The Horse of Delaware Valley

Snap Decision wins the G1 Iroquois, Leslie Young goes into the lead in Trainer, Races Won

Details: May 16, 2022; By SARA CAVANAGH

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--Facing Pistol Whipped (Ire), a touted hurdle winner from across the sea, Snap Decision, ridden by Graham Watters, hung just outside his foe during the $150,000, G1, 3 mile Calvin Houghland Iroquois Stakes, went into the lead on the final turn and went on to win by 7 1/4 lengths on Saturday, May 14.

Snap Decision leads over last in Iroquois 2 Snap Decision leads over the last fence in the Iroquois Stakes (Photo by Tod Marks)Owned by Bruton Street-US, Snap Decision has now run his skein of wins over hurdles to 10, and he won the Iroquois for the second year in a row.

"He's the horse of a lifetime for us," said Charlie Fenwick, who along with Mike Hankin and Charlie Noell owns Bruton Street.

Snap Decision's win, along with the win of another Bruton Street horse, Proven Innocent, showed why Fisher has dominated the Leading Trainer lists for so many years.

"For both races, Jack laid out a plan, and then the jockeys executed the plans perfectly," said Fenwick.

Pistol Whipped, trained by Nicky Henderson, was a handicap hurdle winner in England and had been expected to be a serious contender in the seven horse field, and he did finish second, 2 1/4 lengths in front of Amschel (GB), trained by Cyril Murphy.

But Snap Decision, a beautifully bred class horse, ran back to his top form and looks to be a force to deal with this summer.

Two other Fisher trained horses, Moscato and Brianbakescookies, were fourth and fifth respectively.

Iranistan, who won the Temple Gwathmey over Snap Decision, was done early and was pulled up, as was Historic Heart, both trained by Keri Brion.

Fisher said that Anthony Speelman's Pistol Whipped had been brought to this country to be sold, but that he wasn't interested in buying him and didn't know if anyone had bought the horse.

Devon Horse Show schedule

Details: May 12, 2022; By Staff Writers

Devon Coaching

Devon Fair grounds

2022 Devon Horse Show Events and Schedules
First Night at Devon - Check out the The Art Gallery at Devon!	Wednesday, May 25th
Devon Dog Show - Dixen Oval	Thursday, May 26th - 7 pm
USPC Mounted Games	Friday Evening, May 27th
Radnor Fox Hounds	Saturday Evening, May 28th
CARRIAGE PLEASURE DRIVE	Sunday, May 29th - $50,000 ARENA EVENTING
WIHS Shetland Pony Steeplechase	Afternoons: May 29th and May 30th
Family Days - Specials on Food & Midway	Thursday, May 26th and Tuesday May 31st
Itty Bitty Tea Party - Children only 4 and older $30/person at the Devon Club 2 seatings available – noon – 1pm & 2:30 – 3:30 pm	Sunday, May 29th
$50,000 Arena Eventing - Dixon Oval	Sunday, May 29th - 7pm
Tribute to Heroes - Dixon Oval	Thursday, May 26th and Tuesday, May 31st
The Orpheus Club Singing Group – Dixon Oval	May 30th & June 2nd
JET RUN DEVON WELCOME STAKE - First of Weeks 6 International Show Jumping events	Tuesday, May 31st
Ladies’ Day (Ladies Hat Day theme: “Feathers and Frocks”	Wednesday, June 1st
Devon International Speed Stake – $40,000 speed stake - Dixon Oval	June 1st
INTERNATIONAL HUNTER DERBY and $250,000 SAPPHIRE GRAND PRIX of Devon Valley Forge Military Academy Honor Guard - to support The National Anthem for Grand Prix	Thursday, June 2nd – 8pm
$37,000 Devon Speed Derby evening highlight	Friday, June 3rd
$74,000 IDLE DICE OPEN JUMPER STAKE	Saturday, June 4th
Childrens’ Day - Devon Grove and Pavillion Crafts	Sunday, June 5th - 10am - noon
PLANT SALE - An amazing assortment - Sold next to the main gate	Sunday, June 5th

Keri Brion wins four and Leslie Young wins three at the Virginia Gold Cup

Details: May 10, 2022; By SARA CAVANAGH

THE PLAINS, Va.--Despite horrendous weather, a large crowd turned out at the Virginia Gold Cup at Great Meadows on Saturday, May 7 to see Keri Brion and Leslie Young battle it out, trading wins back and forth, with Brion celebrating her birthday by eventually coming out on top, winning the seventh race for a total of four wins to Young's three.

