Ontario Breeders, have you decided?

[Jane]

Just wondering which stallions you Ontario breeders are going with this year?

[AscotStud]

Yes, Swain, Aljabr and Tejano Run...hahaha

[Jane]

Yes Ascot, you don't need to look elsewhere... you have a backyard full of nice choices.

Do you notice a drop in interest this year? I only ask this because several of the Ontario farms I have been in contact with are saying that Gardiner/Adena seem to have stolen some of their thunder with the sizable lineup they all of a sudden have.

My plan is to send a couple to Adena (Alphabet Soup and Silent Name) and maybe one to Alumni Hall and after that I don't know, I'm still thinking.

[AscotStud]

Aljabr is pretty popular again this year and Swain is doing well enough, Tejano Run has been slow for a few years (somehow). We know what to expect being where we are, and this year has been as good or better than expected with the saturation of our market.

[Mood Swings]

I've talked to a few stallion managers as well and I do think the Adena line-up is affecting everyone. I heard that Adena bought up a couple parcels of land in my neighbourhood ... any bets as to whether they will be building their own stallion station for 2011?

Jane - I have a 2010 colt by Silent Name and am thrilled with him I've already booked my mares for the year but I'd like to send a mare to him again next year. I know someone that booked to Alumni Hall and got a fantastic deal on the stud fee. Lane's End is smart and are doing what they can to get mares for his bubble year.

My mares are all going to Gardiner stallions this year

[Jane]

Thanks Mood, I saw the pics you posted of your Silent Name foal and I'd be happy to have one of those in my barn. Glad to hear you are so happy with him.

I had been told that Adena was looking to buy Gardiner but it looks like my info was not correct since it's still listed for sale. If they are buying land it sounds like they might be building some fancy stallion station, very interesting news... What area are they buying in? Aurora?

[Mood Swings]

I've been hearing rumours that Frank bought Adena (so far I believe they are just rumours). The amount of money he would have to spend in addition to the $5 million asking price to bring the facility up to his standards make it seem an unlikely investment for him. The two parcels he bought are within a short distance from each other in Newmarket

[Maureen]

Put mare and foal on trailer today, heading back to Centennial Farms to breed back to Laura's Lucky Boy. Baby walked right on and mom followed.

[Jane]

I agree Mood, the idea of Adena buying Gardiner seemed odd, Frank likes to build his own stuff and to bring Gardiner up to their standards you'd unfortunately need to start with a bulldozer. Will be interesting to see how this plays out, would be cool to have a new stallion station in Newmarket.

Maureen, what's the deal with Laura's Lucky Boy, I don't even see him advertised in the CTHS stallion book.

[Maureen]

We asked the same question of Centennial, and the person that is supposed to be managing the advertising and such, failed to get an ad in. They weren't too impressed!

[westover]

I can confirm that Adena did not buy Gardiner. I asked a good friend who is closely connected to the situation, & sells realestate. It is not sold & still listed.

I have gone to the tried & true's this year, Trajectory to the Kain's Deed mare and Peaks and Valley's to the Royal Diamond mare. I have done both of these matings before and both were correct & good looking Fee's were negotiable & i was very happy with the transaction

[westover]

Mood Swings, it will be interesting to see what good old Frank does with that land.. It would make sense wouldn't it for him to do something like his own stallion station.

Btw just got informed via email of course from Mr. Carty, that effective immediatly MB is now $15,000 + gst .. Grade 1 winner or not, kind of odd for mid season ? or is it standard practice?

[Jane]

Really? A $2,500 jump in price in mid April?? Wouldn't pretty much everyone who was planning on breeding to him already be booked in at the 12,500 price? Not sure what to make of this... maybe an attempt to generate confidence and excitement?

[westover]

I don't think its confidence & excitment. I think its called "greed"

Confidence & excitment was genarated by watching the filly yesterday at Keeneland win the Grade 1 Vinery Stake.

No need to do that now mid season.

[Jane]

I don't disagree with you, if I had been on the fence about breeding to him in the first place then this move would really tick me off.