Pedigree Query

I'm going to Ocala within a couple of weeks and plan to fit in a farm visit (or two!). I'm interested in "grass types" and conformation and soundness are more inportant to me than commercial bloodlines. No Storm Cats! I've heard that Skip To The Stone is a nice mover (sport horse type). Has anyone seen him in the flesh?

Not too many grass sires in Florida. I have a grass bred mare (yeah I know it's not marketable). Take a look at Honor Glide by Honor Grades, Black Mambo by Kingmambo, Mr. Livingston by El Prado, Sligo Bay by Sadler's Wells, Exchange Rate by Danzig, and Mecke by Maudlin.

Equinevision.com has a moving video of Skip to the Stone. I believe so does Thoroughbred Time's Stallion register. I'd think twice about calling him a nice mover. The first video is really bad, so bad that I used him as an example of what you don't want a horse to move like in a presentation I had to give.

That's interesting, because when I saw Skip to the Stone in 2005 (he is quite an attractive horse, by the way), Lou Gurino told me they'd actually shown him in an in-hand class at one of the big hunter/jumper/dressage shows down here and finished third with him while competing against warmbloods as well as TBs.

You're more than welcome to come visit us and see some fine old grass blood. We have Prince Bobby B ( King Pellinore X Riviere Bleue by Riverman ).

hi toadie

You wrote "I'm interested in "grass types" and conformation and soundness are more important to me than commercial bloodlines. ... I've heard that Skip To The Stone is a nice mover (sport horse type). Has anyone seen him in the flesh?"

Skip To The Stone is a deceivingly tall, well-conformed and very strongly made...handsome horse. He offers plenty of body and bone, is well muscled...and is quite the gentleman. He certainly does have a confidence and very nice way about him...is definitely appealing...and offers a lot of nice qualities.

He's not exactly what I would describe as a horse that seems to dance across the ground effortlessly, seemingly floating on air. Regardless, he is a good mover.

Arguably Skip To The Stone is not particularly commercial (yet) nor is his sire, but Skip To The Stone's sire Skip Trial was and is a very solid sire...and did get many good ones, along with a GREAT and very SOUND one in Skip Away. I expect that Skip To The Stone has it in him to sire good and sound racehorses...but I do not expect that turf-types will be what he will be best known for. If he reproduces himself, I sense he'll get very solid dirt-types (for the most part)...with a cool, calm way about them (like he is).

I suggest that Skip To The Stone (although arguably not particularly commercial, which doesn't seem to be a concern of yours) is worth a look...is a very nice horse...and is very easy to like.

Respectfully

If you go to Bridlewood to see Black Mambo then take a look at Great Pyramid too. He is Floridas only son of the incredible Danehill, as a trainer I would love a barnful of Danehills descendants to play with on the turf in the summertime.

wilf wrote:If you go to Bridlewood to see Black Mambo then take a look at Great Pyramid too. He is Floridas only son of the incredible Danehill, as a trainer I would love a barnful of Danehills descendants to play with on the turf in the summertime.

Indeed, and the Danehill's seemed to run on any turf as well, hard firm, soft, good....you name it.
With Great Pyramid being a full brother to the best ever son of Danehill, Rock of Gibralter and Danehill's reputation as a sire of sires I'd give him a SERIOUS look for only $2,500 (especially where there's no interest in the commercial market). He may not have run like his brother, but if anything I think he looks more like his sire than ROG does.

Thanks everyone. STTS, MrLivingston and BlackMambo were at the top of my list. I think Exchange Rate and Adena stallions are out of my price range.

Ann, where are you located? I'll be at Karen and David OConnor's in Ocala.

Hi Toadie, we're about 22 miles west of Ocala, midway between Dunnellon and Williston.I can PM you a phone number and directions if you might like or have time to come visit.

wilf wrote:If you go to Bridlewood to see Black Mambo then take a look at Great Pyramid too. He is Floridas only son of the incredible Danehill, as a trainer I would love a barnful of Danehills descendants to play with on the turf in the summertime.

Forbiddden Apple stands at Bridlewood. If I were looking for a turf sire in FL, I'd look at FA.

hi reese

It's no secret...Forbidden Apple has had difficulty impregnationg many mares...BEWARE.

I expect the farm will discuss his issues with you.

Respectfully

FOS wrote:hi reese

It's no secret...Forbidden Apple has had difficulty impregnationg many mares...BEWARE.

I expect the farm will discuss his issues with you.

Respectfully

That's too bad. He was a very nice turfer.

What is his problem?

hi reese

I agree...Forbidden Apple was one heck of a turfer (your word).

Re: his breeding issues...I'm not sure whether it's fertility related...libido...and/or some other problem (whatever it might be) that's the culprit.

It's definitely no secret though that something's going on with him.

Respectfully

FOS wrote:hi reese

I agree...Forbidden Apple was one heck of a turfer (your word).


Respectfully

You learn something every day...didn't realize turfer is not in the dictionary. Must be a slang contraction I've heard used for turf runner or racer.

I see what you mean about FA. It was obvious when I looked at the stallion register. ..

That is really too bad because I saw FA's races in NY, and he looked the part of a "star". He had speed for a grass runner and a very good closing kick. Held his own against European grass racers and held up physically.