Love You Crazy wins second-level allowance race!
8/14/2008


Four-Board Stable's Love You Crazy showed her class with a determined victory in a second-level allowance race at River Downs on August 12.

With Perry Ouzts riding for trainer Larry Lay, Love You Crazy broke sharply in the one-mile turf race, the eighth on the Tuesday afternoon card. Our stakes-placed filly led through opening fractions of 24.00 and 48.20 seconds while being pressed throughout by race favorite Normandy Queen.

Love You Crazy put that one away at the head of the stretch and spurted clear, but she then had to dig in to hold off a strong late charge of Break Sixty, who was coming off a winning effort at Churchill Downs. In the end, Love You Crazy (right) prevailed by a scant nose in a truly thrilling race - and she didn't even let the other filly pass her while they galloped out!

Final time for the mile was 1:36.60.

"It might not have been the fastest race, and I'm not sure she beat a bunch of superstars, but Love You Crazy ran great to win a much-needed race," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "This filly is so game - she held on despite the fact she never got a breather and had to run hard the whole way. I thought we were in trouble at the end, but she showed what amazing heart and competitiveness she has. She actually ran her last quarter faster than any of her first three (23.60) seconds. That's the mark of a good horse.

"I'm her biggest fan."

The victory was the third for Love You Crazy from 11 starts, all of which have come in allowance conditions. The daughter of Touch Gold banked $4,920 for the victory to push her career earnings to $93,000.

"This was a big win for the partners because it continues to add to the mare's residual value," said Cullen. "Love You Crazy has now won at (ages) two, three and four, and she's stakes-placed in a $150,000 race at two. That is a very unique and desirable accomplishment that most breeders will appreciate, so when she sells it should make her that much more attractive to potential buyers."

Cullen indicated that Love You Crazy is scheduled to race through the Turfway Park holiday meet in December before she sells at the Keeneland bloodstock sale in January.

To view the official chart of Love You Crazy's allowance victory click here".

$2 million sales topper at Saratoga from immediate family of Cullen broodmare purchase
8/11/2008


The immense market demand for progeny from an outstanding Phipps family was again on display when a Storm Cat colt out of the Mr. Prospector mare Get Lucky sold for $2 million to top the prestigious Saratoga select yearling sale on August 4-5.

Michael Vincent Magnier, the son of Coolmore chief John Magnier, purchased the handsome colt after a bidding war that included the most powerful racing stables in the sport: John Ferguson, bidding on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum; Coolmore Stud; and WinStar Farm.

Gracefield Farm consigned the colt (pictured), who is a half brother to three stakes winners as well as the dam of exciting freshman sire Bluegrass Cat.

"The lads thought he was a very good horse, and we have supported Storm Cat for a very long time. He has been a sire of sires over here and in Europe for a long time," said Magnier after the sale, who added it was too early to determine whether the colt would remain in the United States or would be sent to Europe. "We just loved the horse, and he has a fantastic pedigree."

The sale topper flatters a broodmare purchased by Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen during the 2007 Keeneland January sale. There Cullen purchased an unraced two-year-old filly by Forest Wildcat as a broodmare prospect for $40,000 on behalf of Vincent and Marie Colbert of Boston.

Named Quickest, the filly is out of the A.P. Indy mare Supercharger, a half sister to the $2 million Storm Cat colt and others.

"I told Vinnie when we bought (Quickest) that I couldn't believe we got her for what I considered such a modest price," said Cullen. "This family is one of Ogden Phipps' best, and her pedigree is as deep as they come. To get an attractive individual like her for that price was a real coup, and I couldn't be happier for the Colberts. I hope she goes on to become a meaningful mare for them as they continue to develop a commercial broodmare band."

The dam of Quickest, Supercharger, was purchased by WinStar Farm for $190,000 at the 2006 Keeneland November sale. According to a WinStar spokesperson she was subsequently bred to Distorted Humor last year.

Quickest is currently in foal to 2005 Bluegrass Stakes winner Bandini on an early cover. The resulting foal is scheduled to be sold at public auction in coming years.

To view complete results of the 2008 Fasig-Tipton selected yearling sale click here.

Solid sale of Successful Appeal yearling closes outstanding Cullen Bloodstock broodmare partnership
8/10/2008


The 'Successful' sale of hip 119 at the 2008 Fasig-Tipton select yearling sale closed the books on a very productive Cullen Bloodstock breeding partnership.

The subject yearling was a robust daughter of Successful Appeal out of the good stakes-winning and producing mare Call Her Magic (Caller I.D.). Consigned by Long Branch Farm, the filly sold for $130,000 to Gary Biszantz's Cobra Farm during the sale's second session on August 5.

