come along. It’s harder with babies because no one ever wants to take the first step with a regional sire, and this sale starts off the market.”

New stallions aren’t alone in the spotlight at the Saratoga fall mixed sale, which also features weanlings by New York’s four-time leading sire Central Banker, 2025 leading sire Bucchero and top sires Solomini and Honest Mischief.

Hidden Lake Farm is the consignor of a late entry in Hip 281, a colt by Bucchero who is a half-brother to Grade 1 winner and Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf contender Argos.

“I got lucky buying a mare a year and a half ago in foal to Olympiad, and then her 2-year-old won a Grade 1 in Canada and is going to the Breeders’ Cup,” Hidden Lake’s Chris Bernhard said. “We sold the mare in the digital sale the other day for $100,000, and I was happy. She is 16, so I thought it was a good, solid play, and I decided to bring the baby over here and see how it shakes out.”

Bernhard agreed with the other consignors about seeing increased activity and equally optimistic it will translate into strong trade Tuesday.

“The showing yesterday was very good; it’s been steady,” he said. “A lot of people were outbid on yearlings in September, and the scuttlebutt I’ve been hearing is that people didn’t get yearlings and are going to have to come back and get a little more aggressive on weanlings. Weanlings that have been bought [at this sale] have done well pinhooking, so I expect this to be a pretty solid sale.”

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Boxed Wine edges past Fabulous Fox late to win the Jack Betta Be Rite at Finger Lakes. SV Photography.

Flying P Stable’s Boxed Wine continued to show her affinity for racing on the dirt and gave jockey Ricardo Santana Jr. a stakes double Monday at Finger Lakes with a come-from-behind victory in the $50,000 Jack Betta Be Rite Stakes.

The 4-year-old daughter of Vino Rosso, claimed by Jay Provenzano’s Flying P and trainer Jorge Abreu two starts back for $35,000 on the turf August 15 Saratoga Race Course, Boxed Wine made it back-to-back victories in the Jack Betta Be Rite. She won her first start off the claim 14 days later in a 9-furlong allowance on the main track

Bred by Repole Stable Inc. and out of the stakes-winning New York-bred Congrats mare Temper Mint Patty, Boxed Wine won her first stakes and improved to 3-for-16 with earnings of $179,551.

A $25,000 purchase out of the 2022 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale, Boxed Wine made her debut in a 6-furlong auction maiden in mid-August 2023 at Saratoga. She made 13 straight turf starts from there, compiling a 1-2-1 record, for owners Lindy Farms and trainer Phil Antonacci.

Flying P and Abreu claimed Boxed Wine out of her eighth-place finish in a 1-mile open company turf race and moved her back to the main track.

Sent off as the 8-5 favorite in the field of nine New York-bred fillies and mares in the Jack Betta Be Rite, Boxed Wine raced toward the back of the field early while Fabulous Fox led uncontested through opening splits of :23.72 and :48.48.

Santana stayed patient on Boxed Wine up the backstretch and into the far turn before tipping out in the stretch. Fabulous Fox, the 13-1 fifth choice coming off a victory last month at Finger Lakes, stayed on into the stretch and opened up by 3 lengths at the eighth pole.

Boxed Wine cut into the advantage from there and took control inside the sixteenth pole and won going away in 1:46.70. Fabulous Fox held second, a neck ahead of Walk With Me. Midtown Lights, Shezanarticqueen, Shelly, Sweet Anniversary, Inouaintalkintome and Miss Lao completed the field.

Boxed Wine is the fifth foal out of Temper Mint Patty, winner of the 2014 Joseph A. Gimma Stakes and 2015 New York Oaks and earner of $415,916. She’s a half-sister to winners Slow Decision and Kajus. Temper Mint Patty is also the dam of a yearling filly by Cyberknife who was a $72,000 RNA at the 2025 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale and a weanling colt by Maclean’s Music foaled March 5.

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Cut the Cord and Reylu Gutierrez cruise to the finish of Monday’s Genesee Valley Breeders’ Stakes at Finger Lakes. SV Photography.

Cut the Cord returned to stakes company for the first time since early in his sophomore season and came away with a victory in Monday’s $50,000 Genesee Valley Breeders’ Stakes at Finger Lakes.

Two starts removed from being claimed for $45,000 out of a victory in a 1-mile optional-claimer at Saratoga Race Course, Cut the Cord came up the inside to win the 1 1/16-mile Genesee Valley over multiple stakes winner Allure of Money and four others. Reylu Gutierrez rode the 6-year-old Creative Cause for trainer and co-owner Ilkay Kantarmaci and Gaiety Stables.

Bred by Michael Anthony Slezak, Cut the Cord improved to 8-for-27 with the victory, picked up $30,000 and boosted his bankroll to $393,192.

Sent off as the 3-5 favorite in the field of six, Cut the Cord raced in fourth early as Mo Trump and Allure of Money vied for the lead into the first turn and to the opening quarter-mile in :23.71 over the fast track.

Mo Trump, the 5-1 second choice coming off three straight turf starts on the NYRA circuit, continued to lead past the half in :47.62 with Allure of Money just off the pace. The trio of Zeebear, Cut the Cord and Rhymes Like Dimes chased on the backstretch and toward the far turn.

Allure of Money took command coming off the turn while Cut the Cord stayed inside and Zeebear rallied on the outside. Cut the Cord accelerated from there and drew off to win by 1 1/2 lengths in 1:46.43. Allure of Money edged Zeebear by a neck for the place spot with Crypto Causeway, Rhymes Like Dimes and Mo Trump completing the field.

Cut the Cord won his debut Sept. 1, 2001 at Finger Lakes. He made his stakes debut in his next start, finishing fifth in the Rego Park Stakes in early January 2022 at Aqueduct. He followed that up with another fifth in the Gander Stakes a month later at Aqueduct.

Cut the Cord is the eighth foal out of the multiple graded stakes-placed Dynaformer mare Cable. He’s a half-brother to the New York-bred winning Redesdale gelding Cable Ready, the earner of $172,459; and winners Royale, Stephanies Jewel and Holy Kingdom.

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Arctic Beast proves too good ahead with victory in Monday’s New York Breeders’ Futurity at Finger Lakes. SV Photography.

Ricardo Santana Jr. looked back five times from the end of the far turn to the sixteenth pole of Monday’s $155,667 New York Breeders’ Futurity and saw the same thing every time – the competition getting further, and further away.

Santana’s mount and 1-9 favorite Arctic Beast helped provide that view with another dominating victory in a New York-bred stakes for 2-year-olds at Finger Lakes. The son of Yaupon improved to 3-for-3 in the Breeders’ Futurity with a decisive score, looking very similar to his win in last month’s Aspirant Stakes.

