West 12 Ranch

BREEDING /FOALING 

       The foaling season has ended for another year, and the breeding season continues at least for a little while longer.  All the mares are checking in foal! (Yaah!) and all foals are doing well, thus… so far, so good. 

RACING

   Congratulations to our  client, Linda Vetter, owner and breeder of Marine Fog, who broke his maiden 5/19 going a mile at GGF.

Richly Red, a 4 year old colt by Richly Blended, won an allowance race on 5/22.  Hearts Ablazin, another filly by Richly Blended,   ran 2^nd on the same day going a mile at GGF.  Powerslilsis, by All Thee Power, ran 3^rd on 5/23 in a GGF allowance race. (She is a half sister to Richly Red.)  Pearloftheorient ran 2^nd again on May 30 going a mile on the turf.  Scarlett’s Mark, a three year old filly we co-bred with Bob and Eileen Osaki broke her maiden at Emerald Downs going five furlongs on a sloppy track, winning by more than seven lengths.  “Ok girl, so now you know how good a win feels, come on back to California and feel it again!!!

       
 
 Reminder:  The next NCEA (Northern California Equestrian Association) meeting will be held on June 12 at GGF starting at 10:30 a.m.  Representatives from the CHRB, CTT, TOC, CTBA, and GGF will be in attendance for the discussion.  For more information call Ellen Jackson at (707) 678-6580  or email Eileen Matson at fastbluehorses@sbcglobal.net .  
 

A SHADY DEAL

        We had hoped to plant 30 new trees on the ranch sometime this year.  Well, when it rains it pours.  I heard about a nursery going out of business and bought a total of 70 trees and 25 grasses at absurd prices- like $2.50 for a 15 foot, 5 gallon tree!!  .  All but seven are planted, alive, and growing!!  We now have Pin Oaks, Valley Oaks, Chinese Pistaches, Maples, etc.  in places on the ranch that we’ve never had trees. It will be so nice with even more shade for the horses.   
 
 

Fillies win by one!

         FILLIES   7            COLTS 6

STALLION NEWS

    Capsized had three runners in the money four times this month.  Blazing Dan ran 2^nd at GGF on April 15 going a mile. Wabash River ran 2^nd going 4 ½ furlongs at Finger Lakes on April 16, then placed again in a sloppy footing  5 furlong race on the 27^th.   Capalatte won a $20K claiming race at GGF on April 18, coming 4 wide in the stretch to win it in the final stride.  

RACING

       Congratulations to our  clients, Risa Gomez, Gilman Lee, and Faye Sherman on their filly, Pearloftheorient, breaking her maiden  going a mile at GGF on April 2.  The filly was born and raised here at West 12, and won the race as if she was out for an easy gallop.  She then ran back on 4/18 going a mile 1/16 on the Turf and ran a solid 2^nd. 

                        PEARLOFTHEORIENT BREAKING HER MAIDEN

  Our gelding, Move Over Marino, did indeed win his first race that same day!  Our partners, Richard Traverso, Art Denio, Art Sherman, and Mike Rishwain were all able to attend, and a great time was had by all.  He ran back on Friday, 4/23 with the great Russell riding him again. I am most happy to relay the news that he won again, even with throwing his right front shoe when breaking out of the gate. 

      MOVE OVER MARINO BREAKING HIS MAIDEN

  Winfield, by Richly Blended, ran 2^nd on April 8 going 5 furlongs at GGF.  Marine Fog, ran a very nice 2^nd on April 16 at GGF.  Powers Lilsis, by All Thee Power, won an allowance/optional claiming race on April 17, and her 2 yr old half bro., Richly Red, by Richly Blended won his first time out on April 18.  Our homebred, Scarlett’s Mark finished 5^th in her race out of 11 horses on 4/18.  What do all these horses have in common?  I’m glad you asked.  They were all born and raised at West 12, and two of them were conceived here. 

      I think it can definitely be called a filly year at West 12.  Only two more mares to foal, so I’m pretty sure the colts cannot catch up.    

      Fillies: 7   Colts: 4   

      RACING

       By the time you receive this newsletter by mail, our partnership horse, Moveovermarino, will have run his first race. He is in the 8^th race at GGF on Friday, April 2.  Russell Baze is riding, and he’s the morning line favorite at 6-5.  I figure that’s because he’s so good looking. I am still speaking about the horse now.

