The Florida Horse January 2010

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10 FLORIDA FOCUS

18 FTBOA NEWS DIGESTGulfstream Park meet offers big money to Florida-breds.By Nick Fortuna

20 CLASS ACTSThe 2009 Florida-bred champions distinguishedthemselves as talented,determined and versatilethroughout the racing season.By Jo Ann Guidry

30 FTBOA CHASE TO THE CHAMPIONSHIP

32 SUNSHINE MILLIONS EARLY-BIRD NOMS RELEASEDBy Nick Fortuna

34 FLORIDA BARGAINSIn an economy demanding bargain hunting,breeders need only look south.All the way south.By Bill Heller

40 STALLIONS ON PARADE

46 EQUINE CARE: PREDICTING FOALINGBy Dr.Catie DeLuca

SPECIAL TRANSPORTATION SECTION

52 TRAVELING WITH YOUR HORSEBy Dr.Amanda House

58 ZOOM, ZOOM, ZOOMThroughout the past few centuries,horses have beenwrapped,packed and shipped in a multitude of ways.By Summer Best

62 INSIDE TRACK

64 YOUR FLORIDA HORSE PARKBy Connie Duff Wise

65 DO HORSES NEED ORANGES?By Dr.Karen Davison

66 PRACTICALLY SPEAKING: HORSE HAULIN’By Mark Shuffitt

67 FLORIDA’S LEADING SIRES

70 PLAYER’S PAGEBy Paul Moran

CONTENTS JANUARY 2010 • VOL 53/ISSUE 1

COVER PHOTO BY EQUISPORT/ECLIPSE SW: CONTENTS PHOTO BILL DENVER

4 THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010

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FTBOA OFFICERS ANDBOARD OF DIRECTORS

Gilbert G. Campbell, PresidentFred Brei, First Vice President J. Michael O’Farrell, Jr., SecondVice PresidentGeorge G. Isaacs, Secretary Diane Parks, Treasurer

DIRECTORS

EXECUTIVEVICE PRESIDENTRichard E. Hancock

801 SW 60thAvenue • Ocala, Florida 34474(352) 732-8858 • Fax: (352) 867-1979 • www.ftboa.com

American Horse Publications • FLORIDA MAGAZINE ASSOCIATION • MEMBER BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU

© THE FLORIDA HORSE (ISSN 0090-967X) is publishedmonthly except July by THE FLORIDA HORSE, INC., 801SW 60th Ave., Ocala, Florida 34474, including the annual Sta-tistical Review in February.

Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors anddo not necessarily reflect those of Florida Equine Publicationsor the Florida Thoroughbred Breedersʼ and Ownersʼ Associa-tion. Publication of any material originating herein is expresslyforbidden without first obtaining written permission from THEFLORIDA HORSE©.

Statistics in the publication relating to results of racing inNorth America are compiled from data generated by Daily Rac-ing Form, Equibase, Bloodstock Research Information Serv-ices, and The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc., thecopyright owners of said data. Reproduction is prohibited.

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EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

Michael Compton

BUSINESS MANAGER

Patrick Vinzant

MANAGING EDITOR/ADVERTISING MANAGER

Summer Best

ART DIRECTOR

John Filer

CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

JoAnn Guidry

WRITER

Nick Fortuna

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT

Beverly Kalberkamp

CORRESPONDENTS

Jay Friedman, Doug McCoy, Cynthia McFarland, Mark Shuffitt

PUBLISHERFlorida Equine Publications, Inc.

(A corporation owned by the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association)

Executive Office - 801 SW 60th Avenue • Ocala, Florida 34474

BOARD OF DIRECTORSGilbert Campbell, President/Board Chairman

Fred Brei, 1st Vice PresidentJ. Michael O’Farrell, Jr., 2nd Vice President

George G. Isaacs, SecretaryDiane Parks, Treasurer

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Richard E. Hancock

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Michael Gilliam

Printed by Boyd Brothers, Inc. BOYD

THE FLORIDA HORSE • JANUARY 2010 5

Joe BarbazonDean DeRenzoSheila DiMareDonald Dizney

Barry W. Eisaman

Brent FernungBonnie M. Heath IIIPhil MatthewsJessica SteinbrennerPeter Vegso

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Asyou know, there is a strong correla-

tion between purse money offered dur-

ing a race meet and the quality of

racing stock taking to the track each day to set-

tle the scores. If the recent agreement between

the Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Own-

ers’Association, the Florida Horsemen’s Benev-

olent and ProtectiveAssociation and Gulfstream

Park, which increases opportunities for Florida-

breds to the tune of up to $1.4 million is any in-

dication, the next few months in South Florida

should feature competitive racing with large

fields of quality Sunshine State products.

All races during the meet—with the excep-

tion of stakes and races restricted to Florida-

breds—will offer Florida Owners’ Awards

totaling 30 percent of the race’s gross purse, up

to $30,000 per race. The contract provides

more opportunities for Florida-breds, with a

big emphasis on the 90 percent of horses that

run in allowance and claiming races.

Fred Brei, FTBOA’s first vice president and

chairman of the Florida Stakes Committee,

Ken Dunn, Gulfstream Park president and gen-

eral manager and Kent Stirling, FHBPA exec-

utive director, all were instrumental in putting

this agreement together.

Florida-breds will also take center stage at

Gulfstream Park on Jan. 30 during the $1.8 mil-

lion SunshineMillions, featuring six races (three

at Gulfstream and three at SantaAnita Park) be-

tween Florida-breds and California-breds.

Gulfstreamwill also offer 10 starter allowance

races for Florida-breds worth $30,000 each.

Another highlight for breeders and owners

of Florida-breds will be the inaugural running

of the $60,000 Florida Thoroughbred Charities

Stakes April 24. The event is for 3-year-olds

and up who are registered Florida-breds by

Florida stallions that have had seasons offered

at the Florida Thoroughbred Charities live auc-

tion. A list of eligible stallions will be available

on the FTBOA’s website, www.ftboa.com.

That same day will feature six to eight

starter allowance races for Florida-breds worth

$50,000 apiece.

For more details on the Gulfstream Park

meet, see the article on page 18.

The expanded opportunities at Gulfstream

Park follow on the heels of a lucrative season

for Florida-bred juveniles at Calder. Purses for

Calder’s juvenile racing program last season

were also increased through a cooperative ef-

fort between the FTBOA, FHBPA and

Churchill Downs. Straight maiden purses were

hiked to $32,000, which included $5,000 in

FSS supplements and $5,000 in Florida Own-

ers’ Awards.

These programs have proved beneficial for

everyone involved in Florida’s Thoroughbred

industry. We look forward to continuing our

positive work with the horsemen and racetracks

to implement earning opportunities for breed-

ers and owners of Florida-breds at all levels—

stakes, claiming and allowance—to ensure the

thrill of victory and the challenge of breeding a

good horse are worth the investment.�

Executive Vice PresidentFlorida ThoroughbredBreeders’and Owners’Association

AWinning Combination:Florida-breds andGulfstream Park

BILL

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publisher’s point of view

Richard E. Hancock/ELEANOR HANCOCK

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It’s10minutes before post for the first of the day’s 18 live races.

Under a blanket of blue sky, bells that call the runners to the

track can be heard ringing off in the distance. You read cor-

rectly, 18 live races, and bells, not bugles, announce a race is near.

With small, measured steps and eyes focused on the program

inmyhands, I cautiouslymakemyway to the bank of pari-mutuel

clerks. Generally, my handicapping prowess, or lack thereof, is

enough impetus to stir some nervous anxiety prior to placing a

wager. In this instance, however, there is even greater cause for

not exactly charging to thewindows overflowingwith confidence.

The marathon offering of races, replete with full fields (up-

wards of 20 runners in some contests), is at a circuit new to me

with unfamiliar names in a different country with a different lan-

guage. As if selecting winners—even in my native tongue—is

not challenging enough.

“Hola,” I say, greeting the clerk and acting as if I have complete

command of the Spanish language. Her smile in return suggests

strongly that she is aware I don’t. I pause and then deliver my line

just as rehearsed moments earlier back at

our table. “Diez pesos para ganar en el nu-

mero cinco.” Or, simply, 10 pesos to win

on number five. It didn’t sound smooth,

but whatever works.

It is, as some say, a chamber of com-

merce daymade to order atHiprodomode

San Isidro in Buenos Aires, Argentina on Dec. 12th. The feature

race is the Grade 1 Gran Premio Carlos Pellegrini, the last leg of

Argentina’sTriple Crown.A crowd in excess of 40,000 has turned

out for the festivities that began in late morning andwill spill over

well into the evening hours.

As guests of the Argentine Jockey Club and the Argentina

Thoroughbred Breeders Association and its President, Ricardo

Soler, our party, which includes Paul Davis from the Florida De-

partment of Agriculture and Consumer Services, enjoys Pelle-

grini day from a tent reserved for breeders, owners, officials and

their guests positioned just past the finish line.

Our conversationswith horsemen inArgentinamirror the dis-

cussions we have with horsemen at home.Asmuch as this expe-

rience is different than a typical visit to a racetrack in the United

States, it’s also the same in many respects.

Paramount issues facing our industry are universal. Horsemen

here, as at home, are concerned about theThoroughbred industry’s

future. They care passionately about the health and welfare of the

horses themselves, about medication issues, integrity, landing top

stallions, alternative gaming at the racetrack and attracting new

fans, breeders andowners to the business. InArgentina, as at home,

the industry’s leaders have had to get good at managing change.

The biggest difference I notice on this day is that there are a

large number of families at the racetrack. Officials at San Isidro

are reaching out to a younger audience in a way that might just

engage the next generation for life.

Plenty of entertainment opportunities arewrapped around a day

andnightof racing.Art exhibits andsculpturesare stationed through-

out the facility. Livemusic can be found at various locations around

the plant.There is aminiature soccer field in front of the grandstand

andaway fromthe trackwith inflatableboundariesmarking the field

ofplay.Areferee supervises theactionand thechildrenwhileparents

gather around thewalking ring towatchhorsesbeing saddled.There

is evenavintagecar showthat attracts interestedeyesbetween races.

Most importantly, though, there are long lines of bettors at the win-

dows in the grandstand.Whatever works.

Winners of each of the day’s three Grade 1 races are seriously

celebrated in the winner’s circle following their victories.Approv-

ing fans are loud in their support of the winners and all the con-

nections.The atmosphere feels like Breeders’Cup day in the U.S.

My Spanish has improved ever so slightly as the card heads

into the stakes action. I hit my largest wager of the day, 100 pesos

(less than $30) to win, on a gray filly named Cacho de Baires. I

backed her simply because her breeder had the same name as

my wife’s grandfather. Whatever works.

It’s now well after 8 p.m., the sun has set and the runners in

the next-to-last race just crossed the finish line under lights. I

loosen my tie and think about how far away from home I am,

but how similar our worlds really are when it comes to the horse

business. I consider that I have just met everyone I spent the day

and part of the eveningwith and yet, it feels like we haveworked

together a lifetime. I guess we have in the sense that we have

dedicated careers to preserving and advancing this great game of

ours.�

Enjoy the January issue.


editor’s welcome

Michael Compton/JOE DIORIO PHOTO

WhateverWorks

In Argentina, as athome, the industry’s

leaders have hadto get good at

managing change.

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It’s not often that breeders can send their

mares to an Eclipse Award winner for just

$4,000, but such is the case with Benny the

Bull, who recently arrived at Vinery in Sum-

merfield to begin his stud career.

Benny the Bull, bred at Tomoka Hills

Farm in Alachua, won an Eclipse Award as

the nation’s top sprinter in 2008 after going

4-for-4 during his 5-year-old campaign. He

won the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) at Nad

Al Sheba, the Smile Sprint Handicap (G2)

at Calder Race Course, the True North

Handicap (G2) at Belmont Park and the

Sunshine Millions Sprint at Gulfstream

Park during a dominant year in which he be-

came one of Florida racing fans’ favorite

runners.

“We’re really excited to have a champion

and a two-time Grade 1 winner with earn-

ings like he has,” said Declan Doyle, who

manages Vinery’s Florida stallions. “So far,

we’ve been thrilled with the response we’ve

gotten. We’ve had a lot of calls from breed-

ers. The fact that he’s a Florida-bred and has

a great race record is all really positive.”

Benny the Bull arrived at Vinery sev-

eral days after the farm held a two-day

stallion show for prospective breeders last

month, so Doyle said the farm is planning

another open house to showcase the 6-

year-old horse during the OBS winter

mixed sale, scheduled for Jan. 19-20.

Doyle said Benny the Bull likely would be

standing for a higher stud fee if not for the

sour economy.

“I think it’s one of those situations where

the stars have kind of

aligned for the breed-

ers because it’s a tough

year, and you can’t

bring any horse in for

a high stud fee,” he

said. “I think probably

in a normal year, he’d

stand for a lot more,

but with a first-year

stallion, you have to get the mares to him,

and in order to do that, you have to make the

fee reasonable.”

Benny the Bull was set to begin his stud

career last year after suffering an ankle in-

jury, but he recovered and returned this year

to run in three races. He was the runner-up

in both the Smile Sprint and the True North,

losing to Eaton’s Gift and Fabulous Strike.

Benny the Bull finished his career with nine


Benny the Bull to Stand

If a race covers nine furlongs, then

Florida-bred Black Hills figures to be

tough to beat. The gelding improved to

3-for-3 at that distance Dec. 6, rallying to

win the $200,000 Zia Park Distance Hand-

icap by 1¼ lengths.

Black Hills, a 5-year-old son of Judge T

C, stopped the clock in 1:53.22 to win the

richest race of the meet at the New Mexico

track.

With Catalino Martinez aboard, Black

Hills ran toward the back of the field of six

3-year-olds and up for most of the race be-

fore going four wide to close the gap at the

quarter pole. Black Hills caught second-

place finisher Orientate Express with

about half a furlong to go and surged clear

late to earn his third stakes victory.

“He outran some decent horses,” win-

ning trainer Bart Hone said. “When they

turned for home, I knew he had quite a bit

of horse left, and then the ones in front

started weakening.”

Black Hills was bred by Juan Centeno

and is owned byA and R Stables and Class

Racing Stables. He’s won seven of his 17

starts for $317,580 and has finished in the

money in all eight of his starts for Hone.

Prior to being transferred to Hone’s barn in

January, Black Hills

had made nine starts

for Jeff Mullins but

had won just once.

“If there’s enough

speed in the race, he

runs a really good

race,” Hone said.

“Since we’ve gotten

him, he’s run good

every time. When he has gotten beat, he’s

had some excuses. Either there was no pace

or he got into trouble. The horse was going

to be a good horse for Jeff, but he had a sus-

pensory ligament injury and needed some

time off. I think Jeff thought the horse was

going to tail off, and that’s why they sent him

to me, but he’s gotten healthy and has flour-

ished out here.”�

Black Hills Goes theDistance at Zia Park

By NICK FORTUNA

Florida-bred gets third stakes win in $200,000 Distance Handicap

Florida-bred Eclipse champion will have $4,000 stud fee

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Black Hills

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wins in 20 starts for $2.35 million. He

had six stakes victories.

Benny the Bull was purchased at the

2004 Keeneland September yearling sale

for $38,000 by Greg James, who cam-

paigned him early in his career. The

horse made his debut at age 3, winning

two out of five starts. As a 4-year-old in

2007, Benny the Bull won the Iowa

Sprint Handicap at Prairie Meadows, and

a group led by IEAH Stables soon pur-

chased a majority interest in him.

Benny the Bull finished his 4-year-

old season with a win in the Frank J. De

Francis Memorial Dash (G1) at Laurel

Park. He also finished second to Mid-

night Lute in the Forego Stakes (G1) at

Saratoga that year.

“Benny the Bull has been a dream

horse – talented, totally sound and bril-

liantly fast,” said James, who reacquired

the horse for stud duty. “I’m very ex-

cited about his future atVinery, and with

the stud fee we have decided on, I think

he will offer breeders a wonderful op-

portunity to breed to a champion at a

very fair and reasonable price.”

Benny the Bull is easily the most suc-

cessful horse ever sired

by Lucky Lionel, who

won the Prix Robert

Papin (G2) in France and

the Norfolk Stakes (G3)

in England as a juvenile

in 1995 and finished his

career with $208,568 in

earnings.

Benny the Bull is

out of the Birdon-

thewire mare Comet Cat, a stakes win-

ner at age 2 who earned $52,657 at the

racetrack. �


at Vinery

Bridlewood Farm StallionBlack Mambo Euthanized

Bridlewood Farm stallion Black Mambo was eutha-nized last month after suffering from a severe case ofequineprotozoalmyeloencephalitis (EPM),adiseasecausedby a protozoan parasite that affects a horse’s central nerv-ous system.Hewas 10.

“BlackMambo contracted EPM in June,” said GeorgeG. Isaacs,Bridlewood’s generalmanager.“FromDay 1,anaggressive treatment programwas administered to com-bat this insidious disease.Although he fought valiantly, hewas not able to recover from the damage that the para-site caused. Inmy entire career, I have never seen a horseso affected by this condition.We’re very saddened by hispassing, and our hearts go out to all involved.”

Black Mambo ranked second among Florida’s sec-ond-crop sires with $1.2 million in progeny earnings in2009 and had gotten 42winners this year.Only SignatureStallions sire Chapel Royal,with $2.99million in progenyearnings this year, had been more productive amongFlorida’s second-crop stallions.