Arctic Beast, a $275,000 purchase out of last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale, won the Aspirant by 7 1/4 lengths over Diamond Child. He won the Breeders’ Futurity by 5 3/4 lengths over Party in the Army, who finished third in the Aspirant, with Diamond Child third in the field of four. Hey Pal checked in fourth in the Aspirant and Breeders’ Futurity.

Owned by Paradise Farms Corp., JP Racing Stable, David Staudacher, Zilla Racing Stables and Jennifer Rice and trained by Mike Maker, Arctic Beast returned to Finger Lakes for his third start from Maker’s string at Churchill Downs. He and Santana came away fast from the gate for 6-furlong Futurity before Diamond Child took over from his inside.

Diamond Child led by less than a length through the opening quarter-mile in :22.98. Party in the Army, who came away last from the gate and poorly for the second straight start, made up some ground on the backstretch and chased the top pair heading into the far turn.

Diamond Child clung to the lead past the half in :46.68 with Arctic Beast latched to his outside approaching the stretch. Arctic Beast took over in the lane, passed 5 furlongs in :58.82 and widened his advantage from there. Party in the Army finished well clear in second, 4 lengths in front of Diamond Child and Hey Pal, who were a nose apart at the finish.

Arctic Beast picked up $93,400 for his latest victory and boosted his bankroll to $205,503.

Bred by Rockridge Stud LLC, Saratoga Glen Farm and Beal’s Racing Stable LLC, Arctic Beast is the second foal out of the Frost Giant mare Frostie Anne, a multiple New York-bred stakes winner and earner of $584,443.

Originally a $120,000 weanling at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale, Arctic Beast returned to that same sales ring the following August and brought $275,000 from Maker on behalf of his current connections.

Frostie Anne, a finalist in 2018 and 2019 for champion New York-bred older dirt female honors, is also the dam of the unraced Malibu Moon colt Malibu Frost who sold for $65,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale.

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War of Will, here training before the 2019 Kentucky Derby, relocates to Rockridge Stud for the 2026 season. Coady Media.

War of Will, winner of the 2019 Preakness Stakes and currently ranked 10th on the North American second-crop sire list, will relocate from Kentucky to stand the 2026 season at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, the farm announced Sunday.

The 9-year-old son of War Front relocates from Claiborne Farm, where he stood the 2025 season for $15,000.

“We are honored to have this opportunity with Gary [Barber] on another stallion and thrilled to have Claiborne dipping a toe into the New York market,” said Rockridge President Lere Visagie.

Barber campaigned War of Will throughout his career, which featured five wins in 18 starts and earnings of $1,881,803. In addition to his Preakness victory, War of Will won the Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile Stakes on turf in 2020 at Keeneland Race Course and the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes in 2019 at Fair Grounds on the dirt.

“I am very much looking forward to supporting War of Will in the lucrative New York breeding program,” Barber said. “With the new Belmont facility coming online with three surfaces, I know War of Will can provide many opportunities for my mares and stable to become a large part of the New York program.”

Claiborne will continue to be a shareholder in War of Will’s new syndicate at Rockridge. Claiborne President Walker Hancock is optimistic War of Will will be successful in the Empire State.

“War of Will is classic winner on dirt and a Grade 1 winner on turf,” he said. “The new facility at Belmont will provide a continuation of the success we have already seen on all three surfaces, and we are very excited to be a part of this new chapter.”

War of Will finished 2024 as North America’s ninth leading freshman sire with progeny earnings of $1,571,212. He sired 19 winners in his first season, including Grade 3 winner Will Then, stakes-placed $163,500-earner She’s Got Will, $112,291-earner Curahee and $102,500-earner Will Not Be Swayed. He’s sired the earners of $2,451,343 in 2025 through Sunday, including recent Grade 3 Matron winner Final Accord.

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Members:

The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) election process is set to get underway!

NYTB serves as the official authorized representative of the Thoroughbred breeding industry in New York State—the unified voice of New York’s Thoroughbred breeders. We encourage your interest and participation in serving as a member of our Board of Directors.

Board Structure and Terms

According to the By-Laws of the New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc., as revised and approved on April 28, 2021, there shall be two classes of directors:

• First Class: Five directors elected to a four-year term beginning in a year ending in an odd number.

• Second Class: Six directors elected to a four-year term beginning in a year ending in an even number.

Each four-year term shall commence on January 1 of the year following an election and shall conclude on December 31 of the fourth year thereafter.

Term limits: Board members may serve a maximum of three consecutive four-year terms (12 years total).

Election Guidelines

No NYTB election shall take place if there is an equal number of uncontested candidates for the available board seats.
If, in any given election year, each class of five or six directors is not contested by new candidates, the incumbent board members shall continue for a new term, provided they remain members in good standing with the organization.

Should there be more than five qualified candidates contesting for board seats this year, an election will be held.
The six directors elected during the 2025 election process will serve a four-year term beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2030.

No NYTB election shall take place should there be an equal number of uncontested candidates for board seats. In any year, if each class of five or six board members up for election is not challenged by new candidates, the current board members shall remain on the board for a new term, should they be in good standing with the organization.

Should there be more than five qualified candidates contesting for board seats this year an NYTB election will take place. The five class of directors that are elected during the 2025 election process will serve a four-year term beginning January 1, 2026, and ending December 31, 2030.

Board of Directors Eligibility and Requirements

NYTB members may seek election to the Board of Directors if they meet the following criteria:

1. Are currently engaged in the Thoroughbred industry as a breeder or stallion owner in New York State, or as a lessee or lessor of mares or stallions domiciled in New York.

2. Submit a nominating petition with original or emailed signatures (to info@nytbreeders.org) of ten NYTB members in good standing.

3. Submit a brief curriculum vitae including pertinent data and a statement of qualifications.

4. Are members in good standing whose annual dues have been paid on or before April 2, 2025.

Deadline: Nominating petitions and curriculum vitae must be received by the NYTB office no later than the close of business on Friday, November 14, 2025.

After review and verification of eligibility by the NYTB Nominating Committee, the official election ballot will be mailed to eligible voters.

Any NYTB member in good standing as of November 1, 2025, will receive a ballot and be eligible to vote.

All completed ballots must be mailed in the reply envelope provided to:

Battaglia & Associates, CPA’s PLLC
Halfmoon, NY

Ballots must be postmarked by Friday, December 12, 2025. Battaglia & Associates will tabulate all ballots and notify NYTB of the elected candidates.

