Equistar Training and Breeding

Later this week, the 2025 class of inductees for the National Museum of Racing's Hall of Fame will be announced. Among the eight racehorses included as finalists on the ballot is 2004 dual Classic winner Smarty Jones (Elusive Quality). All eight of the horses have marvelous credentials--obviously, or they wouldn't be on the ballot--but if there was a Hall of Fame for the intangible, Smarty Jones would be a shoo-in at the top of the class. "I think there was this trickle-down effect in what he did that will never...

In a deal that came about unexpectedly for Rodney Eckenrode's Equistar--the training and breeding operation east of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that stands Smarty Jones and Brody's Cause--GSW Zozos (by Munnings) will join the farm's stallion roster for 2025 with a stud fee of $2,500 in the offing. The dark bay who was bred and campaigned by Minnesotans Barry and Joni Butzow recently retired from trainer Brad Cox's shedrow after a career which began at three. Zozos's career highlights include a runner-up finish in the GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds...

Multiple Grade I winner Brody's Cause (Giant's Causeway--Sweet Breanna, by Sahm) will stand the 2023 breeding season at Equistar Training and Breeding in Pennsylvania after formerly standing at Spendthrift in Kentucky. The third-crop sire has been acquired by Rodney Eckenrode and will stand for $3,500. A winner of both the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity and the GI Blue Grass S., Brody's Cause is the sire of three black-type winners, including GI La Brea S. winner Kalypso and GIII Iroquois S. winner Sittin On Go. He is currently ranked in the...

The Thoroughbred industry has certainly taken a beating over the past year: The controversial DQ of Maximum Security in the Kentucky Derby, numerous breakdowns at Santa Anita, recent indictments related to the sport--and now the COVID-19 virus. COVID-19 has caused some tracks to end their meets early, and others to race with empty spectator stands. A few jockeys have taken a break, citing health concerns for their families. Jockey Javier Castellano, who arrived back in Miami after racing in New York, has tested positive for Covid-19.  With the turmoil of...