BlackMambo’s career as a stallion had hit a high noteDec. 3 when two of his Florida-bred sons, Big Push andAfricanKing, finished first and second in the $65,950ChanBalum Stakes at Aqueduct.

It was the second career stakes victory for Big Push,who also captured the $60,000GildedTimeStakes on theMonmouth Park turf course in September. Big Push haswon five of his 14 starts and is themost successful horseever sired by Black Mambo with $204,034 in earnings.

African King, who was making his stakes debut, haswon six of his 11 starts for $135,442.

Black Mambo, a son of Group 1 winner Kingmambo,won three of his 21 career starts for $100,790 and fin-ished second behind Love That Moon in the ReappealStakes at Calder RaceCourse as a 5-year-old in 2004.Hebegan his stud career at Bridlewood in 2005.

Horses most commonlycontract EPM by coming intocontact with the feces of in-fected opossums. Horsescannot pass the disease toone another. Symptoms in-clude a lack of coordination;stiff, stilted movements; ab-normal gait or lameness;weakness; muscle atrophy;paralysis of the muscles of

the eyes, face ormouth; difficulty swallowing; seizures orcollapse; and abnormal sweating.Many horses show im-provement when treated with antiprotozoal drugs.�

Benny the Bull

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Black Mambo

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Journeyman Stud freshman stallion

Wildcat Heir set a Northern Hemisphere

record for 2-year-oldwinners in a seasonwith

39 when one of his Florida-bred daughters,

FutureHeiress, won a $23,700maiden special

weight race at Calder RaceCourse onDec. 17.

The victory allowed Wildcat Heir to

break the Northern Hemisphere record of

38 2-year-old winners set in 2008 by Chapel

Royal, who stands at Signature Stallions in

Reddick. Chapel Royal also got one juve-

nile winner in Peru last year, so through

Dec. 17, he was tied with Wildcat Heir for

the worldwide record for 2-year-old winners

in a season with 39.

Through Dec. 17, Wildcat Heir ranked

fourth in the nation among first-crop sires

with $1.16 million in progeny earnings, trail-

ing only OffleeWild ($1.89 million), Roman

Ruler ($1.87 million) and Pollard’s Vision

($1.19 million). He has 108 named 2-year-

olds in his first crop, and 58 of them have

made at least one start.

“The horse is having a great year,” said

Brent Fernung, the owner of Ocala-based

Journeyman Stud, who previously served as

general manger at CloverLeaf Farms II in

Reddick before the operation was moved to

Kentucky in 2007. “This is a new operation,

and Wildcat Heir is the first of our horses to

send babies to the races, so this is pretty grat-

ifying.

“About two out of every three of his horses

break their maiden, and he’s had about 25

maiden special weight winners, so not only

does he get a lot of winners, but he gets a lot

of high-class winners.”

Wildcat Heir has had two stakes winners.

Florida-bred Wild Mia won the $100,000

John Franks Juvenile Fillies Turf Stakes at

Calder in November, and Karmageddon cap-

tured the $60,000New Jersey Juvenile Stakes

at The Meadowlands last month. With

$73,130 in earnings, Karmageddon isWildcat

Heir’s most successful horse.

Wildcat Heir was bred to 135 mares dur-

ing the 2009 breeding season, Fernung said.

Though the stallion has had a record-break-

ing freshman season, his 2010 stud fee of

$6,500 remains unchanged from 2009.

“Perception means a lot in this business,

and for people to perceive him as a good deal

is important to me,” Fernung said. “Our ap-

proach was to put this horse at a level where

everybody would love him.”

Wildcat Heir is a 9-year-old son of Forest

Wildcat out of the Pentelicus mare Penniless

Heiress. He made a dozen starts from ages 2

to 5, with six victories and $424,460 in earn-

ings. His biggest win came as a 4-year-old in

2004, when he captured the Frank J. De Fran-

cis Memorial Dash (G1) at Pimlico. He also

captured the $60,000 Icecapade Stakes at

Monmouth Park that year, and the following

season he won the $100,000 Teddy Drone

Stakes at Monmouth.

“When I went and looked at him in Ken-

tucky after he had just retired, at a glance I

knew I had to have the horse because he’s an

exceptionally good-looking horse, and when

you combine that with the talent and the race

record, to me, he just fit Florida to a T,” Fer-

nung said. “The response he’s gotten from

breeders here has a lot to do with the success

he’s had.”�

Wildcat Heir Sets RecordFor 2-Year-Old Winners

Wildcat Heir

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BY TAMPA BAY DOWNS PUBLICITY

TheLightningCityStakes, a$65,000racefor

fillies and mares 3 years old and up, headlined

OpeningDayforTampaBayDowns’84th live race

meeting. In thefinal startofhercareer,Taletobetold

won theLightningCity for ownerRobertDeWitt,

trainer EddieKenneally and jockeyTony Farina.

The mare, a 5-year-old daughter of Tale of

the Cat, captured the five-furlong turf dash in

front of 5,004 fans. The on-track handle of

$449,131.80 was on par with last season’s on-

track handle, while the total handle of $4.92

million was up 7.6 percent from last year, set-

ting an Opening Day record.

“The caliber of racing, the great weather

and full fields havemade a huge impact on the

Tampa Bay Downs product,” said Peter

Berube, vice president and general manager of

Tampa Bay Downs. “The record handle attests

to the growing popularity of the track, and we

look forward to keeping the momentum

going for a successful season.”

Taletobetold finished the Lightning

City Stakes in 58.19 seconds.

Trainer Anthony Pecoraro saddled the

winnersofopeningday’s first three races. It

was the first time in the track’s recent his-

tory that a trainer has won three races in a

row.TwoofPecoraro’svictories camewith jockey

JuanC. Levya in the irons.

Pecoraro and Levya teamed up to win the

season’s opener with Arrow’s Flight, a 5-year-

old, Florida-bred daughter of Snuck In bred by

theUniversity of Florida Foundation and owned

by John A. Damico. Pecoraro completed the

early double with Snuck In Love. The Florida-

bred Snuck In gelding was guided by new

Tampa Bay Downs jockey Inez Karlsson, who

wore the colors of Roman Hill Farm LLC.

Pecoraro rounded out his hat trick with

Sunny Exchange, again with Levya in the

irons. Sunny Exchange is a 3-year-old son

of Exchange Rate bred in Florida by Dr.

Thomas Croley and owned by Roman Hill

Farm LLC. �

Taletobetold Wins Lightning City Stakes

Taletobetold

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Tampa Bay Downs sees record handle on Opening Day

Longtime Breeder FrancisMcDonnell Dies at 74

Francis C. “Skip” McDonnell, a longtime horsebreeder who owned Cimarron Farm in Ocala, diedNov. 23 at Massachusetts General Hospital after abattle with cancer. He was 74.

McDonnell, a native of Saugus, Mass., beganhis career hauling snow and plowing streets witha dump truck in nearby Lynn before becoming asuccessful real estate developer, restaurant ownerand horseman. He built apartment complexes inNew England as well as hotels and motels.

McDonnell ran large stables of horses at Rock-inghamPark andSuffolkDowns,racingNewEnglandchampions such as Sandy Gator, Nana’s Toy andCimarron Secret. Cimarron Secret won the TropicalPark Handicap (G3) at Calder Race Course as a 5-year-old in 1996 and finished his career with$454,503 in earnings.Thehorse stoodas a stallion atMcDonnell’s 130-acreCimarronFarm in recent years.

McDonnell also owned Boston Fox,who was Florida’s 2003 ClaimingHorse of the Year after capturing the$40,000 Noel Stakes at Delta Downsthat year. Boston Fox had 21 wins for$263,183 in career earnings.

McDonnell, a resident of Hampton,N.H., received the Sam McCrackenAward for Lifetime Achievement from

the New EnglandTurfWriters Association last year.He is survived by his wife, Barbara; sister,

Carmel A. O’Brien, of Seabrook, N.H.; son, Michael,of Stratham,N.H.; daughter,Barbara Jean Lanum,ofMedford,Mass.; seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. A funeral service was held for Mc-Donnell at St.Theresa Church in Rye Beach,N.H.�

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She’s OurAnnie did her best impersonation

ofHorseof theYear candidateRachelAlexandra

in the$60,000EsplanadeStakesatFairGrounds

onDec. 19, leadingevery stepof theway toearn

her third consecutive stakes victory.

She’s Our Annie, who, like Rachel

Alexandra, was sired byMedaglia d’Oro and

is out of a Roar mare, stretched her winning

streak to five races with a 2 ½-length victory.

The 3-year-old filly, bred and owned by the

Ocala-based Destiny Oaks farm of Bill and

Janet Grube, delivered as the even-money fa-

vorite in a field of nine fillies and mares.

She’sOurAnnie,with usual rider JonCourt

aboard, broke sharply from the No. 1 post and

was pressured by Florida-bred Juliet’s Spirit

while setting fractions of 22.53 seconds for the

opening quarter-mile and 45.86 seconds for a

half-mile. She’s Our Annie widened her lead

around the turn to get to the top of the lanewith

a 2½-length advantage and preserved her lead

down the stretch, finishing the 5 ½-furlong

sprint in 1:03.97.

“With her natural speed, I wanted to use

the (No. 1 post) to my advantage,” Court said.

“It takes a few jumps for her to get her feet un-

derneath her. She has such a long stride, and

she’s ready to contest anything that wants to

challenge her, and at the same time, I was able

to get her to relax on the front end. I had enough

horse to finish in front of them today without

having to ask her for everything she had.”

She’s Our Annie has been perfect in five

races since finishing third in her career debut

at Oaklawn Park in January. She captured a

$34,000 maiden special weight race and a

$55,000 optional claimer there by a combined

nine lengths in February. She then made the

jump up to stakes company in March and

captured the $50,000 Prima Donna Stakes at

Oaklawn Park by 2 ½ lengths with a 102

Beyer Speed Figure.

Over the spring, She’s OurAnnie had sur-

gery to repair a hairline fracture and a chip in

her left front knee. She returned to the barn

of trainer Jinks Fires in the fall and captured

the $52,800 Dream Supreme Stakes by 2 ½

lengths at Churchill Downs. She bruised her

foot in that race and hadn’t been able to train

hard heading into the Esplanade.

“We knew that we had something special

the second time she worked,” Fires said.

“Now she’s coming along just like we antici-

pated. We lost a little time with her with a

bruised foot at Churchill, so we backed off

andmissed someworks. I was a little worried

going into this race, but with her talent, you

might as well take a chance.”

After the race, her connections said they’ll

likely run her in longer races and could point

her toward graded stakes. She’s Our Annie

has earned $142,080 through six starts.

“She has the bloodlines to go on, and

we’re hoping for the best for her future if she

continues to train in a positive, forward way,”

Court said. “No telling how far she can go.

It’s nice to have one that wins that many times

in a row. I just kept the whip quiet on her and

just kept her gathered up. I really didn’t even

have to stroke her.My son had beenwatching

her train and had told me, ‘Dad, she’s not

training good; she’s training great.’”

Juliet’s Spirit, a 3-year-old daughter of for-

mer Florida stallion Exchange Rate, was bred

and is owned by Padua Stables. A three-time

stakes winner, the filly has won four of her 10

starts for $301,399.�She’s Our Annie

She’s Our Annie Gets Fifth Straight Win

HODG

ESPH

OTO

Sweet Repent really seems to have a

nose for the wire – literally. The Florida-bred

filly won a race by a nose for the third time

in her career Dec. 26 at Calder Race Course,

where she earned the first graded stakes vic-

tory of her career in the $100,000 Stage

Door Betty Handicap (G3).

Sweet Repent, bred by Nikki and Roger

Schick, deliveredas the even-money favorite in a

field of a dozen fillies andmares, getting up just

in time to nip Florida-bredAmazing at thewire.

The 3-year-old daughter of Repent has won

four straight races at Calder, having captured

a $25,000 optional claimer by a nose in Au-

gust and the $75,000 Judy’s Red Shoes Stakes

in September. Her biggest victory came with-

out as much drama, a 3¼-length score against

rival Florida-breds in the $200,000 Elmer

Heubeck Distaff in November in Miami.

Owned by the Buongiorno A Tutti Stable,

Sweet Repent has won six of her 12 starts for

$299,190. She’s finished in the money in all

nine of her starts inMiami, where she’s earned

all six of her victories. She’s also hit the board

in all five of her starts at the 11⁄16-mile distance,

including three wins.

“I definitely wasn’t sure she could get there

with the way that horse (Amazing) was going

so well on the lead, but she did,” winning

trainer David Braddy said. “This was defi-

nitely the best field of horses she’s beaten so

far, and winning a graded stakes certainly

takes her to another level.”

Braddy said Sweet Repent will be pointed to-

ward the $300,000 Sunshine Millions Distaff, a

11⁄16-milecontest thatpitsFlorida-bredsagainstCal-

ifornia-bredsatGulfstreamParkonJan.30.She’ll

likely get a break after that race,Braddy said.�

Sweet Repent WinsAnother Close One

Sweet Repent

Florida-bred filly earns third straight stakes victory in Esplanade

JIMLI

SAPH

OTO


Stonehedge Farm SouthGilbert and Marilyn Campbell, Owners

u

Larry King, Farm Manager u P.O. Box 87, Williston, FL 32696 u 352/528-4951 u Fax 352/528-4952CINDY MIKELL photo

– STANDING –

Forty Niner – Narrate, by Honest Pleasure

103830-Stonehedge-FH.indd 1 10/30/08 11:19:20 AM

By NICK FORTUNA

Thenew year at Gulfstream Park brings new,

lucrative opportunities for owners of

Florida-bred horses.With up to $1.4million

in Florida Owners’ Awards available at the meet,

your Florida-bred runner is eligible for big paydays.

An agreement between the FloridaThoroughbred

Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, the Florida

Horsemen’s Benevolent and Protective Association

and Gulfstream Park has dramatically increased op-

portunities for Florida-bred runners at theHallandale

Beach oval, which opened its 79-day meet Jan. 3.

All races during themeet – with the exception of

stakes and races restricted to Florida-breds – will

offer Florida Owners’Awards totaling 30 percent of

the race’s gross purse, up to $30,000 per race.

“We are pleased with the contract that was

agreed to between the FTBOA, Gulfstream Park

and the FHBPA,” said Jacks or Better Farm owner

Fred Brei, the FTBOA’s first vice

president and chairman of the

Florida Stakes Committee.

“The contract provides more op-

portunities for Florida-breds, with a

big emphasis on the 90 percent of horses that run in

allowance and claiming races,” said FTBOA Exec-

utive Vice President Richard E. Hancock. “I’d like

to thank (Gulfstream Park President and General

Manager) Ken Dunn and (FHBPA Executive Di-

rector) Kent Stirling for all their efforts and sug-

gestions in putting this agreement together.”

The $1.8 million Sunshine Millions is scheduled

for Jan. 30, with three races to be run at Gulfstream

and three more at SantaAnita Park inArcadia, Calif.

Gulfstreamwill host the $300,000SunshineMillions

Turf, the $300,000 Distaff and the $200,000 Sprint,

while SantaAnita will host the $500,000 Classic, the

$300,000 Filly andMareTurf and the $200,000 Filly

andMare Sprint.Two raceswere eliminated from the

2010 Sunshine Millions, and the total value of the

races was reduced from $3.6 million in 2009.

For Florida-breds, one of the highlights of the

meetwill beApril 24,when the trackwill hold the in-

augural running of the $60,000

Florida Thoroughbred Charities

Stakes. The event is for 3-year-olds

and up who are registered Florida-

breds sired by Florida stallions who

Gulfstream Meet Offers Big Money to Florida-breds


Gilbert G. CampbellPresident

Fred BreiFirst Vice President

J. Michael O’FarrellSecond Vice President

George G. IsaacsSecretary

Diane ParksTreasurer

DIRECTORS

Joe Barbazon

Dean DeRenzo

Sheila DiMare

Donald Dizney

Barry W. Eisaman

Brent Fernung

Bonnie M. Heath III

Phil Matthews

Jessica Steinbrenner

Peter Vegso

Richard E. HancockEXECUTIVEVICE PRESIDENT

FloridaThoroughbredBreeders’ and

Owners’Association

801 SW 60th Ave.Ocala, Florida 34474Phone: (352) 629-2160Fax: (352) 629-3603

visit us at www.ftboa.come-mail: [email protected]

Up to$1.4 millionin Florida

Owners’Awardsavailable

FTBOA.NEWS.qx:Layout 1 12/29/09 1:14 PM Page 18


have had seasons offered at the Florida Thor-

oughbredCharities live auction.A list of eligi-

ble stallions will be available on the FTBOA’s

Web site, www.ftboa.com.

Florida Thoroughbred Charities benefits

the Florida division of theThoroughbred Re-

tirement Foundation, and Dunn said Gulf-

stream Park will make a contribution to the

charity inApril.

Also onApril 24 will be six to eight starter

allowance races for Florida-breds worth

$50,000 apiece. A starter allowance is a race

open to horses that have run in a claiming race

within a specified time.

“We think it’s going to add very nicely to

the program that we have here,” Dunn said of

the agreement. “It gives us a chance to feature

Florida-breds, and the event day inApril gives

us something to focus on and promote after

the (March 20) Florida Derby. It’s an oppor-

tunity to workwith the FTBOAon something

very positive. Hopefully, we’ll be able to do

what we all want to do collectively, and that’s

reward the people who support the meet.”

Gulfstream Park also will offer 10 starter

allowance races for Florida-breds worth

$30,000 each. One such race will be held

each Friday from Jan. 22 to March 26.