NYTB Election Timeline Event Deadline Board Eligibility (Membership paid in full) April 2, 2025 Voting Eligibility (Membership paid in full) November 1, 2025 Nominating Petitions & CVs Due November 14, 2025 Completed Ballots Postmarked & Mailed to Battaglia & Associates December 12, 2025

Nominating petitions received after November 14, 2025, will not be accepted and shall be considered null and void.

Election Documents

Click below to download the required forms:

• Nominating Petition Form

• Curriculum Vitae Form

Once completed, please return your candidate materials by mail or email to:

New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc.
P.O. Box 5120
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866
Phone: (518) 587-0777
Email: info@nytbreeders.org

 

 

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Multiple graded stakes winner Arzak, here winning the Woodford Stakes at Keeneland, will stand for $6,000 at Amsterdam Two Farm in Middleburgh. Courtesy of Amsterdam Two Farm/Equi-Photo

Multiple Grade 2 winner, millionaire and track-record setter Arzak has been purchased by Amsterdam Two Farm in Middleburgh, where he will stand the 2026 season. The 7-year-old son of leading sire Not This Time will stand for $6,000 with special consideration to approved mares.

Out of the Tapit mare Delightful Melody, Arzak was a $575,000 OBS April 2-year-old and precocious enough to win gate-to-wire second time out as a juvenile versus maiden special weight company 6 furlongs on Woodbine’s synthetic surface.

Arzak went on to win the Grade 2 Woodford Stakes, earning a lofty 101 Beyer figure, and Grade 2 Shakertown Stakes — both times going 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Keeneland Race Course. Arzak also scored victories in the Grade 3 Jacques Cartier Stakes and Thorncliffe Stakes on the Tapeta at Woodbine at respective distances of 6 furlongs and 5 1/2 furlongs — setting a track record of 1:02.62 in the latter event — and the Tom Ridge Stakes going 6 furlongs at Presque Isle Downs.

Arzak was also runner-up in the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes at 5 1/2 furlongs on turf at Saratoga, just behind fellow Not This Time son Cogburn.

“If it wasn’t for an absolutely freakish, course-record performance by Cogburn that day, Arzak would’ve retired a Grade 1 winner,” said Michael Trombetta, who trained Arzak through the duration of his career and is planning to send at least one mare to breed to him in 2026.

Arzak, who raced in the colors of Marc Tacher’s Sonata Stable, retires with a record of 8-5-3 in 36 starts and earnings of $1,081,294.

“Physically, Arzak is an absolute rocket ship,” said Ken Williams, manager of Amsterdam Two. “He’s 16.2 hands, with tremendous bone, a powerful build and an absolutely monster walk — and he’s got arguably the three most important qualities sought by New York breeders: speed, soundness and precocity. We knew we needed a special horse to launch Amsterdam Two’s stallion operation, and Arzak fits that description to a tee.”

Michael Slezak brokered the deal to bring Arzak to New York and will stay involved to help Amsterdam Two sell shares and seasons.

“Just a few days ago Mike Repole himself tweeted that Not This Time is ‘the best American stallion right now,’ and with 21 black-type winners already this year, an average yearling price of almost $700,000, and a veritable armada of offspring headed to the Breeders’ Cup next month, it’s hard to argue otherwise,” Slezak said. “That’s exactly why now is the perfect time to stand a son of Not This Time in New York, especially one who’s out of a Tapit daughter of the explosively quick multiple Grade 2 stakes winner Bending Strings. And let’s not forget those 40 percent New York State Breeders’ Awards on New York-sired, New York-bred foals.”

Williams and Slezak will be shopping the fall breeding stock stables to ensure Amsterdam Two has a base of some 25 high-quality mares to support Arzak in his first season.

Slezak pointed out that Not This Time’s versatility — he has sired graded stakes winners this year on dirt, turf and synthetic; sprinting, at the mile, and going long — and Arzak’s graded wins on both turf and Tapeta, are a big selling point now that the New York Racing Association is set to conduct winter racing on an all-weather surface three months per year when Belmont Park reopens in 2026. To date, Not This Time has sired 59 black-type winners from six crops of racing age, with total progeny earnings exceeding $64 million, and an enviable AEI to CI ratio of 2.06/1.79.

Tacher said he knew Arzak was special from the time he laid eyes on him at OBS, and the horse exceeded those lofty expectations throughout his career, winning at five racetracks, recording 90-plus Beyer speed figures on 17 occasions, two of them over 100, and getting beat less than 2 lengths in the 2023 Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint at Santa Anita Park.

“I’m excited to stay in for a piece of Arzak, and to get acquainted with the lucrative New York program,” Tacher said.

Trombetta noted the quality he appreciated most about Arzak was his genuineness.

“This horse was so sound and so willing — I never had a moment’s problem with him, and I say that with 100 percent sincerity,” Trombetta said. “Arzak was as clean-legged on retirement as the day he came to the barn. And I think based on his sire’s accomplishments and Arzak’s own win going a mile at Tampa Bay in his third career start, his offspring will be well-suited to most distances offered at the new Belmont Park.”

Williams said that Amsterdam Two has built a state-of-the-art stallion barn that he’s excited to show off at an open house after Thanksgiving.

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Leading New York-based sire War Dancer will relocate to Mill Creek Farm for the 2026 season. Photo courtesy of Sugar Plum Farm.

War Dancer, New York’s leading turf sire for three years and a leader on synthetic surfaces, will stand the 2026 season at Mill Creek Farm in Stillwater, War Dancer LLC announced Wednesday.

The leading New York-based turf sire in 2022, 2023 and 2024, War Dancer is a graded stakes winner with career earnings of $1,068,925. He brings a proven track record to breeders looking for consistency, soundness and versatility in their foals. Progeny have demonstrated success on both turf and synthetic tracks, reinforcing his value to the region’s competitive breeding landscape.

“We’re excited to be standing War Dancer at Mill Creek,” said Robin Malatino of War Dancer LLC. “His success with breeders continues to grow and with the addition of a synthetic surface at the new Belmont Park, we expect the demand to be strong. We believe Mill Creek’s nearby facilities and experienced team make it the perfect place for him.”

War Dancer’s 2026 stud fee will be released later this month.

For more information or to schedule a viewing, please contact Belinda Thomas 518-444-4015 (office) or 802-430-9959 (mobile).

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Hip 543, a filly by Drain the Clock bred by The New Hill Farm, sold for $65,000 at this week’s OBS October yearling sale. Photo courtesy of Colin Brennan Bloodstock.

A filly by Drain the Clock sold for $65,000 and a Central Banker filly commanded a final bid of $60,000 to lead the way at the two-day OBS October yearling Tuesday and Wednesday in Ocala, Florida.

Six K’s, agent for Allan McCannon, landed Hip 543, a filly from the first crop of Grade 1 winner Drain the Clock out of the unraced Lookin At Lucky mare Westerly.

