California Thoroughbred Farms 2008/2009 California Thoroughbred ...

Ballena Vista FarmIntegrity. . .Commitment. . .Compassion. . . . . .It’s All HereWe’ve come a long waysince the Swycaffer familyhomesteaded 180-plus acresfor a cattle ranch inBallena, California, in theearly days of the area in SanDiego County now occupiedby Ballena Vista Farm!Today, the more than 220-acre showplace is one ofthe most beautiful andsuccessful Thoroughbredoperations on the WestCoast.Built with early-Californiaambiance using adobe and mission tile construction with particularattention to the smallest detail, a truly unique atmospherewas created for both visiting and year-round equine residents.By providing the best care for mares and foals, breakingand training of young horses, rehabilitation of injuredhorses, and sales preparation for horses of all ages, BallenaVista Farm has become a nationally recognized facility.The Farm boasts irrigated grass pastures and individualpaddocks of varying sizes, all with three-rail fencing centeredin V-mesh wire. The 38-stall barn is constructed toprovide plenty of ventilation, and each stall is equippedwith a skylight, fly control, fire sprinkler system and anoutside window. Two double-sized stalls with windowsaccessing the manager’s residence allow for around-theclockobservation of foaling mares.Ballena Vista Farm has a quarter-mile training trackwith a starting gate, as well as an indoor round pen withfully-padded walls, ventilation and client viewing area.State-of-the-art rehabilitation amenities include a fullyenclosed six-horse free-moving Equi-Ciser. Individuallyadjusted feed rations of the highest quality alfalfa andgrain, together with top veterinary and farrier care, keephorses in the best possible condition.The farm’s quality stallion roster is comparable to one whichmight be found at a Kentucky farm! Sea of Secrets is a top fiveCalifornia stallion by money won and number of winners. AGrade II winner by the legendary Storm Cat, he is the sire of23 stakes horses from his first five crops to race, including 10in 2007 and five so far this year, including Sea of Pleasure,Secret Kin, Thecatcamehome and graded stakes-placedSecret Gypsy. His total progeny earnings exceed $9.8 million.Grade I Super Derby and Travers Stakes winner and millionaireDeputy Commander joined the Farm two years ago.Currently the leading sirein California by number ofraces won and number ofwinners, he has sired 34stakes horses includingTen Most Wanted(Travers-Grade I). He had18 stakes horses in 2007and 11 so far this year,including graded stakesperformers Dubai Gold,Discreet Commander andReporting for Duty. Hisrunners have amassed over$21.3 million in earnings.Millionaire Grade I winner Beau Genius continues to bea leader among California’s active sires, currently in the topfive Leading Lifetime Sires in the state. He is the sire of 76stakes horses, 33 of them stakes winners, with total progenyearnings approaching $31 million! He has 75 winners fromhis first four California crops, including stakes winnerSnowdrop, triple stakes-placed Bid of Genius, and stakesplacedOne Chin Again. Beau Genius has had five stakeshorses so far this year, including My Creed, Beaulena andSnowdrop.Joining the Farm’s stallion roster for the 2008 season wasY-Lo Racing Stables’ stakes winner and multiple graded stakesplaced Spensive. By the Two Punch stallion Ponche out of themultiple winning mare Operate Quick, the big (17.2 hands)gray was a multiple winner of $313,557 from twenty starts inhis five year racing career. He hit the board in four consecutivestakes races at three, including the Grade II San Rafaeland the $500,000 Winstar Derby where he was second by aneck to multiple stakes winner Excessivepleasure.Due to the clean-up process necessitated by last year’swildfires, including the rebuilding of sections of the farm’sperimeter fencing, expansion plans for 2008 were postponeduntil 2009. Those plans include construction of a new stallionbarn to house the Farm’s current stallions as well asfuture additions to their stud roster.Farm Manager Manuel Ochoa, with 30-plus years in theindustry, leads an experienced staff. Managing the office andhandling stallion promotions is Thoroughbred owner andbreeder Vicki H. Rasmussen.Ballena Vista Farm stands by its motto “Integrity. . .Commitment. . .Compassion. . . . . .It’s All Here”. Please visitthe farm’s comprehensive website at www.ballenavistafarm.comfor further information and photos!56 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED 2008/2009 FARM SPOTLIGHT • SEPTEMBER 2008www.ctba.com

