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Each year, our team at Taylor Made does a S.W.O.T. analysis for our business. The “T” represents threats, and we have consistently listed the shrinking foal crop as an existential threat to our business. We realize one farm alone cannot stop the tide of breeders exiting our industry, but we are trying to do what we can through our Premier Mare Program. We believe that breeding and raising thoroughbreds can be every bit as gratifying as racing them. Through PMP, we bring like-minded people together to buy quality mares which can produce foals to be presented and sold at the Select Fasig Tipton and Keeneland Sales. Our minimum investment is $50,000, which opens up breeding for the top echelon of the market to a much wider audience. This program offers education about the industry along with full access to our farm and all its resources. We want our new customers to discover the joy our industry can bring for them, their family, and friends.

Five years ago, we set out on a quest to marry our institutional knowledge with technology to create the Taylor Made Mating App. This tool operates a database that recognizes conformational traits of the top 50 stallions in North America. The database also compiles each stallion's tendencies to pass on certain traits to their foals, and checks mares' compatibility with the stallions selected and assigns a score. We create a short list of stallions which fit each mare from a pedigree perspective. Then, we ask the app to rank those stallion options to get the best physical match.

Below are a few of the mares in our PMP group along with our mating plans for 2026.

ZIA'S SONG, 8, Kitten's Joy—Awesome Flower, by Flower Alley. Will be bred to Sierra Leone.

We purchased Zia's Song in 2022 in foal to Gun Runner. At the time, she was a 4-year-old carrying her first foal. She is a half-sister to Cyberknife (Gun Runner), winner of the GI Arkansas Derby and GI Haskell Invitational, as well as to the stakes-placed Tapit Shoes (Tapit). Her dam is a multiple stakes winner and graded stakes-placed.

Our Mating App evaluates 20 physical traits. Zia's Song provides substance and hip, while needing additional size, body length, and correct knees and fetlocks. Once all 20 traits are entered, the program analyzes compatibility across our stallion database.

Matches above 30 points are considered strong. Zia's Song matched 31 points with Not This Time, and that resulting yearling sold for $350,000, despite some veterinary considerations. She is currently in foal to Constitution, another 31-point match. Constitution's son Mindframe was her highest-rated match at 38 points. He is a horse we will consider strongly for 2027.

For the upcoming season, we are returning to the Gun Runner-line with Sierra Leone, who matched Zia's Song at 32 points in our app. With Cyberknife appearing in the first dam and Sierra Leone proving himself a brilliant racehorse, this was a mating we felt particularly confident in and excited about.

DIAMOND ORE, 8, Tapit—Bubbler, by Distorted Humor. Will be bred to Vekoma.

The Premier Mare program is focused on identifying mares capable of producing Saratoga and Book 1 and 2 yearlings, and Diamond Ore perfectly fits that profile. An 8-year-old stakes-placed Tapit mare, we purchased her in foal to Charlatan in 2022, and the resulting yearling sold for $550,000 at Saratoga in 2024. Diamond Ore is a half-sister to Champion 3-Year-Old Arrogate and also a half-sister to stakes winner Osare (Medaglia d'Oro). With her exceptional sire pedigree, the primary goal in mating her is to find the ideal physical match. She doesn't need much: adding some size, body length, and hip is ideal. She will provide the rest.

She has already produced a beautiful Nyquist yearling filly, matching exceptionally well with a 35-point score. Diamond Ore is currently in foal to Into Mischief, a mating that scored 34 points.

SIMPLY ENCHANTING, 5, Nyquist—Enchante, by Bluegrass Cat. Will be bred to Gun Runner.

Simply Enchanting was purchased out of the Fasig-Tipton November sale this year for $450,000 in foal to Curlin (a 35-point score in our program). She checked all of the boxes in terms of physical, her sire, and who she was in foal to. She is Black-Type placed and a three-quarter sister to multiple graded stakes winner Envoutante (Uncle Mo), who was a $1.8 million dollar mare in 2024 who is now being bred to top stallions. We felt that if we got a nice Curlin, we have the potential to recoup most of our purchase price on the first foal and have a top-quality mare who can produce quality foals yearly. We have this mare booked to Gun Runner, who also scored very strongly in our program (31 points).

JUSTA WARRIOR, 6, Justify—A Z Warrior, by Bernardini. Will be bred to Mindframe.