Bred by and foaled at The New Hill Farm in Hoosick Falls and consigned by Colin Brennan Bloodstock at Highlander Training Center, agent, the filly originally sold as a weanling for $47,000 at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale.

She’s the second foal out of Westerly, who is out of the Grade 3-winning Red Ransom mare Western Ransom and is a half-sister to the dam of Breeders’ Cup Sprint winner and $1,673,185-earner Nobals.

Nick Sallusto, agent for Thorostock, landed Hip 74, a daughter of four-time leading New York sire Central Banker out of the winning Touch Gold mare Holy Gold named Golden Touch.

Hip 74, a filly by leading New York-sire Central Banker bred by Seacoast Thoroughbreds of New England, sold for $60,000. Photo courtesy of McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds.

Bred by Seacoast Thoroughbreds of New England, foaled at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs and consigned by McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, agent, the filly is a full sister to stakes-placed $88,137-earner Gold in Them Hills and the two-time winner Scales of Gold and a half-sister to the winning Teuflesberg mare Get Your Gold. Holy Gold is also the dam of the 2-year-old Solomini filly Peace of Gold, who finished third in her most recent start October 2 at Aqueduct for Seacoast Thoroughbreds.

Central Banker, a 15-year-old son of Speightstown out of the Go for Gin mare Rhum, stands for $7,500 at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds. He’s topped the New York general sire list the last four seasons.

OBS reported sales on 43 of the 68 New York-breds through the ring for a total of $866,500, an average price of $20,151 and median of $17,000.

Three others sold for $60,000 – Hip 92, a colt by Roadster; Hip 238, a filly by Drain the Clock; and Hip 410, a filly by Colonel Liam named Humor in Uniform.

RAN Racing purchased Hip 92, who is out of the unraced Grey Swallow mare Joyous Angel. Bred by Jimmy L. Gladwell at foaled at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds, the colt was consigned by Afleet Equine Services, agent.

Black Cherry secured Hip 238, who is out of the winning A.P. Indy mare Girlaboutown. Bred by Barry R. Ostrager, foaled at Hidden Lake Farm in Stillwater and consigned by Summerfield, agent, the filly is a half-sister to stakes-placed Ready A. P. and three-time winner, $128,798-earner Az U Chase Me and two other winners.

Hip 410, who is out of the stakes-placed Lemon Drop Kid mare You’re Kidding, went to White Owl Stable. Bred by Wendy L. Christ, foaled at Hidden Lake Farm and consigned by Lisa McGreevy’s Abbie Road Farm, agent, the filly is a half-sister to six winners including the 3-year-old Win Win Win filly Victoriously who won her debut in late August at Saratoga Race Course.

 

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Champion New York-bred and Grade 2 winner Brooklyn Strong is among the competitors in this week’s RRP Makeover in Kentucky. Coglianese Photo.

By Tom Law

A group of New York-breds that includes a Grade 2 winner, a stakes winner, a 19-time winner and 14 earners of more than $100,000 during their racing careers are among the entrants in the 2025 Retired Racehorse Project’s Thoroughbred Makeover.

Hundreds of horses in 10 disciplines will compete for more than $100,000 during the Makeover and National Symposium presented by Thoroughbred Charities of America, which runs from Wednesday to Saturday at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington.

Accepted trainers (professionals, amateurs, juniors and teams) who applied to compete between January 6-24 with Jockey Club-registered Thoroughbreds who posted a workout or race after July 2, 2023, and did not have more than 15 retraining rides prior to December 1, 2024 are eligible to compete in this year’s Makeover. The 10 disciplines are Barrel Racing, Competitive Trail, Dressage, Eventing, Field Hunter, Polo, Ranch Work, Show Hunter, Show Jumper and Freestyle.

Here are a few facts to know about this year’s New York-bred competitors:

• New York featured the second largest contingent at this year’s Makeover with 55 original entrants. Thirty-three New York-breds are still entered to complete in the competition as of Tuesday afternoon.

• The New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc. again are joined by the New York Racing Association and New York Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association in sponsoring the $2,500 Empire State Success Story prize for the competition’s leading New York-bred.

Mr. Pete wins the 2017 Aspirant Stakes at Finger Lakes. He’s the leading New York-bred earner at this year’s Makeover with a bankroll just shy of $400,000. SV Photography.

• Stakes winner Mr. Pete, a 9-year-old gelding by Shanghai Bobby bred by Nirvana Stables, is the leading earner among the New York-bred contingent. He won 14 of 72 starts from 2017 to 2024, along with 15 seconds and 17 thirds for earnings of $397,164. Mr. Pete won the 2017 Aspirant Stakes at Finger Lakes. Mr. Pete will compete in the Dressage and Show Jumper disciplines for Jamison Glass.

• Mr. Pete is one of three earners of $300,000 or more, along with Grade 2 winner Brooklyn Strong ($341,508) and Let’s Go Big Blue ($303,850).

• Brooklyn Strong would join a unique group double as a competitor in the Makeover who also ran in the Kentucky Derby, joining recent Makeover participant and champion sprinter Whitmore and others. Bred by Cheryl Prudhomme and her husband, Dr. Michael Gallivan and foaled at their Shamrock Hill Farm in Fort Edward, Brooklyn Strong won the Grade 2 Remsen Stakes at Aqueduct in 2020 and finished 14th in the 2021 Kentucky Derby. He also earned champion New York-bred 2-year-old male honors in 2020 for owner Mark Schwartz. Brooklyn Strong will compete in the Show Hunter discipline for Megan Dixon.

Let’s Go Big Blue wins debut in 2022 at Saratoga. Coglianese Photo.

• Let’s Go Big Blue, also competing in Show Hunter for Robin Hannah, went 3-2-5 in 16 starts. Bred by Fred Hertrich III and John Fielding, foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham and campaigned by Bill Parcells’ August Dawn Farm, the 5-year-old son of Cairo Prince placed in three stakes including a runner-up finish in the 2023 Rick Violette at Saratoga Race Course.

• Another New York-bred competing, Great Blake, won nine races during his career and earned $150,201. He’ll contest Evening and Show Jumper for Bryn Schoenthal.

• Two McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds-based sires – Central Banker and Redesdale – are represented with a pair of entrants in this year’s Makeover. Central Banker’s Seatiger will compete in Dressage for Betsy Kupic and Central Station will compete in Eventing and Dressage for Black and White Evening. Redesdale’s Snarky will compete in Dressage for Megan Pattern and Way Too Fast will contest Show Jumper and Field Hunter for Jazz Napravnik.