     Matt, Sarah. and Barbara  are driving over for the day of racing as we have clients who are racing their filly, Pearloftheorient, in the first race, who was born and raised at West 12. We will also be rooting for the Richly Blended filly in the 4^th race, who was bred at West 12.

STALLION NEWS

     Capsized had a very nice winner on March 27^th at GGF. Bacardi Bay won a Starter Allowance race by ¾ of a length, going a mile.  The very next day, March 28, Nitro Active, also by Capsized, ran 4^th  in a starter handicap going a mile on the turf.  Nitro Active won over $84K last year in southern California, all in allowance or stakes company.

LIFE ON THE FARM

     We have really been noticing this Spring just how many trees we have on the ranch.  It could be the fact that we’ve been having to prune so many trees on the ranch this Spring!  In one of the tallest eucalyptus trees at the back of the ranch we have a nest of Great Horned owls….with babies!!  Very cool.  We’ve always seen barn owls around in the stallion or hay barn or in the palm trees, but this is the first time we’ve had the Great Horned Owls.  Did you know the male owl’s wing span is 35 to 60 inches! 

   The fillies have gained a substantial lead on the colts born this year.  Again, 6 of the 7 mares we’ve foaled have been maiden maresand have taken to motherhood like a duck on a June bug.

 Fillies: 5   Colts: 2 

     For a laugh, check out the new video on the West12ranch Youtube channel. http: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=QlJZ2yitC3s of our daughter Sarah’s Kiger Mustang colt playing ball in the pasture. The bay gelding in the pasture is Will Power, by All Thee Power.

CTBA ANNUAL MEETING

          Matt and Barbara attended the CTBA annual meeting held at the Claremont Hotel in Berkeley on Monday, February 21.  We were  surprised how few people were in attendance at the meeting, but glad to hear that the awards dinner was sold out with 150 to 160 people who attended that evening.      The gist of the meeting was a detailed explanation of the Breeding and Racing Program. Here is a recap:

                  $12 M      Incentive Awards

                  $15.85M  Restricted Purses

                  $1.5M+    T.O. C. Owners Awards Program

                  $500K      Maiden Bonus Program

                  $30M      Breeding and Racing Program

    Cal Breds make up more than 50% of the racing fields in Northern and Southern California.

      The Maiden Bonus Program is funded by the race-track handle, and is a joint effort between the TOC, CTBA, and the racetracks.  It was obtained thru legislation, half from Incentive Awards (est. $1.5M, and the other half from a purse shift (est. $1.5M)

   Note:  There is three times the amount of handle in the south than in the north, yet the              bonus in the south is only half of the bonus in the north.

 The total cost of the Maiden Bonus Program at GGF for the month of Jan. 2010 is as follows:

              $31,109.48 Incentive Awards

              $31,109.48 Purse Shift (GGF)

              $62,218.96  Total Cost

              $90,000  Total Reward (9 maiden Cal Bred winners at GGF in Jan. alone)

              $27,781   Subsidized from the South

NCEA MEETING AT GGF

          If you are interested in being kept apprised of any get-togethers of the Northern California Equine Association, check out the website at:  norcalequine.org. 

     We had a great time at the February meeting at GGF with good speakers, a great view of the races from the Directors room, and fantastic food. 

       LIFE ON THE FARM

     Remember to check out the West 12 website at least once a month to see photos of the 2010 foals.

      The first five mares that foaled this year at West 12 were all maiden mares ie. this was their first live foal!!!  I am so happy (and just a little surprised) that all five of the new moms get an A+ on…being a mom.  Their maternal instincts kicked right in and they started licking, nuzzling, and nickering to each of their new foals.  Even when it came time for the foals to nurse, the mares just stood still and acted like it was old school.

      I won’t mention any names (probably cuz I can’t remember them) but over the past 25 years of foaling out mares, we’ve had some…shall we say…not so maternal mares who have responded to their new foals by showing more interest in their hay or even trying to harm their foals. Not fun!

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     JANUARY BARRETT’S SALE

          The good news about the Jan. Mixed sale is that all of the horses in the West 12 consignment were sold either through the sales ring or privately. Our high seller was Hip #253 Crozet,  i/f to Marino Marini, who sold for $25K.  Our 2^nd highest was Hip 403, an Unusual Heat filly, who sold for $20K.
    

