(1-7-26) Not everyone can afford a $250,000 stud fee when looking for a stallion for your broodmare. Not every foal produced by a ‘higher‘ priced stallion is a guaranteed winner.

Stallion choices around the US that might be that ‘diamond in the rough‘ are available at a very affordable cost.

Lots of factors are involved, including the mares that visit each stallion.

FLORIDA

Chance It Currency Swap – Vagabon Diva, by Pleasantly Perfect | 2017, B.
Journeyman Stallions, FL $2,000

CAREER EARNINGS OF $583,330

At 2, WON FSS IN REALITY STAKES and DR. FAGER STAKES
At 3 WON MUCHO MACHO STAKES
At 4, placed 2nd in G3 SMILE SPRINT INVITATIONAL and
placed 3rd in G1 FOREGO STAKES
Stakes winner from 6 Furlongs to over 1 mile
Son of GRADE 1 Stake winner CURRENCY SWAP – First in HOPEFUL STAKES

FIRST FOALS ARE YEARLINGS OF 2024 *-stood in Virginia in 2025

CALIFORNIA

Dads Caps ( Discreet Cat – Seeking the Silver, by Grindstone ) TB, B, H, foaled May 19, 2010

Barton’s Thoroughbreds $2,500 (according to Bloodhorse)

Won the G1 Carter Handicap in New York twice

Won or placed in 10 graded sprint stakes in the United States

additional highlights and accomplishments

  • Half-sister Paulassilverlining 3rd in 2016 Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint; earned over $1.5 Million
  • Out of multi-stakes producing mare by G1 millionaire Grindstone, a Kentucky Derby winner
  • By G1 millionaire Discreet Cat, winner of Cigar Mile
  • Yearlings have sold for $90,000, $52,000, $50,000, $50,000, etc. 
  • Sired Kangaroo Court, a Cal-Bred maiden special weight winner at Del Mar by over 14 lengths, and winner of the Echo Eddie Stakes
  • Sired G3 placed Doris Mae
  • Sired $100,000 Iowa Breeders’ Derby winner Rockin the Dad Bod
  • Leading California Fifth Crop Sire Cumulative
  • Progeny has over $3 million in earnings, four stakes horses, 67% winners

LOUISIANA

Gormley ( Malibu Moon – Race to Urga, by Bernstein ) 2014, b,

Red River Farms, LA $2,000 (per Bloodhorse)

Pedigree

Major Wins:

  • 2016 Front Runner Stakes (G1).
  • 2017 Sham Stakes (G3).
  • 2017 Santa Anita Derby (G1).

Career Highlights: Gormley won two Grade 1 races and competed in the 2017 Kentucky Derby, where he finished ninth, and the Belmont Stakes, where he finished fourth.

Retirement: He was retired in October 2017 and began his career as a stallion, first standing at Spendthrift Farm, where his sire also stood. He was later relocated to Red River Farms in Louisiana. 

INDIANA

Ice Box ( Pulpit – Spice Island, by Tabasco Cat ) TB, CH, H, foaled March 29, 2007
Indiana Stallion Station $2,000

Ice Box is a retired Thoroughbred racehorse known for winning the Grade 1 Florida Derby in 2010 and finishing second in the Kentucky Derby the same year

Career Overview

  • Major Win: Ice Box’s most significant victory came in the 2010 Florida Derby (G1).
  • Kentucky Derby Performance: He ran a fast race in the 2010 Kentucky Derby, finishing second to the winner Super Saver after facing some traffic issues during the race.
  • Career Record and Earnings: Ice Box retired from racing in 2011 with a record of 3 wins, 1 second, and 0 third places from 16 starts, earning a total of $948,068.
  • Connections: He was owned by Robert V. LaPenta and trained by Nicholas P. Zito.
  • Pedigree: Sired by Pulpit and out of the mare Spice Island (by Tabasco Cat), his pedigree includes famous horses like A.P. Indy, Secretariat, and Seattle Slew. 

OHIO

Notional ( In Excess (IRE) – Truly Blessed, by French Deputy ) TB, B, H, foaled February 1, 2004

White Farms $1,250 (according to Bloodhorse)

Sire: Notional was sired by In Excess and out of the mare Truly Blessed, by French Deputy.

Racing Career: Foaled in 2004, Notional raced from 2006 to 2008, winning several graded stakes races, including the 2007 San Rafael Stakes (G2), the 2007 Risen Star Stakes (G3), and the 2008 Salvator Mile Handicap (G3). He had a record of 5 wins from 11 starts, with total earnings of over $313,200 during his primary racing career.

Stud Career: He began his stud career at Spendthrift Farm before moving to Rockin Z Ranch in Oklahoma and finally to Swifty Farm in Indiana in 2017. As a sire, he produced multiple black-type winners

IOWA

Timeline – ( Hard Spun – Azorina, by Empire Maker ) 2014, ch,

Standing at:
Iowa State University FEE: $1,500 Multiple mare discounts available
Iowa Accredited Stallion

Racing Career: Raced from 2017 to 2020, winning five out of 17 starts with total earnings over $432,000. His notable wins include:

  • Peter Pan Stakes (G3) at Belmont Park
  • Pegasus Stakes (G3) at Monmouth Park

Breeding and Ownership:

  • Bred in Kentucky by Helen Alexander, Helen Groves, and Dorothy Matz.
  • Initially a $500,000 yearling purchase by Woodford Racing.
  • Trained by Chad Brown for his early career and later by Steve Asmussen.

Stud Career: Timeline was retired to stud in 2021 and stands at the Iowa State University Horse Farm, entering the 2024 season for a fee of $1,500. His first winner as a sire was the filly Lu’s Time in August 2024

Check out – Nole Ksum Racing Stable