• Other New York-based sires with competitors are Frost Giant (Goodbye New York, Ranchwork and Freestyle for Kimberly Dunsmore), Honest Mischief (Silver Tempest, Ranch Work for Bridget Hollern), Laoban (Proper Grammar, Show Jumper for Jennifer Osterman) and Normandy Invasion (Quad Party, Show Hunter and Dressage for Quad Crusaders).

Dosage and Mimosas, a homebred for Dr. Zachary Passaretti, won 19 races during her career and competes in this week’s RRP Makeover. SV Photography.

• Dosage and Mimosa’s leads the New York-bred group by wins. Bred and raced by Dr. Zachary Passaretti, the 12-year-old daugher of New York-based sire Bustin Stones won 19 of 88 starts, along with 18 seconds and 14 thirds, and earned $243,677 racing almost exclusively at Finger Lakes from 2015 to 2024. She’ll compete in Dressage for Sally Scheindel.

• Corner Three, the dam of seven foals including a colt by Kantharos that sold for $200,000 this year at OBS April and a yearling New York-bred colt by Blame, will compete in the Former Broodmare Division in Dressage and Freestyle for Wendy Lind. She’s the dam of winners Timbuktu and Baseline Drive.

Find out more about the Thoroughbred Makeover and the horses entered at www.tbmakeover.org.

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The New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. (NYTB) will host its annual general membership meeting and educational seminar on Sunday, Oct. 12, at the Fasig-Tipton sales pavilion in Saratoga Springs.

The event, which includes a complimentary dinner and cocktail hour, will run from 5–8 p.m. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by Friday, October 10, at nytbreeders.org/events.

This year’s seminar, titled “Keeping or Selling? Mapping Your Breeding Goals,” will focus on how breeders and owners can forecast and manage their breeding strategies, while balancing market demands and long-term objectives for breeding and racing.

Sponsored by the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding & Development Fund, the seminar will feature:

• • • • • Becky Thomas, owner of Sequel New York in Hudson, NY, and Sequel at Winding Oaks in Ocala, FL, oversees the development and training of nearly 120 horses annually.
        • Peter Penny, one of the foremost yearling inspectors for the Fasig-Tipton Sales company.
        • Linda Rice, a leading New York trainer for more than a decade with multiple meet titles on the NYRA circuit, who also holds the designation of leading female trainer in the United States.

The panel will be moderated by Tom Gallo, NYTB board member and former president, as well as managing partner of Dream Maker Racing Stable and owner of Blue Stone Farm in Cambridge, NY.

“The focus of our educational seminar this year is to provide breeders and owners with valuable insight into making key decisions—from mating choices to maximizing a foal’s value at auction,” said NYTB Executive Director Najja Thompson. “We are fortunate to have such an accomplished panel willing to share their knowledge, and we encourage everyone to attend.”

To promote the open format of the seminar, NYTB is soliciting questions in advance. Questions may be emailed to info@nytbreeders.org.

The meeting and seminar will take place ahead of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Fall Mixed Sale on Tuesday, Oct. 14.

Please RSVP by Friday, Oct. 10, at nytbreeders.org/events. For more information, call NYTB at 518.587.0777 

Chester Broman’s 90th Birthday Celebration – Monday, Oct. 13

On Monday, Oct. 13, an open-house celebration will honor Chester Broman’s 90th birthday from 5–7 p.m. at Fasig-Tipton in Saratoga.

Broman, together with his late wife Mary, established one of New York’s leading breeding and racing operations over several decades.

“He’s someone near and dear to my heart,” said Becky Thomas of Sequel Stallions New York, who has worked with the Bromans for more than 20 years and has been a longtime consignor of their horses at public auctions. “New York-breds were once seen as regional sires with little commercial value until Mr. Broman changed the game. He’s developed families that can sell for hundreds of thousands—even millions—removing the ‘asterisk’ once attached to New York-breds.”

The celebration will include beverages, hors d’oeuvres, birthday cake, a live band, and video replays of many memorable Broman-bred runners.

“Chester has been a pillar of New York breeding and racing, but more than that, he’s been a mentor, role model, and friend to so many,” said Dr. Scott Ahlschwede, President of NYTB. “His passion for horses and his commitment to doing things the right way have set a standard that inspires breeders and owners across the state.”

“Chester Broman represents the very best of New York breeding and racing,” added Najja Thompson, Executive Director of NYTB. “For decades, he and his family have bred and campaigned top-quality racehorses that strengthened the New York-bred program. We are proud to celebrate his 90th birthday and honor his remarkable legacy.”

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Rhetorical joins the ranks of New York-bred Grade 1 winners with victory in Saturday’s Coolmore Turf Mile at Keeneland. Keeneland Photo.

Rhetorical continued his development and locked down a spot in next month’s Breeders’ Cup with a victory in Saturday’s Grade 1 Coolmore Turf Mile Stakes at Keeneland Race Course.

Gary Barber, Cheyenne Stable and Wachtel Stable’s 4-year-old Not This Time gelding won the $1,038,750 Turf Mile by three-quarters of a length over Program Trading. Irad Ortiz Jr. rode the winner for trainer Will Walden, who saddled his first Grade 1 winner just shy of a year removed from winning his first graded stakes at Keeneland in the Grade 2 Castle & Key Bourbon Stakes.

Rhetorical punched a ticket to the Breeders’ Cup Mile November 1 at Del Mar with Saturday’s victory through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series. He also improved to 5-for-6 and joined Frizette Stakes winner Iron Orchard as new Grade 1 winners from the New York-bred ranks.

“I’m just happy for the team,” Walden said. “This is why we do it, get up and do it seven days a week, for moments like this. Super happy for the horse and the ownership: Adam Wachtel, Gary Barber, Everett Dobson. There were some doubts about whether the horse could jump up. We didn’t know. But he’d been training awfully good and giving us all the signs that we wanted to see going forward.

“Irad came into the office this morning and we talked about the race. He rode it to perfection. He’s such a clutch rider and makes the right decisions in those split-second decisions. Just happy for everybody involved.”

Rhetorical’s victory also marked the second time in the last five years that three New York-breds won a Grade 1 stakes in the same year. The trio of Rhetorical, Iron Orchard and Spirit of St Louis join the 2020 trio of Varda, Simply Ravishing and Tiz the Law.

Bred by Mallory and Karen Mort and foaled at Gallagher’s Stud in Ghent, Rhetorical is one of three winners out of the Distorted Humor mare Sheet Humor. She’s also the dam of the multiple graded stakes-placed mare Sterling Silver, a five-time stakes winner, nine-time winner and $1,143,051-earner.