Andiami right Storm Team duel early in VGC Andi'am,i right, with Storm Team early in Virginia Gold Cup Timber Stakes (Photo by Tod Marks) Brion and Young between them won every race on the card, but as one of Brion's wins was in the $50,000 Flat Stakes it didn't count towards National Steeplechasing's Trainer, Races Won total.

So at the end of the day, Brion remained one up in Races Won over Young, but Young won one timber race the next day at Winterthur to leave the two of them tied with 13 wins apiece with three meets left in the spring season.

Parker Hendriks, who at only 18 years of age leads by large margins in both Jockeys, Race Won and Money Won, thanked both the owners and the Gold Cup's management team after two of his three wins on the day with a graciousness and poise amazing for anyone, much less one so young.

"Parker is the best rider out there," said Brion of her stable jockey. "He's also the best person out there."

Brion started the day by saddling Buttonwood Farm's Baltimore Kid (Ire), ridden by Hendriks, to win the $30,000 Maiden Hurdle by 3 lengths over Project Two (Ire), trained by Young.

Star-studded lineup of entries at the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair

Details: May 7, 2022; By SARA CAVANAGH

DEVON, Pa--The Devon Horse Show and Country has released the official qualifying lists for 2022, and top national and international stars are included in the entries.

McLain Wardon Rothchild The Book LLC McLain Ward and Rothchild winning the $250,000 Sapphire Grand Prix of Devon in 2018 (Photo by The Book LLC)Known for its history and prestige across the country, the show is set to take place May 26-June 5 at the Devon Show Grounds and will host the top horse-and-rider combinations in the country, including international show jumping athletes McLain Ward, Rodrigo Pessoa, Erynn Ballard, Paul O'Shea, and spectator favorite local rider Laura Chapot of Neshanic Station, N.J.

Go to the Devon website to view the qualifying lists.

The qualifying lists include all professional hunter sections, Junior/Amateur Hunter sections, Junior/Amateur Jumper sections, and International Open Jumpers to compete in FEI CSI 4* competition.

This year's event will welcome 32 elite international jumper athletes from around the world.

At the Devon Horse Show and Country Fair, you will find leading international riders and seasoned Olympians.

Willowdale Steeplechase Makes Changes to the Timber Fences

Details: May 5, 2022; By Staff Writers

KENNETT SQUARE, Pa.--Willowdale Steeplechase Chairman Dixon Stroud has made some alterations to the timber fences over the last few years.

Willowdale 1 This year, he decided to scrap the changes and go back to the original Hugh Morshead construction.

Solid, yet safe, because of their placement on the course – just like they were when the race first was run in 1993.

“Why re-invent the wheel? “asks Stroud. “Ok, I have added and altered some fences of the Willowdale Steeplechase since 1993. But the basic premises remain in effect full force for May 14, 2022.”

Hugh Morshead, 39 years old in 1993 and an Irishman transplanted to Canada, deserves most of the credit.

He came down to Willowdale and built the jumps practically single handedly, and his philosophy is reflected in what you will see this year.

The timber fences are solidly built post and rail construction and offer no give to the passing horse.

Devon Horse Show and Country Fair celebrates its 125th anniversary with a gala dinner dance

Details: May 4, 2022; By SARA CAVANAGH

DEVON, Pa.--The Devon Horse Show and Country Fair celebrated its 125th anniversary year with a black-tie gala at the Merion Golf Club on Friday evening, April 22, hosted by Chairman and CEO, Wayne W. Grafton.

