Post by Kenren on Aug 28, 2015 16:20:58 GMT -5
It's that time of year again, and Valkyrie Stables is finally giving their announcement about who you're going to see on the track next year and who will be in the breeding shed.
Chiquato - Retiring
Chiquato, also known as 'Chicken', will be retiring from the track following his first full season of racing. The stallion has proven himself to be a very consistently strong competitor, but his willfulness and bullishness are taking him to an early retirement. Valkyrie's stallion division is very excited to add the miler to their ranks, and have full confidence that he will pass on his briefly shown speed and stamina. Chiquato is open for public breeding at the end of the year.
Mourning Passion - Retiring
The Y14 Kentucky Derby and Speedway Stakes winner will be taking that unprecedented versatility to the breeding shed come Y16, and the farm couldn't be more excited for it. The stallion is the most successful son of Breeding Hall of Famer Requiem, and one of only two to carry her male line - the other being Canjun Moon, standing at Witch Creek Stables. Mourning Passion will be open for selective breeding upon request.
Stalking The Stars - Racing
The Night Stalker mare has been having a phenomenal past two years of racing, so the team decided it's too early to waste the incredible talent she possesses. Stalking The Stars will likely to continue running in the filly and mare turf division next year, hopefully having a strong presence in the HOTY races.
Bowen Arrow - Retiring
Bowen Arrow seemed to turn into something of a breakout sensation this year, and did far more than ever expected of him. The classy stallion will be bringing fresh and strong turf miler lines to Valkyrie's string. Bowen Arrow will be open for public breedings.
Grey's Wisdom - Racing
Grey's Wisdom will be continuing strongly into his sixth year of racing, filling in the older turf distance spot left by other retirees. Grey's Wisdom's lack of full two-year-old campaign is what prompted the staff to continue racing the late-blooming stallion, who has proved to be incredibly consistent with 14 wins in 34 races. He has the makings of the type of horse to really make a late impact, and that is what everyone is hoping to see.
Beautiful Liar - Retiring
The five-year-old mare seems to be doing everything right late in her final year, and is looking to finish up her long racing career strongly. While her success is wonderful to watch, Valkyrie has decided that she holds more value in the breeding shed Y16 than she would on the track. From very good producers, Beautiful Liar is very likely to be a strong turf foundation for the farm. Her future bookings include All For Glory and Pyrotechnics.
Ode To Glory - Retiring
After a very long racing career, Ode To Glory will be hanging up his very large list of accomplishments and retiring to a life of luxury. The son of All For Glory and On To The Spotlight has amassed a number of HOTY victories, including a win in the Breeder's Cup. He has been a strong HOTY contender for his entire career, and has come out well in spite of it. Ode To Glory will be open for selective breeding upon request.
Fifty in Front - Retiring
The farm favorite will be retiring at the completion of this year, adding himself to the growing roster of freshly lined horses at Valkyrie. Fifty in Front will be open for public breeding.
Alucard - Racing
After reaching grade one this year, the staff has decided that Alucard still has more to give, so he will be going onto his five-year-old season. The staff is very excited to see where the stallion will go after competing strongly in the HOTYs the second half of this year.
Wild Determination - Racing
The late-starting daughter of Impossible Determination has power-housed her way through the ranks this year, and is showing far too much potential to retire now. Three wins from grade one, Wild Determination will be tackling the HOTYs head-on at the beginning of Y16.
Happy to see Alucard continuing on! He definitely still has a lot to give.