Stonewall Stallions Join TrueNicks

Complimentary ratings for all 12 sires standing at Stonewall Stallions are now available on TrueNicks after the Versailles, Ky., nursery became the latest farm to sign up to provided the service. The Stonewall Stallions are headed by Medaglia d’Oro (TrueNicks, SRO), a three-time grade I winner, who earned over $5,754,720. A son of leading sire El Prado (TrueNicks, SRO), Medaglia d’Oro will have his first runners in 2008. The farm also has a young pair of Eclipse Award winners in the newly-retired Lawyer Ron (TrueNicks, SRO), the Champion Older Horse of 2007, and Leroidesanimaux (TrueNicks, SRO), the Champion Turf Horse of 2005.

The other stallions on the roster are A. P. Warrior (TrueNicks, SRO) (a graded stakes-winning son of A.P. Indy from the family of Storm Bird); Da Stoops (TrueNicks, SRO) (a versatile four-time stakes winner by Distorted Humor (TrueNicks, SRO)); Doneraile Court (TrueNicks, SRO) (sire of Experimental co-highweight Ruler’s Court); Frisco Star (an undefeated juvenile stakes winner by More Than Ready (TrueNicks, SRO)); It’s No Joke (a multiple graded stakes winner by Distorted Humor); Marquetry (TrueNicks, SRO) (sire of Champion Sprinters Artax and Squirtle Squirt); Spellbinder (TrueNicks, SRO) (a multiple graded stakes-winning half-brother to successful freshman sire, Whywhywhy); Strong Contender (TrueNicks, SRO) (a Super Derby (gr. II) winner by Maria’s Mon); Unforgettable Max (TrueNicks,

Richland Hills Trio Now on TrueNicks

TrueNicks users are now able to get complimentary hypothetical matings with a trio of stallions standing at Richland Hills near Midway, Kentucky.

The trio are first-year stallions Purim (TrueNicks, SRO) and Storm Surge (TrueNicks, SRO), and second-season sire, Star Dabbler (TrueNicks, SRO). Purim is a six-time stakes winner, who captured last year’s Shadwell Turf Mile (gr. 1). A son of Dynaformer (TrueNicks, SRO), Purim is out of Kirsteena, a stakes placed daughter of Lord At War. Fellow first year horse, Storm Surge, is a Storm Cat son who won a pair of stakes at two, and the Lexington Stakes (gr. 3) at three. Star Dabbler, by Saint Ballado, out of Meadow Silk, dead-heated for the Indiana Derby (gr. 2) and was second to Henny Hughes (TrueNicks, SRO) in the King’s Bishop Stakes (gr. 1).

As Easy as A, B, C ?

Stallion managers and broodmare owners have offered some interesting insights since the release of TrueNicks.

One stallion manager told me that he would come across clients who would reject matings that rated A on another nicking product because they wanted A++. In an e-mail conversation regarding a prospective mating, a broodmare owner told me that a planned mating that had a very clever pedigree had a “disappointing TrueNick rating.” When, I looked, however, that rating was a B, with a variant of 1.60 — that is, 60% better than might have been expected by opportunity.

It’s clear from interactions such as these that there is often some misunderstanding about what a nick rating is and isn’t. (More…)

Kipling, Noble Causeway, Unbridled Energy Join TrueNicks

TrueNicks welcomes three new sires in the shape of Crestwood Farm stallions Kipling (TrueNicks, SRO), Noble Causeway (TrueNicks, SRO), and Unbridled Energy (TrueNicks, SRO). Crestwood is located in Lexington, Ky.

Kipling is by Gulch and out of Weekend Storm–a Storm Bird full sister to Summer Squall, and half sister to A.P. Indy. He moves from Mighty Acres in Pryor, Okla. He has sired five stakes winners in his first two crops, headed by NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. I) winner Kip Deville.

Noble Causeway, a grade I performing son of Giant’s Causeway, is a first year horse who will be strongly supported with mares from the My Meadowview Farms of his owners, and there is also a $500,000 breeder incentive program.

Unbridled Energy, whose first crop arrives this year, is a multiple graded winning son of Unbridled’s Song.

Hurricane Hall Stallions Join TrueNicks

Lexington’s Hurricane Hall is the latest farm to sign up to provide complimentary TrueNicks ratings for its stallion roster.

Managed by Ben Walden Jr., Hurricane Hall stands first year stallions English Channel (TrueNicks, SRO), recently crowned as the champion turf horse of 2007; millionaire Silver Wagon (TrueNicks, SRO), winner of the Hopeful Stakes and Carter Handicap (both gr. I); and Teuflesberg (TrueNicks, SRO), a grade II winning son of Johannesburg, from the female line of Johannesburg, Tale of the Cat, and Pulpit.

The trio join earlier retirees Artie Schiller (TrueNicks, SRO), winner of six graded stakes including the NetJets Breeders’ Cup Mile (gr. I); and Bellamy Road (TrueNicks, SRO), runaway winner of the Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I).

Bob Black Jack Stuns

Even though the race took place at the “Santa Anita speedway,” Bob Black Jack’s Sunshine Millions Dash splits of :20.92 and :42.46, which led to a final time of 1:06.53–the quickest ever run on a track other than turf–more than likely makes him “the fastest horse whose pedigree you have never heard of.”

We have to admit the name of the sire, Stormy Jack, left us completely blank. However, a little research reveals that he stands at Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif., and that he was a well above average performer, winning eight races and $596,673, including the I’m Smoking Stakes at 2; the Oceanside Stakes and Real Good Deal Stakes at 3; and the On Trust Handicap at 4. (More…)

TrueNicks welcomes Vinery and Vinery Florida

The latest farms to subscribe to provide complimentary TrueNicks are Vinery Kentucky and Vinery Florida. Vinery’s Kentucky operation stands 10 stallions including leading freshman sire Posse (TrueNicks, SRO); flagship stallion More Than Ready (TrueNicks, SRO); Breeders’ Cup Sprint (gr. I) victor Silver Train (TrueNicks, SRO); and first year sire Stormello (TrueNicks, SRO).

Among the team at Vinery Florida’s facility are $3 million earner Peace Rules (TrueNicks, SRO), who has first runners in 2008; Repent (TrueNicks, SRO), one of Florida’s leading second-season sires in 2008; A.P. Indy’s near-millionaire son, Congrats (TrueNicks, SRO); and multiple grade I winner Pomeroy (TrueNicks, SRO).