2025 Mating Plans

Founded by Josephine Abercrombie in 1952, Pin Oak Stud has entered a new era under the ownership of Jim and Dana Bernhard. The Bernhards purchased Pin Oak Stud in November of 2022 and acquired an additional 465 acres from Adena Springs in September of 2023. "Pin Oak has always strived to breed horses that can compete at the pinnacle of our sport, this vision begins with the decisions that we make when selecting our matings each year," Pin Oak's Michael Hardy said. "Our team works in close collaboration, carefully selecting...

I have come to really enjoy sharing this aspect of our farm. Last year after I finished describing some of the matings and crazy ways we had found certain mares, I had myself in stitches laughing so much remembering all of the fun stories. So, once again, I will try to keep you all entertained while also sharing why and how we came up with the pairings for some of our 117 (OMG) mares. We breed solely for the physical athlete; we do not use nicks, Goldmine, x-factor, measurements, linebreeding,...

Marc Wampler has been involved with racing since 1993 and currently is the racing manager and bloodstock agent for Pocket Aces Racing as well as offering similar services to private clientele. When breeding, the first thing Wampler asks his clients is whether they are breeding a racehorse or a sales horse. He says he believes it's an important initial step in the process as the pool of potential stallions to use varies depending on the answer. "If breeding to race, the stud book offers many options and an opportunity to...

We are now in our second full year of operation at Stonereath Farm. As our Kentucky division, it has allowed Blue Diamond Stud to diversify and is now home to 16 of our mares. We are very lucky to have an excellent team to oversee the farm, headed by our CEO Ted Voute, farm manager Jenn Laidlaw and financial controller Erin Dilger. TDN chats with Imad Al Sagar to find out about the operation's mating plans for 2025 in America. ANGLE OF ATTACK, 7, Maclean's Music--Bourbon Warfare, by Colonel John....

Foals from William Kennedy and John Wall's Stanley Lodge Stud in Cashel, County Tipperary were all the rage at Goffs last November, with six of the 17 offered selling for a six-figure sum, headed by the Mehmas (Ire) colt out of Ripponette (Fr) who went the way of Lynn Lodge Stud for €270,000. Here, Kennedy discusses mating plans for a selection of his mares in 2025. PARAPHERNALIA (Ire), 18, Dalakhani (Ire)--Vassiana (Fr), by Anabaa. To be bred to Blue Point (Ire) She will visit Blue Point. Nick Cope, our farm...

'Born to run, raised to win' is the motto at Stonestreet Farm and as the 13-time leading North American breeder by gross yearlings sales, it's evident that the farm's success in the sales ring translates onto the racetrack. Just last year, Stonestreet was responsible for the $5 million Keeneland September Sale-topping Curlin colt out of Grade I winner and producer Cavorting (Bernardini). Which stallion will that superstar mare be visiting this year? Stonestreet's John Moynihan shares that and more in the latest edition of TDN's 2025 Mating Plans series, presented...

Based at his Mill Ridge Farm, Headley Bell and his Nicoma Bloodstock have been helping clients mate their mares since 1979. With such notable successes as Trempolino, Suave Dancer, Keeper Hill, Barbaro, Street Sense, Havre de Grace, Oscar Performance, Bricks and Mortar, and the 2024 Preakness winner Seize the Grey, it's no wonder that many of the clients he discusses below have been with him for over 40 years. "It's such a gift to be able to assist our clients in this manner because it's something I'm passionate about," said...

As we approach the opening of the 2025 breeding season, the TDN staff is once again sitting down with leading breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why. In recent years, Stonehaven Steadings has been responsible for breeding a Breeders' Cup champion and Eclipse Award winner in Corniche as well as a $2.5 million Keeneland September sale topper. Today, the farm's Aidan O'Meara discusses the mating plans for Stonehaven Steadings in 2025. VENETIAN SONATA (16, Bernardini--Moonlight Sonata, by Carson City) and Miss Costa Rica...

In his fairly short tenure in the Thoroughbred business, Bobby Flay has proven to be as savvy a breeder as he is a chef and businessman. (He's not a bad writer, either.) Here, he discusses matings for his American-based mares. Check out today's TDN International edition for his European matings. AMERICA, 14, A.P. Indy--Lacadena, by Fasliyev. To be bred to Gun Runner This sire has proven to be at the top of the charts very quickly. America has a Gun Runner yearling that is turning heads at Stone Farm so...

In his fairly short tenure in the Thoroughbred business, Bobby Flay has proven to be as savvy a breeder as he is a chef and businessman. (He's not a bad writer, either.) Here, he discusses matings for his European-based mares. Check out today's TDN American edition for his U.S. matings. AULD ALLIANCE (Ire), 15, Montjeu (Ire)--Highland Gift (Ire), by Generous (Ire). To be bred to Lope de Vega (Ire) This mare's three-year-old last year, The Euphrates (GB), really updated this already rich Ballymocol family with a stakes win and a...

In 2025, Bonne Chance Farm celebrates the 10-year anniversary of its Kentucky operation. Since the farm was founded, and with a boutique broodmare band of just 20-some mares, Bonne Chance has been responsible for the likes of Graded/Group 1 victors Arabian Lion (Justify), King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB})and Cambier Parc (Medaglia d'Oro). Bloodstock and Office Manager Leah Alessandroni spoke with TDN about the farm's mating plans for 2025. BLACK CANARY (m, 11, War Front-Forty Moves, by Gold Fever) to be bred to Nyquist Already the dam of three foals...

Nine years after he re-entered the sport after a 20-year absence, Peter Brant has built a broodmare band that is the envy of the breeding world. Between sales purchases and talented fillies and mares on the track retiring to be bred, he has amassed some of the most powerful bloodlines in the business. He sat down and talked to the TDN about plans for his top European and American mares. A few select European mares appear below. Click here to read about his American mares.   BLOWOUT (GB), 9, Dansili...