Wayne Grafton Brenda Carpenter Wayne Grafton (Photo by Brenda Carpenter)The event was filled with a whole host of activities including dinner and dancing, along with a live and silent auction.

This elegant event came at the end of the 125th anniversary year as Devon looks forward to welcoming the community back to the 126th year anniversary after two years of cancellation due to the pandemic.

Kicking the evening off with a welcome cocktail reception on the veranda, the gala was blessed with perfect weather. During and following dinner, attendees danced to the beautiful sound of the Jack Faulkner Orchestra.

The live and silent auction assisted in raising additional funds during the occasion.

Germany's Michael Jung has a big lead going into stadium jumping at Kentucky

Details: May 1, 2022; By SARA CAVANAGH

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Germany's Michael Jung of fischerChipmunk has two fences in hand with a lead of 9 points going into stadium jumping following the cross country on Saturday, April 30.

Michael Jung Fisherchipmunk by Allen MacMillan DSC 6645 Michael Jung on fisherChipmunk (Photo by Allen MacMillan)Jung, who has won the Kentucky 5* for the past three years, was one of only three riders to finish the cross country with no time faults to finish on his dressage score of 20.1.

The only other two riders to complete the cross country without a time fault were Boyd Martin of Cochranville, Pa.,on Tsetserleg TSF, who stands second with 29.3, and Phillip Dutton of West Grove, Pa., on Sea of Clouds, who shot up from 31st to stand seventh on 38.8.

Yasmin Ingham of Great Britain is third on Banzai du Loir with a score of 30.9, while Buck Davidson of Unionville, Pa., on Carlevo is fourth with 37.4, followed by Doug Payne on Quantum Leap, 38.4

“I’m just very proud of my horse,” Jung said. “I’m absolutely happy, he is a great horse, he has a lot of talent, super quality. Today in cross county he was so powerful, fast running on the flat, great jumping and his brain was always with me. It was a great feeling just to enjoy the 11 minutes.”

“My guy was great,” Martin said. “We’ve got a great partnership and it was smooth sailing for ‘Thomas’ today, and I couldn’t have been happier with him. He’s in a place in his career where he really knows his job, so it’s a just matter of guiding him. I’m very pleased with how he went today.”

Tamra Smith, Colleen Rutledge and Doug Payne are first, second and third after first day of dressage in Kentucky

Details: April 29, 2022; By Staff Writers

LEXINGTON, Ky.--Californian Tamra Smith on Fleeceworks Royal took the early leader in the CCI5*-L competition at the Kentucky Three-Day Event after the first day of dressage on April 28.

Tamra Smith on Fleecheworks Allen Macmillan Tamra Smith on Fleeceworks Royal (Photo by Allen Macmillan)Smith leads with a score of 32.9, but she’s less than a point in front of second-placed Colleen Rutledge on Covert Rights who scored 33.8, and Doug Payne on his 2020 Tokyo Olympic mount Vandiver is a close third with 34.9, and all three are riding American-bred horses.

“I was really happy with her. She was with me the whole way and I was thrilled with her, she was awesome,” Smith said.

Fleeceworks Royal is a full sister of a previous Kentucky competitor, Kristi Nunnink’s R-Star.

“I’ve had her since she was 3, so it’s kind of crazy," said Smith. "Every time I’m going out of the start box at Advanced, I’m like ‘but you’re 3.’ It’s special to be sitting on one you’ve produced from scratch, and you think of all the times and the many people she’s bucked off.”

Wicomico Point-to-Point is set on a gorgeous, historic property

Details: April 8, 2022; By Staff Writers

Story by Barbara H. Heck

This story originally appeared in the Chestertown Spy.

The Mount Harmon-Wicomico Point-to-Point on April 10 is set on the beautiful 200-acre Mount Harmon Plantation preserve where four centuries of history and nature intertwine.