      West 12 was ranked as the 5^th leading Consignor with our 13 head of yearlings and mares.  We arrived on Friday afternoon to the wettest grounds at Barrett’s that I’ve ever seen.  Snow on the mountains surrounding the sales grounds was breathtaking as were several of the sunsets. 

QUASIMODO’S FIRST FOAL

     On Jan. 18 Quasimodo’s first foal hit the ground at 6:35 a.m.  A very rambunctious filly out of a Carson City mare arrived and is doing well.  The mare was a maiden mare, but took to motherhood like a duck to water.  Actually, considering the weather we’ve been having this month, what are the odds that this filly will be able to handle mud!  Wait, maybe we won’t get a chance to find out with the new tracks.  Are “mudders” still being born or are they all “syntheticers” now??  Photos shouldbe on the website soon now that I’m back from the sale and almost unpacked!)

  NEW STANDING FOAL RECORD

      Whenever a mare foals at West 12, we monitor and record when the foal is born, when he/she first stands, and when they nurse.  On Jan. 29 a big chestnut colt by Tough Game was born at 6:15 a.m.  Within 15 minutes he was on his feet and stayed up walking around for the next hour!  It was the mare’s first foal and she is being a great mom.  Again, look for photos on the website this week.

LIFE ON THE FARM

     We will be sending in Live Foal Reports to the Jockey Club for all foals born at West 12.

      To those of you who are concerned that we may not be receiving our share of the rain hitting the state……we’re not being missed. The horses sure enjoy the sun when it shines.

      Did you know that when there is a lot of rain and the ground gets saturated, mice move to higher drier ground….like a haybarn.  Then the coyotes start hunting around the haybarn to eat the mice.  It gets very exciting to go load the hay truck.  You never know what you’re going to get to see!

      Here’s hoping you stay high and dry during the next month!         

FILLIES: 1     COLTS: 1

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 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

          We would like to take this time and space to say thank you to all of the horsemen (and women) who have done business with West 12 Ranch during the past year.  We truly appreciate the trust and faith that you have had in allowing us to board, breed, foal out, sell, and select horses to purchase for you.

     We are entering not only a new year but anew decade as of Jan. 1, 2010.   This past year was a difficult one for all including everyone involved in the Thoroughbred industry.  Let’s hope that this new year will be a stronger, more positive one for everyone.

     JANUARY BARRETT’S SALE

      The catalogs are out for the Barrett’s Mixed Sale.  The dates for the sale are Monday and Tuesday, Jan. 25^th and 26^th.

     West 12 has a nice consignment of 13 horses, and is located, as always, in Barn 3.  If you need a catalog, call Barrett’s at (909) 629-3099.  If you need an agent, call Barbara at  (209)369-4072.  If you need a racehorse, come to the sale.  Horses purchased at the sale and to be boarded at West 12 Ranch will be transported complimentary if there is vacancy in the trailer. 

LIFE ON THE FARM

         What is going on during this time of year on the ranch?  We are sales prepping and preparing for the January sale. Making hotel reservations, ordering hay and straw, ordering and loading the trailer with supplies, hiring labor for the sale, etc. which all has to be done before Jan. 22.  

      The camera system in the barns has been hooked back up and checked, so we’re ready for the mares to start foaling- two of which are due in January.  Foaling out and newborn supplies have also been checked and set up.        

      There are a couple of mares under lights which means they are out during the day and in individual pens for the night under 200 watt lightbulbs to fool their systems into thinking that the days are longer (spring is here) and its time to start ovulating.

      All the roses, crepe myrtle trees and fruitless mulberry trees need their winter pruning.  Throughout the year there is always fence work.  Rolls of new non-climb wire replace old ones, and boards and posts are replaced. Old age is sometimes the culprit, but there is also the help from horses leaning, chewing, and running into them!  Life on the ranch is still a blessing….and a great way to stay (or get) in shape!

dd your main content here - text, photos, videos, addons, whatever you want!

MARE BOARD RATES TO BE LOWERED

Just a reminder that if you own one or more permanent mares at West 12, your monthly pasture board bill will decrease a $1/day starting January 1, 2010. 

