Darley Reduces Stallion Fees
Breeders and auctioneers have been feeling the pinch of the economy lately, as is seen by the decrease in sales averages at yearling sales this year. The sales slump has led to many adjustments in the market, and stud owners have also announced that they were reducing fees on some of their stallions. This reduction in fees is a welcome relief to many and Darley America have also recently announced and published their new list of stallion fees. Even though a great number of stallion fees have been adjusted, there are three that have either remained the same or increased.
Stallion fees for Street Cry has seen an increase from $100,000 to $150,000, as he is the sire of Zenyatta, the amazing filly who won the Breeders’ Cup Ladies Classic last weekend, and her undefeated record has put her in good standing for consideration for the Horse of the Year Eclipse Award. E Dubai sired the breathtaking Desert Code, who also found victory in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, and therefore, E Dubai remains unchanged in his stallion fees. The third stallion, Elusive Quality, also has his stallion fees unchanged at $75,000, and is the proud sire of Raven’s Pass, who caused the massive upset recently in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
In alphabetical order, the Darley stallions with reduced fees are as follows: Any Given Saturday $30,000; Bernardini $75,000; Cherokee Run $25,000; Consolidator $15,000; Discreet Cat $25,000; Hard Spun $40,000; Henny Hughes $30,000; Holy Bull $10,000; Offlee Wild $7,500; Quiet American $15,000; Rockport Harbor $15,000; Street Boss $25,000 and Street Sense $60,000.
Other facilities have also announced reduced fees, including Midnight Flute $20,000 and Distorted Humor $225,000. Midnight Flute retired to stud with career earnings of over $2.6 million and is one of the few horses to win the Breeders’ Cup Sprint consecutively. Distorted Humor on the other hand has already sired a number of champions namely Funny Cide, Commentator and Hystericalady. With so many reductions in stallion fees, it is hoped that the market for yearlings will improve and in return, boost the horse racing industry.