Friendship FarmGood Things Come In Small PackagesFriendship Farm is a five-acre sanctuary of tranquilityfor equines located in San Bernardino just afew miles from the 15, 215, 10 and 210 freeways.Friendship Farm is local to all Southern Californiaracetracks. Longtime Thoroughbred owner, breederand racing enthusiast Barbara Corey is the farm’sowner and manager. Her farm is small and personal,catering to the specific needs of her clients and theirhorses. With a foaling barn, mare motel, turnout pensand large sand paddocks, Barbara cares for broodmares,sale horses, lay-ups and horses of all ages. Postsurgery horses are also welcome.Her right hand man is assistant manager RojelioMoran. Rojelio came to Friendship Farm in 2005, followingmany years of experience at Mira Loma ThoroughbredFarm. Rojelio lives on the ranch and is “Mr. 24/7.” He isnot only an excellent all-around hand with the horses, heis also very kind to them.Unlike many of the larger farms, Friendship Farm isable to provide individual care and feeding programstailored to the needs of each individual horse. Ownersand their veterinarians may request speciality hays,grains and supplements to be fed as directed. Allhorses at the farm are on a regular deworming andvaccination program. The ranch farrier, Adan Solis,was also a member of Mira Loma’s team. Adan is veryconscientious about giving his attention and expertiseto each individual animal.Laurie Roling who has worked for several largeand well-respected Southern California Thoroughbredfarms and who specializes in young horses,comes to Friendship Farm regularly to work with thefoals. Clients and visitors are amazed and delightedby how friendly and willing to be handled the younghorses are.Friendship Farm is also home to a few rescuedracehorses awaiting a chance at second careers. Oneof these, Talking to John, a Souvenir Copy gelding, astakes-placed winner of over $168,000, has beenadopted by Matt and Angelique, two of Barbara’s fellowco-workers at the Derby Restaurant in Arcadia.Barbara also does the Annual Stallion SeasonAuction to raise money for the retired Thoroughbredsat Tranquility Farm. Breedings are available tomany outstanding stallions from prominent farms inArizona, California, Kentucky, Louisiana and NewYork. Anyone interested in how to bid on one ofthese seasons can contact Barbara at the farmBarbara is a natural born matchmaker. Her specialityis tracing pedigrees and “match making” for herclients. She carefully researches the bloodlines of herclients’ quality mares and then selects the best possiblestallions to breed them to, thereby producing offspringwho are bred to win.Friendship Farm is home to one stallion. Retired CrossCountry Kris is the ranch Romeo. His job is to tease themares and Barbara keeps precise records to informclients when it is time to send their mares out to be bred.Clients and visitors are always welcome at FriendshipFarm. Please contact Barbara Corey at the farmon (909) 887-9067 or cell (951) 961-1307. You canalso e-mail her at friendshipfarm2@verizon.net.www.ctba.comCALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED 2008/2009 FARM SPOTLIGHT • SEPTEMBER 2008 61

Harris FarmsOur Programs Produce Classic PerformanceThe addition ofSwiss Yodeler toHarris Farms’ stallionroster highlights thefarms commitmentto the Californiabreeding industry.With 19 stakes winnersand earners ofnearly $17 million,Swiss Yodeler hasconsistently been aleading sire in California.The sire ofBreeders’ Cup Sprintwinner Thor’s Echo,Swiss Yodeler joins established stallions Cee’s Tizzy, theonly stallion in California to have sired two Eclipse Awardwinners, and High Brite, sire of 43 stakes winners and earnersof over $31 million. In addition, the roster featurespromising young stallions Stormy Jack, sire of world recordholder Bob Black Jack, Redattore, the leading freshman sirein Brazil with a group I winner in his first crop, Tizbud,Lucky Pulpit and Downtown Seattle.This high level of success on the racetrack and in thebreeding shed continues to be the goal at Harris Farms,which has accounted for 23 California divisional champions,17 California Cup champions, and six Horse of the Year honorsfor the farm and its clients. Thoroughbred stars whotrace their roots to Harris Farms include Soviet Problem,Work the Crowd, Continental Red, Moscow Burning,Thor’s Echo, Nashoba’s Key and Eclipse Horse of the Yearand only dual winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic, Tiznow.The Harris Farms horse division dates back over 40years to the vision of John Harris and his father Jack, bothcattle ranchers, farmers and horsemen who wanted todevote part of their operation to the breeding, raising andtraining of Thoroughbred racehorses. The horse divisionrepresents just one area of the larger Harris Ranch operation,which also operates California’s largest cattle feedyard, as well as thousands of acres planted in almonds,vegetables and citrus.The acclaimed Harris Ranch Restaurant and beautifullyappointed Harris Ranch Inn provide a welcome oasis toweary travelers along I-5, and also serves as a gatheringplace for important political, social and charitable eventsattracting a wide audience. Harris Farms is not just a Thoroughbrednursery, it is a California institution, providingthousands of jobs to the state’s vital Great Central Valley.Currently HarrisFarms’ horse divisionincludes the 320-acre main farmlocated north ofCoalinga, just east ofthe I-5, as well as the200-acre part of theHarris River Ranchdevoted to horses.The main farmboasts a full commercialfacility, offeringa wide range of services,from breedingand foaling to breakingand training, for both Harris Farms and its many loyalclients.The pastoral Harris River Ranch, where John and CaroleHarris make their home, is located 50 miles east of themain farm. The rich, sandy loam soil and underlying limestonework with ideal water conditions to nourish 200acres of large, expansive pasture conducive