Sent off as the 9-1 third choice behind European shipper and 7-5 favorite Diego Velazquez and 4-1 second pick Program Trading, Rhetorical set up shop early in fourth behind Quatrocento, Howard Wolowitz and Epic Ride. Quatrocento led through opening splits of :22.40 and :46.07 over the firm turf.

Ortiz angled Rhetorical off the inside heading to the far turn and kept the gelding wide around the far turn. They inched up to third with Quatrocento still in front past 6 furlongs in 1:10.08.

Rhetorical cut into Quatrocento’s advantage in the lane before taking over just inside the eighth pole. He opened up from there and held off the late run of Program Trading, who edged Brilliant Berti by a neck. Rhetorical won in 1:33.61.

“There was speed in the race so we were looking to have a pocket trip and it ended up being beautiful, perfect,” Ortiz said. “Going into the first turn, we already pulled that off. He switched off, and after that I was a good passenger, I guess, because I tipped him out at the quarter pole and he responded. He was ready to run. Will did a great job, so I’m happy for him to get his first Grade 1.”

Unraced at 2, Rhetorical won his debut in late July 2024 at Saratoga before finishing a close third in a state-bred allowance there a month later. After nine months off, Rhetorical returned to the races with a dominating win over New York-breds in an allowance race in mid-May at Aqueduct.

Wachtel, Dobson’s Cheyenne Stable and Barber privately purchased the gelding after that win. He’s rewarded that move with three straight victories – an open allowance-optional and the West Point Stakes at Saratoga, and the Coolmore Turf Mile.

Rhetorical picked up $573,500 for the victory, boosting his bankroll to $824,700.

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Iron Orchard secures Grade 1 victory in Saturday’s Frizette at Aqueduct. Coglianese Photo/Susie Raisher.

Iron Orchard joined the ranks of New York-bred Grade 1 winners and put her name in the mix for the Breeders’ Cup if her connections venture that way with a gritty victory in Saturday’s $400,000 Frizette Stakes at Aqueduct.

Owned by Edward Childs’ CSLR Racing Partners and R A Hill Stable, Iron Orchard won the 1-mile Frizette by a nose over 34-1 longshot Rileytole. Joel Rosario rode the 2-1 second choice in the field of 10 2-year-old fillies for trainer Danny Gargan.

Iron Orchard, a daughter of Authentic who cost $500,000 at this year’s OBS April sale, could be a major player in the $2 million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies October 31 at Del Mar. Gargan didn’t fully commit to the trip just yet.

“Right now, we’ll just be happy and enjoy this,” Gargan said. “She’s done a lot this year. I told the guys before, we’ll see how it goes. There’s next year – she’s a young filly. With the way she ran today, maybe in the future she might be able to go two turns, but I’m just happy with how it went today. I feel blessed. It’s the first horse I’ve trained for the Childs’, so to win a Grade 1 with the first horse that you train for them [is special].

“We’ll have to talk to the owners. I think today, she showed that dimension, but you never know. We’ll see how she comes out of it and go from there. We’ll figure it out.”

The second choice behind 2-1 favorite Carmel Coast, Iron Orchard came into the Frizette off back-to-back victories at Saratoga in the New York-bred ranks. She won the Seeking the Ante Stakes August 22 in her most recent effort.

Gargan said he changed the filly’s training after that victory, “training her a little harder, a little further.”

Iron Orchard raced in fourth early, a few lengths back, and Gargan admitted to some second guessing.

“I’m not going to lie, I thought the first 200 yards into the race, ‘man, I’ve done a bad job training this filly,’ because she relaxed more than I wanted her to,” Gargan said. “I was a little nervous, but you’ve just got to look back and say ‘God, what a good ride.’ He [Rosario] didn’t engage all those horses, he sat. She’s difficult and was grabbing at the bridle with her head kind of cocked, but that’s her in the mornings also. I feel blessed that she pulled that off. You just have to look back and say thank you to everybody – the owners, all my help.”

Iron Orchard didn’t look like much of a threat through a half-mile in :44.84, racing 2 ½ lengths behind Carmel Coast heading into the far turn.

Rosario kept Iron Orchard a few paths off the rail around the far turn and they steadily advanced on the outside. Carmel Coast clung to a narrow lead through 6 furlongs in 1:09.25 with Steer Clear making her run toward the front turning for home. Four fillies stacked up across the track at the eighth pole – Rileytole, Carmel Coast, Steer Clear and Iron Orchard – and Iron Orchard’s momentum carried her to the lead outside the sixteenth pole.

Rileytole hung tough on the rail but Iron Orchard dug in late to win in 1:35.97. Five Bars rallied from last to finished 4 1/4 lengths back in third.

“She’s so fast, and she broke and could have been there,” Gargan said. “I told Joel, ‘Kendrick [Carmouche] is on a fast horse [Carmel Coast], if he thinks the track is fast, he’ll be in play.’ I thought we’d sit second right off of him, and next thing you know, we’re laying fourth. I was like, ‘oh boy, this is a little further back than we thought,’ but it all worked out.

“Her being able to relax with her natural speed gives her another dimension, so she ran bigger than I thought. At the end, she dug in and won the race. She’s a talented filly, we’ve always known that. Today she showed another dimension and it was really special. It was fun to watch.”

Iron Orchard picked up $220,000 and boosted her bankroll to $352,000 in the Frizette.

Bred by Pine Ridge Stable LLC and foaled at Waldorf Farm in North Chatham, Iron Orchard brought the highest price for a New York-bred filly and second most expensive price for a New York-bred at the OBS April sale. She originally went through the ring at the 2023 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, bringing $140,000 as a weanling from Castleton Way. A $97,000 RNA at the 2024 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale, Iron Orchard later sold for $78,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale.

She’s the fourth foal out of the Brethren mare Onebrethatatime, a three-time winner who earned $133,283 and is a half-sister to Grade 3 winner Wonderlandbynight and Gilded Miracle, the dam of Grade 1 winner Exaulted.

Onebrethatatime’s third foal, the New York-bred Not This Time 3-year-old filly Backcheck, is 1-for-6 with $45,686 in earnings.

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Harlan Malter (left) and John Dowd, the team behind Ironhorse Stallions and Ironhorse Racing Stable. Jack Harvey Photo.

Edited press release

Ironhorse Stallions and Ironhorse Racing Stable entered into a long-term agreement to establish a permanent base of operations at the former Stone Bridge Farm Training Center in Schuylerville. The move creates a uniquely integrated equine hub—breeding, foaling, raising and race preparation all under one roof—in the heart of New York’s storied Thoroughbred region.

The Schuylerville property, just minutes from Saratoga Springs, offers world-class farmland, barns, training facilities and paddocks. By anchoring their operation in-state, Ironhorse strengthens New York’s Thoroughbred breeding program—helping retain valuable mares and foals, creating jobs and keeping investment dollars local.