The inaugural running of the point-to-point races will include spectacular views of the Sassafras River on three sides of the property along a three-mile timber course that features 21 new jumps, with tailgating along the green and homestretch.

wico 1 Photo courtesy of Friends of Mount Harmon PlantationMount Harmon Plantation is replete with rich Tidewater history and waterfront vistas, and the Mount Harmon-Wicomico Hunt Club Point-to-Point is the latest chapter in a storied history of horse racing on the Sassafras.

In the late 1700s, Sydney George, Jr., owner of Mount Harmon, maintained a stable of 60 racing horses and a private racecourse on the property.

In 1830 when the Maryland Jockey Club reorganized and received a new charter from Congress, owner of neighboring Rose Hill, George Thomas Marsh Forman, was elected its first president.

Originated as a land grant of 350 acres in 1651 to Godfrey Harmon from the second Lord Baltimore, Mount Harmon thrived as a tobacco plantation in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Exciting finishes featured at Brandywine Hills Point-to-Point

Details: April 5, 2022; By SARA CAVANAGH

NORTHBROOK, Pa.--A big crowd, delighted to be back at the races after a two year Covid gap, saw exciting finishes in all four races over timber atthe Brandysine Hills Point-to_Point on April 3.

SkylerMcKenna Skyler McKennaJockeys Skylar McKenna and Teddy Davies, along with four intrepid side saddle riders, provided the most hotly contested races, with their mounts jumping the last fence side by side before the duel to the finish line.

The spectators also brought along their kids, who provided huge and enthusiastic entries in the stick races.

Luckily, all the pony, lead line and stick races were finished before a menacing thunder storm blew in at about 1:30.

The first timber race was postponed for just 15 minutes, and the storm blew through with driving rain and fierce wind, leaving the rest of the afternoon clear, although the strong wind came up again for the last couple of races.

Entries were light due to Green Spring Valley Point-to-Point moving from its usual date of Saturday on the first weekend in April to that Sunday so that it would avoid going up against the sanctioned meet at Camden.

Kingsley, Young and Brion dominate Carolina Cup races

Details: April 5, 2022; By SARA CAVANAGH

CAMDEN, S.C.--Three trainers accounted for all six races as well as placing second in half of them at the Carolina Cup on April 2, with Arch Kingsley winning three, Leslie Young winning two and also placing second in two and Keri Brion winning the featured Novice Stakes as well as placing second in another.

Historic Heart takes jump early in Carolina Cup 1 Historic Heart in the Carolina Cup (Photo by Tod Marks)Unfortunately, the live stream, which users now have to pay for, left a lot to be desired.

The first race was so dark that viewers couldn't see what the horses were doing, and it caused at least one trainer to call the NSA with a complaint.

In the second, also pretty dark, there was no voice-over, so viewers really couldn't tell what had happened.

"You should expect the live stream to be better, not worse, when you have to pay for it," said another trainer.

To the organizers credit, although the sound system was down for the entire rest of the races for the spectators in Camden, an enterprising official rigged a mike for the announcer to be heard on the live stream.

Kingsley won the first, third and sixth races, winning the first, the $20,000 Maiden Claiming Hurdle at 2 mile and 1 furlong with Richard C. Colton's High Mounte (Ire), ridden by Gerard Galligan.

Ashlee Bond wins the $500,000 Grand Prx 5* in an upset victory

Details: April 3, 2022; By Staff Writers

Wellington, Fla.--In a surprising finish, a pair of Americans who ride for Israel, Ashlee Bond and Daniel Bluman, finished first and second in the $500,000 Grand Prix CSA5*, the featured event of the 13 week long Winter Equestrian Festival that was competed on Saturday, April 2.

Ashlee Bond on Karoline of Ballmore (Photo by Sportfot)Riding Karoline of Ballmore, Bond was the fastest of three clear rounds in the five horse jump-off, finishing in 44.09, with Bluman on Ladriano Z second in 44.29 seconds.