“We’re obviously very happywewere able

to work this out,” Stirling said. “It’s going to

be beneficial for everybody, particularly for

owners of Florida-breds.The Friday races and

the grand finale in April will be very impor-

tant to people with Florida-breds.”

In addition, Gulfstream will offer three

Florida-bred-preferred races per day, up from

one at the 2009 meet. The Florida-breds can

be entered in the race ahead of horses from

all other states and countries.

GULFSTREAM PARK RETURNINGTO NORMAL AFTER FLOOD

Training resumed Dec. 20 at Gulf-

stream Park after a week that saw massive

flooding at the Hallandale Beach track.

After more than a foot of rain was

dumped on the track over two days, about

150 horses had to be moved to stalls at

Calder Race Course and the nearby Payson

Park and Palm Meadows training facilities.

All told, 12 of the track’s 20 barns and about

600 horses were affected by the flood, which

wiped out much of the feed on the grounds

as well as training equipment.

“The water was two or three feet deep in

those 12 barns,” said trainer Tim Ritvo, a

vice president of the Florida Horsemen’s

Benevolent and Protective Association.

“Most of the feed was all wiped out, and

there was standing water for 36 hours. It

was pretty rough, but everyone’s been great

and has been cooperating.”

Many of the grooms and hotwalkers

who live in the old dormitories at Gulf-

stream saw their homes flooded and much

of their personal property destroyed by the

flood. Ritvo said the FHBPA was seeking

donations to help buy mattresses, pillows

and clothing for the track’s backstretch

workers.

Ritvo said that as bad as the flood was, it

could have been worse had it occurred dur-

ing the Gulfstream Park meet, which began

Jan. 3.

“We got really lucky that it happened

when it happened, or it would have been a

huge disaster,” Ritvo said. “Everybody –

horsemen, management, Calder – pitched

in to do the best they could with a bad sit-

uation.” �

QUARANTINE LIFTED AT CALDERBy CALDER PUBLICITY

The three-week quarantine at Calder Race Course was officially lifted Dec. 21. Several in-fection-control measures were put into effect at Calder when one horse was diagnosed with thehighly contagious Equine Herpes Virus (EHV-1) on Nov. 30. No other horses at Calder have con-tracted the disease.

Lifting the quarantine allowed 60 horses to resume normal training and racing activity at Calder.“While the quarantine was hard on our December performance, our team was successful to

effectively isolate the infection and prevent it from affecting others,” said John Marshall, Calder’svice president and general manager of racing.“We appreciate the patience of our horsemen andcooperation of several agencies at the state and federal levels.We contained a very serious sit-uation, ensuring the overall safety and welfare of our industry’s participants.”

December was a high-profile month at Calder’s Tropical meet, featuring competition amongan already talented local contingent with horses shipping south for the winter racing season.

As the Tropical meet reaches a crescendo, anticipation is also building for the opening of thetrack’s new slots facility – the Calder Casino – in late January.The 104,000-square-foot casinowillfeature more than 1,200 slot machines and three new restaurants. Calder also offers year-roundsimulcasting and live poker action in the Studz Poker Club. �

MATT

DEAN

/EQU

I-PHO

TO

FTBOA.NEWS.qx:Layout 1 12/29/09 1:14 PM Page 19


By JOANN GUIDRY

Presious Passion and Vineyard Haven headed

the class of 2009 Florida-bred champions, not

only repeating as champions but each collect-

ing dual titles as well. Presious Passion developed into

one of the best turf horses in the country, earning the

the titles of Florida-bred champion turf horse and

older male.Vineyard Haven encored his juvenile sea-

son with a stellar sophomore one, being named this

season’s Florida-bred champion 3-year-old colt and

sprinter.

Juvenile runners Bridgetown and Sweetlalalbye

emerged as bright new stars. On the distaff side,

Hooh Why had a grade-one sophomore season and

Dubai Majesty proved to be the best of older mares.

The Florida-bred champions are determined by

points accumulated during the year-long FTBOA

Chase To The Championship. In the case of ties by

points, the tiebreaker is most money earned. The

Florida-bred Horse of theYear and Florida Breeder of

theYear, as well as other awards are determined by the

FTBOA Board of Directors and year-end statistics. �

BIL

LD

EN

VE

RP

HO

TO

2 0 0 9Florida-Bred CHAMPIONSThe 2009 Florida-bred championsdistinguished themselves as talented,determined and versatile throughoutthe racing season.

ClassActs

Champions.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 1:42 PM Page 20



Bridgetown comes by his speed naturally.

His sire is Speightstown, who won the

2004 Breeders’ Cup Sprint (G1) and gar-

nered that season’s Eclipse Award as champion

sprinter. But while Bridgetown inherited his sire’s

speed, he utilizes it on the turf instead of the dirt.

Bridgetown has excelled on the turf, winning a

graded stakes and just missing a victory in the

Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G2). In but five life-

time starts, he has posted two wins and two sec-

onds in but five lifetime starts to bank $392,198.

A homebred for Eugene and LauraMelnyk, who

also raced Speightstown, Bridgetown took quickly

to winning. The chestnut colt broke his maiden on

August 14 at Saratoga Race Course, winning by

five and a quarter lengths in 1:02.09 for the five and

a half furlongs.A mere month later, Bridgetown be-

came a graded stakes winner in but his third outing.

At Woodbine on September 19, the Kenneth

McPeek trainee captured theSummerStakes (Can-G3)

on the turf to guarantee himself a berth in theBreeders’

Cup Juvenile Turf (G2). In the Summer Stakes,

Bridgetown took over the lead fromStormyLord at the

top of the stretch. He held off the late challenges of

Becky’s Kitten and Fantastico Roberto to win by a

length and a half. Bridgetown’s winning time for the

mile over a firm turf was 1:35.04.

Bridgetown proved to be the horse to beat in the

Breeders’Cup Juvenile Turf (G2) on November 7 at

Santa Anita. He led the field from the gate, setting

fractions of :23.61, :48.50 and 1:12.47 for the first

six furlongs of themile event. In the stretch, Pounced

rallied on the inside and overtook a gameBridgetown

by three-quarters of a length. Bridgetown secured a

runner-up finish with Interactif third.

Out of the stakes-placed Tabasco Cat mare

Ellesmere, Bridgetown is a half-brother to Florida-

bred stakes winner Carnacks Choice. The Melnyks

purchased Ellesmere for $380,000 at the 1998

Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August yearling sale. Rac-

ing for the Melnyks, Ellesmere won four times, was

third in the Miss Moneypenny Stakes and earned

$78,994. Ellesmere, who resides at the Melnyk’s

Ocala-based Winding Oaks Farm, had a 2008

Strong Hope colt, a 2009 BrokenVow colt and was

bred to Harlington for 2010. �

Bridgetown

MICH

AELB

URNS

PHOT

O

BRIDGETOWN2007 chestnut colt

by Speightstown – Ellesmere,by Tabasco Cat

Breeders/Owners:Eugene & Laura Melnyk (Melnyk

Racing Stables Inc.)

Trainer: Kenneth McPeek

2009 Race Record & Earnings5-2-2-0/$392,198

2009 Stakes Record1st – Summer Stakes (G3-T)

2nd – Breeders’ CupJuvenile Turf (G2-T)

2-Year-Old Colt/Gelding

2 0 0 9Florida-Bred CHAMPION




Aclassy and talented filly, Amen Hallelujah

has her owners singing her praises. Com-

peting against some of the best juvenile fil-

lies in the country, Amen Hallelujah has earned her

accolades with a pair of thirds in Grade I events.

AmenHallelujah, a dark bay/brown filly by lead-

ing Florida sire Montbrook, broke her maiden in her

third start. Actually, she finished in a dead heat win

with Malibu Legacy in a maiden special weight on

August 23 atArlington Park.Winning margin was a

length in 1:11.37 for the six furlongs.

In her next start, Amen Hallelujah had the win-

ner’s circle all to herself. She rolled to a five-

length win in an allowance test on September 19 at

Arlington Park. Her winning time in the six-furlong

race was 1:11.22. From those two winning efforts,

Amen Hallelujah was moved into the big leagues of

Grade I competition.

OnOctober 9 at Keeneland,AmenHallelujah fin-

ished third to Negligee in the Darley Alcibiades

Stakes (G1). Finishing second was graded stakes

winner She Be Wild. Following the Alcibiades

Stakes,AmenHallelujah was sold privately to IEAH

Stables andWhizway Farms.

Amen Hallelujah’s first start for her new owners

came in the Hollywood Starlet Stakes (G1) on De-

cember 20. Now trained by Richard Dutrow Jr., she

responded with a third-place finish to Blind Luck

with Miss Heather Lee nabbing second.

Bred byThorobeamFarm,AmenHallelujah is out

of the stakes-winning Concorde’s Tune mare Sara’s

Success. Sara’s Success won four stakes, including

the 2001 Calder Oaks, and was stakes-placed five

times on her way to earning $422,337. As a brood-

mare, Sara’s Success has had only two live foals with

Amen Hallelujah being her only one to race.

Consigned by Hidden Brook, agent, Amen Hal-

lelujah was sold for $40,000 to Cecil Seaman,

agent, at the 2008 Keeneland September yearling

sale. On six starts for the season, Amen Hallelujah

posted two wins, one second and two thirds to

bank $132,370. �

FOURFOOTEDFOTOS

AMEN HALLELUJAH2007 dark bay/brown filly

by Montbrook – Sara’s Success,by Concorde’s Tune

Breeder: Thorobeam FarmOwners: IEAH Stables &

Whizway FarmsTrainer: Richard E. Dutrow Jr.

2009 Race Record/Earnings6-2-1-2/$132,370

2009 Stakes Record3rd - Darley Alcibiades Stakes (G1)3rd – Hollywood Starlet Stakes (G1)

Amen Hallelujah

2-Year-Old Filly

Champions.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/30/09 9:40 AM Page 23


3-Year-Old Colt/GeldingFlorida-bred Champion Sprinter


ForVineyard Haven, the 2009 racing season

was a bit of the more things change, the more

they stay the same. A year older and with a

new owner and trainer,Vineyard Haven captured yet

another Grade I race and two more Florida-bred

champion titles as well.

After back-to-back Grade I victories in 2008,

Vineyard Haven was sold privately to Sheikh Mo-

hammed bin Rashid alMaktoum’sGodolphin Racing

LLC and Saeed bin Suroor took over the training du-

ties. For his outstanding juvenile season, Vineyard

Haven was named the 2008 Florida-bred champion

2-year-old colt. With another successful racing sea-

son as a sophomore, Vineyard Haven was doubly-

honored as 2009 Florida-bred champion 3-year-old

colt and Florida-bred champion sprinter.

Vineyard Haven, who was shipped to Dubai fol-

lowing his private purchase, next made his first U.S.

start again in the King’s Bishop Stakes (G1) at

Saratoga on August 29. And it proved to be a good

news/bad news situation. The good news was Vine-

yard Haven appeared to have won his third career

graded stakes. The bad news was that he bumped

Capt. Candyman Can in deep stretch and was dis-

qualified to second.

But it was all good news in the Frank De Francis

Memorial Dash (G1) on October 24 at Laurel Park

Overcoming a slow start and traffic problems,Vine-

yard Haven finally found a clear path on the rail.

With a late surge, Vineyard Haven scored a deter-

mined half-length win over Ravalo with fellow

Florida-bred Fleet Valid third. His winning time for

the six furlongs over a sloppy track was 1:09.62.

Vineyard Haven closed out the season on Novem-

ber 28with touch third toKodiakKowboy in theCigar

Mile (G1) atAqueduct. On four starts, the Lido Palace

(Chi) gray/roan colt posted one win, one second and

one third in three Grade I events to earn $282,500.

Bred by owner/trainer Lynne Scace, Vineyard

Haven is out of the winning Aloha Prospector mare

PrincessAloha.Also bred, raced and trained by Scace,

PrincessAloha is also the dam of Florida-bred stakes

winner On the Vineyard. Scace owned and trained

VineyardHaven at the time of hismaiden victory, sell-

ing him privately shortly thereafter to the partnership

of the late trainer Bobby Frankel, Louis Lazzinnaro

and Joe Torre’s Diamond Pride LLC. After Vineyard

Haven’s victories in the 2008Hopeful Stakes (G1) and

Champagne Stakes (G1), the partnership sold himpri-

vately to current owner Godolphin Stables.�

MCCU

EPH

OTO

VINEYARD HAVEN2006 gray/roan colt by Lido Palace

(Chi) – Princess Aloha, by AlohaProspector

Breeder: Lynne ScaceOwner: Godolphin Stables LLC

Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor


2009 Stakes Record1st – Frank J. De Francis

Memorial Dash (G1)2nd – King’s Bishop Stakes (G1)

3rd – Cigar Mile (G1)

Vineyard Haven




Hooh Why’s motto might be try, try and try

again.After being stakes-placed five times in

her career, the 3-year-old CloudHopping filly

was still looking to notch her first stakes win. So it only

seemed fitting that when she did, it was a big one and

nothing less than a Grade I victory.

Bred by Gail Gee, HoohWhy opened the 2009 sea-

son with a second to Beltene in the Sunshine Millions

Oaks at Santa Anita Park on January 24. A little less

than two months later, the chestnut filly finished third

to Stardom Bound in the SantaAnita Oaks (G1).

Shipped to Keeneland, Hooh Why took to the

change of scenery. On April 4 and as a 24-1 longshot,

Hooh Why scored a neck victory over graded stakes

winner Gozzip Girl in the Ashland Stakes (G1). Fin-

ishing third was Santa Anita Oaks (G1) winner Star-

dom Bound. The winning time for the mile and

one-sixteenths race was 1:43.80.

HoohWhy encored that Grade I win with a victory

in the La Lorgnette Stakes onMay 17 atWoodbine. She

defeated Tasty Temptation by a half-length with Mil-

waukee Appeal finishing third. Winning time for the

mile and one-sixteenths race was 1:45.46.

Also on the season, HoohWhy posted thirds in the

Selene Stakes (G3-Can) atWoodbine andDouble Delta

Stakes atArlington Park. Racing for Gee’s Derby Daze

Farm andMark Hoffman, she banked $452,174 on the

season.

Gee, who owns Ocala-based Derby Daze Farm,

bought Hooh Why’s dam, the unraced Corporate Re-

port mare Magic Merger privately. From a Quarter

Horse background, Magic Merger was the first Thor-

oughbredmare that Gee bought shortly after buying her

80-acre farm. In addition to HoohWhy, Magic Merger

is also the dam of Florida-bred stakes winner Rumbling

Cloud. Magic Merger had a 2007 D’wildcat filly

namedD’wild Beach, a 2009With Distinction colt and

was bred to Put It Back for 2010. �

3-Year-Old Filly

MICH

AELB

URNS

PHOT

OHOOH WHY

2006 chestnut filly by Cloud Hopping –Magic Merger, by Corporate Report

Breeder: Gail GeeOwners: Derby Daze Farm

& Mark HoffmanTrainer: Kenneth Hoffman


2009 Stakes Record1st – Ashland Stakes (G1)1st – La Lorgnette Stakes

2nd – Sunshine Millions Oaks3rd – Santa Anita Oaks (G1)

3rd – Selene Stakes (G3-Can)3rd – Double Delta Stakes

Hooh Why


After Presious Passion won three graded stakes,

became amillionaire andwas named aFlorida-

bred champion in 2008, itwould be asking a lot

for the Royal Anthem gelding to top that. But that’s just

what Presious Passion did. In 2009, Presious Passionwon

four stakes, including three graded andwith two of those

being Grade I events. He set a course record and added

$1.5 million to his bankroll. Little wonder that Presious

Passion earned the dual title of 2009 Florida-bred cham-

pion older male and champion turf horse.

Presious Passion opened up the seasonwith a runner-

up finish to fellow Florida-bred Soldier’s Dancer in the

Sunshine Millions Turf on January 24 at Santa Anita. A

month later, theMary Hartmann trainee led gate-to-wire

to bestQuasicobra by a half a length in theMacDiarmida

Stakes (G3) at Gulfstream Park.Winning time for the 11

furlongs over a firm course was 2:12.10.

Hartmann then shipped Patricia Generazio’s color-

bearer back to herMonmouthPark base.On June 13, Pre-

sious Passion scored a gutsy nose win in the Monmouth

Stakes in his first race back after a three-month break.

The bestwas yet to comewith a pair ofGrade I triumphs.

It was a grand Fourth of July celebration for his con-

nectionswithPresiousPassion’s secondconsecutiveUnited

Nations Stakes (G1) victory. Presious Passionwon by two

in course-setting time of 2:10.97 for the 11 furlongs. The

second Grade I win came back out at SantaAnita, where

Presious Passion captured the Clement L. Hirsch Memo-

rialTurfChampionshipStakes (G1)onOctober11.Hewon

by two and a half lengths in 1:59.13 for the 10 furlongs.

PresiousPassionclosedouthis stellar seasonwithagal-

lant and memorable effort in the Breeders’CupTurf (G1)

on November 7 at Santa Anita. He led by as many as 10

lengths, set fractionsof :23.08, :45.14, 1:09.24,1:34.56and

1:59.72 before being collared by Conduit (Ire) in deep

stretch. Conduit (Ire), who also won the 2008 BC Turf,

posted a half-length victory over Presious Passion.

Bred by Joseph andHelenBarbazon, Presious Passion

is out of the unraced Marquetry mare Princesa’s Passion.

