Baron De Vaux, the Great Prize, High Estate - standing in TX

[geowarrior]

I've been meaning to ask this for a while. These three stallions are all pretty old; Baron de Vaux was third in Unbridled's Belmont and High Estate sired an Epsom Derby winner. They are all featured stallions with video on the Thoroughbred Times's Stallion Directory so clearly the farm where they are standing, Dormello Stud, cares enough about them to advertise. However the farm's website is out of date. Anyone know about this farm, and if there's a philosophy of trying to stand outcrosses there? Or anything else about these three stallions? (Baron de Vaux and the Great Prize are standing for $500 and High Estate for $3000).

[Sam]

http://www.pedigreequery.com/forum/view ... t=dormello

Do a search on Dormello.. this place has been brought up a couple of times that I can see (the above is the only convo I remember reading though).

[geowarrior]

Thanks Sam, I didn't think of that. The Great Prize was the focus of the link that you listed, and there is another one on Baron de Vaux. Nothing on High Estate that I could find, but apparently the stud is committed to outcross sire lines.

I'd still appreciate any more thoughts that people might have on these stallions.

[Sam]

I'd still appreciate any more thoughts that people might have on these stallions.

No real opinion on the stallions (beyond what I stated in that thread) ... but the farm is apparently making a commitment to preserving the OLD lines and breeding for stamina.

If you check the progeny report on The Grand Prize... all the foals born in 2004 and 2005 are from 18+ year old mares with sires like Roberto, Graustak, Sharpen Up and Big Spruce.

[geowarrior]

Well more power to them if that's what they are trying to do. I don't know how successful it will be unless they can get some good runners to the track and with all of these stallions they are running out of time.

[Rick]

Check www.texasthoroughbred.com as the owner post there. Angelsprite might be able to help you.

[toadie]

Brian Wallis (who owns DormelloII) is the type of owner/breeder that the sport needs these days. He's young, enthusiastic and totally committed. I haven't been to the farm since he got High Estate and Baron de Vaux, but the place is very nice. He had Northern Quest who I wanted to breed to, but unfortunately he had to be put down after a paddock accident. Brian's a nice change from the QH/2yrold sprinter mentality so popular in TX.

And how many more Storm Cat sons can this country use

[Bedouwia]

Brian Wallis, according to postings that he made on the TTA forum is first and foremost interested in breeding his own horses to race. His goal is to breed a winner of one of the classic European races, or at least that type of horse. He has a plan and the assets to pursue it. He is generous to others and willing to make his stallions available. He is not just out for the quick buck. At one point, he was trying to return Tejano to the farm, but I guess that deal did not work out. It is however, an example of his imagination and daring. I wish him well in his pursuits. We may all thank him some day for his preservation of some of the best of the less well know pedigrees, especially for horses that can run on the grass over a distance.

Bedouwia

[StealingKat]

Baron stood out here in BC at Dr. Fred Spohn's. Sired some useful horses. He was primarily used on Mr. Spohn's own herd. I can't offer an opinion on his conformation as to be honest I wasnt paying attention when I visited his farm. I can say he has a nice temperment though.

[geowarrior]

Thanks everyone for the info. I like the idea of preserving old sire lines. The addition of High Estate should be helpful in the search for Classic potential in Britain since High Estate did sire an Epsom Derby winner. However, I don't know if racers in Britain actually pursue the Triple Crown these days. I did once see a quote from a British breeder stating that it would be suicide to breed with the intent of staying the St. Leger. I don't understand why that is - to me a 'long' horse race is more exciting than a sprint.

[Sangue Vecchio]

First of all, thanks for the interest and thanks for the great compliments that have been given about me personally. As for the whats and whys? I can shed some light. Without hijacking the thread, I would like to speak about all three stallions. The Great Prize is the last of the stayer Rabelais on the topside, which someone was sharp to point out. Some horses are not bred to be raced, but bred to be bred. He was in Puerto Rico and was given to me by a great man named Jose Carro after I flew to see the horse and inquire about breeding to him. He wasn't receiving but one or two mares per year and he had many other studs that were more popular. It has taken me soem time to build a nice band of mares that I feel will race competitively and then have an even better career as broodstock. If anyone is in Texas, I have three beautiful TGP babies at the track that just turned 2. You will be impressed. Baron de Vaux was being used in Canada, but I believe that I can get better use from him and so can the other xx,000 mares in the Southwest that have Northern Dancer blood. He is nicely conformed and a true gentleman. I look forward to getting my own foals from him, because he has not been exposed to much, and has some nice progeny. As far as High Estate is concerned, he has already accomplished my goal in this game, as he has produced an Epsom Derby winner. I will also. I have 59 broodmares and I only advertise the horses to do them honor and to let others know that they are here. Not tucked away in some remote location because they do not throw precocious early speed. They are still very useful in the breeding shed. I do not care about stud fees, but if you put private, then people assume you want too much, and if you put complimentary, then it hurts the horse as well. Anyone is welcome to come by at any time and see everything I have going on. I love my horses and I love to talk horses. I don't want these beautiful outcross pedigrees to disappear in my lifetime when I had the chance to do something about it. About the website, I have a hard time running two businesses and dealing with my nearly 120 TB's. I hope to update soon, but I also hope to get the photos of my weanlings, pull blood, prepare to start the foaling season, breed all of my mares on the farm as well as the ones I am sending out, etc. I know there are several others that can empathize.
Regards,
Brian Wallis
(940) 466-7200

[Sam]

Welcome aboard, Brian.

[geowarrior]

Welcome Brian and thank you for answering all my questions. You aren't hijacking the thread at all since my question was specifically about these three stallions and the philosophy behind your operation, which is admirable.

It's clear how well you are supporting these sires as I first noticed their existence by watching the videos on the TT stallion register. Not all farms standing stallions go to those lengths to put the information out there.

I can quite empathize about the website, but now that I know all the details I'll be eagerly watching for news on the progeny of TGP, BDV and HE so I'll keep watching the site for news. If you get the time though, you could post the racing successes of the progeny in the Stable Watch section - I'd love to hear how they all do. Just a suggestion though, I realise you are busy.

[Derring]

I look forward to seeing the Northern Quest babies run, Brian. I thought he had a lot of potential and was sorry to hear of his passing.