News and notes on a hot summer day

It's been a while since our last blog post, and that's due to the fact that we took a much-needed vacation down the Jersey Shore, recharging the batteries and actually being able to read an entire book. 

Now back in the saddle, so to speak, we decided to make this first post of July a hodge-podge of information, some light reading for a very hot July day:

* Millionaire and track record-setter Sir Shackleton, who stood his first season in Pennsylvania this year at Gayle Gerth's Dana Point Farm in Lenhartsville, had the first winner from his first crop on June 24 when Sir Fox captured a maiden special weight at Prairie Meadows.  Sir Shackleton, a son of Miswaki-Naskra Colors, by Star de Naskra, stood his first three seasons at Castleton Lyons in Kentucky before being moved to Pennsylvania for 2010.  He stands for $2,500.

* Queensland, Australia-based Merlo Downs Stud will stand Canadian Gr. 1 Grey Breeders' Cup Stakes winner Changeintheweather (Gone West-Meteor Colony, by Pleasant Colony) in 2010 for his first season "Down Under."  The son of Gone West originally retired to his breeders' farm at Kentucky-based Pin Oak Stud in 2004 and stood there for two seasons before being relocated to Barbara and Ron Rickline's Xanthus Farm in Gettysburg, Pa. From his first crops he has sired 47 winners from 71 runners who have notched 130 wins and over 280 placings including (from his first crop) stakes-winning 2-year-old Cold Trial and stakes-placed 2-year-old Ovechkin. Changeintheweather, a winner of $441,247, was sold outright to Merlo Downs Stud. He stands his 2010 season there for a fee of $5,500.

* Gr. 1-placed and multiple stakes-winning sprinter Talent Search, a son of Catienus who stood his first season at Diamond B Farm in Mohrsville, Pa., serviced a book of more than 60 mares, according to Diamond B's owner Glenn Brok.  That is an outstanding number for a first-year sire in Pennsylvania, and obviously breeders were attracted to Talent Search's blistering speed on the racetrack and his excellent conformation and pedigree.  He stands for $2,500.

* We learned last month that the graded stakes-winning sire Turnofthecentury, a son of Holy Bull, was euthanized earlier this spring at Justaplain Farm in Cochranville, Pa.  Owners Helen and Gert Stearns said the gray was only servicing a few mares each season.  Still standing at Justaplain is Knockadoon, whose daughter Be Before broke her maiden on the Belmont Park grass on May 29.

* Was fortunate enough to visit Chip and Barbara Wheeler's WynOaks Farm in Delta, Pa. on June 27, and saw some beautiful Weigelia babies, as well as Weigelia himself.  The Wheelers said they are very impressed with his first crop of foals, and he serviced a book of nearly 30 mares this season and last season.  Weigelia was a hard-knocking millionaire who raced for six years, made 48 starts, and won 13 times, including eight stakes.  He stands for $3,500.