to the propergrowth and development of weanlings and yearlings.Cared for by our experienced River Ranch manager LaurieBrown and her staff, young horses are well prepared forthe rigors of the racetrack or the sales ring. Both the mainfarm and the River Ranch cater especially well to younghorses, together totaling 520 acres of lush, irrigated pasturethat provide the ideal environments for future stars togrow and develop into sound and healthy racehorses.President and owner John Harris entrusts his horsedivision to a loyal and committed group of hard-workingemployees. The Harris team is led by General ManagerDavid McGlothlin and farm trainer Per Antonsen, bothof whom have been with the farm since 1981. Dr.Jeanne Bower serves as the farm’s resident veterinarian.Other key members include Raul Rosas, assistant farmmanager and stallion manager, and assistant trainer LisaTorres-Antonsen. Dr. Raquel Herrero, Dr. Virginia CastilloHernandez and Kristina Henson assist with the veterinaryteam. Our courteous administrative staff consistsof office manager Janie Davis; Debbie Correia, administrativeassistant to John Harris; accountant MonicaBazan; and receptionist Randi Camp.All are ready to field any questions or requests you mayhave about our operation. Please feel free to the call thefarm and schedule and appointment to tour the facilities,or visit our website at www.harrisfarms.com.62 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED 2008/2009FARM SPOTLIGHT • SEPTEMBER 2008 www.ctba.com

Legacy RanchThe Jewel Of The FoothillsIt’s been three years since Legacy Ranch moved fromits Southern California location in Chino. Our beautifulNorthern California facility is located in Clements,approximately 50 minutes southeast of the SacramentoAirport and at the base of the Sierra Foothills. With 145acres of lush green pastures, spacious barns and ourexpansive 5/8-mile training track, we and our clientscouldn’t be happier.Legacy’s two standing stallions, Our New Recruit andCindago, have produced some of the most beautiful foalsone can imagine. Our New Recruit’s first crop will betwo-year-olds in ’09. Cindago’s first crop will be yearlingsin ’09. We are looking forward to some great racehorsesfrom both of these sires. These impressive stallions areowned by Lee and Sue Searing of CRK Stables.Our New Recruit is a nine-year-old son of AlphabetSoup, out of multiple stakes-placed Delta Danielle. Heis also the 2004 winner of the $2,000,000 Dubai GoldenShaheen. Cindago, a five-year-old stakes-winning sonof Indian Charlie, was a gate-to-wire winner of the ElCajon Stakes, defeating both Bob And John and BrotherDerek.Owners Pete and Evelyn Parrella, are fortunate tohave some of California’s most notable owners andtrainers as clients. Some of the services offered at LegacyRanch are breaking, training, breeding and foaling.Pete also serves on the Board of Directors of the CaliforniaThoroughbred Breeders Association (CTBA) inthe position of Treasurer. As if that doesn’t keep himbusy enough, he also oversees Parr Lumber Company—his international wholesale lumber and plywood distributioncenter located in Chino, California.The Hadley family has been with Legacy Ranch for 23years. Shaun Hadley is the Ranch Manager and on-sitetrainer. He makes sure that every horse leaving the ranchis in the best racing condition possible and ready to runon any track in the country. His wife, Anita, directs thesuccessful breeding program, as well as the care of maresand foals. Their daughter, Roxann, is the track outrider,helping coordinate the morning workouts and adding herpersonal touches to the sales preparation program.If you are interested in contacting Legacy Ranch, thefront office is open Monday through Friday at 8:00 a.m.until 4:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00p.m. To reach our office by phone, please call (209) 759-3315. Emergency and after hours numbers are given on thesame line. Our e-mail address is legacyranchnorth@aol.comand our web site is www.legacyranchinc.com.www.ctba.comCALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED 2008/2009 FARM SPOTLIGHT • SEPTEMBER 2008 63

Lovacres RanchLovingier Family Building A New Farm With An “Altitude”Lovacres Ranch isinto their second yearof operation at theirnew location inWarner Springs andstill building.The 280-acre layoutwas put into service inlate summer 2007,though it’s still a workin progress, accordingto Lovingier. “Wehave a new barn,” hesaid, “and we havesome of our own broodmares, as well as those of a numberof boarders.”The six-furlong training track is in full use, fulltime, he says.Lovingier is enchanted by the beauty of the setting.“I don’t like to brag,” he said, “but I think thisis one of the prettier farms in California. We have allnew fencing and the lay of the land is beautiful, set inrolling hills and full of beautiful old oak trees.”The owner, whose father, Russ, remains active on thefarm, describes the location thusly: “If one is cominghere from Murietta or Temecula, we are about eightmiles from Warner Springs. We’re at 3,500 feet elevationand the horses love it. I’ve never seen happier horses.And training at an altitude is good for them, too.