The Barbazons, who own 220-acre Pleasant Acres Farm

just outsideOcala inMorriston, purchased Princesa’s Pas-

sion privately. In addition to Presious Passion, Princesa’s

Passion has also produced winner Just Livin a Dream ,a

2006 fillybyTrippi, anda2007ExchangeRate fillynamed

Exchangeable. PatriciaGenerazio andher husband,Frank,

a retired trainer, are longtime clients of the Barbazons and

purchased Presious Passion privately as a yearling.

In nine starts in 2009, Presious Passion posted four

wins and three seconds to earn $1,524,275.Over five sea-

sons of racing to date, he has banked $2,576,293.�


Champion Older MaleChampion Turf Horse


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PRESIOUS PASSION2003 chestnut gelding

by Royal Anthem –Princesa’s Passion, by Marquetry

Breeders:Joseph & Helen Barbazon

Owner:Patricia Generazio

Trainer:Mary Hartmann

2009 Race Record/Earnings9-4-3-0/$1,524,275

2009 Stakes Record1st – United Nations Stakes (G1)

1st – Clement L. HirschMemorial Turf Classic (G1)

1st – Mac Diarmida Stakes (G3)1st – Monmouth Stakes

2nd – Breeders’ Cup Turf (G1)2nd – Pan American Stakes (G3)

2nd – Sunshine Millions Turf

Presious Passion




Older Female

Abit of a late bloomer, Dubai Majesty flashed

her talent early on but didn’t score her initial

stakeswin until shewas four.As a sophomore,

DubaiMajestywas graded stakes-placed three times and

her connections knew it was only amatter of time before

she came into her own.That confidence paid off in 2009

with two stakes wins, including a graded victory, three

stakes-placings and $296,480 in earnings.

DubaiMajestyopened theseasonwitha second toHigh

Resolve in theSunshineMillionsFilly andMareSprint on

January 24 at Gulfstream Park.After an allowance win at

Fair Grounds, Bret Calhoun shipped his charge to Ken-

tucky.ThereDubiaMajesty finished inadeadheat for third

withModification towinner InformedDecision in theHu-

manaDistaff Stakes (G1) onMay 2 at Churchill Downs.

Three weeks later, Dubai Majesty notched her initial

stakes and grades stakeswin at the same time in theWin-

ningColorsStakes (G3) atChurchillDowns. ItwasDubai

Majesty and Lady Chace battling through the first half-

mile, setting fractions of :21.78 and :45.11. Lady Chace

actually took a short-lived lead in the stretch beforeDubai

Majesty rallied to win by a length. Keep the Peace came

on for second while Lady Chace hung on for third. The

winning time for the six-furlong race was 1:10.61.

After a third to Canadian Ballet in theTurfAmazon

Handicap at Philadelphia Park, Dubai Majesty paid a

visit to the Keeneland Race Course winner’s circle. On

October 16, she showed her versatility and captured the

Buffalo Trace Franklin County Stakes by a length and

a quarter on the turf.

Her winning time for the five and a half furlongs

over a soft course was 1:03.64.

By Essence of Dubai and out of the winning Great

Abovemare GreatMajesty, DubaiMajesty is owned by

Martin Racing Stable LLC and Dan Morgan. Her cur-

rent owners bought her privately from her breeder

Harold J. Plumley, who raced her in her first 10 starts.

Plumley, who owns Ocala-based Plumley Farms,

purchased Great Majesty for $7,000 in foal to Birdon-

thewire at the 1998 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s

October mixed sale. Great Majesty would become a

stakes producer shortly thereafter when her first foal

Majestic Dinner, a 1997 gelding by Formal Dinner, be-

came a multiple stakes winner of $497,374. Barren in

2008, Great Majesty has a 2009 colt byTrippi and is in

foal toA.P.Warrior for 2010.�

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DUBAI MAJESTY2005 bay filly

by Essence of Dubai –Great Majesty, by Great Above

Breeder: Harold J. PlumleyOwners: Martin Racing Stable LLC

& Dan MorganTrainer: W. Bret Calhoun


2009 Stakes Record1st – Winning Colors Stakes (G3)

1st – Buffalo TraceFranklin County Stakes2nd – Sunsine MillionsFilly & Mare Turf Sprint

3rd – Humana Distaff Stakes (G1)3rd – Turf Amazon Handicap

Dubai Majesty


the Best State for Business

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BusinessClimate.C.34706.qx:Layout 1 8/18/09 3:54 PM Page 2


Following are the “FTBOA Chase to the Championship ” Point Standings through December 23, 2009.

Year-end divisional champions will be determined using the “FTBOAChase to the Championship” point system, a ranking that awards pointsfor success in stakes races.

The “FTBOA Chase to the Championship” allocates points for stakeswins in graded races, open-company stakes and Florida’s signature rac-ing days, with the number of points awarded based upon the classifi-cation of the race. International stakes race status is governed by theInternational Cataloguing Standards Committee. The first three finishersin all Group/Graded and listed races appearing in Part I of the Interna-tional Cataloguing Standards and International Statistics Book printed byThe Jockey Club receive “black-type” designation.

The Florida-bred with the most points in each division on December31 is deemed champion of that division. Horse of the Year, Broodmareof the Year and Breeder of the Year will be voted on by the FTBOA Boardof Directors and announced at the FTBOA’s annual awards dinner.

In the case of a year-end tie in points in any division, earnings will beused to decide the tiebreaker.

Points are assigned as follows:

� World Thoroughbred ChampionshipBreeders’ Cup Race:Win: 20 pointsPlace: 15 pointsShow: 10 points

� Grade 1 Stakes Race:Win: 15 pointsPlace: 10 pointsShow: 5 points

� Grade 2 Stakes Race:Win: 5 pointsPlace: 3 pointsShow: 2 points

� Grade 3 Stakes Race:Win: 3 pointsPlace: 2 pointsShow: 1 point

� Sunshine Millions(equivalent to a Grade 2 Stakes Race):Win: 5 pointsPlace: 3 pointsShow: 2 points

� Other Florida-bredSignature Race Days(equivalent to a Grade 3 Stakes Race):(The Florida Million, Florida Cup,Florida Stallion Stakes Series):Win: 3 pointsPlace: 2 pointsShow: 1 point

� Open-Company Stakes($50,000+Purse) Points for WIN ONLY:Win: 2 points

� Selection Criteria for Florida-bred champions

Two-Year-Old Colt/Gelding Breeder Owner TrainerBridgetown (Speightstown) - 18 Eugene Melnyk Melnyk Racing Stables, Inc. Kenneth G. McPeekAikenite (Yes It’s True) - 15 Brylynn Farm, Inc. Dogwood Stable Todd A. PletcherJackson Bend (Hear No Evil) - 11 Jacks or Better Farm, Inc. Jacks or Better Farm, Inc. Stanley I. Gold

Two-Year-Old FillyAmen Hallelujah (Montbrook) - 10 Thorobeam Farm IEAH Stables Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.Joanie’s Catch (First Tour) - 9 Rose Family Stable Ltd. Rose Family Stable Ltd. Barry R. RoseSweetlalabye (Sweetsouthernsaint) - 9 Jacqueline Tortora & Toni & Richard Ancona Jacqueline Tortora & Toni & Richard Ancona Emanuel TortoraJealous Again (Trippi) - 7 Harold J. Plumley Robert Abrams, Ron Brewer, Mitch Dutko &Wesley A.Ward Wesley A.Ward

Three-Year-Old Colt/GeldingVineyard Haven (Lido Palace) - 30 L. M. Scace Godolphin Racing LLC S. bin SuroorThis Ones For Phil (Untuttable) – 12 Gilbert G. Campbell Paul Pompa Jr., Jack Mandata & Michael Dubb Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.No Inflation (Repriced) - 10 Glen Hill Farm Glen Hill Farm Thomas F. Proctor

Three-Year-Old FillyHoohWhy (Cloud Hopping) – 26 Gail Gee Derby Daze Farm, Inc. & Mark Hoffman Donna L. DupuyFrolic’s Dream (Smoke Glacken) – 8 Robert A. Murphy & Dr. Sandy L. Price-Murphy Lael Stables Barclay TaggRomacaca (Running Stag) - 8 Cashel Stud, Inc. Frank Carl Calabrese Danny L. MillerCentury Park (General Meeting) - 7 Donald R. Dizney Donald R. Dizney Bob Baffert

Older Male (Four-Year-Olds and up Colt/Gelding)Presious Passion (Royal Anthem) – 57 Joseph & Helen Barbazon Patricia A. Generazio Mary HartmannMacho Again (Macho Uno) - 40 Milan Kosanovich West Point Thoroughbreds Dallas StewartCrown of Thorns (Repent) - 25 Clover Leaf Farms II, Inc. Spendthrift Farm, LLC Richard E. Mandella

Older Female (Four-Year-Olds and up Filly/Mare)Dubai Majesty (Essence of Dubai) - 13 Harold J. Plumley Martin Racing Stable LLC & Dan Morgan W. Bret CalhounBriecat (Adcat) - 12 Ocala Oaks, Inc. & Don R. Graham David W. & Holly F.Wilson Vladimir CerinDawn After Dawn (Successful Appeal) – 12 Hartley/De Renzo Thoroughbreds Ike & Dawn Thrash JohnW. SadlerUnforgotten (Northern Afleet) - 11 Charles T. Rognom & Robert A. Adams Robert A. Adams Dallas Stewart

Sprint (Three-Year-Olds and up, male and female, race distances one mile and less)Vineyard Haven (Lido Palace) - 30 L. M. Scace Godolphin Racing LLC S. bin SuroorCrown of Thorns (Repent) - 25 Clover Leaf Farms II, Inc. Spendthrift Farm, LLC Richard E. MandellaBig City Man (Northern Afleet) - 20 Four Horsemen’s Ranch Prince Sultan Mohammed Saud Al Kabeer Jerry Barton

Turf (Three-Year-Olds and up, male and female, races run on the turf)Presious Passion (Royal Anthem) – 55 Joseph & Helen Barbazon Patricia A. Generazio Mary HartmannGlobetrotter (Street Cry) - 10 Live Oak Stud Earle I. Mack JohnW. SadlerMy Princess Jess (Stormy Atlantic) - 10 Adena Springs Lael Stables Barclay TaggNo Inflation (Repriced) - 10 Glen Hill Farm Glen Hill Farm Thomas F. ProctorSoldier’s Dancer (Lost Soldier) - 10 Franks Farm Herman Heinlein David A. VivianRomacaca (Running Stag) - 8 Cashel Stud, Inc. Frank Carl Calabrese Danny L. Miller

ChaseToChampionship.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 3:54 PM Page 36

Florida Dept. of Agricultureand Consumer ServicesCharles H. Bronson, Commissioner850-488-4366 • Fax 850-922-0374

e-mail: [email protected] S. Calhoun • 412 Mayo Building, Tallahassee, FL 32399

Florida ThoroughbredBreeders’ and Owners’ Association801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603www.ftboa.com • [email protected]

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Dept.Ag.33546.qx:Layout 1 12/15/08 10:10 AM Page 1


FLORIDANEWS

BY NICK FORTUNA

Florida-bred stakes winners Macho Again, Dry Martini,

Duke of Mischief and Palladio were among the 31 horses

nominated to the $500,000 Sunshine Millions Classic, a

nine-furlong race that pits Florida-breds against California-bred at

SantaAnita Park on Jan. 30.

The Sunshine Millions will feature three races at Santa Anita

and three more at Gulfstream Park on Jan. 30. Two races were

eliminated this year, and the total value of the races was reduced

from $3.6 million last year to $1.8 million this year.

MachoAgain, bred byMilanKosanovich at Broken Back Farm

in Ocala, had a steller 4-year-old season in 2009, capturing the

Stephen Foster Handicap (G1) at Churchill Downs and

the New Orleans Handicap (G2) at Fair Grounds

before finishing second in both the Whitney

Handicap (G1) and theWoodward Stakes (G1) at

Saratoga. He finished seventh

behind Florida-bred It’s a Bird

in last year’s Sunshine Mil-

lions Classic.

Dry Martini, bred by

Marty and Carol Hershe at

Turtle Pond Farm inWilliston,

finished second in last year’s

Classic. He went on to win

the Suburban Handicap (G2)

and the $65,000 Three Coins

Up Stakes at Belmont Park

this year. Dry Martini also

was nominated to the

$300,000 Sunshine Millions

Turf, a nine-furlong race to

be run at Gulfstream Park.

Duke of Mischief, bred by Marilyn McMaster, won the

$250,000 Iowa Derby by five lengths at Prairie Meadows in June.

Palladio, bred and owned by Ocala’s Haras Santa Maria de

Araras operation, won the $147,965 Autumn Stakes at Wood-

bine last month to get within $40,000 of the million-dollar mark

in career earnings.

Among the top nominees for the Sunshine Millions Turf are

Florida-breds Soldier’s Dancer and Presious Passion, a pair of mil-

lionaires who finished first and second in last year’s edition.

Soldier’s Dancer, bred by Franks Farm, won the $250,000

PTHA President’s Cup at Philadelphia Park for the second

straight year in September before capturing the $150,000 Bon-

nie Heath Turf Cup at Calder in November.

Presious Passion finished a disappointing fifth while seeking

a third straight victory in the W.L. McKnight Handicap (G2) at

Calder Race Course Dec. 26. Prior to that, he finished second

behind defending champion Conduit in the Breeders’ Cup Turf

at Santa Anita. The gelding was bred by Joseph and Helen Bar-

bazon at Pleasant Acres Farm in Morriston.

Gulfstream Park also will host the $300,000 SunshineMil-

lions Distaff, which covers nine furlongs, and the

$200,000 Sunshine Millions Sprint, which spans

six furlongs. Santa Anita will host the $300,000

SunshineMillions Filly andMareTurf going nine

furlongs and the $200,000

Sunshine Millions Filly and

Mare Sprint at six furlongs.

Among the nominees for

the Distaff was Florida-bred

Sweet Repent, who won the

$100,000 Stage Door Betty

Handicap (G3) at Calder on

Dec. 26 for her fourth straight

victory.

Florida-bred Crown of

Thorns, who finished second

behindDancing in Silks in the

Breeders’ Cup Sprint last

month, was nominated to the

Sunshine Millions Sprint but

might be run in the race because of a severe throat ulcer. Dancing

in Silks also was nominated, as were stakes-winning Florida-breds

Pashito the Che, This Ones for Phil andAccredit.

Florida-bred Century Park, who won the $75,000 California

Cup Distance Handicap at SantaAnita last October, is among the

top horses nominated for the Filly and Mare Turf.

Florida-bred Dubai Majesty, the winner of the $116,700 Buf-

falo Trace Franklin County Stakes at Keeneland last season, was

among the leading nominees for the Filly and Mare Sprint.�

Florida-bred Macho Again AmongSunshine Millions Early Nominees

Six races set for Jan. 30 at Gulfstream Park, Santa Anita

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Macho Again

To view all early-bird nominations, visit www.ftboa.com

SunshineMill.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 1:51 PM Page 1

NOMINATED TOFlorida Stallion Stakes

� 899 S.W. 85th Ave., Ocala, FL 34481 � (352) 237-3834 � Fax: (352)237-6069� www.doublediamondfarm.com

Also s tand ing : AMERICAN SPIRIT � � PROUD AND TRUE � � REY DE CAFE � � WEKIVA SPRINGS

Wild Again—Rhythm of Life, by Deputy Minister

Florida’s only Belmont Stakes winner!An earner of $773,832 during his racing career, Sarava defeated leading sire

Medaglia d’Oro in the 2002 Belmont Stakes (G1).

History is the best guide to future success

Sarava is byWild Again, sire of such champions asWilderness Song, and Free at Last,

and millionaires Milwaukee Brew,Wild Rush,Shine Again and Elmhurst

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SARAVA

DD.35397.Sarava.qx:Ad 12/30/09 11:34 AM Page 1

By BILL HELLER

hile no state can disrupt Kentucky’s dom-

inance in breeding statistics, Florida’s stal-

lions made quite a dent in 2009. Through

early December, Kentucky had the top 12 stallions in

2-year-old progeny earnings and 23 of the top 28

spots. Florida had three of the other five, and all three

stood for a modest fee in 2009.

Wildcat Heir, who stood for $6,500 at Journey-

man Stud, ranked 13th. Twentieth-ranked Proud Ac-

colade, who died of a congenital neurological

condition last June 16, stood for $4,000 at Bridle-

wood Farm. Vinery Ltd.’s D’wildcat ranked 24th

after standing for $6,500.

Two other Florida sires, Hear No Evil, who moved

from Rising Hill Farm to Journeyman Stud for 2010,

and Ocala Stud’s Sweetsouthernsaint, ranked 46th and

61st after standing for $5,000 and $2,500, respectively,

in 2009. Sweetsouthernsaint, who has just left Ocala

Stud, had the lowest stud fee of any of the top 100.

Add the five Florida stallions’stud fees together, and

the total ($24,500) was still far less than many individ-

ual Kentucky stallions on the list.

“Bargains, that’s what we’re known for, we being

Florida,” Brent Fernung of Journeyman Stud said.

“That’s the key here. Mr. Prospector started out here for

$7,500.We do a good job making horses.”


In an economy demanding bargainhunting, Thoroughbred breeders need only

look south. All the way south.

FloridaWildcat Heir, who

stood for $6,500 atJourneyman Stud,

ranked 13th inprogeny earningsfor 2009 through

press time.

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Bargains.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 1:16 PM Page 34


Declan Doyle, stallion administrator for Vinery

Ltd., agreed: “It’s difficult times right now, but Florida-

breds are very much appreciated within the horse busi-

ness.As we move on from here, that won’t change that

much. It’s a great place to train and run a horse. It’s a

great place to breed horses.”

