First foals for first-crop sires Jimmy Freight, Courtly Choice and Greenshoe

This week’s edition of Foal of the Week should really be called Foals of the Week thanks to a trio of firsts for first-crop stallions Jimmy Freight, Courtly Choice and Greenshoe.

On Jan. 22, Jimmy Freight’s, p, 2, 1:52.3s; 3, 1:48.3s; 1:48.1s -’19 ($1,457,405), first foal was born at Winbak Farm of Ontario. The colt is also the son of Walk On Air, p, 3, 1:54.4f ($46,385).

“We have been highly anticipating the first arrival of Jimmy Freight’s initial crop and were definitely impressed when we saw the first foal,” said Pat Woods, Winbak Farm of Ontario manager.

The mare and foal are owned by Adriano Sorella, who is also the owner of Jimmy Freight.

“It is a special feeling knowing that you now get to experience a whole new part of the industry,” said Sorella. “I went from being a racehorse owner to taking an active role in stallion ownership and breeding, and now I will be able to watch the offspring grow and, hopefully, one day race.”

Walk On Air is a Sweet Lou daughter from the family of millionaires Rocknroll Hanover and Royalflush Hanover.

Recently, the Jimmy Freight ownership group sent out information on a new process being used to assist Jimmy Freight in getting more mares in foal in 2021.

Click here to read more about the 2021 process.

“The breeding part of the business is definitely not the easiest process, but it’s one that can create a whole new set of memories,” said Sorella.

For more information on Jimmy Freight, please visit www.winbakfarm.com. For any breeding-related questions, please call Pat Woods at 905.838.2145 or email him at pat.woods@winbakfarm.com.

“We are excited for more Jimmy Freight foals to arrive,” said Woods. “As Jimmy Freight’s foals and other Winbak Farm-related foals arrive, their pictures will be posted on Winbak Farm’s Facebook page. Be sure to follow!”

— Elizabeth Cheesman / Winbak Farm public relations & marketing

Hanover Shoe Farms welcomed its first foal from the highly anticipated first crop of 2019 Dan Patch Trotter of the Year Greenshoe 3,1:49.4 $1.353,772 early on Wednesday (Jan. 27). The colt is the fifth foal from the 2001 Dan Patch 3-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year Cedar Dove 1:52.3 $1,178,930 and thus a half brother to 2019 Dan Patch 3-Year-Old Trotting Filly of the Year When Doves Cry 1:50 $1,121,568.

“Everyone at the farm has been so looking forward to the first Greenshoes, I know for me personally that I haven’t been this excited for a stallion in quite some time, if ever. This colt looks just like him. Long legs, very athletic looking and correct, tons of personality already. I am just thrilled with him,” said Hanover’s executive vice-president Dr. Bridgette Jablonsky.

Hanover is expecting 29 additional foals by Greenshoe this foaling season highlighted by the first foal from World Champion and 2017 Dan Patch Horse of the Year Hannelore Hanover 1:49.2 $3,069,857.

— Hanover Shoe Farms

On Monday (Jan. 25) at 1:15 am, the first known foal sired by Courtly Choice, p, 2, 1:53.1h; 3, 1:47.1 ($1,345,754), was born. The foal, a colt, was born at Winbak Farm of Maryland in Chesapeake City.

“The colt appears to be the complete package and is noticeably good looking,” said Garrett Bell, Winbak Farm general manager. “With a pedigree like his, we expect him to be among the elite when he is old enough to race.”

The dam of the colt is Spring Break, p, 2, 1:57.4h; 3, 1:50.3z ($787,057), who won 39 races before retiring. She is the dam of Bettor Than Spring, p, 3, 1:52.1f; 1:51.2h -’20 ($266,604), and Tuxedo Bay, p, 2, 1:54.4s; 3, 1:53.1s; 1:50 -’19 ($168,030).

Courtly Choice stands his second season in 2021 at Winbak Farm of New York.

“With Courtly Choice being a Winbak Farm graduate himself, we can’t help but be thrilled that his first foals are foaling this year,” said Bell. “Actually, Spring Break was a Winbak Farm graduate as well, so this colt is extra special already.”

For more information on Courtly Choice, please visit www.winbakfarm.com. For any breeding-related questions, please call Winbak Farm of New York at 845.778.5421 or email stallions@winbakfarm.com.

“As Winbak Farm foals arrive, their foal pictures will be posted on the Winbak Farm Facebook Page and we encourage followers to submit their name ideas,” said Bell. “We would also love clients to email pictures of their Winbak Farm-sired foals to stallions@winbakfarm.com so we can share them on social media.”

— Elizabeth Cheesman / Winbak Farm public relations & marketing