foal

Jean-Claude Rouget is not prone to hyperbole so, when the decorated French handler compared the unexposed Al Hakeem (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) to his only G1 Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe winner Sottsass (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) earlier this week, some people did a double take. Not Benoit Jeffroy, who manages Haras de Bouquetot on behalf of the Al Shaqab operation. Jeffroy has long been aware of the standing in which the multiple Classic-winning trainer has held Al Hakeem and, when the colt won the Listed Prix de Suresnes at Chantilly on...

From the moment a newborn foal enters the world, it has a bevy of hopes and dreams riding on its back. Ideally a newborn overcomes life's first few challenges in short order--it is delivered without incident, gets to its feet and nurses for the first time, consuming the colostrum and receiving the vital antibodies necessary for the foal to develop its immune system. Unfortunately, things don't always go as planned. Whether due to dystocia, a lack of milk production or a mare who is simply not the motherly type and...

Spendthrift Farm and MyRacehorse.com have launched a weekly foal contest on social media called #FoalDerby, which will showcase foals from the first crop of their Horse of the Year and GI Kentucky Derby winner Authentic. The contest begins this week and will run weekly leading up to this year's Kentucky Derby. Breeders are encouraged to submit photos each week as their foals arrive and continue to submit as they grow over the course of the next 10 weeks. Submissions will be posted to Spendthrift's Twitter and Facebook platforms. The top...

Daredevil's first foal back in the U.S. has arrived at Dunquin Farm in Paris, Kentucky. The filly, bred by Mike and Pat Freeny, is out of C. C. Zipp (City Zip). "She is an outstanding foal that anyone would be proud of," said Mike Freeny. Daredevil produced champion Swiss Skydiver and GI Kentucky Oaks winner Shedaresthedevil in his first U.S. crop.

Hall of famer Zenyatta (Street Cry {Ire}--Vertigineux, by Kris S.) has lost her 2021 foal, a Candy Ride (Arg) filly. The news was reported on Zenyatta's official website Tuesday. "We at Team Zenyatta and Lane's End Farm are deeply saddened to share that Zenyatta lost her 2021 foal early this year," the website read. "She had been carrying a second Candy Ride filly, and we grieve the loss of this precious life. Thankfully, Zenyatta remains in excellent health and is doing very well." Zenyatta's first two foals, the 9-year-old Cozmic...

It's a toss-up, really, as to who made the bigger splash in 2017--the Don Alberto Corporation itself, or their superstar filly Unique Bella (Tapit). Three years ago, Don Alberto Corporation continued their traditional annual shopping spree at the fall breeding stock sales, spending a combined $8.3 million at Keeneland and Fasig-Tipton, plus an additional $3.35 million in partnership purchases at the Keeneland November Sale. Meanwhile, their $400,000 2015 Keeneland September purchase Unique Bella shone bright as a 3-year-old with four consecutive graded stakes wins and a later victory in the...

In the front field of Timber Town Stables along Lexington's Leestown Road, a quiet gray grazes contentedly while keeping a close eye on her two-month-old foal napping nearby. The mare takes a step towards you when approached, but the foal remains in a deep slumber, her four limbs stretched out in all different directions as she enjoys the afternoon sunlight. She opens her eyes slowly when you speak, begrudgingly making her way onto her nimble legs only when coaxed While she enjoys the care-free life of a newborn now, the...

Of all the jaw-dropping feats that a Thoroughbred is able to accomplish, perhaps nothing is quite as miraculous as watching a fierce, powerful racehorse transform to fill the role of motherhood.  Wayne Sweezey, who owns and operates Timber Town Stables alongside his wife Cathy, has watched this dramatic role change hundreds of times. But one mare on his farm in particular has excelled above and beyond both on the track and with a foal by her side. She won 13 of her 15 starts, never finishing worse than second, and...

Alpine Sky (Indian Charlie--Alpine Garden, by Lemon Drop Kid), a 7-year-old mare owned by Old Tavern Farm, delivered a colt by More Than Ready at 10:56 p.m. Apr. 15 as part of the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame's Foal Patrol Season 3. This is the fifth foal of the season delivered on Foal Patrol. Both the mare and foal are healthy and doing well. Alpine Sky joins Magical World (Three Chimneys Farm), Hall of Famer Ashado (Gainsborough Farm), New Money Honey (Indian Creek Farm), and Vaulcluse (Gainesway...

Grade I winner Dream Tree (Uncle Mo--Afleet Maggi, by Afleet Alex) is carrying her first foal by Curlin. Owned by Phoenix Thoroughbreds and trained by Bob Baffert, the $750,000 FTFMAR buy won five of seven races for earnings of $529,845. Her career highlights include wins in the 2017 GI Starlet S. and 2018 GII Las Virgenes S. and GII Prioress S. "Dream Tree has been a special horse for us," said Phoenix Thoroughbreds head of US operations Tom Ludt. "She had a great will to win and was a true...

Champion I'll Have Another (Flower Alley--Arch's Gal Edith, by Arch)'s first two North American foals have arrived. The first was dropped Jan. 14 at Rancho San Miguel. The 2020 filly is out of the winning mare Year of Light by Event of the Year. She was bred by Jacqueline Bousquet and Dr. Jeaneen Metzler. She was followed shortly on Jan. 15 by a filly born at Ballena Vista Farm, out of the Tribal Rule broodmare Jennifer's Joy bred by Harold and Pamela Tillema and Richard Tillema. Jennifer's Joy is from the...