What happened to Florida?

[Mahubah]

Normally, by this time of year, we'd have announcements of 20-odd stallions being retired to Florida, some pretty nice. This year, very little by comparison to the last couple of years. Just normal fluctuations?

I have a feeling that part of the reason is the lucrative incoming Pennsylvania slots program and similar programs in other states which are going to be funneling more money into state-bred programs. Florida is still fighting over the slots issue and other than a couple of big-money cards of stakes, the state-bred program is limited. Anyone else have thoughts on the situation?

[Connie]

I think it's result of several things.
Several large farms are gone, the sales have not been very good for breeders in FL, and it appears that stallions are flocking to PA, and other states with lucrative breeders incentives.

Compared to the last 2 years, this crop of new sires is dismal.

[chicago78]

Not only is the new crop poor, but the moment a stallion has a semblance of success, he is shipped to Kentucky. Our farm is in Ocala, and as a rule I try to breed the lesser ones to Florida studs, but the options are few and far between. The purses at Calder are horrible, and the effects are starting to trickle to the stud ranks, and ultimately the breeding farms.

[Ill-bred]

Hi Avalyn, I always enjoy your writing.

This would appear to be an off year for new stallions in Fla:

Wilko
Sweet Return
Pavarotti
Aristocrat
El Nino
High Cotton
Orchard Park
Simon Pure
Exclusive Quality
Successful Ways
Mister Fotis
Quickgoldbucks
Creator
Lively Sea Knight
Northamerican Star

I think that's all of them.

Wilko, at $10,000, is the highest stud fee. That's a pretty light group.

[Roguelet]

Isn't Sarava new too, or has he been there? (Not real up on my Florida stuff....)

[Ill-bred]

I only included new sires on that list. No movers...

I think Sarava has been down there a few years, at the former Cloverleaf.

He's at Martin Stables South for '08, right?

[Roguelet]

I only included new sires on that list. No movers...

I think Sarava has been down there a few years, at the former Cloverleaf.

He's at Martin Stables South for '08, right?

Yep, he's at Martin Stable South... I knew he was new THERE, but didn't know if he was new to Florida.

[winds]

I think that the FL Breeders need to get to work on a FL Bred program that has similar incentives that other states have. I think that they need to set something up without the slots, but with provisions to include slots once all the political hoopla ends.

Florida has a wonderful history of developing top class stallions and I'd hate to see it change.

winds

[Mahubah]

Sarava, I think, stood two years at Cloverleaf before moving to Martin Stables South. Most of the stallions from Cloverleaf wound up at either Vinery South or the new Journeyman Stud.

[Rokeby Forever]

Not only is the new crop poor, but the moment a stallion has a semblance of success, he is shipped to Kentucky.

Trippi has had success at Ocala Stud, and he's staying put (as far as I know). Montbrook has been a good sire at Ocala Stud, as well.

But people are right - Farnsworth is kaput, Mockingbird Stud is gone, Tartan is gone....the place isn't what it used to be. I have no idea why Stronach is standing Sligo Bay down there, but I guess Ocala can be grateful that Giacomo's not there.

I would disagree about how Florida supports the statebred program. Calder is chock-full of baby races both on dirt and grass and it gives the breeder a chance to sell off the racetrack and not just the sales ring. Many of those Ocala breds might not bring more than $5,000 in the ring, but breeders that race there can lose a two year old for $25,000 (or more) if it shows any ability at all. Angel Salinas has been doing it successfully for Farnsworth for the last 3 or 4 years.

And, a good one can still come from the Florida Stallion Stakes. It was only recently that In Summation came from Ocala and he won a Grade 1 in California earlier this year.

[Swain Fan]

Check out Successful Ways at Ups and Downs and El Nino at Martin Stables. saw them at the stallion parties and like them both!