Quote:
Originally Posted by Fager Fan
That's shocking. How does Baffert get these owners of good mares to go to stallions he has an interest in? No way would I send a mare of that caliber to a $2,500 California stallion.
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There is some sort of Baffert-Sikura-Earnhardt link that compels or entices (free seasons) the latter to support Hill N Dale studs with their best broodmare(s).
Shameful was bred to Indian Charlie to produce Indian Blessing when he was fairly low on the totem pole as a stud (probably stood for no more than $15K at the time). That was a no-brainer though, as the Earnhardts also bred and raced Indian Charlie. Since then, Shameful has been bred to other Baffert-associated horses like Midnight Lute, Roman Ruler, and Misremembered (all Hill N Dale studs). Candy Ride (Hill N Dale) and Empire Maker are the only top rated sires she's been bred to.
Indian Blessing herself was more of the same when she was retired. She was bred to first-time sire Zensational (who also went to Hill N Dale) as a maiden mare.
Shameful seems to produce precocious offspring regardless of covering sire and the Earnhardts appear to breed to race, so if they are not looking to sell the foals avoiding 6-figure stallions is somewhat sensible.