Justa Warrior was purchased privately in foal to Life is Good. This mare is an “A” physical by a top young stallion in Justify. She was very precocious, which we valued. She was a stakes winner at two, and she comes from a very deep and active family. Her first foal was very nice and we loved him all along. We sold him in Book 1 of the 2025 Keeneland September Sale. Unfortunately, he came up with a few X-ray issues that kept us from getting what we wanted for him, but he still brought $150,000. Her second foal is a filly by Gun Runner, and we have very high hopes for her. She is a beautiful physical with a great walk. She will be a Saratoga or Keeneland Book 1 filly and we are expecting big things from her. Unfortunately, Justa Warrior didn't get in foal to Not This Time for a 2026 foal, and she is booked to Mindframe (36 points!) for this season.

TWINKLING, 13, War Chant—Unhurried, by Out of Place. Will likely be bred to Not This Time.

Twinkling was a deal that our dear friend Stuart Angus put together. At the time of the purchase, her first two foals were either graded-stakes winners or graded-stakes placed. Her then 2-year-old, Olivia Twist, was two-for-two and showing signs of being equally as good as her two half-brothers. She too would go on to be a stakes winner and graded stakes placed but more importantly, her older half-brother, Skippylongstocking, would go on to win 11 graded stakes races including this year's running of the GI Pegasus. At the time, she was in foal to Authentic on a June cover. The resulting filly would go on to sell for $500,000 as a yearling, and her current 2-year-old, a filly by Not This Time, sold for $1 million to Repole Stables in the September Sale. She is currently in foal to Curlin. This mare has produced quality stakes horses by Exaggerator, Mshawish, and Liam's Map. While we are still mulling our options for 2026, we are seriously considering Not This Time based on the gorgeous yearling we sold by him in 2025.

THE QUEEN'S MG, 4, Thousand Words—Show Queen, by Grindstone. Will be bred to Not This Time.

This most recent PMP acquisition was a graded stakes winner at Saratoga at two, and came back to win a GII at Gulfstream at three. She is a beautiful physical and comes from a very deep family. We thought this mare would be the perfect fit for Not this Time, and we are very excited to see what her future holds. This mare fits the physical profile of many of the dams of Not This Time's best runners. Her match with him scores a strong 34 which gives us confidence she will get her career started with every opportunity to get a runner.

The post 2026 Mating Plans: Taylor Made’s Premier Mare Partnerships appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

Under the agreement, Brown Advisory becomes the name-in-title partner of the $1 million Brown Advisory Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T), which will be held Oct. 30 at this year's World Championships. 

After Disco Time suffered his first career defeat in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) Jan. 24 at Gulfstream Park, his connections are hoping for a fresh start to his 4-year-old season March 7 in the Challenger Stakes at Tampa Bay Downs.

Frankie Dettori's bankruptcy has been extended by 12 months with the former rider said March 5 to have not complied with orders requiring him to give full disclosure of his assets.

At the National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association conference, experts see a future where prediction markets could work for racing, but first the sport needs to protect its turf.

Consignor Jesse Hoppel sent out Hip 284, a filly by Drain the Clock, who equaled the OBS track record for a quarter-mile, breezing in :20 1/5. Another horse from his consignment, Hip 299, a colt by Mo Town, breezed a quarter-mile in :20 2/5.

Eight-year-old mare Pride Of Jenni bids to become the first two-time winner of the All-Star Mile (G1) when she enters the gate March 7 at Flemington Racecourse.

Trainer Danny Gargan is confident in Talkin as he is set to run in the March 7 Tampa Bay Derby (G3).

Views toward the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority at this year's National Horsemen's Benevolent and Protective Association conference ranged from confrontational to lukewarm per the messages from multiple participants.

Dunshea's hiring news comes after this week's resignation of BHA chair Lord Allen.

HB 904, co-sponsored by Thoroughbred farm owner Rep. Matt Koch, would also prohibit participation in "predictive markets" wagering by licensed racetracks and associations.

This year, Valentine's Day at the University of Kentucky was for veterinarians, or at least, future veterinarians. 

Louis Romanet served as the first chairman of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities when it was formed in 1994 and served in that role for more than 25 years.

The popular "Ship and Win" program, now in its 16th consecutive year, has attracted more than 3,000 horses to Del Mar, helping the track continue its reputation as one of the nation's foremost "full field size" locations.