 MOVING ON TO GREENER PASTURES

     We would like to  publicly say goodbye to All Thee Power and Cute Move who were humanely euthanized the first week of November.  They were both  24 years old and had both  led full and productive lives.  All Thee Power had been retired from breeding in 2004.  Cute Move had her last foal (her 12^th) in 2008.  Both had been experiencing arthritis during the past several years, and with the cold weather setting in at night, they were getting worse even with supplements for arthritis.  Needless to say, it was a difficult day for all of us.  We are responsible for the well being of the animals in our care.  We believe in quality of life, not just having them live as long as possible even if they are in pain or unhappy.  

KEENELAND  MIXED SALE

      The Keeneland sale was much stronger than had been anticipated.  We purchased one mare for a client-Hip 2059, an open Cozzene mare, who is now booked to Tiz Wonderful.  Kentucky was green, the weather was perfect, and we were able to get out and evaluate quite a few more stallions.      

HANG OUT WITH A YOUNGER CROWD

What happens when you turn a 4-year-old retired racehorse gelding out with a 24 year old retired Thoroughbred stallion??  The stallion (No Points) starts acting like a young racehorse (Will Power) in the morning- racing around the pasture, jumping over irrigation checks, and just generally cavorting around.  It has been a kick watching No Points come to life wanting to keep up with a “young whippersnapper”.  Maybe there is a life lesson here….you’re only as old as you act, or  there is more joy in life when you kick up your heels…?”

TORI POH

Most people don’t like change; however change is usually good, even though it isn’t always easy.  Tori will be leaving West 12 Ranch to work at Woodbridge Farm in Oakdale, CA.  She has been with us for over 5 years and has expanded her knowledge of the Thoroughbred business during her tenure here.  We will miss her and wish her the best of everything. 

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MARE BOARD RATES TO BE LOWERED

BARRETT'S YEARLING SALE

 That was a difficult sale in which to sell horses.  The attendance was good and we showed our consignment of horses continually, but it was difficult to gauge their value to the buyers.  West 12 was the sixth leading consignor.  Two of our top sellers were an E Dubai colt that sold for $35K and a Marino Marini filly for $22K.  We had four horses that did not meet their reserve (and are still available).

LIFE ON THE FARM

The foals are all weaned and mostly out to pasture.  We are finishing up on the registration of this year’s foals.  The pastures are all still green (thanks to the last rain storm).  We’re actually having to fight off the weeds along the fencelines and in the flowerbeds even though it’s almost November.  Now we start double checking that all of the waterlines leading to the automatic waterers and faucets are covered to prevent freezing.  Hard to think about freezing pipes when we’re still sleeping with the windows open, but history has shown us that cold weather is going to come.   The big storm we had in the middle of the month did a little damage to some tree limbs, and we did lose a large eucalyptus tree and a tree out in front of the ranch.  The horses went through the storm without incident.

KEENELAND NOVEMBER SALE

We will be attending the Keeneland Sale from Nov. 12 through 16^th if anyone is interested in purchasing a quality broodmare.  The wise man buys when the prices are low and sells when the prices are high (hopefully).  This should be a buyers market where a gem can be found at an extremely attractive price.

Our sales topper as a foal with Tori...

And all grown up as a stunning yearling! 

 Hip 176 E Dubai x With My Blessings 08C - $35,000  

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BARRETT'S YEARLING SALE

CAL BRED MAIDEN SPECIAL WEIGHT BONUSES TO START IN OCTOBER

CAPSIZED HAS "RIGHTED" HIMSELF AT WEST 12 RANCH

Capsized is by Summer Squall and out of the Graded stakes winning Wavering Monarch mare, Overturned.  He has relocated from Oak Hill Farm in Paso Robles to West 12 to stand the 2010 breeding season.  Capsized is a graded stakes winner, and multiple stakes placed earner of  almost $490,000.  He is the sire of Del Mar Stakes Placed Nitro Active.  Capsized  will be standing for Private Treaty.

LIFE ON THE FARM

Matt finished up the last irrigation of the year (hopefully), the pastures are being mowed, barn gutters cleaned out, and  fencelines sprayed to finish off the last of the growing weeds.  The barn is filled with beautiful oat hay and alfalfa.  We have four foals left to wean, which will happen when we return from the sale. 

 It's the time of the year to take a deep breath and prepare for the beginning of breeding and foaling season...                                  which is only 3 months away!

