Daehling Ranch

The news has arrived thick and fast for the Northern California industry over the last couple of months, as racing operations have consolidated in the Southern half of the state. Few state industry stakeholders remain unaffected by these developments, certainly not the breeders, whose commercial decisions today ripple years into the future. The breeding sheds don't open for another couple of weeks. During that time, many currently undecided minds will be resolved. Among those California breeders currently canvassed, however, their outlooks for 2025 are a mixed bag. On the one...

Pontiff (Giant's Causeway--Preach, by Mr. Prospector) has been relocated from Washington to Daehling Ranch in Northern California. Pontiff was bred in Kentucky by Claiborne Farm and ran in Orb's GI Florida Derby in 2013 as a maiden in just his third lifetime start. Pontiff campaigned for five years, retiring after his 2017 season with a record of 35-3-10-7 and earnings of $126,481. His wins came on both the turf and the dirt. A half-brother to the late Pulpit, whose sons at stud include leading sire Tapit, Pontiff will stand in...

Faversham (Lucky Pulpit--Love the Chase, by  Not For Love), a two-time winner and full-brother to two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome, has been retired from racing to stand at Daehling Ranch in Northern California. His 2021 fee is $2,000, live foal guarantee. Lifetime breeding rights are available for $4,500. The 5-year-old was campaigned by his co-breeders, Perry and Denise Martin of Martin Racing, who also co-bred and raced California Chrome. After standing his first three seasons in Kentucky, with two additional Southern Hemisphere stints in Chile, California Chrome was...