The National Thoroughbred Racing Association will present a check to Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, matching horseplayer donations made throughout the week of the NTRA National Horseplayers Championship up to a maximum of $5,000.

Destino d'Oro goes against seven other older fillies and mares in the 1 1/8-mile Hillsborough Stakes (G2T) at Tampa Bay Downs March 7, including two for trainer Chad Brown.

The Race Track Chaplaincy of America National announces its 2026 Annual Golf Scramble, set for April 21 at the University Club of Kentucky's Big Blue Course in Lexington.

After their success last week in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2) with Commandment at Gulfstream Park, trainer Brad Cox and jockey Irad Ortiz Jr. take aim at another prize with Spendthrift Farm's Further Ado in the March 7 Tampa Bay Derby (G3).

A filly by Nyquist and colt by Yaupon realized the co-fastest eighth in :9 3/5 on Day 2 of the Ocala Breeders' Sales Company's March 2-year-old in Training Sale's under-tack show on Thursday.

Offered as Hip 391, the day's fastest-working colt is out of unraced Stand Back (Giant's Causeway), the dam of Grade II winner Step Forward (Speightstown). The Florida-bred hails from the family of Grade I winners Cavorting (Bernardini) and Clairiere (Curlin). He is consigned by Raul and Martha Reyes' Kings Equine.

“I expected something good, but we never was to say [they will go] in :9 3/5 or :9 4/5 because you don't want to jinx the poor horse,” said Raul Reyes. “I did expect him to go fast because he's been very quick the whole time. Also, being by Yaupon, I expect him to have natural speed.”

A $110,000 buy by Scott and Evan Dilworth at Keeneland in November of 2024, the colt RNA'd for $235,000 when offered at that venue last September.

Reyes explained, “One of the reasons the owner didn't sell the horse [as a yearling] was because he felt the horse had ability and he wanted to keep him for the 2-year-old sales.”

Already in the 2-year-old sales' game for 25 years, Kings Equine recorded a first with Thursday's co-fastest eighth of a mile worker.

“That was the first time I had a horse go in :9 3/5 in my life,” Reyes said. “I've had a lot of horses go in :9 4/5 but never that fast.”

According to Reyes, the reason for that somewhat surprising fact is likely because the body under-tack appearance is as important as the listed breeze itself.

“Right now, the majority of the bloodstock agents clock the horses galloping out,” he explained. “It's become pretty much a standard thing now. Going fast an eighth, that's pretty good. But it's better if you also have a good gallop out too.”

Heading the fillies during Thursday's session, Hip 372 is out of Smooth and Savvy (Lucky Pulpit), a half-sister to Grade I winner Smooth Like Strait (Midnight Lute). This is the extended family of GISW Siphonic (Siphon (Brz) and Laragh (Tapit) in addition to Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan (Goldencents).

A member of the Wavertree Stables consignment, the Mar. 26 foal was purchased for $300,000 at Keeneland September last year.

Hip 284, a filly by Drain the Clock registers the fastest quarter at OBS on Day 2 | OBS| Photos by Z

Leading the fray with the track-record equaling quarter mile in :20 1/5 was Hip 284, a Kentucky-bred filly by Drain the Clock. Out of the 9-year-old Queen of Aces (Street Boss), the Apr. 4 foal is from the extended family of Kentucky Oaks heroine Dispute (Danzig).

“We knew she was fast,” said Jesse Hoppel. “We let her run and found she was faster than most of them here. She had a good day.”

Represented by his first crop of juveniles in 2026, the Maclean's Music stallion stands for $10,000 LFSN at Gainesway.

“I have a lot of Drain the Clocks right now, her and several others in training and to tell you the truth, I can't think of one I don't like,” he said.” I have another colt [Friday] that is going to breeze pretty good. I think all in all, the sire might be a pretty decent stallion. I haven't found one (Drain the Clock) I didn't like yet.”

Asked why the decision was made to work a quarter rather than an eighth, Hoppel explained, “Some horses by themselves are self-motivated and they'll do it on their own. Those horses who want to do it by themselves and are naturally aggressive, they like doing it and those are the horses I try to send farther because they like it. If you like your job, you do it better.”

Hoppel also was responsible for the second-fastest quarter-mile worker at OBS on Thursday, a colt by Mo Town (Hip 299) who completed the task in :20 2/5. A $40,000 Keeneland November purchase in 2024, the colt is out of the listed-producing mare Reckon (Into Mischief).