Chloe Reid on Sou[er Shuttle was third in 47.63, with Ireland's Daniel Coyle on Legacy fourth with four faults in 43.88, and Spencer Smith on Quibelle, who wasn't even in the Grand Prix until Margie Engle dropped out, was fifth, with four faults in 45.68.

Among those who didn't make the jump-off were many top riders who had been winning consistently throughout the circuit, including McLain Ward, Kent Farrington, Britain's Olympic gold medalist Ben Mayer, Switzerland's Beat Manfl and Ireland's Daniel Coyle and Darragh Kenny.

"It's a long circuit," said past Olympian and present Canadian chef d'equipe Eric Lamaze." ""It's whoever has a fresh horse."

"The course demands a lot of rideability from the horse,"said Canadian Tiffany Foster, who placed ninth with four faults in the first round.

"The course is asking all the questions," said Meredith Beerbaum, a multiple medalist for Germany. "It takes very exact, very precise riding."

Young U.S. team placed third, missed second by 1 second in Nations Cup

Details: March 6, 2022; By SARA CAVANAGH

WELLINGTON, Fla--The youngest U.S. team ever, all 25 or under, went up against 11 teams, all of which included Olympic or World Championships veterans, among them a number of medalists, and in a roller coaster of a competition went from last to eventually place third behind Ireland and Canada in the $150,000 FEI Jumping Nations Cup CSIO4* on March 5 at the Winter Equestrian Festival.

US tem 3rd BossMareMedia U.S. Nations Cup team with Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland, far right (Photo by BossMareMedia)This Nations Cup didn't count towards making the Finals in Barcelona, and it was just announced that, due to the current outbreak of EHV-1 in California, the Nations Cup in San Juan Capistrano has been cancelled.

Now the point totals of Mexico, Canada and the U.S. from only two Nations Cup, one in Mexico and the other in Canada, will determine the two teams that go to Barcelona, making it a very tough fight.

Chef d'Equipe Robert Ridland has already said that the team that will go to Mexico in two weeks will also be a young team as the top U.S. riders save their horses for the European tour this summer and the World Championships.

The first round at WEF was in the daylight, and for most of that round it looked like the U.S. wouldn't even make it into the top eight to be able to compete in the second round beginning at 7:30 under the lights.

Following The Mean Queen's Eclipse Award, an exciting season lies ahead

Details: February 16, 2022; By SARA CAVANAGH

FAIR HILL, Md.--Keri Brion accepted the Eclipse Award in steeplechasing for The Mean Queen following an exceptional season for the now 6-year-old mare, flanked by the mare's owners, the Moorheads, and Brion's team of assistant trainer and exercise riders..

Keri Eclipse award Eclipse Award, L to R, Parker Hendriks, Tatiana Sushko, Rod Moorhead, Keri Brion, Alice Moorhead, Bailey Foreman and Teresa DimpfelThe highlight of last year's steeplechasing season was two thrilling races between previously undefeated Snap Decision, owned by Bruton Street-US and trained by Jack Fisher, and The Mean Queen.

The Mean Queen, who was still a novice in her first season over fences, won both those G1 races, but the rivalry is not yet done.

The Mean Queen and Snap Decision will meet again at the Iroquois Steeplechase in Nashville, Tenn., on May 14.

The Eclipse Awards were held at Santa Anita Park in Arcadia, Calif., on Feb, 10.

"Ron bought the table, so it was the seven of us at the table," said Brion. "We were the only ones from steeplechasing there, because everyone thought The Mean Queen's winning was a sure thing."

The other two candidates for the Award were Snap Decision and Baltimore Bucko, also owned by the Moorheads and trained by Brion, and in the past it was usual for representatives of all thee candidates to attend the awards ceremony.

New ownership for WEF, but can any changes can be expected

Details: January 25, 2022; By SARA CAVANAGH

WELLINGTON, Fla.--Global Equestrian Group bought the Winter Equestrian Festival and its facility, Palm Beach International Equestrian Center, last July, with vague promises of changes that will enhance current offerings and improve the facility, but six months later and two weeks into WEF's FEI competitions, exhibitors and spectators see little changes.

