Lane's End

Tough at the top? Try the view from the base of the pyramid, where we begin our quest for value among sires already at stud in Kentucky. We have dealt with the rookies separately, as a case apart. But while many of those standing at four figures are also younger horses, essentially unproven, their commercial luster has already faded. As we keep noting, the claim that new sires represent your only chance of catching the next Into Mischief falls apart when the same horses are abandoned precisely as they are...

At 34-1, Cal-bred Express Kid outran his odds in the Springboard Mile to close out Remington Park's Thoroughbred meet and in the process the colt took home 10 Kentucky Derby points on Saturday evening. The $2,000 buy out of the Arizona Thoroughbred Breeders Association Fall Mixed sale broke his maiden at first-asking at Canterbury in early July and was the runner-up in the Prairie Meadows Freshman Stakes in mid-August. Express Kid shipped to Oklahoma City to contest the Clever Trevor Stakes, but was well-beaten Sept. 28. Switching to the local...

Vahva (m, 5, Gun Runner--Holiday Soiree, by Harlan's Holiday), winner of the 2024 GI Derby City Distaff S. and runner-up in last weekend's GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint, brought $3.1 million from Killora/Linton, agent for Boyd Racing at Keeneland November Tuesday. The $280,000 Keeneland September graduate was campaigned in partnership by Belladonna Racing LLC, Lynne Hudson, Edward J. Hudson, Jr., West Point Thoroughbreds, Twin Brook Stables, W.S. Farish, LBD Stable LLC, Runnels Racing and Manganaro Bloodstock and trained by Cherie DeVaux. She was consigned as a Racing or...

Justique (m, 5, Justify--Grazie Mille, by Bernardini), a MSW & MGSP half-sister to GISW Mo Town (Uncle Mo), brought $2 million from Mandy Pope's Whisper Hill Farm at Keeneland November Tuesday. The $725,000 Keeneland September yearling and 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' was campaigned by C R K Stable. Hip 107 was consigned as a broodmare prospect by Lane's End, agent. Justique commands $2 million at #KeeNov! The half-sister to G1W Mo Town was consigned by @LanesEndFarms and purchased by Whisper Hill Farm. pic.twitter.com/Wdsj90YVIa — Keeneland Sales (@keenelandsales) November...

Multiple Grade I winner Carl Spackler (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) has been retired from racing and will stand at Lane's End for the 2026 breeding season, the farm announced. Bred by Fifth Avenue Bloodstock, Carl Spackler was campaigned by e Five Racing before being acquired by Ace Stud. Named a 'TDN Rising Star, presented by Hagyard' in his second career jump at Gulfstream Park after breaking his maiden by 8 3/4 lengths, he claimed his first graded victory August of 2023 when he took home the GII National Museum...

Bernie Sams has been named as the new Director of Stallion Operations at Lane's End Farm, according to a release from the breeding organization on Friday. Sams notably spent more than 20 years at Claiborne Farm where he managed the careers of accomplished stallions such as Pulpit, Arch and War Front, to name a few. Prior to his tenure at Claiborne, Sams worked at Haras de Roiville in France, Overbrook Farm and Gainesway. "It's exciting to bring on a longtime friend like Bernie to quarterback our stallion division as we...

Undefeated Flightline, the 2022 Horse of the Year whose first yearlings averaged $749,083 for 55 sold this year to date, will anchor the Lane's End stallion roster in 2026 and stand for $125,000. Flightline, whose first runners will be eagerly anticipated in 2026, had 10 yearlings sell for $1 million or more between the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga and Keeneland September sales. The 17 members of Lane's End's roster includes one new addition in multiple Grade I winner Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief--Violent Wave, by Violence), who was retired at the end of...

Friday is the start of the unofficial Kentucky state holiday known as Opening Weekend at Keeneland, and GI Spinaway victress Tommy Jo (Into Mischief) headlines a strong card for fantastic racing not just at the venue but across the country. Largely considered the last hurrah for anyone trying to get into the World Championships by way of the 'WAYI' challenge series, several tracks across the country have such opportunities in October, and Keeneland will be hosting three such chances on Friday. The last of the graded races for the opening...

The million-dollar parade at the Keeneland September sale continued early in Thursday's fourth session of the auction when April Mayberry went to $1.4 million to acquire a colt by Flightline (hip 794). The bay colt, bred and consigned by Dixiana Farms, is out of Layla (Union Rags), a full-sister to Grade I winner Express Train. Mayberry was bidding on behalf of C R K Stable's Lee Searing. The colt was the 49th of the auction to bring seven figures and the eighth from the first crop of Lane's End's champion...

Edited Press Release Scott Williamson has joined the international team at Metrics Equine, according to a press release from the group.  As part of his role with Metrics, Williamson will evaluate cardio potential, mechanical efficiency, and compatibility with other bloodlines and physical types for yearlings, 2-year-olds in training, and breeding stock in America, Australia, and New Zealand. Originally from Epsom, England, Williamson has developed and honed his skills and experience working in the Thoroughbred industry around the world for more than 25 years. A graduate of Writtle College with an...

1st-Saratoga, $100,000, Msw, 8-17, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 1/8mT, 1:48.60, fm, 7 3/4 lengths. READY FOR CANDY (f, 3, Twirling Candy--Enoree {SP}, by More Than Ready), who began her career as a juvenile in the care of trainer Michael DePaulo, was the runner-up last summer in the Catch A Glimpse Stakes at Woodbine. The filly's campaign ended in November when she was third in the GIII Mazarine Stakes and finished second in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes--both in Toronto. Making the switch to Philip Antonacci's shedrow, the dark bay made her seasonal...

6th-SAR, $100K, Msw, 2yo, 1 1/16mT, 4:06 p.m. ET. Amo Racing went to $900,000 to acquire GUITARIST (Quality Road) at last year's Keeneland September Sale. Sent to trainer Chad Brown, the colt is out of GISP Bernina Star (Harlan's Holiday), who was a $1.2-million buy for Don Alberto at the 2019 Keeneland November Sale while Sheza Shining Star (Curlin) was in-utero. Guitarist's dam is a half-sister to GSW National Flag (Speightstown) and SW Perfect Flight (Uncle Mo). Under the first-time starter's third dam we find GISW & MGISP Eddington (Unbridled)....