Sam-Son To Disperse of Racing and Breeding Stock

[Wandering Eyes]

The Samuel family’s Sam-Son Farm, a well-respected Thoroughbred operation, will be dispersing its breeding and racing stock during the next 12-18 months. Sam-Son is partnering with both Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland.

Ernie Samuel founded Sam-Son Farm in 1972 and built it into a world-renowned racing and breeding operation. After his death in 2000, his daughter Tammy Samuel-Balaz took over the reins until her own passing in 2008. Today the farm is run by farm manager Dave Whitford and racing manager Tom Zwiesler and owners Rick Balaz (President), Mark Samuel (CEO) and Kim Samuel. After serious consideration and discussion, the owners have unanimously decided to initiate an orderly dispersal and to step back from active participation in the racing and breeding world.

Sam-Son Farm has bred and raced 44 graded stakes winners, including 37 Classic winners and 14 Grade I winners. They have garnered 84 Sovereign Awards and won four Eclipse Awards. Sam-Son’s red and gold silks were carried by such champions as Dance Smartly, Chief Bearhart, Sky Classic, Smart Strike, Dancethruthedawn, Quiet Resolve, Rainbow’s for Life, Ruling Angel, Silken Cat, Soaring Free, Wilderness Song and many more.

The Samuel/Balaz families released the following statement: “We are enormously proud of the quality and longevity of Sam-Son Farm and have enjoyed nurturing and celebrating every stage of the equine cycle from breeding, to raising, to racing, to retirement and often, returning to the breeding shed. Our horses have given generations of our family such fulfillment and excitement over the years and we felt that the time had come, after five decades, to now share that legacy with the world. It was a bittersweet decision but one that we are committed to pursuing with integrity, transparency and respect. Our horses and our amazing, dedicated employees deserve no less.”

Sam-Son’s dispersal program will debut at the upcoming Fasig-Tipton November Sale with two racing/broodmare prospects and two in-foal mares. This consignment will consist of 2019 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Desert Ride (Candy Ride {Arg}) (Hip 187); recent Grade II winner Rideforthecause (Candy Ride {Arg}); stakes winner and track record holder Desert Isle (Bernardini) in foal to American Pharoah (Hip 264) and GI Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf winner Shared Account (Pleasantly Perfect) (Hip 207), who is in foal with a full-sibling to fellow Breeders’ Cup winner Sharing (Speightstown).

“Sam-Son Farm has been an iconic name in Thoroughbred racing and breeding for nearly half a century. This program has produced numerous Grade 1 winners, Champions and Hall of Fame racehorses. Sam-Son horses have had a profound influence in top pedigrees around the world and will continue to do so for many generations. Although saddened to see them dispersing their Thoroughbred holdings, we are honored to assist them in this process.” stated Boyd Browning, President and Chief Executive Officer, Fasig-Tipton Co.

Sam-Son Farm will present its remaining in-foal mares at the 2021 Keeneland January Horses of all Ages Sale. This consignment currently stands at 21 and will feature an audio-video presentation of each individual mare Jan. 9. This group includes Grade I producers Danceforthecause (Giant’s Causeway) and Song of the Lark (Seeking the Gold), as well as stakes-winners Checkered Past (Smart Strike), Dance Again (Awesome Again), Deceptive Vision (A.P. Indy), Mythical Mission (Giant’s Causeway), Smartyfly (Smart Strike) and Southern Ring (Speightstown). Covering sires include American Pharoah, Candy Ride (Arg), Into Mischief, Kitten’s Joy, Speightstown. and Street Sense.

“Keeneland and Sam-Son Farm have enjoyed a long, successful relationship,” Keeneland President-Elect and Interim Head of Sales, Shannon Arvin said. “Over the years, a number of Sam-Son horses have raced here, and the farm received the prestigious Keeneland Tray during the 2005 Spring Meet to recognize its graded stakes success–a milestone that only 20 owners have reached in track history. We are privileged that Sam-Son has entrusted Keeneland to offer this distinguished group of mares at the January Sale.”

The post Sam-Son To Disperse of Racing and Breeding Stock appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

View the full article