Ocala Stud has been doing exactly that for more than

50 years. The farm opened in 1956 and two years later

sold its first crop of 2-year-olds. Traditionally, Ocala

Stud sells its entire juvenile crop at the Ocala Breeders’

Two-Year-Olds in Training Sales in Ocala. Since its in-

ception, the farm has sold 26 horses who earned more

than $200,000 each and more than 90 stakes winners.

Ocala Stud consists of three farms in Ocala and

Marion County totaling 500 acres. “It’s doing well,”

said 29-year-old David O’Farrell, who helps his dad,

Michael, Ocala Stud’s general manager, run the op-

eration. “Times are tough, but we’re going to just

hang on tight, and we’ll

get through this.”

One stallion who has

helped them do that is

Sweetsouthernsaint.

Sweetsouthernsaint certainly delivered value in 2009.

His 2-year-old filly Sweetlalabye earned $363,700, the

top earnings of his four winners from 16 starters. “He

had a lot of talent,” David O’Farrell said. “An injury

ended his career early. He was a good 2-year-old.That’s

one thing we look for in a stallion. That’s important in

Florida.We stood his oldman, Saint Ballado.We started

him out for $2,500. He had Captain Bodgit in his first

crop and really took off. Sweetsouthernsaint has been a

very good sire.Arguably, he’s themost successful son of

Saint Ballado.”

One reason for Ocala Stud’s success is the farm’s

willingness to breed its own mares to its own stallions.

“Michael O’Farrell is proactive,” Journeyman Stud’s

Fernung said. “He breeds his ownmares to his own stal-

lions. If you’re not willing to support your own horses,

nobody else will. I have bred 40 to 45 ofmymares tomy

stallions.”

Bargains

D’wildcat (above) ranked 24th in 2009 after standing for $6,500,while Hear No Evil (below), despite his considerable success last year,will stand at Journeyman Stud for $3,500.

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Fernung is certainly doing his part to stimulate the

economy. Hear No Evil, who stood at Rising Hill Farm

for $5,000 in 2009, stands this year at Journeyman Stud

for $3,500, despite his considerable success last year.

From a first crop of just 11 horses in 2009, Hear No Evil

sired three winners from seven runners, including Jack-

son Bend, who earned $477,820 by winning 3 stakes at

Calder—defeating subsequent Grade 2 Saratoga Spe-

cial and Futurity Stakes winner D’Funnybone in the

Frank GomezMemorial in one of them—to stamp him-

self as a legitimate Triple Crown contender in 2010.

Hear No Evil was one of three stallions to relocate to

Journeyman Stud, joining Consolidator, who ranked

59th in 2009 2-year-old progeny earnings, and Teufles-

berg. Consolidator will stand for $5,000 in 2010 and

Teuflesberg for $3,500.

“Hear No Evil didn’t get that many mares last year;

he didn’t sell a whole bunch of seasons,” Fernung said.

“I want to increase this horse’s book. I want to get him

started. The things that this horse has done are tremen-

dous. He just needs numbers now. He just really needs

to get mares here. For $3,500, we’ll get them. Maybe

that will pay off down the line.”

Maybe it already has. “I’m already getting calls for

him,” Fernung said in late November. “That’s unusual

this time of year.”

HearYe HearYe’s victory in the $150,000 Jack Price

Juvenile Stakes at Calder on Nov. 14th didn’t hurt as he

became Hear No Evil’s second stakes winner.

Fernung has also received calls forWildcat Heir, who

didn’t benefit from a single six-figure-winning 2-year-

old in his first crop. His top earner in 2009, Karmaged-

den, banked $73,130 as the most successful of Wildcat

Heir’s 35 winners from 53 starters out of 107 foals. A

day after Karmagedden captured a $60,000 stakes for

New Jersey-breds at The Meadowlands, Nov. 13, Wild

Mia gave her sire another stakes winner, taking a

$100,000 stakes for Florida-breds at Calder.

“We got off to a great start withWildcat Heir,” Fer-

nung said. “He’s not like a horse we get down here.

He was the winter-book favorite for the Kentucky

Derby. He was the Hopeful winner, by Thunder

Gulch. It’s a great family. He was a good 2-year-old,

a good 3-year-old and a good 4-year-old. To get that

kind of sire in a regional market is very unusual. They

just don’t happen.”

Fernung and his wife Crystal have been on their

present 150-acre farm since 1989, though Brent took

a seven-year sabbatical to work at CloverLeaf Farms

before returning to Journeyman Stud in 2007. Since

his return, Journeyman Stud has added a new barn/of-

fice complex. Expansion of the farm is a possibility.

“We could use a little more acreage,” Brent said.

“This is a tough market economically, but we’ve got

some bullets down here.”


Florida-bred JacksonBend (below) has

stamped himself as alegitimate Triple Crown

contender this year.

Florida Bargains

JIMLIS

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Closing Saturday, December 5, 2009Saturday, December 12, 2009 $65,000 Guaranteed(Includes $15,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

THE LIGHTNING CITY STAKESFor Fillies And Mares Three Year Olds and UpwardAbout Five Furlongs (Turf)


THE INAUGURAL STAKESFor Two Year OldsSix Furlongs


THE SANDPIPER STAKESFor Fillies Two Year OldsSix Furlongs

Closing Saturday, December 19, 2009Saturday, January 2, 2010 $65,000 Guaranteed(Includes $15,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

THE MINARET STAKESFor Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and UpwardSix Furlongs

Closing Saturday, December 26, 2009Saturday, January 9, 2010 $65,000 Guaranteed(Includes $15,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

THE PELICAN STAKESFor Four Year Olds and UpwardSix Furlongs

Closing Saturday, January 2, 2010Saturday, January 16, 2010 $75,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

THE GASPARILLA STAKESFor Fillies Three Year OldsSeven Furlongs


THE PASCO STAKESFor Three Year OldsSeven Furlongs


THE MANATEE STAKESFor Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and UpwardSeven Furlongs

Closing Saturday, January 23, 2010Saturday, February 6, 2010 $75,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

THE SUPER STAKESFor Four Year Olds and UpwardSeven Furlongs


THE SUNCOAST STAKESFor Fillies Three Year OldsOne Mile And Forty Yards


THE SAM F. DAVIS STAKES - GRADE IIIFor Three Year OldsOne Mile And One Sixteenth

Closing Saturday, January 30, 2010Saturday, February 13, 2010 $125,000 Guaranteed

THE ENDEAVOUR STAKES - GRADE IIIFor Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and UpwardAbout One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf)

Closing Saturday, February 6, 2010Saturday, February 20, 2010$150,000 Guaranteed(Includes $50,000 from BC Fund)

THE TAMPA BAY BREEDERS' CUPFor Four Year Olds and UpwardAbout One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf)

Closing Saturday, February 13, 2010Saturday, February 27, 2010 $65,000 Guaranteed(Includes $15,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

THE WAYWARD LASS STAKESFor Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and UpwardOne Mile And One Sixteenth

Closing Saturday, February 20, 2010Saturday, March 6, 2010 $65,000 Guaranteed(Includes $15,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

THE CHALLENGER STAKESStakesFor Four Year Olds and UpwardOne Mile And One Sixteenth


THE TURF DASHFor Three Year Olds and UpwardAbout Five Furlongs (Turf)

Closing Saturday, February 27, 2010Saturday, March 13, 2010 $300,000 Guaranteed

THE TAMPA BAY DERBY - GRADE IIIFor Three Year OldsOne Mile And One Sixteenth


THE FLORIDA OAKS - GRADE IIIFor Fillies Three Year OldsOne Mile And One Sixteenth

Closing Saturday, February 27, 2010Saturday, March 13, 2010 $150,000 Guaranteed

THE HILLSBOROUGH STAKES - GRADE IIIFor Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and UpwardAbout One Mile And One Eighth (Turf)

Closing Saturday, March 20, 2010Saturday, April 3, 2010 $85,000 Guaranteed(Includes $25,000 from FTBOA Stakes Funds)

THE OCALA BREEDERS' SALESSOPHOMOREFor Three Year OldsSeven Furlongs


THE STONEHEDGE FARM SOUTHSOPHOMORE FILLIESFor Fillies Three Year OldsSeven Furlongs


THE DAYTON ANDREWS DODGESOPHOMORE TURFFor Three Year OldsAbout One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf)


THE HILTON GARDEN INN SPRINTFor Four Year Olds and UpwardSix Furlongs


THE L & D FARM TURF DISTAFFFor Fillies And Mares Four Year Olds and UpwardAbout One Mile And One Sixteenth (Turf)


THE KINSMAN FARM TURF CLASSICFor Four Year Olds and UpwardAbout One Mile And One Eighth (Turf)

TAMPA BAY DOWNS2010 STAKES SCHEDULE

FOR FURTHER INFORMATIONContact Duby Christo, Stakes Coordinator

Tampa Bay DownsP.O. Box 2007 • Oldsmar, FL 34677

Ph: 800-200-4434 • Fax 813-854-2438www.tampabaydowns.com*Please note that the Breeders’ Cup money allotted to the Grade III Endeavor Breeders Cup and the

Tampa Bay Breeders’ Cup is pending the Breeders’ Cup board’s approval

*


So does Vinery Ltd., which is taking a gamble with

D’wildcat by raising his stud fee from $6,500 to

$10,000. “He’s been kind of a bargain the last few

years,” Doyle said. “He was afford-

able. A lot of people jumped on it.

This year it came down to either an

increase or a promotion (to Vinery

in Kentucky).”

About to begin its sixth year in

Florida, Vinery Ltd. will stand four

stallions in 2010. The farm is

owned by Dr. Tom Simon. “We

don’t board mares and don’t board

yearlings, but we have a training

track,” Doyle said.

Florida-bred D’wildcat, whose

top earner was D’Funnybone

($278,206), sired 106 2-year-olds

in 2009, getting 25 winners from

47 starters, impressive numbers from his first Florida

crop. “He stood for a few years in Canada, then he

came down here,” Doyle said. “He’s been very well

received and supported in Florida.We were excited to

see that first crop run. Last year was a weak economy,

and he still bred 99.”

Doyle thinks he knows why: “I think one of the

things is he’s the archetype for pinhook breeders. A lot

of the market down here is driven by pinhookers. He

throws those speedy types.”

ProudAccolade seemed to be doing the same when

he died last summer just 10 days after getting his first

winner, Mr. Green, at Calder. The 7-year-old son ofYes

It’s True had 15 winners from 28 runners led by Proud

Zoe, who bankrolled $154,238.

Proud Accolade spent his first

two seasons at stud at Padua Sta-

ble’s Florida farm before moving to

Bridlewood, where he seemed to be

doing fine. Then he died. “It was

very disappointing, but in this busi-

ness, you never know what’s going

to happen around the corner,” Bri-

dlewood Stallion Director Jeff

Schwietert, said. “We feel fortunate

that we have four Proud Accolade

crops out there.”

Another Bridlewood stallion can

help fill his absence. Indian Ocean,

who stood for $4,000 last year,

ranked 95th with his first crop of 2-year-olds. His stud

fee will remain at $4,000 in 2010, yet another breeding

bargain in the state of Florida.

If eitherD’Funnybone or JacksonBendmakes an im-

pact on this year’sTriple Crown trail, a lot more breeders

will wonder why they didn’t breed their mares to one of

Florida’s conservatively-priced stallions. Schwietert

summed it up: “There’s no question there’s value here.”�

Florida Bargains

If either D’Funnybone

or Jackson Bend makes

an impact on this year’s

Triple Crown trail, a lot

more breeders will

wonder why they didn’t

breed their mares to one

of Florida’s conserva-

tively-priced stallions.

Florida-bredDʼFunnybone

earned $278,206in 2009.

COGL

IANE

SEPH

OTO


AD bleed check.qx:Layout 1 12/28/09 3:24 PM Page 1


2010StallionsHartley/

DeRenzo

Ocala/Marion CountyThoroughbred farms opened

their doors to prospectivebreeders last month as the

area’s popular stallionshows got underway. More

shows are slated for thismonth, and they will be

featured in future issues.PHOTOS BY SERITA HULT

Stallion Shows.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 12:55 PM Page 40


on Parade

Belgravia (above) andSimon Pure

Opposite page,clockwise from top:

City Place,With Distinction andThe Green Monkey


Clockwise from top left:Shakespeare,Bachelor Blues andChapel Royal


SignatureStallions

2010Stallion Shows


Clockwise from top:Straight Man,Western Pride andUnbridled Time



2010Stallion Shows


Get Away FarmClockwise from top left:Double Honor,Imperialism andTwo Step Salsa



Strong Hope (at left)and Graeme Hall (above)

Winding Oaks

Vinery stallions Dʼwildcat (right)and Pomeroy (below)

Vinery


By CATIE DELUCA,DVM,MS DiplomateACTUniversity of Florida

First, refer to the mare’s breeding dates.The

average gestation length for a horse is

330-360 days, which is a pretty big win-

dow of time. Most owners don’t want to sleep in

the barn for three weeks waiting for their mare to

foal, so we use other information to help narrow

the window. If a mare has had foals before, you

can use her previous gestation lengths to help pre-

dict future ones, as mares tend to be fairly con-

sistent. Still, relying on gestation length alone to

predict foaling is a great way to miss everything!

Luckily, the mare goes through some other

changes that help us predict when she will foal.

The mare’s udder begins to develop and fill with

milk three to six weeks prior to foaling. Mares

that have never foaled before (termed maiden

mares) will sometimes develop their udder only

in the final two to three weeks, whereas mares

that have foaled in previous years tend to develop

more slowly over five to six weeks. In the final

week prior to foaling, the teat ends will start to

fill and finally engorge with milk, and in the final

one to three days prior to foaling, the mare will

often “wax up.” This means that some thick,

sticky secretions will leak from the mare’s udder

and dry on the end of her teats. Since the secre-

tions are so thick, they look like drops of candle

wax on the end of the teat.This is a very good in-

dication that the mare will foal soon.

Calcium levels in the mare’s milk are also use-

ful in the prediction of foaling. A variety of stall

side kits are available and are simple to use. A

small amount of milk is collected from the mare’s

udder and the calcium level is tested. As mares

get close to foaling, the calcium level in milk in-

creases. The level typically increases a few days

prior to foaling, however some mares will have a

dramatic increase in just one day and foal that

night. These tests are best performed daily once

the mare develops a large udder and milk can be

expressed relatively easily. While certainly help-

ful, the kits are not perfect for every mare.

In the last day or so before foaling, many

mares will show some behavioral changes.These

changes are most obvious in maiden mares and

may not be observed at all in experienced brood-

mares. The mare will often go off feed, and she

may separate herself from her herd mates if out at

pasture. She may urinate and defecate frequently,

and appear to have trouble getting comfortable.

She may be somewhat restless or even show signs

of mild colic. This is likely due to some discom-

fort during repositioning of the fetus for delivery,

and foaling usually commences in the next few

hours. If there is excessive activity in the barn or

too many onlookers, the mare may delay foaling

until things quiet down. Many experienced horse-


It’s that time of year again, and babies aresoon to be born. Only Mother Nature knows for sure

when a mare will foal, but we can use a variety ofdifferent clues to help us predict the big event.

PHOT

OCO

URTE

SYDR

.CAT

IEDE

LUCA

Predicting

Dr. Catie DeLuca witha new born foal

PredictingFoaling:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 4:01 PM Page 46

men have observed that while the foal controls

the day that it is born, the mare controls the

hour.Whatmarewouldwant to give birth with

a barn full of people? Most mares wait until

late at night, usually between 10 p.m. and 2

a.m., to have their foals. The best advice is to

leave the mare alone as much as possible and

watch her by a video camera or very quietly

from a few stalls away. Once labor begins, it

can be very tempting to rush in and help de-

liver the foal, however doing so may upset the

mare and actually slow the process down.

The first stage of labor usually lasts sev-

eral hours and consists of “warm-up” con-

tractions where the fetus gets positioned for

delivery. The duration of stage 1 is variable,

with maiden mares having the longest dura-

tion, but usually lasts several hours.The signs

described above (off feed, mild discomfort or

colic) are an indication that the mare is in

stage 1 of labor. Stage 1 ends when the mare’s

water breaks. Stage 2 of labor involves deliv-

ery of the foal. Contractions are strong and

frequent, and stage 2 is usually only 10-30

minutes in duration. Once the foal is deliv-

ered, the mare usually rests for a few mo-

ments before getting up and greeting her foal.

A longer duration of stage 2 can indicate a

problem, such an improperly positioned foal,

and can result in serious complications if not

corrected promptly. Inexperiencedmare owners

may choose to have their mares foal at a farm

where experiencedhelp or a veterinarian is close

by.While foaling problems are uncommon (1-

2 percent of deliveries), the consequences can

be life-threatening for the mare and foal, and

time is often the most important factor.

The final stage of labor involves passage

of the placenta. This usually occurs within

minutes to a few hours following birth.A pla-

centa should not be retained longer than 3

hours post-foaling; if it is, you should call

your veterinarian.

While mares have been delivering foals for

centurieswithout our help, it is still a good idea

to have an experienced horseperson present at

all foalings. Accurate prediction of foaling

helps us be present for deliveries and able to

assist or call for help if needed, and ultimately

leads to the birth of more healthy foals.�


About Dr. DeLucaCatie DeLuca, D.V.M., M.S., is a graduate of theVirginia-Maryland Re-

gional College ofVeterinary Medicine. She served an internship at the pres-

tigious Mid-Atlantic Equine Medical Center in New Jersey, then performed

her reproduction residency at Colorado State University, one of the meccas

of equine reproduction. DeLuca obtained her board certification in therio-

geneology in 2009 and recently presented a scientific paper at the annual meeting for the

AmericanAssociation of Equine Practitioners.