“When you come up to the crest of the hill justbefore our place, it is spread out in front of you.” Thefarm is nestled in an area at the base of PalomarMountain and has a staff of 25.Most of the pastures are at least five acres in size,and in spots, he says, deer often graze right along withthe horses.Lovacres is designed to be a full-service facility,offering breeding, foaling, boarding, breaking, trainingand sales preparation. The farm stands three stallions,including Awesome Gambler, who has just beenretired from the racetrack and will stand his first seasonin 2008, as the only son of Coronado’s Quest in California.He won Hollywood Park’s Alydar Stakes andran second in the Gateway to Glory Stakes at FairplexPark. AwesomeGambler is a gorgeousstallion,picked out by topagent Buzz Chace.Awesome Gambleris going into his secondyear of breeding.Proving to be a popularstallion breeding over80 mares in his firstseason at Lovacres in2008.Nineeleven, byspeed sire Phone Trick out of the dual graded stakes winnerSurvive, by Pass the Glass, is having a great 2008 withstakes runners such as Conclusive and Turbo Call.Nineeleven is a current leading two-year-old sire.Rio Verde, who was acquired by Lovingier from theHall of Fame trainer Bobby Frankel, is by internationalsire of sires Nureyev out of a stakes-winning Rivermanmare. Rio Verde is also having a great 2008 with stakesrunners such as grade II-placed Making Dreams and GotTobe Rio. He is among the leading two-year-old sires.The first Lovingier venture was a partnership amongLovingier, his father and brother, Dan. They bought a ranchoutside of Waco, Texas, and began breeding Quarter Horses.At one point, Terry Lovingier and his brother Dan bred andsold a bay son of Strawfly Special who later won the 1996All-American Futurity at Ruidoso Downs as Streakin Flyer.The Texas ranch was sold that same year, and Terryand his father moved their stock to property they ownedin Murietta and that became the nucleus of LovacresRanch. They put their Quarter Horse business aside andbegan breeding Thoroughbreds. The Lovacres operationusually develops between 50 and 100 foals each year andthey are broken and trained at the farm. Those deemedsalable will be prepped for sale at the farm while othersfigure to head for the racetrack.Lovingier operates Lovco Construction Inc., a SignalHill, California, firm that is involved in maintenance ofoil refineries. Lovingier, who holds a civil and environmentalengineering degree from University of CaliforniaIrvine, lives in Los Alamitos with his family.64 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED 2008/2009 FARM SPOTLIGHT • SEPTEMBER 2008 www.ctba.com

Magali FarmsA Proven Formula For SuccessMagali Farms,owned by Rich andGaby Sulpizio, islocated in the heart ofthe magnificent SantaYnez Valley. The 238acres of lush, irrigated©Doug Pratherpastures and beautifullandscaping provide a picturesque setting beneath thegentle slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains.Magali Farms is a full-service facility offering breeding,training, sales prep and recuperation for lay-ups. The mainbarn, situated amid the 158 acres that make up the farm’sbreeding operation, is considered the farm’s jewel with itsclassic early California Spanish architecture and gracefullandscaping.The main barn houses the farm’s offices and featurescomplete laboratory and breeding facilities, as well asdeluxe stalls, including foaling stalls equipped with videocameras and monitors. The barn’s design ensures theutmost comfort and safety of each horse with its wide aisles,well ventilated, oversized stalls, automatic fly control system,wash bays, sun pens and individual grass paddocks fordaily turn-outs, especially for the lay-ups.The farm features more than 11 miles of quality four-railwood and mesh fencing surrounding the irrigated pastures.The horses flourish in this pastoral setting that allows forplenty of room to roam and graze in pastures ranging in sizefrom two to 40 acres. Every paddock and pasture is individuallyfenced with wide alleys separating each from the next.Each pasture has its own covered feeding shelters withautomatic watering systems.Magali’s training center is located on 80 acres adjacentto the breeding center. A deluxe 45-stall barn is the centerpiece.The barn is spacious, light and well ventilated. Itfeatures large, windowed stalls with overhead fans and anautomatic fly control system. There are also 38 outsidecovered stalls, irrigatedpaddocks, a 62-footcovered round pen, a250’ by 150’ outdoorarena, an Equi-Cizer,and a half-mile trainingtrack with gatesand banked turns.With Magali’s top of the line training facilities, yourhorse can be kept in light, moderate or full training andconditioning and still have the chance to ‘let down’ a bitand be turned out each day to enjoy grass pastures. Theenvironment at Magali also allows a horse to just enjoy a‘refresher’ from the daily rigors of racetrack living and stillbe kept in condition. Our knowledgeable staff works closelywith your veterinarian and trainer to follow through oneach stage of their recommended rehab schedule.The goal of Magali Farms is to provide a comfortable,clean and quality environment for each horse on thegrounds. Quality feed, deeply bedded stalls, irrigated pasturesand an attention to detail by the farm’s experiencedstaff are examples