Big Weekend For Brittlyn Stables

Brittlyn Stables is gearing up for a big weekend at Delta Downs with Above Fashion (Paddy O'Prado) in the GIII Delta Downs Princess S. and Forevamo (Uncle Mo) in the GIII Delta Downs Jackpot S. Evelyn Benoit and her husband Maurice, who are the owners of Brittlyn Stable, have about 25 horses in training, a broodmare band of around 30 and they stand Star Guitar (Quiet American) at Clear Creek Stud in Folsom, Louisiana.

Brittlyn Farm is active in both buying and selling of bloodstock and are always looking for young horses who will have residual value after their racing careers are over. The couple recently purchased multiple graded winner Clearly Now (Horse Greeley) who is entered in the Fair Grounds' Thanksgiving H. for trainer Ron Faucheux.

“We're hoping to have more stallions soon,” Evelyn Benoit said. “I've been breeding mares for well over 35 years, but I never had stallions before Star Guitar. We're hoping Clearly Now is one we can put in the stallion barn and Forevamo, you never know.”

Benoit explained that Uncle Mo was a strong draw, especially since his lines would compliment many of Brittlyn Stable's mares. Brittlyn Stables purchased Forevamo for $320,000 at the OBS April Sale this year. The 2-year-old colt was fourth in his Saratoga debut Aug. 22 and second at Churchill Sept. 26. He recently graduated in Delta's sloppy Jean Lafitte S. Oct. 24.

“We thought we should look for a 2-year-old because we have so many mares,” Benoit said. “We wanted a horse who doesn't have the same bloodline as all the mares and fillies we're breeding. When I spoke to Al [Stall], he named several and said 'and Uncle Mo,' that was absolutely on my agenda. I had no idea he'd be so popular this year, it was just luck. We hope the horse will continue to do well, he's training well and broke his maiden in a stake race, which says a lot. If he runs well Saturday night at Delta, I think we'll have another stallion prospect on our hands.”

Brittlyn Stables employs seven trainers in Stall, Faucheux, Tom Amoss, Joe Sharp, Victor Arceneaux and Eddie Johnson. Benoit said that after the stable's success with homebred Star Guitar, who was a multiple stakes winner, that she wanted to help some of the younger trainers get a head start.

“I love horse racing, and I'm trying to help develop another younger side of racing,” she said. “When Star Guitar was doing so well and I knew I would be training him, I decided then that it was time to get younger trainers involved and give guy a chance who had told me they'd love to train for us. Basically, I went out and watched horses on the track or in the paddock who looked like they were well handled and well managed, and that's how we picked those trainers.”

Brittlyn Stables sold their first yearling this year at the Keeneland September Sale, which is an area the operation may be expanding on in upcoming years.

“I do go to the sales and I buy and I sell,” Benoit continued. “This is the first year I've sold any of my babies in a sales ring and it was an unforgettable feeling. You hate to get rid of them, and yet when you see Calumet buying from a Southern girl, it was pretty gratifying that they'd buy a Star Guitar baby from a stallion who was unproven and a mare who is unproven. I was pretty excited about that, I had a very good feeling about that. I think right there, I made a giant step for Louisiana racing and for women everywhere in this business–it's a tough business.”

Benoit noted that Forevamo's name has a special place in her heart. “We have five kids and they're all very close in age,” the horsewoman explained. ” When they were younger and they were coming and going from practices and lessons, my husband would write me a note and he would always put 'love forever, Mo.' When I bought the Uncle Mo I knew I had to use Forevamo.”