Wellington PBIEC There are many questions about why the group bought the facility and the shows at all, and trainers and exhibitors ask, does anyone know what is going on with the biggest show in the world?

Global Equestrian Group is a private equity company based in Denmark that has a number of shows in Europe and includes CEO Andreas Helgstrand, a top dressage competitor and largest dressage horse dealer in the world, and Ludger Beerbaum, an Olympic medalist show jumper.

“We wanted to have events in both dressage and jumping," said Helgstrand at a press conference at the beginning of WEF shows. "If we don’t create events, we won’t create sport or sales of horses or equipment."

But Mark Bellisssimo, who sold most of his shares in WEF to the Group, has retained ownership of the Global Dressage facility and the dressage shows as well the International Polo Club.

And Bellissimo has bought the land on South Shore Boulevard, adjacent to Global Dressage, where the Player's Club used to be, reportedly for $18 million.

Neil Hirsch, who owned that land before he died last June, tore down the Player's Club after a number of people died in automobile accidents after leaving the Club.

Keri Brion had a meteoric rise to fame in 2021 that she hopes to continue in 2022

Details: January 19, 2022; By SARA CAVANAGH

FAIR HILL, Md.--One year ago Keri Brion, after serving as assistant trainer to Hall of Fame trainer Jonathan Sheppard for 11 years, was just saddling her first horse in her own name as trainer.

The Mean Queen in the Winners Circle of the Jonathan Sheppard, Keri Brion on the right (Photo courtesy of NYRA)One year ago she had eight horses in training.

One year later, Brion has two of the three horses nominated for an Eclipse Award, she has won all but one of steeplechasing's 2021 Grade 1 races, won the Leading Trainer, Money Won title with $763,450, and will have close to 50 horses in training when steeplechasing resumes in March.

Along with all that, she was the first American based trainer to saddle a hurdle winner in Ireland and propelled two of her owners, Buttonwood Farm, owned by the Moorheads, and Irvin Naylor, to first and second respectively in Owner, Money Won.

Buttonwood's The Mean Queen won four stakes, including three G1 stakes, the Jonathan Sheppard, the Lonesome Glory and the Grand National, won the Horses, Money Won title with $303,000, almost three times as much as second placed Snap Decision, and seems to be a shoo-in for the Eclipse Award.

Germany's Frederic Wandres wins again, this time in the Grand Prix Freestyle

Details: January 15, 2022; By Staff Writers

WELLINGTON, Fla.--The 34-year-old German Frederic Wandres scored 81.065 percent on Bluetooth OLD, who only started international grand prix in the spring of 2021, to win the FEI World Cup Grand Prix Freestyle on Jan. 14, the first “Friday Night Stars” evening freestyle of the Global Dressage Festival.

Frederic Wandres on Bluetooth OLD(Photo by Susan Stickle)As in the previous day’s World Cup Grand Prix, Anna Buffini rode FRH Davinia La Douce to place second, and Ashley Holzer finished third on Havanna 145 with 77.25 percent.

“I felt super tonight,” said Wandres, who also topped the Grand Prix. “My best score was 79 percent in Aachen in the four-star CDI, but today 81 percent is really something fantastic and incredible.

“Bluetooth is still a little bit green here and there, but he has still not had 10 international grands prix on his board, so he’s a young one. I’m super happy that he’s in that atmosphere and really delivering that kind of super results.”

Laurel has increased purses and added race days and races to benefit financially strapped owners and trainers.

Details: January 13, 2022; By Staff Writers

LAUREL, Md.--Owners and trainers have suffered financially with races cancelled at Laurel as the racetrack had to be resurfaced due to the unusually cold weather that caused the track to freeze.

Racing Laurel gate So Laurel has increased purses and added race days and races.

