Stallion Shopping in Florida

[austique]

Okay so I think I started a similar thread before, but I'm in the process of really trying to knock down a short list for my mares and I'm noticing some stallions in FL that appear to offer some good value. I'm probably going to take a trip down there to view some horses sometime prior to booking time and I was wondering do I need to worry about missing a bunch of guys due to shuttling? It doesn't look like it.

Also farms to hit/avoid? The ones I'm most interested in are Hartley De Renzo, Ocala Stud, and Padua. Cloverleaf is a maybe. I do very much want to see Sarava. Oh and Bridlewood to see if Indian Ocean lives up to FOS' hype

[Derby2004]

Hi Austique, drop on by Ocala Stud and take a look at Concerto and Sweetsouthernsaint. I think they are the best values in Fl. Let me know how they look to you. Thanks.

[Sam]

Go look at Texas Glitter and tell me if I'm crazy.

I still think he's going to hit big.

[austique]

Derby2004,

Concerto was exactly who I was stopping by for! I want to check out Concorde's Tune as well. I'm not sold on Sweetsouthernsaint yet but I know he's your "warm fuzzies" horse, so I'll check him out.

Sam,

Signature added to the list. I forgot about him. They've got Western Pride as well and I think and I would like to at least look at him even though I don't think I'd use him.

Edit: Does anybody know if Skip Trial is still trucking? They're still advertising him, but he's old... Me likey!

[aurora]

If you have time you might take a look at Gibson County, at McKathan farms near Reddick. He had only 13 foals but is currently at the top of the 2 year old list. He is by speedster In Excess. His dam, Miss Gibson County, was a crack sprinter and won 11 races in 22 starts. She won 8 stakes and placed in 3 others. She is a full sister to the multiple stakes-winning sprinter Big Jewel ($515,055) and to five-time stakes winner Charlie's Paradise, also a sprinter.

[FOS]

hi Sam

Go look at Texas Glitter and tell me if I'm crazy.

I still think he's going to hit big.

He's kind of a rugged and robust individual, and was a very nice racehorse that shipped everywhere. As a physical type though he doesn't strike me as the kind that would necessarily sire classic-types without a lot of help from the right kind of mares.

That said...if he "hit big" (your words), I'd be surprised.

Best to you.

Respectfully

[Sam]

he doesn't strike me as the kind that would necessarily sire classic-types without a lot of help from the right kind of mares.

Honestly, I don't really give a damn if a sire can get "Classic" horses. Most races in this country are run at a mile or less. I'm more interested in a sire that can sire solid, blue collar racehorses that hold up over a few years, consistantly earn a check and snatch a couple of stakes along the way. Feast or famine sires who throw nice "classic" horses that break down or retire by the end of their 3yo season are of ZERO interest to me. If he sires to type, then I don't really care if they can't win past a mile.

I've always said I'd rather have 10 horses like Running Stag than 1 horse like Vindication.

eta

I should add that, to me, 'hit big' is a relative term. I don't mean he's going to throw a "Big Horse" that makes up for the 100 or so claimers he sires (like Giant's Causeway/FuPeg). I mean he's going to hit in that just about everything is going to start, almost all of them will win and -- as a regional sire -- he's going to be in the top five for several years. I expect him to be a Notebook, not an Unbridled.

[Ill-bred]

We have a freshman sire contest going in the office, and all three of us picked Texas Glitter in the cheapie category.

[Sam]

We have a freshman sire contest going in the office, and all three of us picked Texas Glitter in the cheapie category.

See, I always knew you were a smart one

[FOS]

hi Sam

I mean he's going to hit in that just about everything is going to start, almost all of them will win and -- as a regional sire -- he's going to be in the top five for several years. I expect him to be a Notebook, not an Unbridled.

If that's your definition of "hit big"...fair enough.

I too expect that Texas Glitter would get a good number of starters and winners...and who knows, maybe some day he might slip into the Top Five southeast regional list, but I don't expect to see him there as a regular (unless possibly as a result of attrition).

For what it's worth...I believe that Notebook was a FAR superior physical type (as a sire prospect) than is Texas Glitter. Notebook had a lot of qualities about him that I do not see in TG. Regardless...it takes all kinds.

You might agree that food for thought when considering the chances for success of a young stallion/sire might be the record of the farm where he stands when it comes to sire-success (or lack therof).

I don't know that Texas Glitter's current home has much to point to in the way of success stories.

Remember, he's at the farm that tried to get everybody fired-up over Straight Man as the next-great-thing. And it might be interesting to hear why Mongoose's owners moved their young stallion to another facility close by...hmmm.

Whatta ya think?

Respectfully

[Ann]

I have to chime in here. I lean a bit toward Sam's thinking here. I saw Texas Glitter when he first arrived at Signature Stud and for me personally, I like looking at a horse while still in racing shape. My very first thoughts were; nice balance, no glaring faults and an electric personality...maybe a bit plain. The latter was often said about the great Round Table, so that sure doesn't bother me in the least.

The thing I like to see in a stallion is who's your family. In stallions I like them to come from a tail-female family that is bias to good sires. Texas Glitter fits that bill. Tail-female to Plucky Liege, the only mare to produce four Chefs-de-Race: *Bull Dog, *Sir Gallahad III, Bois Roussel and Admiral Drake. It is also the tail-female line of very good modern sires Fappiano and Quiet American and you might include Distant View, and Lord Gaylord here if you like.

As to the comments on the farm, I can't say anything but, good here. I had two outside mares here us this spring that went to Texas Glitter and working with Denise at Signature was nothing but a pleasure.

My last thought is on Concerto...what a cute horse in every respect. I believe he'll get the big horse given the right mare and opportunity. His connections are good.

[mikec]

Hi Austique,
For what it's worth we're making the trip from New Jersey to Ocala next week specifically to see Concerto. He's the best value & can get you the goods in my humble opinion.

[karla'sjourney]

I saw Sarava a few months back he is a good looking horse. Alke is also . He has a halfway decent pedigree. He's by grand slam. Sarava is by wild again out of a deputy minster mare.

[FOS]

hi karla's journey...hi guys

I saw Sarava a few months back he is a good looking horse. Alke is also . He has a halfway decent pedigree. He's by grand slam. Sarava is by wild again out of a deputy minster mare.

I suggest beware...of Alke's dam's sire (Crow) as a broodmare-sire of a sire-hopeful.

Respectfully

[bcassidy]

for whatever it is worth, I have a privately devised system to evaluate stallions and there is a very good stallion named Stark Ridge standing in Florida. You should check him out. I plan on sending two mares to him in 07, he is much better than his stud fee would indicate. good luck.