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 REGISTRATION

It’s not too early to be thinking of names for your 2009 foals.  During the next four  months, Tori will be photographing all four sides of each foal, pulling hair samples for DNA testing, and writing down detailed descriptions of each cowlick and white marking.  The photos and registration form are emailed directly to the Jockey Club, and she will mail a form to you for name selection and a reminder to mail a check to the Jockey Club.

WEANING- The How, Why, and When is it accomplished?

When the foals reach five months of age, they are eating grain and hay and grazing alongside their moms.  They still nurse, but are not solely dependent on the milk for nourishment.  We bring two mares and foals, ideally from the same pasture and friends with each other, into two pens.  All four individuals are lightly sedated, and the mares are led back out to a pasture out of hearing,  where they will forget about their foals within two minutes to four hours.

 The foals are next to each other, and after going through a period of anger which usually lasts 12-24 hours, we will begin working with them.  They will practice leading, having their feet picked up, being groomed, fly sprayed, loaded in and out of both the horse trailer and wash rack for the next 14 days.  When they can accomplish all of that without losing their temper or spooking, they have graduated and will be turned out in a large pasture to continue developing into a racehorse.  Just like children, some are fast learners, others need a little longer. Some need encouragement and others need to learn to submit.  This will be a fun summer to see what type of temperaments  the first foals by Tough Game will have. The mare’s temperament plays a large part of the foal’s personality, but when you have several foals by the same sire, you sometimes see a certain tendency or personality come through that they get from the sire.   So far, Tough Game's foals have all come across as very intelligent and willing to please.

SALES PREP

We know this economy is tough on everyone.  We are trying to keep costs down, and will continue to sales prep at the same rate as 2007, which is $26/day including Platinum Performance rather than our advertised $31/day.  If we can be of service in any way, don’t hesitate to contact us.  Thank you for your business.

Our two newest weanlings enjoying the day!

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YEARLING SALES

We had six yearlings inspected for the Barrett's yearling sale.  Four of the six were accepted.  The sale will be held on October 6th.  The CTBA Northern California Yearling Sale will be held at Pleasanton on August 11th.  This will be the first year in many years that West 12 will not have a consignment at the Pleasanton sale.  We will definitely be in attendance, though, so we look forward to seeing you there.

LIFE ON THE FARM

So now that the foaling season has come to and end and the weaning season doesn't start for another 2 weeks, what happens on the farm during this time of the year?  I'm sure you've been asking yourself that same question.  Pastures are being irrigated and mowed.  Fencelines are being weedeated and sprayed.  Fence repair is never-ending, as is hotwire testing, and automatic waterers always seem to need repair.  Temperatures are taken on foals periodically if they don't look active or bright enough.  Lay-ups are on the eurocizer daily legging up for the track.  The farrier is usually here once a week, and the veterinarians from UC Davis are still coming two times a week as we wind down the breeding season.  We also just had two colts castrated last week.  That's the good (and sometimes not so good) thing about ranch work.  We can never get it all done!  There is always one more board or post to repair, or one more waterer that a yearling has decided to take apart and make into a fountain!  No names will be mentioned, but know that there are some horses that just seem to find or even make trouble no matter how big of a pasture they are in.

FOALING SEASON

The 2009 foals have all been born, and the mares are done foaling!  The barn cameras and monitors are disconnected until next January, and we can all sleep well at night.  It was a very close ending this year, with the final tally for 2009 being:

FILLIES: 10                         COLTS:  13

PS  Welcome to Summer!

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STALLION NEWS

Tough Game is definitely stamping his foals with his strong bone and great mind.  Even Dr. Ball from U.C. Davis noticed the strong similiarities of the foals as he was performing reproductive exams this week.

The current economy is tough on all horse owners.  To help alleviate some of the financial pressure, the owners of Quasimodo are offering to defer payment of the stud fee or enter into a joint venture for anyone breeding to this winning son of A. P. Indy during the 2009 season.  Please be sure to read information on this offer available on Quasimodo's page.  If you have any questions regarding this offer, call Orion Stables at (916) 789-8484.

FOALING SEASON

We are nearing the end of our foaling season this year, as there are only four more mares left to foal out.  Some of the nights have been interesting, on the night of April 22nd we had foals born at 9:20pm, 1:30am and 3:30 am! 