But that has trainers worried that it will draw horses from New York that will beat the Maryland horses so have requested that Laurel give preference to Maryland-breds.

In order to provide funds for owners and trainers in the wake of the recent cancellations of live racing programs, the Maryland Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association Board of Directors January 12 approved a 20 percent Purse Bonus on all overnight races through Feb. 27 at Laurel Park.

In addition, the Maryland Jockey Club, during a meeting with the MTHA, agreed to add three Thursdays in February to the live racing calendar and said it will card at least 10 races a day in January and February when possible.

Lord Shanakill – Sire Power

Details: January 8, 2019; By Staff Writers

NEW FREEDOM, Pa.--Lord Shanakill is the sire of 13 stakes horses, including most recently champion Youtalktome in Greece, and nine graded stakes winners.

Lord Shanakill

He is not only a G1 and multiple graded stakes winner of over $900,000, but he is a G1 and multiple graded winning producing sire as well.

Lord Shanakill is half brother to G1 winner, Together Forever (Ire), and he is from a family of champions, including Augustin Stable's Forever Together, trained by Jonathan Sheppard to win the 2008 Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf Stakes.

In his first few crops, Lord Shanakill, along with Youtalktome, has produced the G1 winner of the E750,000 Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, My Dream Boat (Ire), who defeated two of the best racehorses in the world, Breeders’ Cup Turf winner, Found (Ire), and the number one rated, A Shin Hikari (Jpn).

In 2017, Lord Shanakill’s son, Marvel Hero, lowered a 12-year course record in Hong Kong with an impressive four and a half length win of the HK$2,500,000 Class 1 Happy Valley Vase handicap.

Lord Shanakill is also the sire of several graded stakes performers in Europe and North America including Time Shanakill, G2 winner Themis (Ire),and graded stakes placed Dark Kingdom (Ire), Pythius (Ire), Great Dancer (Ire), Mister Brightside (Ire) and Old Fox (Ire).

Lord Shanakill 2 Lord Shanakill, a precocious sprint turf specialist in England and France, had tremendous speed and won in distances from 6 furlongs to a mile.

His sire, Speightstown,an emerging sire of sires, has been successful on both dirt and turf surfaces.

Lord Shanakill will stand for 2022 for $2,500 live foal with multiple mare discounts of $2,000 for the breeding of two mares, and $1,500 for three or more mares.

For further information, call 717-235-4954 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Pin Oak Lane Farm to stand top sire Wicked Strong in 2022

Details: November 18, 2020; By Staff Writers

NEW FREEDOM, Pa.--Millionaire Wicked Strong, the sire of 15 black typ horses from just three crops to race, will stand at Dr. William Solomon’s Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom, Pa., for the 2022 season.

wicked strong 1 Wicked Strong

His most recent stakes winning juvenile is Brooklyn Strong, who won the G2 Rremsnen Stskes st Aqueduct on Dec. 5, 2020 after winning the $150,000 Sleepy Hollow Stakes at Belmont on Oct. 24.

Brooklyn Strong also fits among Wicked Strong's stakes-placed runners, as he was third in Belmont’s Bertram F. Bongard Stakes Oct. 2 in his second start.

Brooklyn Strong was the only New York-bred entered in the Remsen, but he had no trouble in open company with a hard fought triumph by a neck over 6-5 post time favorite Ten for Ten in Saturday’s nine-furlong event for 2-year-olds.

A top-10 freshman sire nationally in 2019 by progeny earnings, Wicked Strong ranked second by number of winners with 26, one less than American Pharoah, Constitution and Tapiture.

Among his first crop runners, now 4, are Evil Lyn, winner of Pimlico’s Hilltop Stakes in 2020 and the Lady Canterbury Stskes in 2021, and Wicked Runner, a stakes winner at 2 and 3 in Puerto Rico.

His 3-year-old Por Que No won the Boiling Springs Stskes in 2021 at Monmouth.

Of his 15 black-type horses in his first three crops to race, seven earned black-type at 2.

