The leading breeders of California-breds in 2009 and 2012, Tommy Town Thoroughbreds is continuing to achieve its goal of being one of the Golden State’s premier breeding farms, as well as a top training facility. The Tommy Townhomebred Doinghardtimeagain, a three-year-old daughter of Ministers Wild Cat, was awarded the 2012/2013 Valkyr Trophy by the California Thoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA). In addition, the CTBA’s 2012/13 California Broodmare of the Year is Miami Margie, the dam of Old Topper’s leading earner Ain’t No Other ($520,465) and fellow multiple stakes winners Topper Shopper ($345,476) and Go Kitty Go ($318,896).
Tommy Town was established by Tom and Debi Stull in 2000, with the purchase of a 165-acre ranch, formerly known as the Westerly Training Center, in the lush Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County. To accommodate growth, the Stulls acquired an additional 200 adjoining acres. The training side of the farm has 100 stalls, a custom Equicruiser, and a seven-furlong track that is maintained by two full-time workers. On the breeding side, there is a 35-stall foaling barn. With over 350 acres of land, the farm offers year-round pasture boarding for mares, foals and yearlings.
Tommy Town has been successful in assembling and retaining an outstanding team. The Ranch Manager, Mike Allen, joined Tommy Town in 2001. Esteban Melchor, assistant stallion manager since 2001, was promoted to stallion manager in 2008. To ensure effective rehabilitation of injured horses, the farm works closely with Alamo Pintado Equine Clinic, in addition to the breeding veterinarian, Dr. Bill Stevenson, who specializes and is expert in the care of broodmares and foals. The farm has 30 employees who live on site. Although Tommy Towns’ focus has been breeding, racing and private sales have become of equal importance in the last few years. The training program at the farm, excellent pedigrees and exceptional facilities are all utilized to prepare horses to race in California, New Mexico, Kentucky, Pennsylvania and a variety of other East Coast states. This program has resulted in Tommy Town being very successful at the races. Tommy Town also offers breaking, sales preparation, and lay-ups and rehabilitation for a return to racing. Tommy Town has bred and trainedmany successful racehorses, including several stakes winners, including Doinghardtimeagain ($586,740) who is still racing.
The stallions standing at Tommy Town in 2014 are Kafwain, Ministers Wild Cat Old Topper and Grazen, all multiple stakes winners. Kafwain, by Cherokee Run, was purchased by Tommy Town in 2008, and stood in Kentucky for the 2009 season. Kafwain came to California to stand at Tommy Town in 2010, and has been a leading California sire since. He hasseven racing crops so far, with progeny earnings over $15 million. His leading earners are grade I winner Daisy Devine ($1,055,892), multiple stakes winner Third Chance ($481,464) and graded stakes winner Don’t ForgetGil ($370,737). In addition, he has 72 percent winners to starters. Minister’s Wild Cat, out of Hollywood Wild Cat, by Deputy Minister, began his stallion career in 2006. His 2007 foals began racing in 2009. MinistersWild Cat was the leading freshman sire of California-breds in 2009. With five racing crops, his progeny earnings are approaching $8 million and he has 14 stakes winners. Doinghardtimeagain is his leading earner, followed by current runners Tiz a Minister ($468,780) and Going for a Spin ($336,104), the latter of whom is also a Tommy Town homebred filly. Old Topper, California’s leading freshman sire in 2004, leading second-crop sire in 2005 and leading third-crop sire in 2006, has 10 crops racing with progeny earnings approaching$18 million. Old Topper has an impressive 77 percent winners to starters ratio (up from 75 percent last year). Old Topper’s leading earner Ain’t No Other was bred and is still owned by Tommy Town. A dual stakes winner this year, he also won five races in a row during 2010 and 2011. Old Topper’s other top earners Top This and That ($422,262) and Topper Shopper were also bred by Tommy Town. For more information, please contact Mike Allen at (805) 686-4337 or visit Tommy Town Thoroughbreds online at www.tommytownfarms.com