Ninety-nine percent of the time foaling out a mare goes without a hitch.  However, there are times when either the mare or the foal are lost.  We experienced that with our own mare, Maui Slewpy J, who had placentitis (infection of the placenta.)  We had about six days notice, due to discharge from her vulva, and put her on strong antibiotics.  Maui had a great big Tribal Rule colt who had a strong suck reflex and was fairly alert, but couldn't quite stand up on his own.  Tori and Trisha bottle-fed him every hour or two for forty hours, at which time he became nonresponsive.  When he began having seizures around 1am, he had to be euthanized.

The one good thing about this story is that six days later, we received a call from U.C. Davis.  A paint horse breeder had lost one of her mares post foaling to a blown artery that resulted in massive hemmorage.  The owner trailered her one day old paint filly down to our ranch.  We held Maui, then put the sweatshirt that Maui's colt had worn to stay warm on the filly.  We brought the filly up and helped her to nurse.  Maui smelled her colt's scent on the sweater and proceeded to lick the filly and make the wonderful "new mom" rumbling sounds.  Needless to say, we all started crying as Maui now had a foal to raise and the filly had a mother.  The short video of getting mare and foal together is up under our "Videos" link.

Maui now has a new home in Lincoln, and although it took a day or two for her milk to come back in strong, the filly refused to be supplemented now that she had a "real mom."  For updates on Maui and her filly, please feel free to visit www.prettyriders.com.

FILLIES: 7              COLTS:  12 

Maui Slewpy J and her new daughter

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STALLION AND RACING NEWS

Ultra Blend, by Richly Blended, ran 3rd against the boys in the King Glorious Handicap at GGF on Feb. 28.  Be So Special, also by RB, won on March 1st at Santa Anita going a mile.

In racing news, we have a 3 year old gelding in a racing partnership that is in training at Pleasanton.  Move Over Marino is by Marino Marini out of our pensioned stakes producing mare Cute Move.  He is having a shin issue at the moment and is currently only jogging, but will be back working soon.

BARRETT'S 2YO IN TRAINING SALE

I got to fly down to watch the 2yo in Training sale at Barrett's on March 10.  Wow, wait until you see the improvements they have made in the sales pavilion!  Very upscale and nice.  Flat screened t.v.'s everywhere you look, carpeting, new chairs and tables etc.  It was a really good opportunity to watch the videos of so many nicely bred horses to study the action of each animal.  They all had decent works, but it was interesting to see those that did it effortlessly and those that looked like they were giving their all.

NOMINATIONS/YEARLING SALES ENTRIES

Nominations for the Barrett's Yearling Sale are due by April 10th.  Entries for the C.T.B.A. Northern CA sale are also out and due by April 3rd.  The Barrett's Sale will be held on Oct. 6th following the Cal Cup, while the CTBA sale is now slated for Aug. 11th.  If the NorCal sale does not have enough entries, the entry fee will be refunded.  If they have at least 200, they will be refunding part of the initial entry fee.

PETITIONS

There are several petitions circulating regarding keeping Golden Gate Fields open.  If you have not received or signed one yet, please contact us and we will email it to you for your signature.  The racetrack at Cal Expo is also under fire, as it is being considered as the ground for the new Kings arena within the next 5 years.

EMERGENCY CLAUSE FORMS

It is important that we keep our records up-to-date in the event we cannot reach you if an emergency occurs with your horse(s).  If you received an emergency clause form with your bill, please take a moment to fill it out and mail (or fax) it back to us.  We have misplaced several and need to have them on file.

FOALING SEASON IS UNDERWAY

The video of the mare foaling has been edited and posted on our website under the "Videos" link.  Very few people get to actually see a mare foaling (probably because it usually happens in the wee hours of the morning.)  Be sure and check it out. 

FILLIES:   5                    COLTS:  6

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STALLIONS

Quasimodo got his first mare pregnant on one cover and was very professional.  The good-looking maiden mare is by Carson City, and she already has a glow about her.  We ultrasounded her at 14 days to be sure she didn't have twins, as she had a double ovulation.  Tori thought she was pregnant just from her coat condition and weight gain during those past two weeks.  It's amazing how hormones affect horses... and people!

A NEW ORGANIZATION

Northern California farm owners and managers are in the midst of forming a non-profit organization named Northern California Equine Association (NCEA).  We are currently meeting bi-monthly in Elk Grove and getting organized.  Our first meeting was in January, and was well attended with more than 25 people from as far as five hours away.  This is similar to the southern California farm owners/managers association.  Topics that concern and affect all of us who own or manage horse farms will be addressed, from veterinary medicine, management practices and laws or bills that are being considered.