of the quality services provided for eachhorse at Magali.The farm is home to California leading freshman sire of2007 and multiple graded stakes winner Decarchy, out ofKentucky Broodmare of the Year Toussaud, as well asBreeders’ Cup Sprint and Eclipse Award winner, Lit DeJustice. The stallions Atticus, Event Of The Year and Mr.Broad Blade also call Magali Farms home. Rounding outthis notable stallion roster is Good Journey. This grade I-winning millionaire and son of champion Chimes OfFreedom possesses an extraordinary pedigree, as well as animpressive race record.Manager Tom Hudson invites you to call at (805) 693-1777 to schedule your visit to our farm to tour our facilitiesand meet our staff. Check out our website atwww.magalifarms.com.www.ctba.comCALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED 2008/2009 FARM SPOTLIGHT • SEPTEMBER 2008 65

Milky Way Farm100-Acre Facility In Temecula Since 1967And Now Specializing In ThoroughbredsTemecula Valley islocated strategicallybetween the majorracing centers ofSouthern Calforniaand has a long historywith horses and farms.In 1967, Leland andEsther May Mekeel,with son John anddaughter Linda, relocatedtheir farm fromCovina and began todevelop Mekeel Ranch, Temecula, on a 100-acre site.During the late 1970s through early 1980s, in the heydayof Arabian Horse breeding, upwards of 350 mares werecovered annually by the farm stallions, as well as thedelivery of 100 or more foals per year.Over the past few years, the farm focus has changed.With encouragement from Dan Schiffer, our neighbor, weembarked on a Thoroughbred journey. Today, with a largeportion of the farm now known as Milky Way Farm is operatedby Linda, who has been on the board of W. K. KelloggArabian Advisory Foundation at Cal Poly for 18 years. Theacreage is dedicated to the care of Thoroughbred horses.The name has changed but the farm philosophy of takingthe best care possible of the horses, as well as taking care oftheir owners has remained in place. We strive to keep inclose contact with our owners and make sure that theyknow that we welcome their input into the horses care. Wealso encourage them to visit the horses as much as possible.To insure the best care for the horses, in addition to a staffthat for the most part has been with the farm for many years,we have Canyon Equine Clinic, a large animal veterinaryclinic located here since 1975. Headed by Dr. Laurence Seemanand Dr. Doug Lawrence, we have a full-service program.All horses are maintained on vaccinations and dewormingprograms as directed by the veterinary clinic. We also have afarrier shop located on the farm to insure the constant hoofhealth care.The ranch specializes in handling all aspects of broodmares.The farm offers 3- and 4-acre pastures which areplanted each year for seasonal grass. During foaling seasonthe mares are monitored around the clock. The mares foalin delivery stalls or if weather permits, we have a grass enclosureused just for foaling mares to give them more room tomaneuver during delivery. During breeding season, wearrange for the movement of mares to and from the stallionfarms and monitor breeding status for our owners. Afterweaning and basic training,the foals are turnedinto the large fields insmall groups to grow. Asyearlings, they are eitherprepared for the yearlingsales ring or sent out forbasic saddle work.Our lay-up programprovides several optionsto meet the needs ofeach individual horse.In addition to stall care,we have 24 x 24 paddocks, as well as 100 x 100 paddocks foreither just some time off to rest or recovery from an injury.We have been fortunate enough to care for some wonderfulThoroughbreds through the years. In the 1970s, manyof Charlie Whittingham’s horses rested here. As Milky WayFarm, we have either raised or cared for some exceptionallytalented racehorses. We are grateful for the wonderfulclients, owners and trainers that have entrusted us with theirbroodmares and racehorses. Some of the broodmares wholive here year-round are from the Hat Ranch owned by DanSchiffer, Mel and Annabelle Stute, Chet Ruckman, BigApple Racing Stable and Barbara Brown, we enjoy them asif they were our own. The thrill of victory at the track wecan share with trainers Mel Stute and Dan McFarlane, eventhough we were only a small part of the success. A fewnotable winners from the ’07 and ’08 racing seasons includegraded stakes winner Quick Little Miss (Hat Ranch Westand Mel and Annabelle Stute), Little Gypsy (Chet Ruckmanand Dan Farlane) and a few of the recent winners atSanta Anita Park, Hollywood Park and the Del Mar ThoroughbredClub—Aunt Pink, Quarter Moon, Pawnee,Angel’s Reward, Irish Express, Actually and Best Dressed.We enjoy being in the horse business, we have beenthere all our lives. We enjoy learning and growing witheach new experience. As members of the California ThoroughbredFarm Managers Association (CTFMA), withLinda currently serving as a member of the Board ofDirectors, we are able to discuss, share and incorporateideas from other farm managers into our program.Each year in the world of livestock, is a new beginning.The broodmares are so special because each spring andfoaling season, brings new hopes and dreams for thefuture. The satisfactions are immense when you see a yearlingprepared at the farm successfully selling in the salesring, or going to the track and watching the successfulreturn of a racehorse who has been on the farm.68 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED 2008/2009 FARM SPOTLIGHT • SEPTEMBER 2008 www.ctba.com