In her role with the University of Florida’s Veterinary Medical Center, DeLuca manages a

mobile reproduction service that focuses solely on breeding work. Her assignments center

around repro tasks such as breeding soundness examinations, pre-breeding checks to predict

ovulation, ultrasound pregnancy checks, Caslick procedures, and other non-emergency work.

“Because we are a teaching hospital, I’ll have students with me,” DeLuca said, “and I’ll

often be teaching as I go – talking to the students about what I’m doing and quizzing them on

what type of plan we might want to implement for our cases.”—DENISE STEFFANUS

FoalingPredictingFoaling:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 4:01 PM Page 47

Special Editorial Includes

Fit your budgetwith full-color, glossy, or black & white options.Discounts available for the seven-week circuit!

For rates, deadlines and specifications, contactSummer Best • [email protected]

� (352) 732-8858, ext. 227Beverly Kalberkamp • [email protected]

� (352) 732-8858, ext. 222

The historic and elite hunter-jumper horse show begins eachJanuary with an influx of horsemen and women from through-out the world, infusing an estimated $50 million into ourlocal economy. The show circuits include seven weeks of thehighest equine competition, exhibitor parties, an outdoor trade

show, family-fun weekend festivals and spectator activities.Competitors and horse owners arrive in Ocala ready to pa-

tronize restaurants, hotels, retail and entertainment venues.Every year, they buy and rent real estate, automobiles, andcountless big ticket items.

Reach this affluent crowdADVERTISE in Horse Capital Digest,official weekly publication of HITS Ocala.

Profiles of Top Riders, �Trainers & Horses

Show Results �

Calendar of Events �

Society Style �

Places to go, �Things to do

Gourmet on the Go �

Judges’ Comments �

Insight from �Course Designers

Photo Spreads �

Grand Prix Coverage �

The Winning Lifestyle �

…and More! �

Horse Shows in the Sunhas been an Ocala tradition since 1982.

Don’t Miss HITS!

Magazines are available on newsstands throughout Ocala/Marion County and on the HITS show grounds.

35000.DontMissHits.FHsize.qx:Layout 1 10/19/09 1:09 PM Page 1

50 Editor’s Note

52 Traveling with Your HorseVeterinary advice and reminders forsafely hauling horses.By Dr. Amanda House

58 Zoom, Zoom, ZoomDifferent means and modes ofequine transportation.By Summer Best

62 Go, Gators!University of Florida horse judging teambrings home top honors.By Dr. Saundra TenBroeck

62 Inside TrackNames and faces in our equine industry.

64 News from Your Florida Horse ParkBy Connie Duff Wise

65 Do Horses Need Oranges?How horses metabolize vitamin C.By Dr. Karen E. Davison

66 Practically SpeakingHorse Haulin’By Mark Shuffitt


In thissection

Transition.Section.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/30/09 11:21 AM Page 1


editor’s note

Summer Best/COOKIE SERLETIC PHOTO

For the past month or so, it’s been tempting to gawk backwards.

Oursociety closed the first decade of the 21st century with worries and oddities most unbecom-

ing.You know the stories. We’re shouldering a great recession. Massive unemployment. Infla-

tion. Stagnation. Stagflation. Frozen credit and rising everyday costs. Our country is at war.

We’re implicated in deeply divided political debates. Runaway deficits. National and international secu-

rity scares. Food safety. H1N1. Unparalleled energy and environmental concerns. In our personal lives,

priorities are shifting – perhaps by default, and perhaps some for the better.

The horse industry has received its share of blows throughout the past few years. Our farms, equine busi-

nesses, shows, training centers and tracks are stinging from setbacks. It’s easy to get stuck in the negative.

Today, at this January juncture of old stuff and new beginnings, we pause long enough to acknowl-

edge, remember, accept and learn. And then we move forward. No muddling or med-

dling. No could’ve, would’ve, should’ve.

You’ve probably heard about themajor, successful companies formed in a recession or

depression. FedEx began shipping its first packages during the sluggish days of 1973.For-

tune Magazinewas launched in 1930, just four months after theWall Street crash. IHOP

served up pancakes in 1958 during the Eisenhower recession. CNN opened its doors in

tough times of the 1980s. Critics from the Wall Street Journal point out that these busi-

nesses are few and far between, but their biggest success is due to early tenacity, innova-

tion, and ability to serve customers with a new product like never before. These

entrepreneurs didn’t wait for their ships to come in – they swam out to get them, then they got on board,

revved the engines and took off. I’m excited to think about business ideas and models being developed by

innovators right now…ideas thatwill impact our society, economy and equine industry for decades to come.

MOVING HORSES

To switch gears on a similar topic, we’ve included in this month’s issue of The Florida Horse a for-

ward motion-esque equine transportation section. It seems that, over the centuries, horses have traveled

via every vessel that humans have traveled – maybe with the exception of spaceships.We wanted to take

a look at how horses journey today, so we visited with commercial haulers, trailer and truck dealers, an

equine airline forwarding company, a lawyer who represents the equine travel industry, a veterinarian

who helped us review equine safety, a local horseman who tells scary tales of preventable accidents that

can happen on the road, and more.

I hope your 2010 is positive and purposeful, full of action.As the plain-spokenWill Rogers once said,

“Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there.”

It’s a privilege to journey forward with you.

ForwardMotion

“As the plain-spoken

Will Rogers once said,

“Even if you’re on the

right track, you’ll get

run over if you

just sit there.”

EditorsNote.qx:EditorWelcome 12/29/09 5:02 PM Page 6

Toll Free: 800-852-6169 • KY: 502-419-4540 • West Coast: 626-482-2923 • East Coast: 518-470-6531

Every Seat is

FirstClass!

The First Name inEquine Air Travel

Since 1969

www.suttonforwarding.com

• Walk-On Ramp Loading

• Direct Flights

• Climate-Controlled Cabin

• Padded Stalls

• Expert Handling

First Class Equine Air Travel

Sutton.32681.qx:Layout 1 7/23/08 4:29 PM Page 1

Documentation for the Road� COGGINS TEST

Horses infected with the equine infectious anemia

virus will experience lifelong persistent infection. The

disease is also called “swamp fever” because of its his-

torical prevalence in the Gulf Coast States. However, the

number of infected horses per year is typically very

small (fewer than 10 out of more than 100,000

Florida horses tested). Transmission of the virus oc-

curs through horseflies and deerflies, or iatrogenically

from blood products or needles. The disease has three

forms: acute, chronic, and inapparent. It causes ane-

mia, low platelet numbers, and intermittent fevers in

most infected horses. By law, all horses are required

to have a negative Equine Infectious Anemia (EIA)

test, also called a Coggins test, within 12 months of

transportation within Florida or when traveling over

the state line. (Coggins papers must travel with the

horse.) The only exception to this rule: foals

under 6 months of age, if they are accompa-

nied by their dam who has had a negative test

within the past 12 months. A negative EIA

test within the previous 12 months is also re-

quired for horses congregated at public or

private assemblies, including boarding sta-

bles and pastures, shows, exhibitions, fairs,

rodeos, racetracks, trail rides, and any other

public or private assemblies.

� COGGINS TEST CARDS

The Division of Ani-

mal Industry of the De-

partment of Agriculture

and Consumer Services

offers two types of lami-

nated Coggins test cards.

As a voluntary alternative

to the standard paper EIA

document, these sturdy

cards are approximately

the size of a credit card

and contain digital pictures of the horse. The Negative

EIA Test Verification Card will be accepted within

Florida as proof of a negative test.The card has the same

expiration date as the official Coggins reporting form,

but is not valid for change

of ownership (original

form is required).

� PASSPORT CARD

The Equine Interstate

Passport Card will be ac-

cepted by participating

states asproofof anegative

EIA test and as anOfficial

Certificate of Veterinary


Veterinary Health Care RemindersFor Travel into Florida:Coggins – current original documents or Negative EIA Test Verification Card

or Equine Interstate Passport CardHealth Certificate or Equine Interstate Passport CardVaccinations – Recommended but not required by lawProvide your own feed and plenty of opportunities for waterShipping boots or wraps to help protect the distal limbs

Trailer First Aid Kit:Thermometer (normal equine temp is 99-101.5 F)StethoscopeScissorsAdhesive tape and duct tapeHemostatsLeg wrapsSoapFlashlightClippersLatex GlovesBandage Materials – roll cotton, gauze pads, cling wrap, sheet cotton, etc.Antiseptics (Chlorahexidine, Betadine solution)Wound dressingHoof pick and knifePhenylbutazone (Bute)Bottles of Sterile salinePVC pipe for splinting

Traveling WithYour Horse

FRONT

BACK

FRONT

BACK

Special Transportat ion Section

TravelingWithHorse.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 12:50 PM Page 54

Inspection (health certificate) within the previous six

months. The Passport Card is not valid for change of

ownership. The states that honor the Florida Equine

Passport Card are Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Ken-

tucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Ten-

nessee, Oklahoma, South Carolina,Virginia, andWest

Virginia. Health certificates are required for horses

transported into Florida from other states, but not

specifically for movement within the state. The health

certificate requirement is waived for horses being

moved across state lines for emergency medical treat-

ment at a veterinary facility.

Final NotesIn addition to aforementioned state regulations

and recommendations, a first aid kit is a valuable

addition to every trailer. To minimize the possibil-

ity of limb abrasions or lacerations, shipping

wraps or boots can provide an additional layer of

protection for your horse. If a commercial or pri-

vate shipper is hauling your horse for you, be cer-

tain that they have your contact information,

insurance information, and can authorize emer-

gency veterinary treatment for you. Ideally, pro-

vide your own feed and plenty of opportunities to

drink water, especially during prolonged trips.

Bringing your own feed and water buckets if you

plan to stable overnight, as well as grooming and

cleaning equipment, will help reduce your horse’s

exposure to infectious disease. Most importantly,

drive safely and enjoy your time away with your

equine companion. �

For updates on equine travel restrictions through-

out Florida, visit ftboa.com, or contact the Florida

Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services,

Division of Animal Industry at (850)410-0901.


Pre-Travel OptionFor very long distance traveling, some horse own-ers feel it may be worthwhile to have a veterinar-ian administer 1 gallon of mineral oil or water andelectrolytes via nasogastric tube (tubing) within24 hours of shipping. Because some horses maynot drink as well while trailering, this practicemight help lubricate the horse’s digestive tract.

Recent Health AlertsAffecting Equine TravelOUTBREAK OF EHV-1

On Nov. 30, Calder Race Course placed three

barns under restrictions after a filly was diagnosed

with Equine Herpes Virus Type-1 (EHV-1), wild

type (non-neuropathogenic). The filly, which

began showing signs of illness on Thursday, Nov.

27, was referred to the University of Florida, Col-

lege of Veterinary Medicine on Sunday, Nov. 29,

where she was diagnosed with EHV-1. In addition

to the three barns under restriction at Calder, three

horses exposed to the positive filly were then quar-

antined in Ocala.

According to the state

veterinarian’s office, au-

thorities worked closely

with Calder Race Course

management to ensure the

appropriate precautions

were taken to prevent the

spread of the virus. En-

hanced biosecurity was es-

tablished at the track and

the three restricted barns

were not allowed to race or

have horses ship in or out

for at least three weeks.

EQUINE PIROPLASMOSIS

In November 2009, a temporary restriction

was added for importation of horses to Florida

from Texas due to equine piroplasmosis. Piro-

plasmosis results from a tick-borne protozoal in-

fection of horses with Babesia caballi or Theileria

equi. Clinical signs may be variable but include

anemia, low platelet counts, icterus, and swelling

of the limbs. Due to piroplasmosis being identi-

fied in Texas, health certificates must be issued

within 14 days prior to entry into Florida and

must include specific statements on the premises

the horse is coming from as well as testing infor-

mation for Theleria equi. Horses must be exam-

ined and found free of ticks. Horses from Florida

that are consigned to Texas and are returned to

Florida within 30 days of the Florida issued

health certificate are exempt from the require-

ments of this rule. �

TravelingWithHorse.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 12:50 PM Page 55

Situated on 100 grassy acres in northeastMarionCounty,the Florida Thoroughbred Retirement Farm is home to more than 50Florida-bred ex-racehorses. All of the horses arrive at the farm after theircareers on the racetrack are over. Sure, their racing days are behind them,but after rest and retraining, many of the horses at the Florida TRF areready for adoption. Many go on to enjoy second careers in dressage, trailriding, jumping, pleasure riding and other uses. Even those horsesthat are not rideable may find adoptive homes as companion an-imals. As more horses are adopted into new homes, more spacesare available for horses to join the Florida TRF program.

The farm is operated in conjunction with the Florida Departmentof Corrections and Marion Correctional Institution and all thehorses are cared for by female inmates from the LowellCorrectional Institute.Thewomen, all non-violent offenders, spendtheir days learning barn management skills including grooming,feeding, doctoring, and physical therapy and they help teach thehorses new disciplines. It’s a symbiotic relationshipwhereby the horses learnthe skills they need to go on to new careers and the inmates learn about team-work and trust. At the conclusion of the year-long program,having successfully passed 22written tests covering all aspects of horse care,inmates graduate with a vocational certificate in equine care technology.Upon their release, some of the graduates have gone on to work in theindustry as grooms and stable managers.

Two famous Florida-bred champions permanently reside at the farm:Carterista, the 1993 Florida ChampionTurf Horse andwinner of eight stakesraces, and Shake You Down, the 2003 Florida Champion Sprinter andwinner of nearly $1.5 million.

The Florida TRF currently has a waiting list for incomingThoroughbreds. In order to join the list, the horse should be aFlorida-bred Thoroughbred, coming straight from the track. The

horse should be retired due to age or physical condition. ContactFlorida Thoroughbred Charities for more information at 352-629-2160.A donation is requested along with each horse accepted into the program.

Founded in 2001, the farm is supported though the concentrated effortsof Florida Thoroughbred Breeders’ and Owners’ Association, FloridaThoroughbred Charities, Ocala Breeders’Sales Company, Gulfstream Park,Calder RaceCourse,TampaBayDowns, the FloridaHorsemen’s Benevolentand Protective Association, the national Thoroughbred RetirementFoundation, as well as by many individuals who contribute through dona-tions and fundraising efforts.

For more information on adopting a retired Florida-bred racehorse, pleasecontact the FTBOA offices at 352-629-2160.

Since 1990 Florida Thoroughbred Charities, the non-profit, charitablearm of the FTBOA has raised more than $3.5 million for a variety ofcommunity and Thoroughbred industry causes. Much of the fundraisingefforts are made possible due to thesupport FTBOA and FTC receivefrom corporate sponsorship.

Mer

edith

Woo

dsPh

otos

Florida Thoroughbred Retirement Farm

FLORIDA THOROUGHBREDBREEDERS’ AND OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION

801 SW 60th Ave. • Ocala, FL 34474352-629-2160 • Fax: 352-629-3603www.ftboa.com • [email protected]

34387.FTC.Charities.WTW:Layout 1 4/29/09 11:26 AM Page 1


By SUMMER BEST

It’s a total cliché, but it still rings true: Our world is

more connected and mobile than ever. And just as

we have come to casually journey the miles, our

horses have joined us as frequent travelers. They have

voyaged by sea. By rail. By highway. By air.

This month, we’ve taken a look at equine mobility –

from safety concerns, to efficiency and proper docu-

mentation. Plus, the financial considerations. When is

it practical to own your own truck and trailer? When

does it make sense to hire a commercial hauler? Why

might you consider loading your horse onto a jet?

OWNING THE RIG

For many individuals, purchasing and maintaining a

truck and trailer to haul their own horses is an obvious

choice. Trucks can double as personal vehicles, and the

convenience of hitching to a trailer on a whim can be in-

valuable. Still, there aremaintenance costs to factor, and

drivers must be confident and skilled to pull thousands

of pounds of cargo down the road.

Aswith all markets, consumer confidence influences

purchases of horse trailers, saidMike Petty, generalman-

ager of the Ocala-based Shadow Truck and Trailer. If

people feel nervous about the future, they hesitate before

reaching for their checkbooks.

Tightened-down financing for

luxury items has also added a

new perspective for some.

Still, Petty feels positive about

the horse trailer industry, espe-

cially as Florida’s busy equine

training, showing and breeding

season picks up this winter.

“Trailer purchases fluctuate

with seasonality,” Petty said.

“Everything is changing quickly. We sell some unique

trailers, too, like cargo trailers. The biggest advantage

for us is our hands-on approach.You can custom-order

a living quarters trailer or any size, and you can visit the

factory here locally to see it being built.”

To diversify and serve the broadest range of cus-

tomers, the company also offers bumper-pull horse

trailer rentals and a full maintenance service.

LEAVIN’ ON A JET PLANE

When time is money, the expediency of air travel is

unparalleled. Consider that by highway, a trip from

Ocala to the Los Angeles area will take days when

pulling a horse trailer or driving a van. By air, that trip

should last approximately 5 ½ hours, start to finish.

“The main reason customers choose to ship horses by

air is that it saves time,” said Rob Clark, president of H.E.

SuttonForwardingCompany. It also triggers a trickle-down

effect: less time spent traveling translates to less stress on

thehorse, less chanceof health problems, and less rest time

needed once the horse reaches its final destination.

