Category Archives: Farm

In the Thoroughbred Daily News, two days after the passing of Arthur Hancock, Eclipse Award-winning journalist Bill Finley wrote a tribute to Hancock praising him for his integrity and commitment to the importance of ethical practices in the Thoroughbred racing.  Finley specifically focused on Hancock’s stance on against performance-enhancing drugs, and how that stance over time changed the outlook of many industry leaders involved in the sport today. 

Stone Farm founder Arthur Hancock passed away at his home in Paris, KY, following a long illness on Friday, September 18.  The well known horseman, musician and storyteller was 83.  The Thoroughbred world responded with a series of eloquent tributes to Hancock, his methods and successes.  Here are some links to pieces from the industry’s leading media outlets. 

Michael Lund Petersen’s RABEEBA came on at the end to win the Torrey Pines S.-G3  at Del Mar on Aug. 30. Sent away the even-money favorite, the 3-year-old filly raced just off the pace. She went three wide for running room as they approached the turn. In the final furlong of the one-mile race, RABEEBA hit her stride and drew clear in the final sixteenth to wins by 2 1/4 lengths.

Klaravich Stables’ FULLY SUBSCRIBED turned in another powerful performance drawing clear to a 9 3/4-length win in the Grade 1 Personal Ensign S. at Saratoga on Travers Day.  The 4-year-old daughter of Tiz the Law settled off the pace going down the backside, went wide under urging with three-quarters to go, took the lead at the top of the stretch and continued to draw away in the 1 1/8-mile race.

Augustin Stable homebred ZIHNAL earned his first stakes victory with a 6 1/4-length win in the $400,000 West Virginnia Derby at Mountaineer on Aug. 9.  The 3-year-old gelding by Quality Road had broken his maiden and finished fourth in the Indiana Derby in his two starts prior to his  break out stakes win. 

FULLY SUBSCRIBED turned in a powerful performance to run down Grade 1 winner Scottish Lassie in the stretch to win the 1 1/8-mile Shuvee S.-G2 at Saratoga on July 24.  Racing for Seth Klarman’s Klaravich Stable, FULLY SUBSCRIBED has been extremely consistent runner since winning her racing debut in the fall of her 2-year-old season. 

Pin Oak Stud’s PASS THE HAT posed a determined win the Poker S.-G3 at Saratoga going one mile on the turf on June 7. A lightly raced 5-year-old, PASS THE HAT stalked the pace set by Zulu Kingdom.  He made his bid on the turn, then overtook that rival mid stretch and left off a late charge from stablemate Capital Hill to win by a nose. 

The June 5 Belmont Preview in The Paulick Report featured Stone Farm graduate GROWTH EQUITY.  The colt earned his way into the Classic after posting a determined win Peter Pan S.-G3on May 9. Since the farm’s inception some 50 years ago, Stone Farm has been recognized for producing Classic horses.  Those horses include Classic winners Sunday Silence, Fusaichi Pegasus, Gato Del Sol, and Risen Star.  The later won the Belmont in 1988 and, like GROWTH EQUALITY, was bred, raised, and sold by the farm. 

Run over  a three-mile course, the the  $250,000 Calvin Houghland Iroquois Stakes (NSA-1)Iroquois is the longest high-level steeplechase race in the United States, and Stone Farm bred and raised SWORE lead the race right up to the wire.  In front over the previous 15 fences, SWORE was again in front going the last fence. Zabeel Champion, who had moved up to fourth, surged toward the front in the straightaway and needed nearly every yard to catch SWORE to win by a neck in the May 9 race at Percy Warner Park in Tennessee. 

M Racing Group’s EL MAGNATE overcame a troubled start and traffic problems to win a 5 1/2-furlong Maiden Special Weight at Woodbine on May 17 in his racing debut.  The victory earned the 3-year-old colt the designation of “TDN Rising Star,” and he become 60th runner by Leading Sire Into Mischief to earn that status.