Old English RanchoThe Success Continues For One Of California’sMost Historic Thoroughbred FarmsSuccess begets successthey say, and OldEnglish Rancho is certainlya perfect case inpoint.The 400-acre spreadin Sanger, 15 miles eastof Fresno, is home toone of the state’s mosthistoric and successfulThoroughbred breedingestablishments.Even though the farmmoved almost lock,stock and barrel to the©MesarosCentral California location a few years ago, Old English Ranchohad operated the area as a breaking and training groundfor its yearlings for some 30 years prior to that.Old English Rancho, with its administrative headquartersstill in Ontario, didn’t miss a stride in its move, continuingthe success it has known from its beginnings just prior toWorld War II. At peak time, the farm is home to more than600 horses.A key factor in the farm’s success is the outstanding stallionroster, led by Perfect Mandate who is among the leadingfourth-crop sires in California. Unusual Heat has had unusualsuccess with eight crops of racing age, siring 21 earners ofmore than $100,000, including graded stakes winners GoldenDoc A (grade I), Tucked Away, Unusual Suspect and multiplestakes winner Lennyfromalibu. Also on hand in the breedingshed are: Poteen, a successful turf runner; Royal Cat, California’sleading freshman sire of 2005, and a son of America’smost sought-after stallion Storm Cat; Lacey Evitan, by thedeceased stallion Bold Badgett; Unbridled Native, a son of1990 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled; and Vronsky, awinning son of Danzig.In about 1948, Old English Rancho originally put downits Southern California roots and imported a stallion fromEngland. That was when Ellwood B. Johnston, well-knownas “The Pie Man,” took his fortune and invested it in Thoroughbredhorses. He wasn’t alone in the endeavor—partnerTed Tepper joined him. The pair first bought 37 acres ofland in Chino and then 120 acres in Corona.They stood Old English as their first stallion, promptingDaily Racing Form’sOscar Otis to tag theoperation “Old EnglishRancho.” The name hada special ring to it, so itstuck.In 1955, Johnstonbought a parcel of landadjacent to OntarioAirport and turned itinto the Old EnglishRancho, as most Californiahorsemen know ittoday under the managementof The PieMan’s son, E.W. “Buddy” Johnston.More than 300 stakes winners have been foaled and raisedat the historic farm, such as Ruth Lily, Iron Maiden and RealGood Deal, as well as present-day California-bred championsSomething Lucky, Stylish Winner and Somethingmerry. Thefarm also bred the brilliant filly June Darling, along with 2002California champions Above Perfection and Disturbingthepeace,as well as multiple stakes winner Mimi’s Café.Recent stakes winners include, Flying First Class who wonthis year’s $117,800 Derby Trial Stakes, and Big BadLeroybrown who was also victorious in taking home thewin in the $107,200 Real Good Deal Stakes.It has also been home to some pretty potent stallionsover the years, including The Pie King, Lucky Mel, WindySands and Fleet Nasrullah. The latter produced such fineoffspring as Coursing, Century and Fleet Treat, as well assubsequent leading stallions Don B. and Gummo, the latterthe sire of Ancient Title and Flying Paster.Founder Ellwood Johnston died in 1981, while his wifeBetty died in 2000. The traditions they put in place arestill being carried forward by Buddy himself. The familyand farm personnel, headed by Patsy Berumen, CraigAllen, Peter Hilvers, Debbie Matheny and Linda Wisehart,continue their successful methods of breeding,hands-on treatment of mares and foals, prenatal care, feedingand training at the new site. Primary among their efforts isto ensure that Old English Rancho continues as a majorplayer in the future, in both the breeding and racingspheres of the local industry.www.ctba.com CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED 2008/2009 FARM SPOTLIGHT • SEPTEMBER 2008 69

Rancho San MiguelQuality Stallions Highlight This Breeding And Sales Prep OperationRancho San Miguelhas developed into oneof the leading stallionstations in California.Tom and Nancy Clark,who bought the 250-acre ranch in 2000,have overseen a majorinvestment in pastures,equipment and facilities,as well as housingfor the employees. The ranch’s goal is to attract the highestquality stallions and broodmares and provide them withthe very best care possible.The farm is nestled in the coastal foothills northwest ofPaso Robles. Its central location allows the farm to serveclients from both the northern and southern regions of thestate. The farm is blessed by cool evening breezes off thePacific Ocean, located about 25 miles away, and an abundanceof good spring water.Rancho San Miguel is led by its General Manager of over20 years, Clay Murdock. Clay has overseen the successfultransition of the ranch from a small training and lay-upfacility to its current prominence in the breeding industry.The on-site veterinarian, Dr. Joseph (Jake) Lynch, hasbrought the latest in