“We work symbiotically with van companies and

ground transportation,” Clark said. “Obviously, air travel

doesn’t make sense for short distances. For longer dis-

tances, we provide a quality service that is useful to a

lot of people and horses.”

H.E. Sutton contracts a

Boeing 727-200 series, which

holds amaximumof 21 horses.

When fully loadedwith horses,

minimal equipment, shavings

and hay, the aircraft weighs in

at 45,000-48,000 lbs.

Owners can purchase one

stall, or ante up for a larger stall-

and-a-half, or a converted box


Throughout the past few centuries, horses have been

wrapped, packed and shipped a multitude of ways.

ALL ABOARD! Special Transportat ion Section

Zoom, Zoom,

Export and import quarantine

requirements and restrictions

vary from country to country

and can change frequently.

Refer to a quarantine facility for

updated rules and regulations.

Transportation Section.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 3:22 PM Page 58


stall. Stalls are filled with shavings, and hay and water is

available. Five handlers travelwith the horses, and a fore-

man on board is authorized to sedate horses if necessary.

“If they are good shippers, they are good fliers,”

Clark said, noting that few horses need sedation. “The

only moment when they might hesitate is going up the

ramp. Sometimes the horses will get up that high and

see all the activity going on in the airport and pause.

After they enter the plane, there are no windows, and it

feels just like a horse trailer or van.”

Greg Otteson, sales manager for H.E. Sutton, reiter-

ated the efficiency of the flight process.

“Our biggest advantage is that we concentrate on the

horses,” Otteson said. “We minimize ground time. We

only fly horses, so the plane isn’t stuck on the ground

waiting for other freight to arrive. Our crews are horse-

ZoomTo Own or Not to Own?

“Typically, when people think of buying their own rig, they think of it interms of equipment cost,” said Nicole Pieratt of Salle Horse Vans. “For some,that works out perfectly. Others donʼt realize the cost of upkeep and labor.Youʼre often paying an employee to leave your farm and drive the truck andtrailer. If they donʼt take care of the equipment or arenʼt accustomed tohauling horses, then the additional cost will add up quickly.”


men, and they understand the necessity for

being fast, efficient and safe.That’s what we

wake up every morning thinking about.”

The pilot and flight crew are cautious

with their equine cargo. Planes take off

gradually. They corner slowly. The idea is

for horses to feel that they are taking a nor-

mal trailer ride.

A flight from the Ocala International

Airport to the Ontario InternationalAirport

in California (outside LosAngeles) will usu-

ally fly for 2 ½ hours then touch down in

Dallas to refuel. Within 30-45 minutes, the

plane is on its way again and typically

reaches California in another 2 ½ hours.

COMMERCIAL VAN

Nicole Pieratt, third-generation owner/op-

erator of Sallee Horse Vans based in Ken-

tucky, Florida and NewYork, explained the

three biggest variables that affect a commer-

cial van fee.

“Stall space, distance and carrier’s con-

venience are the main factors affecting

price,” she said.

Think of stall space rates like airline

travel, she said. Economy class is the small-

est space – three horses stand cross-tied,

abreast, in three individual stalls, taking up

the width of the van. Coach class would be

similar to a larger stall-and-a-half, whereby

two horses travel abreast and cross-tied.

First-class travel is likened to a roomy box

stall, actually the size of three single stalls

with petitions removed.

The term “carrier’s convenience” refers

to just how flexible owners can be on ship-

ping dates and times.Themore you are flex-

ible, the better price you can secure.

And the thirdvariable, distance, is obvious:

The longer the distance, the higher the cost.

Some owners prefer to send their own

grooms with their horses; others pay addi-

tional to have a groom provided by the van

company. On a typical long-distance trip,

Pieratt said the vans stop about every 3 ½ to

4 ½ hours. Hotter weather usually calls for

more frequent stops andmore opportunities

for horses to be offered water.

THE LEGALESE

Rob Kinsey, general counsel for the Na-

tional Horse Carriers Association, reminds

horse owners that not all horse haulers come

with the same credibility. In fact, anyone

who hauls a horse, for a fee, must be an au-

thorized carrier, havingmet all filing and in-

surance requirements and safety standards

of the U.S. Department ofTransportation, as

well as individual state regulations.

“The Federal Motor Carrier Safety As-

sociation is the enforcement side of the De-

partment of Transportation,” Kinsey said.

“Carriers who are not authorized to ship

horses can be fined and potentially im-

pounded. You can imagine how that could

impact a horse in transit.”

Since 1971, Kinsey has assisted haulers

with the authorization process, which costs

less than $1,000 and includes a $350 fil-

ing fee. For most carriers, that procedure

takes 65-75 days.

“When you entrust someone to haul your

horse, you want to make sure they adhere to

strict safety standards,” Kinsey said. “You

want them to be good horsemen and you

want them to put your horse’s safety first

and foremost.”

For a list of interstate and intrastate au-

thorized carriers in the U.S.,

visit www.horse-transporters.com, or con-

tact the Federal Motor Carrier SafetyAsso-

ciation and Department of Transportation.


352-215-9702

WDTRANSPORTLOCAL/LONGDISTANCE

Your horsearrives readyto perform.No need for"down time."We rest, waterseveral timesduring the trip.Reasonable rates.

Special Transportat ion Section

Ocala Breeders SalesStandard documentation for horsesconsigned in an Ocala BreedersSales Company auction.

If you purchase a horse at an OBSauction, the horse will likely have most,if not all, the paperwork youʼll need totransport to another location.

Horses consigned at OBS musthave:• Jockey Club registration papers• Negative Coggins test within the

past 6 months• Negative Equine Viral Arteritis test

within the past 3 months• Veterinary verification of having

received a rhino-flu shot (EHV1)• Mares must have verification of

breeding soundness or breeding sta-tus within 10 days of when they sell.

• Horses entering the sale fromoutside Florida must have acurrent health certificate.Note: Any horse traveling across

state lines must have a current healthcertificate.Horses may not leave the OBS

grounds without a stable release,which is given upon payment for thehorse or after acceptable credit hasbeen established. Jockey Club papersare given to new owners when thehorse has been paid for.

—Weighty Stuff!—A full load of 21 horses and minimal equipment on a 727-200series weighs in at 45,000-48,000 lbs. A full load of human pas-sengers with luggage on the same plane weighs about 35,000 lbs.


Over the Thanksgiving holidays, 69 Thoroughbreds in various statesof poor condition were taken under the protection of the HorseProtection Association of Florida. Dr. Bill Russell of Peterson& Smith Equine Hospital volunteered his services toperform minor treatments, microchips and to pullCoggins on these horses. However, the associationstill needs help - donations of money or feed orhay would be welcome.

Helping the needy at Christmas -instead of holding our annual staffChristmas Party this year, Peterson & Smithdecided to donate the food to the localkitchens to help feed those less fortunate.Golden Ocala cooked and prepared thefood, which was taken to Brothers Keeperand served as part of theChristmas dinner.

Peterson & Smith Equine HospitalA tradition of leadership and excellence in equine medicine

4747 SW 60th Avenue, Ocala, FL 34474 • 352 237 6151www.petersonsmith.com

CONTINUING EDUCATIONTen Peterson & Smith veterinarians attended the Amer-

ican Association of Equine Practitioners annual con-vention in December, some as speakers or facilitatorsand others as attendees. The conference, with over4,000 registered participants, provides over 30 hours ofcontinuing education on subjects ranging through medi-cine, surgery, management, and ethical issues.

VETS ON SITEJanuary 16-17

Horse Shows in the Park, Gainesville

January 19-21OBS Winter Mixed Sale

PetersonSmith.35343.Jan.10.qx:Layout 1 12/16/09 3:00 PM Page 1

CFCC EQUINE STUDIES PROGRAM WINS STATE AWARDThe Equine Studies program Central Florida Community College

has received the Chancellor’s Award in Academic Affairs for theFlorida College System.The Equine Studies Program educates its students with a business-

based model and provides students with the skills needed for newand emerging professions in the equine industry. CFCC initiated theprogram in 2004 as a response to local business needs for qualifiedworkers to fill farm management positions.“We appreciate the partnerships we have formed with local horse

farms as a cost-effective means to educate students,” said Dr. CharlesDassance, CFCC president. “I am extremely proud of our EquineStudies program and this well deserved recognition’’CFCC is the only two-year institution in Florida that offers an

equine program and Equine Studies is the college’s most popularAs-sociate in Science degree program.The Chancellor’s Award recognizes programs that help students

achieve their educational and life goals by improving curriculum orinstruction while striving for excellence in the quality of learning.The award was presented Nov. 18 at the annual convention of FloridaAssociation of Community Colleges, which represents faculty, staff,administrators, trustees, presidents and retirees from Florida’s 28public community colleges.

MARCIA LIGHTSEY OF LAKE WALES TO BE NAMED WOMAN OFTHE YEAR IN AGRICULTURE FOR 2009

The award, now in its 25th year, recognizes women who havemade outstanding contributions to Florida agriculture. It is spon-sored by the Florida Department ofAgriculture and Consumer Serv-ices and the Florida State Fair Authority. Florida AgricultureCommissioner Charles H. Bronson is scheduled to present the awardon Feb. 4, 2010, during the opening-day luncheon at the Florida StateFair in Tampa.“Marcia Lightsey and the rest of the Lightsey family are known for

their groundbreaking efforts to preserve Florida’s natural places,along with the best of our rural values and traditions,” Bronson said.“The Lightseys have made Florida a better place to live.”Marcia Lightsey was born in 1954 in San Antonio, Texas, to

Ralph and Hattie Hubbard. The family settled in Brandon, Fla., in1962. Marcia’s father was in the Air Force, but the family alwayslived off base, out in the country. Marcia graduated from BrandonHigh School in 1972, and in 1973 she married her high schoolsweetheart, Cary Lightsey, a sixth-generation Florida cattle rancher.Marcia and Cary moved to one of the Lightsey family ranches, eastof Lake Wales, where she learned to ride, rope, build fences, plantgrass, and sort, brand, and vaccinate cattle. Marcia, Cary, and Cary’sbrother, Layne, worked side by side to build their herd and expand

The University of Florida’s Horse Judg-ingTeam wrapped up the 2009 judgingyear with outstanding performances at

both the All American Quarter Horse Con-gress and the AQHA World ChampionshipShow. The team outperformed all previous UFHorse Judging teams, setting the bar high forthe new members who will begin spring term.As a team, the group placed 5th in Halter,

7th in Performance, 7th Reasons and 5thOverall at the Congress, and 1st in Halter, 5thin Performance, 6th in Reasons and 3rd over-all at the World Show.

Outstanding individual performanceswere turned in by Sandy Bass, Jocelyn Skip-per and Katie Batten. Sandy Bass, from VeroBeach, was 8th in halter, 1st in performance,3rd in oral reasons and 2nd high overall at theCongress and 1st in Halter, 8th in reasons, and6th overall at the World Show.

Jocelyn Skipper from Zolfo Springs was 10thin halter and 12th overall at the Congress whileKatie Batten from Palm Coast was 2nd in hal-ter and tied for 10th overall at theWorld Show.Financial support for the team’s travel was

sponsored by Seminole Feed and the Univer-sity of Florida Foundation.�

TYLE

RLE

NNONJO

NES

/IFAS

Pictured from left to right: Saundra TenBroeck,UF Associate Professor and team coach;

Samantha Wilson, assistant coach;Eric McCarthy, senior from Newberry, Fla.;Stephanie Wilson, senior from Oveido, Fla.;Katie Batten, senior from Palm Coast, Fla.;Sandy Bass, senior from Vero Beach, Fla.;Justin Forehand, senior from Green CoveSprings, Fla,; Kayla Kurtz, assistant coach

,,


INSIDE TRACK

JudgingTeam.GoGators.qx:Layout 1 12/29/09 4:47 PM Page 62


land holdings. Today the family runs more than 6,000 head of cat-tle on over 32,000 acres in three Florida counties.The Lightseys have been honored with countless awards for their

conservation efforts. They practice rotational grazing, water recy-cling, and controlled burning. The family has preserved 40 percentof their land in its native state to provide wildlife corridors and pro-tect soil and water quality, and they haveplaced more than 80 percent of their prop-erty in conservation easements to protect itfrom future development.Marcia enjoys coordinating eco-tours of

the family’s ranches and has hosted groupsfrom the Audubon Society and localschools. The ranches are home to many rareand endangered species, including scrubjays, gopher tortoises, black bears, and baldeagles. Visitors are always delighted by thewildlife they encounter. They also enjoy the300-year-old live oaks, beautiful views, andopen spaces.Marcia is a tireless advocate for agricul-

ture and has long been active in beef promo-tion and agriculture education.A member ofPolk County CattleWomen, Inc., since 1993,she has held every position on the board sev-eral times over and is currently treasurer and state director.As promotion chairman for Florida CattleWomen, Inc., she or-

ganized a traveling team of CattleWomen to promote beef in Pub-lix supermarkets around the state. She managed 20 in-storedemonstrations in non-cattle-producing areas, working closely withstore meat managers and provided recipes, promotional handouts,nutritional information, and evaluation sheets for each demonstra-tion. She also conducted store surveys for the National Cattlemen’sBeef Association and worked to place new cooking labels on beefpackaging in local grocery stores.In 2001 Marcia became the Florida CattleWomen’s education

chairman. She also organized the CattleWomen’s annual beef shortcourse, which included a field trip to the Lightseys’3,000-acre ranchin Lake Kissimmee, pristine Brama Island, a haven for 28 endan-gered species.In 2002 Marcia became president of Florida CattleWomen, Inc.

That year, the organization began participating in the popular South-ern Women’s Show in Orlando and Jacksonville, conducting cook-ing demonstrations and passing out tens of thousands of beefsamples. During Marcia’s presidency the Florida CattleWomen alsohosted the National Beef Ambassador Contest, a competitive pub-lic-speaking program for young people. The contest helps studentsdevelop leadership skills while spotlighting the positive impact thecattle industry has on the economy and families.In 2004 Marcia was asked by the president of the Florida Cattle-

men’sAssociation (FCA) to co-chair his public relations committee.She helped develop a new web site for both FCA and Florida Cat-tleWomen, Inc., and helped create an FCA calendar featuring beau-tiful photographs of Florida cattle ranches. She worked withwell-known photographer Carlton Ward on the photos for the cal-endar, whose purpose is to educate Floridians about the importanceof preserving our working ranchlands. The calendar has proven verypopular and is now in its fifth year of production.Marcia’s service in the agriculture community has brought her

many awards and honors. In 1988, after years of working closelywith their local FFA chapter, Marcia and Cary were presented withan Honorary Chapter Degree. In 2003 Marcia was chosen as theFlorida CattleWomen’s Outstanding Cattlewoman of the Year. In

2005 the Lightsey family won the NationalCattlemen’s Beef Association EnvironmentalStewardshipAward and the Florida Commis-sioner of Agriculture’s Agricultural-Environ-mental Leadership Award. That same yearMarcia received the Florida Agri-Women’sFounder’s Award.Her list of accomplishments just keeps

growing. In 2008 Marcia became RegionII Director for the American National Cat-tleWomen (ANCW), based in Denver. Inthis position she oversees membership co-ordination, beef promotion, and beef edu-cation for seven southeastern states. Shehas conducted two Region II meetings,one in Georgia in 2008 and one inLouisiana in 2009. She has been success-ful in all the tasks she has undertaken forthe group, and this summer in Denver she

was named ANCW Promoter of the Year.Marcia and Cary Lightsey live near LakeWales. They have three

children and seven grandchildren, and the entire family works to-gether to continue to grow the Lightsey Cattle Company. �

Marcia and Cary Lightsey

PHO

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SYFL

ORI

DA

DEP

ARTM

ENT

OF

AGRI

CULT

URE

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JudgingTeam.GoGators.qx:Layout 1 12/29/09 4:47 PM Page 63


We began 2009 with a lot on our

plate.Themost looming concern

of 2009 was the indebtedness of

this organization.We identified our largest is-

sues, and one by one began the tedious job of

tackling the monster the only way we know

how – one bite at a time.

We began 2009 with more than $1.3 mil-

lion in debt. It is my pleasure to announce we

have resolved over $925,000 of this debt.

I am constantly amazed by the generosity

of our friends and patrons. I would like to

thank our patrons and those companies that

have reduced, completely eliminated or taken

a sponsorship in lieu of payment, such as

Lamar Signs, PartyTime Rentals and Florida

Express and to assure all of youwho have do-

nated their time and money in 2009 that we

will not let you down.

We realize that there are still outstanding

debts owed by the Florida Horse Park. We

will continue to keep debt reduction at the top

of our agenda.Wemust keep in mind that fu-

ture boards should not be burdened by debt

that had no solid source of revenue for repay-

ment.Wemust steward this organization with

an eye to the future.

Like many other businesses and organiza-

tions, the Florida Horse Park has undergone a

thorough reorganization and restructure.

Events are ongoing and growing.We have had

a recent meeting with Florida Commissioner

of Agriculture Charles Bronson. We shared

with him the success of the past year, our build-

ing and construction plans and our Christmas

list. First on our list is the license plate, second

is the Coggins test assessment. And last, we

wished him good tidings and joy as we dis-

cussed the possibilities of future funding.

We have an upcoming trip planned to tour

the Perry, Ga., Georgia National Fairground

andAgri-center show facilities.Wewill be tour-

ing the grounds and plan to spend some time

discussing the operations and construction.

