mating plans

Last week in this new series, we put the spotlight on some of the trends--or lack thereof--among the mares that make up the Grade I-producing ranks of 2025 and spent time with multiple Grade I winner and 'TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner)'s dam, Luna Rosa (Malibu Moon). We asked her connections about her story and the thoughts behind her matings. This week, we do the same with the dams of two Grade I-winning 3-year-olds of 2025: GI Curlin Florida Derby star Tappan Street (Into Mischief) and GI Toyota Blue...

In this new series, we'll spotlight the dams and connections of some of 2025's racetrack superstars. First up, we'll set the scene by explaining our objective and search for trends, then for a curtain raiser we'll kick off the series by checking in with the dam of one of the top older horses of 2025. Tabbed to be something special from the start, 'TDN Rising Star' Locked (Gun Runner) is a multiple Grade I stakes winner and future Gainesway stallion. Grade I-Winning Trends The end of June marked the halfway...

It might seem a bit late in the year to be talking mating plans, but last week's call to Gary Hadden turned out to be a very timely one indeed, with the man at the helm of Craig Bennett's Merry Fox Stud having not one but two significant developments to report. Tragically, the first such update regarding Bennett's beloved Cursory Glance was of the worst possible kind. The daughter of Distorted Humour, who won the G3 Albany Stakes and G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes in a career spanning just four starts...

Fillies from the Aga Khan Studs claimed two of the European Classics last season and both will be covered this spring for the first time. The Oaks winner Ezeliya (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) is in America to be covered by Justify, while Poules d'Essai des Pouliches victrix Rouhiya (Fr) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) will remain among the home team and is to visit Sea The Stars (Ire) at Gilltown Stud. Ezeliya's dam Eziyra (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}) will return to Dubawi and Rondonia (Ire) (Raven's Pass), the dam of Rouhiya, who is...

Last year ended on a high note for Top o' the Lane Farm and has continued into 2025. Vixen (Vekoma) was second by a neck in the GI Natalma Stakes last September, then followed it up by a solid run in the Breeders' Cup after having to break from the parking lot and has continued on in 2025 after a short break to capture the Sweetest Chant Stakes and GIII Herecomesthebride Stakes. Keeneland November was a major success with three foals going through the ring to great connections through Highgate...

Some 47 years ago, a horse by the name of Bravo Bravo won his first start off a claim by the Auerbach Family of California, setting in motion a long and successful career in the racing and breeding business, both at home in California and in Central Kentucky. The matriarch of the family is the widely respected Madeline Auerbach, who among other accomplishments founded and is the former Chairperson of CARMA (California Retirement Management Account), a funding arm for retired race horses in the state. In 1996, Madeline Auerbach and...

With the 2025 breeding season upon us, the TDN staff is once again sitting down with leading breeders to find out what stallions they have chosen for their mares, and why. Susan Anderson is involved in every aspect of the industry as an owner, breeder, and trainer. She runs Point Of View Farm in Ohio, where she bred 'TDN Rising Star' GSW Jonathan's Way (Vekoma), who currently sits in eighth on the 'Road to the Kentucky Derby' leaderboard with 15 points. Anderson shares her 2025 mating plans, including for her...

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...

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...

Horses seem to always be at the center of Brent and Sharilyn Gasaway's life. As the story goes, the day Brent proposed he ran late because, of course, he was at the racetrack. Even though she was none too pleased, Sharilyn confirmed the end result was an affirmative one. By now you have probably heard how their ownership group 4 G Racing--which includes the couple and their twin son and daughter, Brent's cousin Lance Gasaway, and Daniel Hamby III--paired with Valley View Farm to reach one of the apogees in...

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...