Here's the press release:
December 24, 2008
Glyndon, MD
Press Release
Maryland Stallion Station to Partner with Two Leading Maryland Farms and Re-locate its Eight Stallions
In an effort to rationalize costs in these difficult economic times while continuing to serve Maryland and mid-Atlantic breeders with high quality stallions, the Maryland Stallion Station will partner with Bonita Farm and Shamrock Farms for future operations. For the 2009 breeding season, second leading mid-Atlantic sire Outflanker (Danzig) and three promising freshman sires: Fantasticat (G2SW,Storm Cat), Gators N Bears (MGSW,Stormy Atlantic) and St Averil (G2SW, St. Ballado) will stand at the Boniface family’s Bonita Farm in Darlington, MD. Third Crop sires Rock Slide (MSW, AP Indy) and Seeking Daylight (G2SW, Seeking the Gold) and younger stallions, former Maryland Champion and millionaire Cherokee’s Boy (Citidancer) and Greek Sun (MGSW, Danzig) will reside at Shamrock Farm in Woodbine, MD.
Maryland Stallion Station had its best year ever in 2008 as its stallions covered 373 mares and stallions it stands, or has stood won three of the nine 2008 Maryland Million races while placing in a fourth. Its top sire, Outflanker (Danzig) is completing his best season ever with just shy of $4mm in progeny earnings and 12 stakes wins from 7 stakes winners.
Don Litz will continue to oversee the marketing and booking of the stallions for both farms and the original investor base remains intact. “Given the current climate in the industry and the general economy, we felt that the most practical business decision was to reduce our operating overhead and team up with top notch operations to preserve the upside we believe exists with our stallion roster for breeders and our investors,” said Don Litz, President. “ We are grateful for the support of our growing breeder client base and look forward to continuing to serve them well through Bonita and Shamrock. We are excited to have the opportunity to potentially add as clients many of their long standing relationships. While it’s unfortunate to leave our facility and location in the Worthington Valley, we look forward to working closely with the Boniface’s and Steele’s to build on the momentum that Maryland Stallion Station has in the regional market. At the appropriate time we plan to consider the acquisition of new stallions and to work closely with our many partners in the industry to identify and pursue top prospects. We feel that we have had a major impact in the region during our first five years and hope to grow that impact as our three freshman sires of 2009’s progeny hit the track.”
Breeders can continue to get information on the stallions through our website, www.marylandstallions.com and in the near future also through the website of Bonita Farm. The sites will be linked shortly and provide nicking software for the MSS stallions.
Maryland Stallion Station moves all stallions
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Broad Brush
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The land the MSS was built on was leased. From what I have heard the last several days the lease was up for renewal and the land owner wanted to double the rent which would have made yearly rent well over 100K per year from the numbers I have heard. It will be interesting to see what happens to the buildings and improvements that were made on the property since they were paid for by the MSS and its investors.
It couldn't have happened at a worse time for the organization. I think it is a real shame because if you ever talked to Don Litz and his reasons for building the facility the way he did and at that location, it really did provide Maryland a premier venue that could comfortably stand a horses with a five figure fee.
It couldn't have happened at a worse time for the organization. I think it is a real shame because if you ever talked to Don Litz and his reasons for building the facility the way he did and at that location, it really did provide Maryland a premier venue that could comfortably stand a horses with a five figure fee.
What a startling development.
The flip side is this may be turn out to be a godsend -- at least for the next year -- for the folks at Bonita, who had been really struggling with the exodus of mares to Pa. They actually had been considering turning some of their pastures over to raising grapes and Christmas trees.
The flip side is this may be turn out to be a godsend -- at least for the next year -- for the folks at Bonita, who had been really struggling with the exodus of mares to Pa. They actually had been considering turning some of their pastures over to raising grapes and Christmas trees.