Our first vertical structure for the Florida

Horse Park – a concession/lavatory facility –

is scheduled to be completed by June of 2010.

In conclusion, I would like to share with

each of youmy sincere gratitude.This has not

been an easy project. Many of you have been

involved with the park for years. You have

seen the many changes, many site plans, lis-

tened to presentations on how we could raise

a million and stayed awake at night thinking

of ways to repay debt. I have given much

thought to our strengths andweaknesses. I be-

lieve that each of us just desires to see the

park built. Built for our

state, for our community,

for our love of the out-

doors and for all the agri-

cultural and horse things

that go with it. My per-

sonal best to all of you.

Sincerely,

Connie Duff Wise, Chairman

Happy NewYearfrom the Florida Horse Park

Your FLORIDA HORSE PARK

YourFloridaHorsePark.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 10:46 AM Page 1


Karen E. Davison, Ph.D.

Manager-Equine Technical Services—Land O’Lakes Purina Feed

Oranges are an important part of Florida business and culture,

where the citrus industry has a $9 billion annual economic

impact on the state.That translates to about 1 billion gallons

of healthy, refreshing juice recognized throughout the world as nutri-

tious and delicious.

O.J., or other vitaminC supplementation (ascorbic acid), is one of the

most common dietary supplements taken by people.VitaminC supple-

mentation is proposed to combat everything from the common cold to

cancer, and people have been encouraged to consume “mega-doses” of

these supplements. This has been tempered by some reported side-ef-

fects of excessive chronic vitamin C intake. Because people take vita-

min C supplements and derive some health benefits, it is reasonable to

wonder if your horsemay benefit fromvitaminC supplementation, too.

Most species, including the horse, can synthesize vitamin C in the

liver from glucose, but not humans, monkeys or guinea pigs. Those

species require a dietary supply of ascorbic acid or they develop

scurvy, which causes symptoms such as nose bleeds, bleed-

ing gums and skin discoloration. Scurvy, first de-

scribed byHepocrates in the fifth century B.C.,

was a factor in many military conflicts in

the early ages as soldiers and sailors ac-

tually died from this condition. Scurvy

was considered a plague before it was

discovered that simply eating citrus

fruits, such as oranges and limes,

would prevent the devastating health

issues incurred by sailors traveling for

prolonged periods on a limited diet. Use

of the term “limey” to describe the British

was originally due to British sailors eating

limes on extendedmilitary campaigns to prevent

the devastating health problems associated with

chronic dietary vitamin C deficiency.

VitaminC functions as a biological antioxidant and as a cofactor in-

volved in the synthesis of collagen, carnitine and norepinephrine. Clas-

sic vitamin C deficiency has not been reported in the horse, probably

because of the effective liver synthesis. Some researchers have sug-

gested a relationship between decreased blood levels of ascorbic acid

in horses and several diseases includingwound infections, nose bleeds

(exercise induced pulmonary hemorrhage), strangles, and reduced per-

formance. However, several studies report quite a wide range in serum

ascorbic acid levels in healthy horses, so there is no established con-

centration that is indicative of vitamin C deficiency in the horse.There

is also no known toxicity or upper tolerance amount published for di-

etary vitamin C in the horse. Daily doses of 20 grams per day have

been administered to horses over an 8-month period with no reported

negative effects. The question still remains whether or not there is a

benefit to the horse from oral vitamin C supplementation.

Several factors, including disease, transport, recurrent airway ob-

struction, old age and endurance exercise, have been reported to de-

crease serum concentrations of ascorbic acid in horses. This may

suggest that these states result in an increased consumption of ascor-

bic acid pools within the body. However, there have also been reports

of increased blood levels of ascorbic acid following endurance exercise

and in conditioned Thoroughbred race horses over a 12-week period.

Horses suffering fromRecurrentAirwayObstruction (RAO) have been

found to have lower ascorbic acid levels in pulmonary fluid than unaf-

fected horses. Oral ascorbic acid supplementation increased plasma

concentration of ascorbic acid but failed to statistically increase levels

in the pulmonary fluid of RAO affected horses. Interest-

ingly, supplementation did result in increased ascor-

bic acid level in pulmonary fluid of healthy ponies

in another study. In calves and other animals,

ascorbic acid concentration of body tissues,

especially skin and bone, have been reported

to be higher than the concentration found in

the blood, indicating that blood levels may

not reflect total body pool.

While oral vitamin C supplementation

has been shown to increase circulating blood

levels of ascorbic acid in horses in some trials,

other studies have actually reported a decrease

in plasma ascorbic acid concentrations and still oth-

ers reported no change. Some of the variation may be

due to the chemical form of vitamin C used in each study.

Many oral joint supplements contain ascorbic acid and there are clin-

ical trials that report improved soundness in horses supplementedwith

certain vitamin C supplements. However, controlled scientific studies

have not been conducted to prove this effect. In one study feeding oral

ascorbic acid to male guinea pigs actually worsened the severity of

spontaneous osteoarthritis. This may simply be a matter of “a little is

good, but more may not be good” and provides an example of why it

is very important to conduct controlled research to measure physio-

logical response to specific nutritional supplementation. �

DoHorsesNeed

Oranges?Oranges.Horses.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 10:42 AM Page 1


Saturday afternoon, May 2, 2009, just prior to the 135th running

of the Kentucky Derby, much attention was given to the fact

MindThat Bird was hauled 1,700miles in a horse trailer pulled

by a pickup truck and driven by his trainer, ChipWoolley.Whilewatch-

ing the pre-raceTV coverage, it seemed every reporterwho interviewed

Mr.Woolley was fascinated the trainer had personally driven his horse

from New Mexico to Kentucky. So much, in fact, that Mr. Woolley’s

first comment to the gaggle of trackside reporters after his gelding’s im-

pressive upsetwas “Nowmaybe you all will talk about something else.”

I knowhorses travel by commercial vans, tractor-trailers and even air-

transport, but the reality ismost horses in theUnitedStates are transported

in ahorse trailer drivenby their owner.Haulinghorses requires

more than just good driving skills.The driver should not only

be experiencedwith thenuances of transporting large animals,

but should also be a bona fide horseman or horsewoman.

To start with, if you are hauling horses, make sure the

towing vehicle is the correct size for the trailer you will be

using. Just because you can hook up to a trailer does not

mean your vehicle is suited to pull that trailer, especially

when loaded. Be sure truck-to-trailer connections are se-

cure and safety chains are attached.

Many precarious situations can be avoided by taking a

few extra minutes to check all tires, including spares, for air

pressure, uneven wear and dry-rot. Look over the trailer for excessive

wear and tear. Check forwasp nests, spiders and other critters thatmight

have moved in while the trailer was idle. Inspect the floor as well as all

windows, doors and latches. Test all lights, turn signals and brakes be-

fore loading horses.

I’ve learned someof these horse hauling lessons “the hardway.”Back

in the day,when Iwas a college freshman, I used to break and train horses

for extra money. One of my clients had two horses outside of Louisville

and asked me if I would be interested in going up there to get them. He

wanted one delivered to his place and hewantedme to take the other one

for a couple ofmonths.Onmywayhome,while stoppedon the exit ramp

at the Shepherdsville truck stop, my entire truck and trailer shook vio-

lently. I thought someone had hit me from behind and got out to check

the damage. To my surprise, I had not been hit, but when I looked in to

check on the horses they were both standing on the asphalt.

The trailer I was pulling had not been used for a fewweeks and the

floor, consisting of pressure-treated 2 x 6’s, had several rotten boards

that had given way under the weight of the two horses I was hauling.

Now, here I was, alone, on an exit ramp and two horses that belonged

to someone else were standing on the ground while still inside the pa-

rameters of my trailer. The horses were calm as I backed them off and

tied them to the side of the trailer while traffic continued to pass. I

was able to remove the busted boards and slide enough good boards

together to load the horses on the trailer safely. Once the horses were

back on the trailer, I drove to the truck stop and called a friend to come

with his truck and trailer to haul the horses home. The horses arrived

at their destinations none the worse for wear and I learned a hard les-

son about the importance of checking your equipment and being re-

sponsible for someone else’s horses.

A fewweeks later, as Iwas followinga livestock trailer up the entrance

ramp to the Interstate, I noticed ahorse loose in that trailer.The trailer had

one large swinging door that was equippedwith an internal sliding door.

The large door was latched and fastened securely, but as the trailer made

its way up the ramp the sliding door kept opening wider and wider. The

slidingdoorhadnot been latched, and thebankingof the ramp–combined

with the vibration of the road – set up the prefect circumstances for the

door to slide open. As the truck leveled out and started to

merge into traffic, thehorse steppedout of the trailer onto the

Interstate. The driver had not seen his horse step out of the

trailer and continued to pick up speed.

The horsewas right in front ofme and fortunatelywent

to his right, toward the shoulder of the road, away from the

median and oncoming traffic. I tried to get the driver’s at-

tention by flashing my lights and blowing the horn, but he

never sawme. Iwas slowing down, trying to keepmy truck

between the traffic behind me and the loose horse on the

road.When the driver of the tractor-trailer beside sawwhat

was going on, he pulled up besideme and slowed to a stop

as I got out ofmy truck to catch the horse or at least keep him from run-

ning back to the road. About that same time, I noticed the trailer the

horse was previously riding in had stopped about a quarter mile down

the road.Thankfully, someone up ahead had been able flag them down.

The horse was surprisingly calm as I approached him and he al-

lowed me to grab his halter without incident. The horse’s owner was

sheepishly pale as he approached and thankedme for stopping to help.

What he said next made a huge impression on me and it’s something

I’ll never forget. His commentwas, “They toldme you’re good to go!”

Lesson learned. Don’t take someone else’s word for “good to go.”

Make a habit of conducting a walk-around inspection every time

you hook up. This exercise is important for all trips and is extremely

crucial for trailers that have not been used in several days or weeks. Ul-

timately, it is the driver’s responsibility to ensure the safety of the

horse(s) they are hauling.�

PRACTICALLY SPEAKING

Marion Countylivestock agentMark Shuffitt

HorseHaulin’

Shuffitt.Column.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 10:51 AM Page 1


The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing resultsupdated through December 28, 2009. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

Leading Florida Sires

GRAEME HALLMONTBROOK CHAPEL ROYALNA Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yo

Name Sire Name Farm Name Earnings Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's Earnings Earner Earnings Sold Avg Sold Avg

Montbrook Buckaroo Ocala Stud $3,757,430 144 80 7 11 0 $3,778,725 Big Drama $358,500 9 $10,856 18 $36,650

Graeme Hall Dehere Winding Oaks $3,553,469 140 90 4 6 1 $3,560,970 Duke of Mischief $312,800 16 $7,430 5 $105,400

Chapel Royal Montbrook Signature Stallions $2,931,875 150 75 3 3 1 $3,079,039 Advice $232,251 43 $13,263 11 $48,364

Put It Back Honour and Glory Bridlewood Farm $2,665,015 167 91 10 12 5 $2,986,199 Jessica Is Back $220,385 11 $38,282 4 $19,500

D'wildcat Forest Wildcat Vinery $2,547,346 91 53 3 4 1 $2,659,055 D' Funnybone $278,200 14 $14,964 23 $41,661

Concerto Chief's Crown Ocala Stud $2,301,164 111 59 2 3 1 $2,308,199 Finallymadeit $365,375 2 $4,750 5 $29,200

Three Wonders Storm Cat deceased $2,175,550 136 77 1 1 0 $2,182,190 Helicopter $108,205 12 $5,300 5 $8,440

Full Mandate A.P. Indy Hartley/De Renzo $2,032,764 149 72 0 0 0 $2,032,764 Kissa Melissa $147,750 8 $2,325 10 $9,390

Double Honor Gone West Get Away Farm $1,954,233 131 70 2 2 0 $1,977,916 All Night Labor $122,513 2 $1,850 10 $9,940

Halo's Image Halo Bridlewood Farm $1,854,169 106 58 1 2 1 $1,854,169 How's Your Halo $184,375 15 $7,573 7 $24,500

Leading Sires.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 11:38 AM Page 67


The following list includes currently active, deceased, and pensioned stallions, with racing resultsupdated through December 28, 2009. Statistics provided by The Jockey Club Information Systems Inc.

Leading Florida Juvenile Sires

PROUD ACCOLADED’WILDCATWILDCAT HEIRNA Stk Gr Leading Leading Yrlg Yrlg 2yo 2yo

Name Sire Name Farm Name Earnings Strtrs Wnrs SW's Wins SW's Earnings Earner Earnings Sold Avg Sold Avg

Wildcat Heir Forest Wildcat Journeyman Stud $1,169,339 60 39 2 2 0 $1,169,339 Karmageddon $73,130 56 $20,423 39 $39,115

D'wildcat Forest Wildcat Vinery $899,758 46 24 1 2 1 $1,011,467 D' Funnybone $278,200 14 $14,964 23 $41,661

Proud Accolade Yes It's True deceased $959,626 29 15 2 2 0 $959,626 Proud Zoe $154,238 8 $24,126 14 $39,107

Hear No Evil Carson City Journeyman Stud $640,355 7 3 2 5 0 $640,355 Jackson Bend $477,820

Consolidator Storm Cat Journeyman Stud $471,815 58 18 1 1 0 $586,118 Absolute Music $78,862 52 $13,601 17 $64,406

Chapel Royal Montbrook Signature Stallions $585,465 46 15 0 0 0 $585,610 Dahlgren Chapel $133,383 43 $13,263 11 $48,364

Montbrook Buckaroo Ocala Stud $518,991 25 14 0 0 0 $540,286 Amen Hallelujah $132,370 9 $10,856 18 $36,650

Roar of the Tiger Storm Cat Hartley/De Renzo $485,069 39 15 1 1 1 $486,521 Bear Tough Guy $180,338 23 $5,243 20 $30,220

Indian Ocean Stormy Atlantic Bridlewood $410,118 30 13 1 1 0 $410,118 Winey Taylor $85,415 22 $5,055 7 $17,857

Concorde's Tune Concorde Bound Ocala Stud $368,123 26 12 0 0 0 $368,123 Seeuat Sticknstein $49,060 2 $23,600 12 $48,250

Leading Sires.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 11:38 AM Page 68

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Classifieds.Jan.qx:Layout 1 12/29/09 12:01 PM Page 1


The year from which we have just emerged was

a study in stark contrast framed in global tur-

moil that appears in retrospect no less a trial

than is was in passing.

If the heroics of Zenyatta and Rachel Alexandra pro-

vided racingwith relief from the bruised public image the

sport has suffered in recent years, the industry has been

battered to its core by a hostile economic climate that has

spanned the globe, as well as political turmoil.Wagering

and purses declined in everyAmerican racing market as

did sales receipts and the number ofmares bred.A blood-

letting is no less painful

when widely shared.

With final figures for

2009 not yet complete as

this is written, betting in the

U.S. was on pace to decline

by 10 percent year over

year to about $12.3-billion,

the second straight annual drop of more than $1 billion.

Purses were anticipated to decline about 5.8 percent to

$1.1-billion, a total comparable with 2005.With yearling

prices declining, many breeders have reduced stud fees

and breeding activity is anticipated to decline to levels

not seen in three decades, this without considering the

international fallout from a dicey economic climate in

Dubai, home to racing’s most wealthy family.

The only growth within the racing business during

this dark age appears to be the ever-widening network of

organizations devoted to the rescue of horses and the

number of animals in dire need of such effort.

From upstate NewYork, where early last year dozens

of horses were found starving on a farm owned by Ernie

Paragallo, a prominent, highly successful figure who

could well afford their support, to stories of farm owners

locking gates at night to prevent others already at the

door of desperation from turning loose horses they are

no longer capable of supporting under cover of darkness.

In Florida, abandoned horses were found recently in des-

perate condition, and far toomany animals have become

the innocent victims of the economic downturn that has

not loosened its grip on the racing and breeding indus-

tries. This, even as the stock market recovered in 2009

and depending upon to whom you are listening, the re-

cession abated, remains in full rage or is destined for an-

other, deeper swoon.

At least 16 organizations are involved in the rescue

of horses of all breeds on national or multi-state levels.

They are all busy. There is no agency that counts horses

saved from slaughter, neglect or the insolvency of oth-

erwise upstanding owners but the numbers are obvi-

ously staggering.

The need for permanent homes is not limited to re-

tired geldings and horses not suitable for the stud nowa-

days. Reduction in the number of mares bred has

resulted in hundreds if not thousands of perfectly sound,

healthy, fertile broodmares that would be bred in more

bountiful times.

This is not a movement born originally from eco-

nomic strife but in recognition of the need to locate

homes and purposes for horses no longer capable of rac-

ing. The Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation was

founded almost three decades ago. Through the years

other organizations have taken up the cause which has

gainedwider attention and support in the face of the anti-

slaughter movement. But difficult economic times have

steepened the slope.

Economic turmoil in the world, nation and the busi-

ness of breeding and racing horses promises nothing

more than continued uncertainty in the near term. The

good news is that selfless, concerned and dedicated peo-

ple from all walks of life who share a love of the animals

central to racing and throughout history the companion

of humans work tirelessly to save horses of all breeds.

They are saviors of the animals who have fallen victim to

the dire times and are an inspiration to us all. �

PLAYER’S PAGE

by Paul Moran

The good news is that selfless,

concerned and dedicated people are

saviors of the animals who have

fallen victim to the dire times and

are an inspiration to us all.

ChallengingTimes

Players.PgMoran.qx:Florida Horse_template 12/29/09 4:10 PM Page 1



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The Florida Horse January 2010