HOW ARE THE HORSES HANDLING ALL THE RAIN AND MUD YOU ASK?

Just fine.  Ok, I'll elaborate a little more.  As long as they have plenty of good nutrition, they handle the weather very well.  The newborns are kept in stalls, covered pens, or are in pastures with bedded shelters so they are not stressed.  When the sun shines on a warm day, everyone lays down out in the pastures and soaks it up.  Remember, this is California, and even our BAD weather is nothing compared to what horses face in other states.  We keep a good eye on their weight and make sure everyone is content.

FOALING SEASON IS UNDERWAY

The fillies are ahead of the colts in a big way at the beginning of foaling season, with a score of 4 fillies to 1 colt as of February 27th.  We were able to videotape a birth of a nice Salt Lake filly out of a maiden mare.  The mare pushed for all she was worth- what a trooper!  Even with big-time help from Matt, she was exhausted.  The filly was ready to get up on her legs before the mare was.  Both are doing very well.  Big filly, though, for a first-time mom.  If we can edit it down to a couple of minutes, we'll try to get it on our website.

FILLIES:  4                   COLTS:  1

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RUNNERS

Our homebred filly Slew of Candy won the 2nd time in a row on January 1st... what a great way to start the new year!  She then came back and ran third on January 28th.  Powers Lilsis continues to impress, winning going 6 furlongs at GGF on January 16th.  Ultra Blend, a daughter of Richly Blended, just won her fourth straight race by winning the Tiberon Stakes on January 10th.  She is looking very exciting, keep your eyes on this filly!

BARRETT'S JANUARY SALE

West 12 had a consignment of 19  horses for the Barrett's sale.  It was a one day sale this year, and it was VERY well attended.  Everyone was shocked at how many buyers were there from Canada to Mexico and everywhere between.  We sold 18 of the 19 horses and were the 4th top sales agent.  (Yay!)

We did have one mishap during the sale.  Tori, our manager, got jumped on by a 2yo filly and had to be taken to emergency, where they pronounced an open fracture in her 2nd toe on the right foot.  Not fun.  She was a trooper however!  Even though she was on crutches with a splint on her foot (and on painkillers), she was still able to run cards and direct all the traffic in our consignment, which is no small task.

When it's a busy sale, it's like a three ring circus, with horses being shown in three or four areas at once.  I liken Tori to an air traffic controller.  She stays calm, has eyes in the back of her head, and directs all the activity in a very efficient manner.  This allows me, Barbara, to point out all the exciting things happening in each horse's pedigree or to ask former buyers how the last horse purchased from our consignment is doing.  I actually have found that I like selling good horses as much as I like buying them.

LIFE ON THE FARM

There was a good article in the December Thoroughbred of California magazine about stomach ulcers in Thoroughbreds.  This is why we give Ulcer paste/Gastroguard the first 10 days to a newborn foal.  Also, hope you read pages 31 through 34 of the December issue very carefully.  Some really interesting information on those pages... :)

Tough Game's first foal has arrived!  It is a nice and big, very flashy filly out of resident mare Mardi Gras Riot.  Congratulations to owner/breeder Kevin Jacobsen for having the first foal of the year.  The mare was not actually due until February 10th, but her colustrum was in and she had wax for two days prior to her delivery.  We will try to have photos up on the Foals page soon.  Stay tuned as West 12 enters the Spring of 2009.

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RICHLY BLENDED & ALL THEE POWER RUNNERS

Our home-bred filly Venadita won again by a nose on 12/11 @ GGF.  She is a two year old Richly Blended daughter out of our mare Kate's Unique.  Also, congratulations to our co-breeders Bob and Eileen Osaki!  Our 2yo filly Slew of Candy broke her maiden on 12/11 at Hollywood Park by a nose.  Both races were hard fought and very exciting to watch!  Could be a slight bias on the viewer's part... :) 

Powers Lilsis won her allowance/opt. claiming race at GGF on 12/14.  Her sire, All Thee Power, is about turn 25 and is still looking great.