“That horse has been unreal,” Hoppel said. “I bought him as a baby and was thinking I would call somebody and get a partner on the way home. And I ended not calling anybody and keeping him for myself. He just grew up and got better and better and better. You pull him out on the end of the shank, he's absolutely striking. Fellow consignors that I respect on the way up to the chute were asking 'Who's that?' He's just a physically imposing individual.”

The under-tack show continues through Saturday with sessions beginning each day at 8 a.m. The OBS March sale will be held next Tuesday through Thursday. Bidding begins each day at 11 a.m.

The post Yaupon, Nyquist Juveniles Work Co-Fastest Eighth, Drain the Clock Filly Posts Top Quarter on Day 2 of OBS Under Tack appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

With a field size of just over 130, the Organization of Racing Investigators (ORI) meeting smashed their previous attendance record as they convened the 30th annual conference at Tampa Bay Downs on Sunday, Mar. 1.

Over the course of the three-day event, members soaked up presentations centered on integrity issues for equine athletes, traded their craft with one another through fellowship and made new connections that will be essential once they return to their respective jurisdictions.

A survey of the Tampa roll call reflects the organization's regional diversity that emanates from racing commissions to track security, plus there was a healthy international contingent. At this year's event conference goers hailed from Europe, South Africa, Canada and also East Asia–including Japan, Hong Kong and South Korea.

Don Ahrens, one of the founders of the organization, said that ORI has really morphed over the past three decades which has led to better communication between groups like regulators, racetracks and horsemen.

“The personal contact that was established by a mere 22 investigators who first met in Oregon when the idea of ORI took shape all those years ago is alive and well today,” Ahrens said. “We've steadily built something based in education and the affiliations we continue to make form a strong, cooperative network. This not only helps our members, but we spend significant amounts of time disseminating knowledge to other entities and that strengthens relationships across boundaries.”

Presentations during the conference shift each year, but what remains constant is the program seeks to push the envelope when it comes to innovation. How to use data and AI to strengthen equine security, an investigator's role in aftercare and combating  corrupt practices around the racetrack were just some of the themes covered during the sessions.

“The annual ORI conference is one of my favorite meetings to attend,” said Dr. Angela Pelzel-McCluskey, an equine epidemiologist for the USDA. “It continues to be the best place for our top racing investigators in the country to share information, improve their skills and support each other in their combined goal to protect the health and welfare of the horse.”

On the Tampa program, Dr. Pelzel-McCluskey provided an update in her talk about how Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA) in the national herd makes the racing sector a high-risk population and particularly susceptible to blood-borne disease transmission.

Highlighted in her presentation were two outbreaks of EIA in 2024 and 2025. According to Dr. Pelzel-McCluskey, also of interest to investigators were eight EIA cases in Thoroughbreds involving contaminated blood, plasma or biologic products which were illegally imported from other countries.

ORI conference chair Deanna Nicol of Tampa Bay Downs added that important topics like Dr. Pelzel-McCluskey's provide members with essential information for their own toolkits.

“The dedication to safety, security and integrity that this group of individuals display and incorporate into their daily routines, and how hard everyone strives to work together is focused on creating a proactive environment for the sport,” Nicol said. “The camaraderie at the conference creates unique bonds among the group.”

During the Monday evening program, which featured a keynote address by Florida Thoroughbred Breeders' & Owners' Association Administrative Vice President Steve Koch, ORI established a pair of new commendations–the Hanna Hagler Outstanding New Member Award and the Melvin Bell Distinguished Service Award.

Hagler was a law enforcement agent with the Oklahoma Horse Racing Commission, who was diagnosed with cancer and passed away last year. The inaugural award was given to New Jersey Racing Commission investigator Kara Vesci.

Bell, a former police officer in Dallas, was an investigator for 20 years with the Texas Racing Commission until his death in 2022. Keeneland's Billy Fryer, himself a retired Lexington police officer, was named as the recipient.

ORI's highest honor, the John F. Wayne Lifetime Membership Award, was bestowed on Director of Enforcement for the Pennsylvania State Horse Racing Commission Jason Klouser.

During the conference, a raffle held for the attendees yielded over $3,000, which was donated to Thoroughbred aftercare.

Next year's ORI meeting is set to be hosted by Santa Anita Park.

The post 30th Investigator Conference At Tampa Fields Largest Attendance Ever appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.