A look at some 2020-2021 notes from the breeding world

by Bob Heyden

American Ideal. From the same year as Rocknoll Hanover (foals of 2002) and the first sub-1:48 sophomore ever, American Ideal is still going strong. His progeny have earned $140,636,345 to start 2021.

His two richest are from the same crop:
#1 American Jewel $1,840,565 (2009 foal)
#2 Heston Blue Chip $1,781,884 (2009)
#3 Sunshine Blue Chip $1,633,398 (2010)

Archangel. Four of his top five money winners are, indeed, “Angels”:
#1 Guardian Angel $1,442,353
#2 Top Flight Angel $941,250
#4 ICanflylikeanangel $412,592
#5 Teddys Little Angel $289,982

Andover Hall. His first crop was one for the ages and he’s still going at it at age 22.

The following are all from his first crop foaled in 2007:

Donato Hanover — 3YOCT of the Year and the Hambletonian winner.

Pampered Princess — 3YOFT of the Year and second choice in the Hambletonian behind Donato.

Adrian Chip — Hambletonian runner-up.

Danae — Hambletonian Oaks winner.

Bold Eagle earned $5,701,478 lifetime and is available via frozen semen only.

Cattlewash retired with the same 1:46.4 sophomore mark his dad recorded (Somebeachsomewhere in 2008). Cattlewash is now standing at Walnridge NJ.

Dancin Yankee is in the stallion ranks, you don’t see many with a bio that includes nine straight $100,000 seasons plus a $2 million career ($2,003,907). Standing his second season at Cool Winds in Lima, OH.

Muscle Hill produced more than half of the trotting yearlings that sold for $100,000 or more in 2020 (36 of 71). Overall, Muscle Hill sold 71 for $9.002 million for an average of $126,789.

Thirteen of the 14 highest-priced Walner offspring sold at the Lexington Selected Yearling Sale.

Top yearling buyers

Andy and Julie Miller led all buyers of yearlings with $2,990,000 spent. Rounding out the top five were Nancy Takter, Marcus Melander, Tony Alagna and Ron Burke.

Fewer sold

There were fewer yearlings sold in 2020 than in nine of the past 10 years. In 2017, 3,324 yearlings were sold. In 2020, the number sold was 3,335, which was 11 per cent fewer yearlings than were sold in 2019.

Stallion battle

The year 2020 produced a nice battle for the top spot among stallions. Somebeachsomewhere edged out Bettors Delight $16,065,109 to $16,027,848.

Marc Fontaine sighting

Or, at least a text. Now 55, Fontaine was 20 when he trained the undefeated 1986 HOY Forrest Skipper for his father, Lucien Fontaine. How is Marc doing?

“I am in Coral Springs and Loosh is right down the road. Surviving the crazy times we are in. I am flying a Turbo Prop. I take PGA golfers to and from tournaments. I am home a lot these days, but I still teach people how to fly. I do miss the business and follow it on social media. But I really do miss the golden old days in the backstretch.”

Who needs to race at 2?

Who needs a 2-year-old season? Party Girl Hill, Pine Chip, Won The West sure didn’t and Wiggle It Jiggleit had just one try in 2014. Same with Hot Lead in 1995. Sometimes a lone win at 2 is no indication either. Precious Bunny’s 1-for-14 slate in 1990 sure didn’t give us any hint as to 1991’s record money-season which added 20 more wins and a Horse of the Year title.

And finally…

This is the stat of the day. The last time the Hambletonian had the top three drivers and trainers all born in the U.S. was in 1980 when Billy Haughton, Tommy Haughton and Del Miller finished 1-2-3 with Burgomeister, Final Score and Devil Hanover. Not once in the entire Meadowlands Hambletonian era has this happened.