scientific techniques and know-how tothe breeding shed and to the care and maintenances of itshorses. Kasia Tomaszewic, Amanda Poore, Jorge Cruz, andDogie Lujan make up the management team that insuresquality care is provided to all horses on a daily basis.The Rancho San Miguel stallion roster consists of:Marino Marini, Formal Gold and Comic Strip with thepossibility of additional stallions being added for 2009.Marino Marini, an impeccably-bred son of Storm Cat, outof the grade I winner and $1,460,992-earner Halo America,was purchased for $1.8 million as a yearling. Brilliantly fast,he was graded or group-placed on both dirt and turf, in theUnited States and Europe, including the grade I Malibu andPhoenix Stakes. Marino Marini’s first winner and secondrunner, Miguel’s Mascot, broke his maiden and set a trackrecord opening day at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club in aCalifornia-bred Maiden Special Weight. With his looks,pedigree, proven race record, and his first offspring on thetrack in 2008, MarinoMarini’s future lookspromising as a Californiasire.Formal Gold hasstood at Rancho SanMiguel since 2005. Hewas an outstanding racehorse,defeating championSkip Away in four of©Rancho San Miguel photo their six meetings whileearning over $1.5 million. He ran second in the WhitneyHandicap (grade I), won the grade II Phillip H. IselinHandicap and then captured the grade I WoodwardStakes, while running consecutive Beyer Speed Ratings of126, 124 and 125. A son of Horse of the Year Black TieAffair (Ire), out of Ingoldsby, Formal Gold, has hadanother great year with Semaphore Man increasing hislifetime earnings to $397,110 with wins in the CottonKing Stakes and the grade III Count Fleet Handicap.Transduction Gold continued to put up great competition,coming in second in the grade III Louisville Handicapat Churchill Downs and finishing second in the RoundTable Handicap at Hollywood Park. Transduction Goldhas lifetime earnings of 291,953. In addition, FormalGold’s three-year-old and first Cal-bred Nikki’sgoldensteedbroke his maiden impressively at Santa Anita Parkon Jan. 11, and continued on to win the $100,000 TurfParadise Derby. Nikki’sgoldensteed also made an impressiverun and finished second in the grade III El Camino RealDerby at Bay Meadows. Formal Gold is proving he can sireCal-bred graded stakes runners. We are looking forward tomore of his Cal-bred progeny to hit the track.Comic Strip, a graded stakes winner on both dirt and turf,joined the Rancho San Miguel stallion roster in 2007. ComicStrip is the son of Red Ransom, out of the winning SaratogaSix mare Now That’s Funny. Offspring such as Rollerskates,Comedy Girl, Comic Club, Comoros and Kool Comic havegiven Comic Strip a boost on the 2008 racing charts. ComicStrip continues to provide California with exciting winners.Rancho San Miguel is dedicated to providing quality serviceand stallions to the California breeding industry and welook forward to serving you.70 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED 2008/2009 FARM SPOTLIGHT • SEPTEMBER 2008 www.ctba.com

Rancho TemescalBreeding And Foaling, Stallion Suances Added To Long ListOf Services Offered By Ideally Located Thoroughbred FarmRancho Temescal,one of California’s premierfarms, has enteredthe full-service arenafor 2008, adding breedingand foaling to itslist of services andbringing on board itsfirst major stallion,Suances (GB), the French champion, who also was a gradedstakes winner in the United States while racing for RanchoTemescal owner Jed Cohen’s Red Baron’s Barn LLC.Located in an area known as the “Hidden Jewel ofVentura County,” Rancho Temescal is tucked away in asecluded valley below Lake Piru and has been operating forsix years on its 6,000-acre spread. The original 100 acresdevoted to Thoroughbreds has now been expanded to 125acres, which still allows almost limitless opportunities for furthergrowth.Tim Cohen, who runs the business operations says,“The focus is to grow and care for racehorses. . .our customersenjoy the benefits of clean air, open space andluxurious, uncrowded, grass pastures. Our purpose is toraise happy and healthy equine athletes. We enjoy anexcellent client base, and are currently expanding toservice increasing demand.”The ranch is located in the town of Piru, about 12miles west of Valencia. That puts it about an hour’sdrive from Santa Anita Park, Hollywood Park and BarrettsEquine Ltd.As well as the additions completed in 2008, the ranchalso caters to mares, weanlings, yearlings, sales preparationand lay-ups. Cohen says, “ Our current aim is tooperate an elite program combining the best in naturalsurroundings, with the highest level of care, training, andsales preparation.” Among the facility’s 90 stalls are amain barn with 23 stalls, two “mare motels” with 24 stalls,20 sand pens that are 20 feet by 40 feet, 17 individual pasturesranging from ahalf-acre to 12 acres, aEuro-Ciser and 70-footround pen.Listed among theranch’s strengths is thewidely respected FarmManager, Ted PearceSr., and a well integratedstaff with racetrack and farm experience.Suances has been standing at Rancho Temescal since2006. His 2007 crop were so impressive, his yearling averageat the Barretts October sale was $16,400. Suances is a statuesqueson