One of the top runners of his generation, Wicked Strong won the $1 million, G1 Wood Memorial Stakes in stakes-record time and captured Saratoga’s G2 Jim Dandy Stakes over G1 Belmont Stakes winner Tonalist.

Wicked Strong conf. photo Graded stakes-placed at 2 when third behind Honor Code in the G2 Remsen, he was second by a nose to his stablemate V. E. Day the next summer in the G1 Travers Stakes.

He turned in strong showings in the 2014 classics, finishing fourth after a tough trip in the G1 Kentucky Derby, won by California Chrome, and getting up to dead heat with California Chrome for fourth in the G1 Belmont Stakes while finishing less than two lengths behind Tonalist.

Wicked Strong competed in 14 consecutive stakes at 3 and 4, 10 of them G1.

During his 4-year-old season, he had four stakes placings, including a second to Tonalist in the G1 Jockey Club Gold Cup and a third behind Liam’s Map in the G1 Woodward Stakes, and concluded his 19-start career with a fourth in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile won by Liam’s Map.

wicked strong 3 He is the richest son of top sire Hard Spun to stand at stud, with a record of 3-4-3 for earnings of $1,994,460.

Wicked Strong has a pedigree with strong classic lines.

His winning dam Moyne Abbey is by Kentucky Derby/Preakness winner Charismatic, who in turn is by Preakness winner Summer Squall.

His family is filled with graded stakes winners including two-time G1-winning millionaire Student Council; his dam is a half-sister to graded winners and G1-placed Gulch Approval and Rusty Slipper as well as stakes winner and graded-placed Approval Rating.

The syndicated stallion, who previously stood at Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Ky., will stand for $3,500, payable when the foal stands and nurses, with multiple mare discounts of $3,000 for two mares and $2,500 for three or more mares.

For additional information, please contact Pin Oak Lane Farm, P.O. Box 129, New Freedom, PA 17349 or call 717.235.4954.

The legend of Uptowncharlybrown

Details: December 1, 2021; By Staff Writers

DELTA, Pa.--In 2009, the late beloved trainer, Alan Seewald, said long before Uptowncharlybrown ever made his debut that he was the "best horse" he had ever trained.

Uptpwn 1 Alan was proven correct as he won his first two races, one a stake, with devastating ease.

Unfortunately, Alan died on April 12, 2010 as Charly was about to embark on the Triple Crown trail.

Charly suffered a soft tissue injury after the Belmont Stakes and was never the same.

He became a stud in 2013 bred to just a few modest mares to keep Alan's memory alive.

Well lo and behold, what Charly couldn't prove on the racetrack, he's more than made up for thru his progeny.

They hit the ground running and have never looked back.

He's consistently produced over 10 percent stakes runners from each of his first six crops.

His owner Uptowncharlybrown Stud LLC while racing only his progeny have placed in the TOP ONE PERCENT in the OWNER'S STANDINGS for the last four years!

Uptowncharlybrown's AEI/CI RATIO, which is the Average Earnings Index of HIS FOALS as compared to the Comparative Index of the mares that he's bred to is the HIGHEST in the Mid-Atlantic region; and, places him in the TOP FIVE Nationally.

Uptown 2 This means he moves his mares WAY UP.

Simply put, Charly produces foals comparable to the BEST STALLIONS in America despite being bred to modest mares; whereas, the much more expensive stallions are bred to REGAL PEDIGREE/GRADED STAKES Mares.

To date, the average Uptowncharlybrown foal earns $70,240 lifetime; with earnings of $7,000 per start.

For 2022 Uptowncharlybrown's stud fee is $7,500 due when the live foal stands and nurses.

Pennsylvania foaling mares receive a discount to $3,500; with mares foaling in Maryland and New Jersey, a stud fee of $4,500.

Uptowncharlybrown now standing at WynOaks Farm in Delta, Pa., just a few miles away from the Maryland border.

Uptown 3 In the last four years, Charly has serviced over 225 broodmares.