While Kentucky and Florida will always play vital roles in the development of top racehorses, Ironhorse’s goal is to ensure that New York breeders and owners have every opportunity to keep their mares and foals in state whenever possible, maximizing the benefits of New York’s incentive programs and enriching its racing scene.

With a broodmare band of more than 25 and a growing roster of in-house stallions, the integrated Ironhorse operation now occupies a unique position in the marketplace: the ability to produce its own horses entirely in-house, from conception to the starting gate. Stallions can be bred to the farm’s mares, foals are born and raised on site and young stock can be pre-trained and readied for the races without ever leaving the property. This vertical integration allows complete oversight of quality and care, ensuring consistency from breeding shed to winner’s circle.

“This location isn’t just a facility, it’s a statement,” said Harlan Malter, managing partner of Ironhorse Stallions and Ironhorse Racing Stable. “To be able to breed, foal, raise and campaign in one unified base is a dream for any stallion and racing operation. It allows us to keep breeding capital, talent and energy right here in New York, while continuing to collaborate with the important programs in Kentucky and Florida. This farm gives breeders and owners every reason to stay, and it shows that world-class breeding and racehorse development can thrive right here on home turf.”

“I’ve spent my career working across farms, tracks and sales, and I know how critical it is to offer breeders a complete program,” said John Dowd, who will be on-site managing operations, breeding shed and bloodstock. “With this facility we can stand stallions, manage our mares and raise top-class foals that never have to leave the state. New York breeders gain a true cradle-to-track solution while continuing to benefit from the broader national industry.”

Malter added that the move bolster’s Ironhorse’s commitment to the state.

“This is about John and my belief and commitment to New York’s breeding and racing industry,” he said. “I said last year we were doubling down on this state as home for our stallion operation, now this year our racing operation, I guess that means we are quadrupeling down.”

Ironhorse’s integrated approach provides:

• Standing premier stallions in New York to attract quality mares and capitalize on state breeder incentives;

• A local option for mares that might otherwise ship to Kentucky, ensuring more foals are conceived and born in New York;

• Foaling and raising offspring in-state, reducing the need to send all young horses to Florida or other regions; and

• Training and prepping those horses for the track within the same facility, keeping investment and employment opportunities in New York.

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Hip 152, a filly by Flameaway bred by Chesapeake Farm and Three Times a Charm, sold for $42,000 Tuesday at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic fall yearling sale. Photo courtesy of Straight Line Sales.

A filly by Flameaway and a colt by Dialed In led the group of New York-breds that sold during Tuesday’s Fasig-Tipton Midlantic fall yearling sale in Timonium, Maryland.

Cruz Diablo purchased Hip 152, a daughter of Flameaway out of the Mineshaft mare Chase the Light, for $42,000.

Bred by Chesapeake Farm and Three Times a Charm, foaled at Rockridge Stud in Hudson and consigned by Straight Line Equine Sales, agent, the filly is the first foal out of Chase the Light. Three Times a Charm Racing purchased Chase the Light carrying the Flameaway filly in utero for $20,000 at the 2023 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

Chase the Light is out of the Grade 2-placed Lion Heart mare Hearts of Red, who is the dam of four winners including $196,076-earner Latin Casino.

A.J. Hawthorne purchased the colt by Dialed In, Hip 94, for $22,000.

Bred by and foaled at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds LLC in Saratoga Springs and consigned by Marshall W. Silverman, agent, the colt is the first foal out of the unraced Blame mare Sum One to Blame.

Bred in New York by Fred Hertrich III, Sum One to Blame originally sold as a yearling for $40,000 at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October before bringing $90,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic May 2-year-olds in training sale. She’s out of the Lemon Drop Kid mare Princely Sum, who is a half-sister to multiple graded stakes winner Maximova.

Sum One to Blame is also the dam of a McMahon-bred weanling filly by Bucchero.

Fasig-Tipton reported sales on 18 of the 21 New York-breds through the ring for a total of $234,900, an average price of $13,050 and median of $10,500.

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Chester and Mary Broman in the winner’s circle at Saratoga Race Course. Susie Raisher Photo.

A celebration to honor Chester Broman’s 90th birthday is part of a big several days leading into next month’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale in Saratoga Springs.

Broman, who with his late wife Mary established one of New York’s leading breeding and racing operations over the last few decades, will be honored from 5-7 p.m. Monday, October 13 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga.

“He’s someone near and dear to my heart,” said Sequel Stallions New York’s Becky Thomas, who has worked with the Bromans for more than 20 years and a longtime consignor of their horses at public auctions. “Please come and honor Mr. Broman. … New York-breds were regional sires with very little commercial value until Mr. Broman changed the game. He’s been able to do something the Phipps family has done in Kentucky for years and years. He’s developed families. We have aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews, tremendous families.

“He’s leading the way and has helped a lot of us in New York. He participates in the New York program, at a lot of levels, and allows us to ride on his coattails. What Mr. Broman has done is allowed us to sell New York-breds for $400,000 or $500,000. That was not ever heard of until he did it. He can sell $1 million New York-breds. I am super grateful to him, too, because it’s allowed our farm to develop in a manner that is not just, oh, the asterisk beside it like, ‘that’s a nice horse for a New York-bred.’ He’s taken the asterisk away.”

The open-house style event will include beverages, heavy d’oeuvres and birthday cake, along with a band and video replays of some of the memorable Broman-bred runners through the years.

“Chester has been a pillar of New York breeding and racing, but even more than that, he’s been a mentor, a role model, and a friend to so many of us,” said Dr. Scott Ahlschwede, President of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “His passion for horses and his commitment to doing things the right way have set a standard that continues to inspire breeders and owners across the state. It’s a privilege to celebrate his 90th birthday and honor a legacy that continues to make an impact in our sport.”

“Chester Broman represents the very best of New York breeding and racing,” said Najja Thompson, Executive Director of New York Thoroughbred Breeders, Inc. “For decades, he and his family have breed and campaigned top-quality racehorses, strengthening the New York-bred program. We are proud to celebrate his 90th birthday in recognition of his remarkable legacy and the profound impact he has had on our industry.”

The birthday celebration follows the New York Thoroughbred Breeders Inc.’s general membership meeting and seminar from 5-8 p.m. Sunday, October 12 at Fasig-Tipton Saratoga.

The seminar sponsored by the New York Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund will feature NYTB’s annual educational seminar. This year’s event is titled “Keeping or Selling? Mapping Your Breeding Goals.”