of Most Welcome. A group I winner in Francehe was the highweighted three-year-old on the FrenchHandicap at seven to 9 1/2 furlongs. Hubert Guy, one ofthe most respected bloodstock agents, probably summed upSuances best when quoted as saying, “Over the years, Ibrought many fine horses to the United States. Twenty-oneof these horses have won grade I races, including four Breeders’Cup races. In my opinion, Suances was the best horse Iever brought to the United States.” In the U.S., trained byDarrell Vienna, Cohen’s long-time conditioner, he won thegrade II San Francisco Breeders’ Cup Mile Handicap easilydefeating the Tin Man, Decarchy and Sarafan. He literallystrolled to victory in the Dallas Turf Cup Handicap.He ran at ages five and six for Jed Cohen in NorthAmerica and was trained by Darrell Vienna, Cohen’slong-time conditioner.While the ranch is relatively new on the Thoroughbredlandscape, it traces back to 1871, when it was deeded asone of the original Spanish Land Grants. The Cohens areonly the fifth owners of Rancho Temescal, where they alsoproduce a variety of crops on 600 acres of irrigated land.The Cohens invite you to take a short drive to RanchoTemescal. 3700 Piru Canyon Road, Piru, CA 93040. CallTim at (805) 521-0511 to schedule an appointment, oremail him at: tcohen@ranchotemescal.com.www.ctba.com CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED 2008/2009 FARM SPOTLIGHT • SEPTEMBER 2008 71

Tommy Town Thoroughbreds LLCPast Glory Now Firmly Restored To This Historic FarmTommy Town iscontinuing to reachtheir goal of becomingone of California’s premierbreeding farms, aswell as a top trainingfacility. The stallionsstanding in 2008 areMinisters Wild Cat,Old Topper, CatDreams, Hold ForGold, Mambo Train, Proud Tower Too, and Uncle Denny,all multiple stakes winners.Tommy Town was established in 2000 by Tom and DebiStull with the purchase of a 165-acre ranch, formerlyowned by D. Wayne Lucas, in the lush Santa Ynez Valleyin Santa Barbara County. To accommodate growth theStull’s have acquired an additional 200 adjoining acres.The training side of the farm has 100 stalls, a custom equicruiser,and a seven-furlong track that is maintained by twofull-time workers. On the breeding side, there is a 35-stallfoaling barn. With over 350 acres of land, the farm offersyear-round pasture boarding for mares, foals and yearlings.Tommy Town has been successful in assembling andretaining an outstanding team. Mike Allen, ranch managerjoined Tommy Town in 2001. Ismael Cisneros, the assistanttraining manager, has been employed since 2000. EstebanMelchor, assistant stallion manager since 2001, was recentlypromoted to stallion manager. To ensure effective rehabilitationof injured horses, the farm works closely with AlamoPintado Equine Clinic, in addition to the breeding veterinarian,Dr. Bill Stevenson, who specializes and is expert inthe care of broodmares and foals. The farm has 50 employeeswho live on site.Although Tommy Towns’ focus has been breeding, racingand private sales have become of equal importance in thelast few years. The training program at the farm, excellentpedigrees and exceptional facilities are utilized to preparehorses to race in California, and throughout the UnitedStates. The program has resulted in racing success forTommy Town. The farm offers breaking, sales preparation,lay up and rehabilitationfor return to racing.Tommy Town has bredand trained several successfuland stakes winners,including No MeansMaybe, and MyRedeemer. In addition,Tommy Town stallionshave produced severalsuccessful and stakes winners,including Clare’s Top Choice, K C Nite Mayr,Tommy’s Topper and Gotta Go Gal. A few notable privatelysold horses that went on to race were Sierra Sweetie (316,400),Topper Shopper (219,926), and Top Authority (158,601).Tommy Towns’ 2008 breeding season saw Old Topperbred to 69 mares, Ministers Wild Cat to 98 mares, CatDreams to 20 mares, Mambo Train to 12 mares, Hold forGold to 15 mares, Proud Tower Too to 18 mares, and UncleDenny to 34 mares. At the close of the season TommyTown had an in-foal percentage of 92 percent.Old Topper who earned $656,000 while racing, wasCalifornia’s leading freshmen sire in 2004, leading secondcrop sire in 2005, and leading third crop sire for 2006. Withfive crops racing his progeny earnings exceed $6.75 million.Top This and That ($407,262) and Sierra Sweetie(316,400) are his leading earners.Minister’s Wild Cat, out of Hollywood Wild Cat, byDeputy Minister began his stallion career breeding 72 maresin 2006, 71 mares in 2007 and 98 mares in 2008. Due to hisimpressive, champion filled pedigree, and the number ofmares bred, Tommy Town believes Ministers Wild Cat willbe the leading freshman sire in California for 2009. TommyTown appreciates the support received by this stallion withhis Kentucky pedigree at California rates. The farm is soconfident in the foals of Ministers Wild Cat’s they offered afull refund of the 2008 breeding fee if Ministers Wild Cat isnot the leading California freshman sire of 2009.For more information contact Mike Allen at805 686 4337, or visit them on the Internet atwww.tommytownfarms.com.74 CALIFORNIA THOROUGHBRED 2008/2009 FARM SPOTLIGHT • SEPTEMBER 2008www.ctba.com

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