QUASIMODO AND TOUGH GAME

Quasimodo is settling into life at a breeding farm.  He came off of the track with a very slick coat, so we're watching him closely with the cold weather.  Tough Game has really matured and developed during the past year.  It's interesting to see how stallions change during the first year or two standing at stud.  They develop more bone, as well as growing taller and heavier.  When we go back to KY each year, we look at several of the new stallions during successive years to see how the develop.  It helps to remember their ages when comparing different stallions, so you are comparing apples to apples.  The same is true with comparing young mares in foal with their first foal to older mares.  Those young mares grow, develop and literally blossom during that first year of motherhood.

FRUMIOUS

Frumious, a 2yo colt out of Eternal Legend by Grindstone, ran in the $750k G1 Cash Call Futurity Dec. 20.  We purchased Eternal Legend, then carrying Frumious, for Art Denio at the 04 Keeneland Mixed Sale.  Frumious had run 3rd in a stakes race in his first race, and then won his next three races, but was difficult to rate in this race agains some very impressive horses.  He broke on top and led the race until the last 3/8ths of a mile, then got tired.  Keep an eye out for this colt in the future.  We are so pleased for Art as breeder of a colt of this caliber.

BARRETTS MIXED SALE

Don't forget to mark your calendars for the Barrett's Mixed Sale January 26.  West 12 will be there with a good sized consignment of 20 horses.  It's a good opportunity to take advantage of lower prices on horses if you are in the financial state to do so.  Keep your criteria and high standards for any horse purchased, but if you're in the market be sure and study the catalog when it arrives.  W12 has a very nice selection this year!  If you are not on the Barrett's mailing list, be sure to call and get a catalog. (909)629-3099

All of us here at W12 are wishing you a very exciting and eventful New Year filled with prosperity, good friends, winning horses and love!

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Wow, it's been a long time since I've updated this page!  I accept full responsibility, between sales prepping yearlings and working with our new weanlings, it has been a long, full summer.  I promise to update you more frequently.       

Now without further ado, the newsletter   ~Tori

RICHLY BLENDED HAS FIRST STAKES WINNER

He's gone but not forgotten; the offspring of Richly Blended have been running quite well, and now he has his first stakes winner.  SASSY BLEND won the $50k La Fiesta Stakes at the Downs in Albuquerque, N.M. this month.  Congrats!

CHANGES IN CAL BRED STATUS

 A change has been made regarding Cal Breds.  A foal that is conceived in California but is born in another state, is still not considered to be a Cal Bred.  However, it will be eligible to compete in California restricted races.  The races will be renamed as "restricted" races rather than "Cal bred restricted."  Those individuals are still ineligible to receive Breeder's Awards or Owner's Bonuses.  What this does is open those restricted races up to more competitors (which are sired by CA sires) to help the smaller field sizes often seen in those races.  So, does it behoove (that's an interesting word!) a CA breeder to send their mares to another state to foal out there?  Not that we can see.  As a breeder, you'll have a foal "without a country," so to speak.  (S)He will not give you breeder's awards no matter where (s)he runs.  If you want more clarification on this issue... don't call us.    Call Mary Ellen Locke at the C.T.B.A. 1-800-573-2822 ex. 2822.

BARRETTS MIXED SALE

What can I say, it was, as predicted, a great sale for vampires.  (A "bloodbath," get it?)  The economy will pick up in time, and there will be survivors.  While we wait for it to improve, hopefully this economy will encourage all of us California breeders to be more selective in our mares and sires.

KEENELAND MIXED SALE

Going to this big sale every year is a lot like fishing... You have to decide what type of fish you want (price limit) and you only have much bait (money) to use.  You have to scope out the best area (of the catalog) in which to fish, and most importantly, you have to  be very patient.  Hopefully we will have a successful catch again this year for our clients.

Looking back on the purchases we made in 2006:  a mare was purchased for $30k, we sold her E. Dubai last year for $77k, and her Swiss Yodeler this year for $20k.  A mare purchased for $10k, sold her Grindstone as a short yearling for $17k (whom is now a multiple winner and stakes placed) and sold her Benchmark filly this year for $43k.  A mare purchased for $37k, sold her Harlan's Holiday weanling at Keeneland Nov. in 2007 for $55k, and we will be selling her Cal Bred Consolidator at Barretts in 09.  Last but not least, a mare purchased for $10k, and then sold her Yonaguska colt for $25k this year as a yearling.  A good year for us!

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