NYTB board member and Dream Maker Racing Managing Partner Tom Gallo will moderate the discussion panel that features Sequel’s Becky Thomas, Fasig-Tipton’s Peter Penny of Fasig-Tipton and trainer Linda Rice. The panel will discuss how breeders and owners can help manage and forecast their breeding goals, along with keeping up with market demands and long-term objectives for breeding and racing. The free registration is now open here.

The Saratoga fall mixed sale, which features a catalog of 281 horses, starts at 10 a.m. Tuesday, October 14.

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Arctic Beast extends in the stretch on the way to his victory in the Aspirant Stakes Monday at Finger Lakes. SV Photography.

Arctic Beast, the fifth most expensive yearling at last year’s Fasig-Tipton Saratoga New York-bred sale, ran his record to 2-for-2 in Monday’s $104,338 Aspirant Stakes for state-bred colts and geldings at Finger Lakes.

Ricardo Santana Jr. rode the 1-5 favorite to a 7 1/4-length victory over 22-1 longshot Diamond Child, with 5-2 second choice Party in the Army third and 25-1 longshot Hey Pal fourth in the field of nine. A son of Yaupon owned by Paradise Farms Corp., JP Racing Stable, David Staudacher, Zilla Racing Stables and Jennifer Rice, Arctic Beast came into the Aspirant off a narrow maiden victory August 15 at Saratoga Race Course.

Trainer Mike Maker shipped Arctic Beast to his barn at Churchill Downs following that maiden win and breezed the colt three times in preparation for the 5 ½-furlong Aspirant, one of four stakes on the card Monday at Finger Lakes.

Arctic Beast broke well from the extreme outside but conceded the early lead to Diamond Child just to his inside. Hey Pal chased those two leaders with the trio of Party in the Army, Chioke and The Last Delivery stacked up just behind.

Diamond Child led through the opening quarter-mile in :22.31, just a head in front of an in hand Arctic Beast. The order up front didn’t change into the far turn and to the half in :45.51.

Santana kept Arctic Beast in the clear, turned for home about four wide and took command at the eighth pole. They drew off from there, extending to the finish to win in 1:04.13 over the sloppy and sealed track.

Arctic Beast picked up $62,603 for the Aspirant victory to boost his bankroll to $112,103.

Bred by Rockridge Stgud LLC, Saratoga Glen Farm and Beal’s Racing Stable LLC and foaled at Rockridge Stud in Hudson, Arctic Beast is the second foal out of multiple New York-bred stakes winner and $584,443-earner Frostie Anne.

Originally purchased as a weanling by Good Luck Farm for $120,000 at the 2023 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale, Arctic Beast returned to that same sales ring the following August and brought $275,000 from Maker at the Saratoga New York-bred yearling sale.

Frostie Anne, a finalist in 2018 and 2019 for champion New York-bred older dirt female honors, is also the dam of the unraced Malibu Moon colt Malibu Frost who sold for $65,000 at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga fall mixed sale.

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Ricardo Santana Jr. takes a look back and sees Oh is clear en route to winning Monday’s Lady Finger at Finger Lakes. SV Photography.

Oh won the battle and almost lost the war, but had enough left in the tank to capture the $116,000 Lady Finger Stakes for 2-year-old New York-bred fillies Monday at Finger Lakes.

After engaging in a fierce pace battle with Margarita Molly in the 5 1/2-furlong stakes, the William “Buck” Butler homebred had to hold off the fast-closing first-time starter Liberty’s Advance.

The Lady Finger was almost an instant replay of Oh’s first career start at Saratoga Race Course August 28, when she took the lead turning for home and held on to win by a half-length.

Reylu Gutierrez was intent on making the lead aboard Margarita Molly, but was never able to get any separation from Oh as the pair dueled through a quarter mile in :22.32. Ricardo Santana Jr. and Oh got a head in front around the turn and appeared to be traveling better than the hard-ridden Margarita Molly.

Once odds-on favorite Oh vanquished her opponent, she appeared to be headed for an easy victory, but the combination of an honest pace (:46.21 for a half-mile) and her ducking in then drifting out in the stretch welcomed Liberty’s Advance into the fray. Oh dug in when it counted, however, and won by a half-length in a final time of 1:06.06 over the sloppy and sealed track. Mobelladream was third with Margarita Molly fourth.

Oh is by graded stakes-placed Honest Mischief, 2024’s leading freshman sire outside of Kentucky, who stands for $7,500 at Sequel New York in Hudson. Foaled at Cedar Ridge Farm in Pine Plains, Oh is the only winning foal to date out of the unraced Scat Daddy mare Hot Spark, who sold for $15,000 in foal to Honest Mischief at the Fasig-Tipton August Digital Selected Sale in 2024.

Trainer Mike Maker won his eighth stakes race in 15 starts at Finger Lakes over the last five years, then added another when Arctic Beast took the subsequent Aspirant for 2-year-old New York-bred colts and geldings. – Paul Halloran

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Zi End and Joel Cruz dominate the Niagara Stakes Monday at Finger Lakes for trainer, breeder and co-owner Debra Breed. SV Photography.

You might say Zi End is a generational talent, and Debra Breed would certainly agree.

By Weekend Hideaway out of the Zivo mare Zismokin Gal, Zi End ran her four opponents off their hooves in Monday’s Niagara Stakes for 3-year-old New York-bred fillies at Finger Lakes, rolling to a 9 3/4-length win.

Breed, who co-owns the homebred with Kariann Breed, also bred and trained the dam and the second dam of Zi End, who improved to 6-for-8 lifetime with $120,560 in earnings.

Starting from the outside post, Zi End, who was coming in off a fourth-place finish against older fillies in the Arctic Queen Stakes September 1 at Finger Lakes, broke with the field but was last in the early stages of the 6-furlong Niagara, as they raced in chronological order by post position.

After a slow start, Mischief Lady rushed to the lead from the rail and took them through a quarter-mile in a swift :22.39. She maintained the lead heading into the turn, but Signifying Nothing and Zi End were right with her before they straightened for home.

Joel Cruz made a winning move aboard favored Zi End around the turn and had taken the lead by the time they hit the top of the stretch. From there they ran up the score, lengthening the lead with every stride. Signifying Nothing held second and Mischief Lady was third. The final time was 1:11.69.

Weekend Hideaway stood four seasons at Irish Hill and Dutchess Views Stallions in Stillwater. A $1.14 million earner on the track he won multiple New York-bred stakes. He is pensioned and living at Old Friends in Georgetown, Kentucky.

Zi End is the first foal out of Zismokin Gal, who is by millionaire Zivo, the Suburban Stakes winner and a Breeders’ Cup Classic runner in 2014. Zismokin Gal is one of five foals out of Smokin Racer, also a Breed homebred. – Paul Halloran

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