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New Stallions for 2013

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After a torrid summer of retirement announcements and plans, the time has finally arrived where all prices are set and the newest group of stallions will take to their sheds in 2013.

Bodemeister, in a familiar position, leads his class of new stallions in 2013
Bodemeister, in a familiar position, leads his class of new stallions in 2013
Rob Carr

Here’s my first take on the group entering stud this year. Ones I really like are in green, those that I don’t care for are in amber. My opinion in this case is based mostly on value rather than potential. I think that the ones in green will be commercially viable stallions and/or good value in relation to their stud fee. Those in amber are basically just those that I feel the stud fee is too high, not that they are/will be bad stallions. Non-highlighted ones are probably right where they should be. (disclaimer: add "In my lowly educated opinion" to the end of every sentence in this entire article)

STALLION SIRE FARM STUD FEE COMMENT
Union Rags Dixie Union Lane's End $35,000 Too high for a horse that seemed to top out as a 2yo.
Bodemeister Empire Maker WinStar Farm LLC $30,000 About right
To Honor and Serve Bernardini Gainesway $30,000 Waaaaay too high. Great horse, not sold on him at 30k
Americain Dynaformer Calumet Farm $20,000 Like him. Dunno how Calumet will market him.
Shackleford Forestry Darby Dan Farm $20,000 Not for 20k. Not many are sold on him as a stallion.
Stay Thirsty Bernardini Ashford Stud $20,000 Interesting. Should cross well with lots of mares. Ashford will breed him to 200+
Creative Cause Giant's Causeway Airdrie Stud $15,000 Only if you are looking for a 2yo. Not sold.
Gemologist Tiznow WinStar Farm LLC $15,000 Good price.
Tapizar Tapit Gainesway $15,000 Would like to see him lower, Not sure how commercial he will be since he developed as an older horse.
The Factor War Front Lane's End $15,000 Durability issues; not for at 15k.
Hansen Tapit Ashford Stud $12,500 Tooooooo Muuuuuuuch.
Brilliant Speed Dynaformer Three Chimneys Farm $10,000 Interesting, will only get a grass horse.
Caleb's Posse Posse Three Chimneys Farm $10,000 Good Price.
Jersey Town Speightstown Darby Dan Farm $10,000 Hopes to replicate Munnings' successes.
Algorithms Bernardini Claiborne Farm $7,500 Interesting and strong family. May be a deal.
Astrology A.P. Indy Taylor Made Stallions, Inc. $7,500 Perfect Breeding Tepid Results. Just ok.
Bullet Train (GB) Sadler's Wells Wintergreen Stallion Station $7,500 Interesting. As half to Frankel he's interesting.
Dialed In Mineshaft Darby Dan Farm $7,500 No. Only ever won two things.
Lentenor Dynaformer Calumet Farm $7,500 No. good horse, but will have to prove something to me.
Mission Impazible Unbridled's Song Sequel Stallions New York $7,500 eh. Lots of 2nds, very few wins.
Mythical Power Congaree War Horse Place $7,500 Never that good. No.
Santiva Giant's Causeway War Horse Place $7,500 Only won one race and was a 2yo. No.

Additionally, I’ll Have Another’s stud fee in Japan was published as JPN3,200,000 (approximately $37,000). That’s right in line with the other Grade 1 winners on the list.

Remember, these prices are usually negotiable. For instance Spendthrift has a number of different programs that involve bundling, multi-year breeds, et cetera, that can significantly reduce the stud fee. Foal Shares are one of the big ones where the farm and the breeder agree to split the proceeds from the foal when sold as a weanling or yearling.

Bullet Train (GB) is by far the most intriguing on the list. As a ¾ brother to Frankel (same dam, Galileo is a son of Sadler’s Wells) and as a Group 3 winner in his own right, he certainly brings a powerful family to the table. If I could work a deal with Wintergreen, I’d be interested, but I wouldn’t be willing to foot the bill on my own since the response to him could be pretty chilly in his first year(s). As a Euro turf horse that served as Frankel’s pacemaker, it’s had to get a read on his true viability here in the states. But that doesn’t mean his pedigree isn’t fantastic.