Heading south

It was with some sadness that I learned of the impending departure of Pennsylvania stallion Siphon (Brz) back to his native country of Brazil after the completion of this year's breeding season.  The 19-year-old son of Itajara had stood at Dr. William Solomon's Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom since 2006 after having stood at Airdrie Stud in Kentucky from 1998 through 2005.

Siphon has been purchased by Fernando Danemann’s Coudelaria Jessica and will stand at Haras Bage do Sul in Bage. 

A Grade 1-winner who is capable of siring a Grade 1 performer, Siphon has 11 crops to race, and to date has sired one champion, eight graded stakes winners, 14 stakes winners and 14 stakes placers.  His progeny have sold well through the years; his weanlings averaged $52,000, his yearlings averaged $27,000 and his 2-year-olds $55,000.  These are decent numbers for a stallion who stands for only $3,500.

Siphon is also becoming known as a solid broodmare sire; he is the sire of 135 dams of 289 foals, 145 runners (50%) and 88 winners (30%), including stakes winner Runaway Rosie, an earner of more than $387,000.

In speaking with Dr. Solomon about Siphon's sale to Brazilian interests, he said, "I was in favor of it.  There are not that many stallions in Pennsylvania that will be getting a lot of mares this year, and I think he will do well in Brazil."

Last year, Siphon serviced 32 mares, but Solomon is unsure whether he will hit that mark in 2010.