Taylor Made Farm Photos and Text by Emily Hufford

The very first farm that members of the Turf Angels staff visited was Taylor Made Farm, one of the leading breeding farms and also consignors at sales annually. The stallion manager, Eduardo, was very generous in letting us see not only the stallions, but also several top class mares as well.

The first horse that was saw was Artax, a Breeders' Cup Sprint (gr. I) winner who impressed all with his record breaking victory at Gulfstream Park in 1999. He is also famous for breaking Dr. Fager's thirty-two-year-old track record for seven furlongs in the Carter Handicap (gr. 1), running it in 1:20.0. With four white socks and a white blaze, the song of Marquetry is quite flashy to look at. He is the sire of gr. III stakes winner Friendly Michelle in his first crop.

The next horse we saw was Our Emblem, a recent Taylor Made purchase with breeding of gold. By Mr. Prospector and out of the undefeated champion Personal Ensign, Our Emblem is a half brother to My Flag (Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (gr. I), etc), Miner's Mark (Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I), etc), and Traditionally (Oaklawn Park Handicap, gr. I). The bay stallion did not make a splash as a sire at first, but then was hit with two Kentucky Derby contenders in the same year. One of those, Private Emblem, won the Arkansas Derby (gr. I), and the other, War Emblem, ended up winning the Kentucky Derby (gr. I), the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), and the Haskell Invitational Handicap (gr. I).

After these performances, Taylor Made bought Our Emblem to stand him in Kentucky. It is safe to say that his best crop to date is just being born this year, 2004. The future is limitless for Our Emblem.

Third out was 1998 Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner Real Quiet. The bay stallion lost the Triple Crown by a nose, but went on to win the Pimlico Special (gr. I) and the Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I) as a four year old. He was voted the Eclipse Champion Three Year Old of 1998. Before his classic wins, the colt won the Hollywood Futurity (gr I) as a two year old, becomming a very rare stallion prospect. He still looks racing fit and was bouncing and pulling on his lead shank.

As a sire, Real Quiet started out at the Vinery before moving to Taylor Made. He is now the sire of 18 winners in his first crop, including Whirlwind Charlott, a graded stakes placed filly.

An earner of $3,271,802 in his racing career, Real Quiet now stands for $10,000.

Next out was Exploit, a brilliant flash on the racing world as a two year old in 1998. He was the winter book favorite for the Kentucky Derby, but was injured shortly after the start of his three year old season and was retired. The son of Storm Cat impressed many with his exceptional speed and beautiful breeding, and he has been quite touted as a new young sire. In his first crop, Exploit has sired Courageous Act, the winner of the San Pedro Stakes, and Marina de Chavon, as well as twenty four other winners.

The fourth horse out was Forestry, another son of Storm Cat. Forestry has an impressive race record and commands a $50,000 stud fee because of it. He won the King's Bishop Stakes (gr. I) and the Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) as a three year old en route to winning seven of eleven starts. He's had eighteen winners in his first crop, including four stakes winners.

The last stallion out was Unbridled's Song, perhaps the best sire standing at Taylor Made. Currently commanding a $125,000 stud fee, the big gray stallion is the sire of Unbridled Elaine, Buddha, Songandaprayer, Value Plus, Eurosilver, and Marylebone, and seven million dollar yearlings in five years.

As a racehorse, Unbridled's Song won five of twelve starts, including the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I), Florida Derby (gr. I), and Wood Memorial (gr. II). He won over $1 million on the racetrack and was the favorite for the 1996 Kentucky Derby.

We also got to see Manistique, Riboletta, Tamara Princess, and Golden Ballet, among others. On our way out, we stopped by Saint Ballado's grave to pay respects to the brilliant sire who died far too early.

Turf Angels Rating: 5 Stars