Stallions...the Who'll Be Hot When You Intend To Sell game

[Maven]

She's completely in the hands of the very capable Tagg. He likes her chances in the race so we'll let the cards play. She's done enough to get what we want out of her but hopefully she'll make her foals even more marketable the rest of this year and next year.

[Rokeby Forever]

With Barclay Tagg, I'd expect the filly to improve throughout the year...Tagg's early developers (May is still early for Tagg 3 year old) go on to nice things, as opposed to the "break 'em down" crowd. Might your filly have a turf start coming up in her future?

[Maven]

It's completely up to him. We trust him completely. We dont question when he works or starts her. Why pay a trainer if you're going to question them the whole time? Let them do their job.

[Rokeby Forever]

Everyone learns that the hard way. LOL!

[Maven]

My partner has been in the business for years and years, as has my father. Their experience has saved me many mistakes.

[FOS]

hi Rok

Hi FOS,

I'm wondering what you might think of Officer at $40,000.

A bump in Officer's stud fee for '07 did not surprise me. But the bump to $40k did...OUCH!!!

In all fairness, he did get what might be described as some nice 2-yo runners...and I sense that his connections were extremely confident that he was on the verge of coming up with a couple of genuine TOP class horses. Maybe they'll appear...but arguably they haven't yet. Regardless, Officer did create interest and is now in the hands of a farm/management that boasts a significant client-base and an ability to promote (maybe push push push is a better description) their stallions. As a result, I would guess that many signed on the dotted line (for $40k) when beckoned by the TM boys.

Right now though...arguably Officer's connections, and those that bred to the horse for $40k, are likely holding their breath; and hoping that he doesn't go the way of former Taylor Made stallions/sires such as Artax and Storm Creek and Our Emblem etc...OUCH!!!

Taking that one step further, and looking at it from another angle...what about Officer's pedigree? What might a son of Officer (by Bertrando) have to accomplish at the racetrack to attract attention (and support) as a stallion prospect?

Considering Officer's sire...Officer's female family...Officer's accomplishments as a racehorse...and Officer's accomplishments (thus far) as a sire of racehorses...I am not convinced (at least not yet) that he's done enough to warrant a $40k stud fee. Just my opinion.

All that said...it seems to me that Taylor Made went for (what I might describe as) the jugular when they set Officer's 2007 stud fee at $40,000 (plus tax). It appears (to me anyway) that all-too-often squeezing the lemon dry might be their modus operendi.

Continuing the squeezing the lemon dry thought...some might argue that Forestry (also standing at Taylor Made) is advertised for a go-for-the-jugular stud fee too...$125,000 (plus tax) for 2007.

Best to you.

Respectfully

[Rokeby Forever]

Many thanks for your thoughts, FOS.

However, that $40,000 fee might get you another Against The Law. You, too, can have a horse that finishes 2nd in the Cactus Cup.

[Rokeby Forever]

(oops)

[Maven]

Hey Rok, my filly won the Polly's Jet today over a nice Rahy filly. How about that??!!

[Rokeby Forever]

I saw Maven, and congratulations. I thought she ran a nice race at Aqueduct that day and would improve on a different surface.

[Maven]

I dont watch out of superstition but Clark Shepherd at Stonewall who handles all my mares breeding plans gave me the first news and then my partner called. I just watched the replay on my equineline account and it wasnt an easy race. Im so very pleased with her.

[hpkingjr]

Maven:

Congrats on a great race. May she continue to improve and remain sound.

[brogers]

That said, and without getting into all the specifics, I would expect that if history repeats...Satish Sanan will only make a deal to move the horse to Kentucky IF and when it can be done EXACTLY as he wants.

Stick with me FOS....I will take you to the top of the class

http://breeding.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=39078

[Pete]

Hi Brogers,

Kudos!

Regards,

Pete

[Rokeby Forever]

FOS wrote, " Assuming ExRate moves to Three Chimneys...I might expect seasons to and shares/fractional interests in the horse will be inflated significantly. Isn't that their style? Shares in Point Given were reportedly offered to lucky 3C clients, for a mere $1mil per...and shares in Smarty Jones were reportedly offered to lucky 3C clients for a mere $650k per. What a bargain, don't you think?"

How does this article prove FOS to be wrong?