Call Her Magic was originally purchased by Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen for $75,000 at the 2004 Keeneland November sale. The mare was purchased in foal to Smart Strike, who at the time had just two crops of foals racing.

Purchased for a Cullen Bloodstock partnership that included the late Dan Mallory, the Smat Strike foal in utero subsequently sold for $90,000 at the 2005 Keeneland sale. The mare was bred to Congaree ($15,000 stud fee) in 2005, which produced a nice filly who sold as a weanling for $54,000 at public auction.

In 2006, Call Her Magic was bred to Successful Appeal when the stallion stood for $25,000. The mare and resulting foal were both catalogued to sell at the 2007 Keeneland November sale, primarily to take advantage of two tremendous updates to the pedigree. First, Call Her Magic's second foal - a Lemon Drop Kid filly named Kid Majic - placed in the $50,000 Lone Star Oaks. More importantly, a sister to Call Her Magic named Pacific Spell produced one of the top juvenile fillies of the year in Proud Spell, who capped off an outstanding campaign with a runner-up finish in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Sold back in foal to Successful Appeal, Call Her Magic was purchased for $90,000 on the winning bid of WinStar Farm. The weanling filly (pictured) was also led through the ring, where she was purchased for $85,000 by one of the existing partners.

The new sole owner, Danny Bramer and Eric Gulley's Gullbram Shamrock Stable, had their gamble pay off handsomely at Saratoga - no doubt helped by the fact that Proud Spell won the 2008 Kentucky Oaks (G1)!

"Call Her Magic was the type of mare all owners wish they had," said Cullen. "Every one of her foals sold for more than three times their stud fees, and we ultimately sold the mare for more than we bought her. That's truly amazing, and I feel blessed to have been associated with a mare of such high quality.

"Hopefully one of her foals we bred will do great things on the track for their new connections."

To view complete results of the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sales click here.

Cullen Bloodstock client sells yearling for $250,000 at Saratoga
8/8/2008


Gabe Grossberg and partner realized a meaningful windfall when they sold a yearling filly by Mr. Greeley for $250,000 at the prestigious Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale on Aug. 4.

Consigned by Denali Stud, the beautiful bay filly (pictured) is the third foal out of the winning mare Sevensilverspoons (Silver Deputy). The yearling is a half sister to two runners, including Sevengoldmissiles, a son of Golden Missile who placed in the 2007 Generous Stakes (G3) at Hollywood Park.

Catalogued as hip 55, the filly was the subject of a spirited duel before she fell to the bid of renowned pinhooker David Scanlon. The filly is expected to go to Scanlon's farm in Ocala and will be pinhooked into a two-year-old sale next spring.

"I'm very happy for Gabe that his filly brought so much, especially in this soft market," said agency president Jim Cullen. "Saratoga is always a very demanding sale, but the filly looked the part and was well received. You always wish they had brought more, but at the end of the day the owners realized a nice return on a stud fee we got for $35,000 (in 2006)."

Cullen knows Scanlon quite well and is pleased the filly was purchased by such a talented horseman.

"David is the consummate horseman, and he wouldn't have bought the filly if he didn't think she's the real deal," said Cullen. "If the filly has any talent he'll get it out of her, so it's defintely beneficial for the mare's residual value that her foal is going to such a high-profile guy. It's a win-win situation all the way around."

To view complete results of the Saratoga yearling sale click here.

Mare purchased by Cullen Bloodstock represented by two-year-old stakes horse
8/5/2008


Classiest Gem, an unraced mare purchased at public auction in 2006 by Cullen Bloodstock, realized an important update when her two-year-old filly recently placed in a $50,000 stakes in Canada.

Classy Gem, the third foal out of Classiest Gem, rallied strongly in the stretch but fell just short and finished third in the $50,000 Debutante Stakes at Assiniboia Downs on August 4. The daughter of Perfect Soul (Ire) becomes the first stakes horse for her sire just weeks after becoming his first winner.

To view the official chart of the Debutante Stakes click here.

Classiest Gem is an eight-year-old daughter of Dehere who was purchased for $20,000 at the Keeneland November sale. Purchased on behalf of John Trumbulovich of Chicago, the mare now has two winners from as many to race, with Classy Gem being her first stakes performer.

"Whenever you buy a young mare you always hope their foals go on to get black type," said agency president Jim Cullen. "To have it happen with the first runner since buying the mare is really exciting - that increases the residual value of the mare exponentially. I couldn't be happier for John - he's got a really nice, well-bred broodmare who hopefully will go on to become a meaningful producer.

"I haven't seen Classy Gem since she was a weanling, but you'd have to think she'll get better as she gets older and the distances get longer. She also figures to like the turf, given that Perfect Soul was a Grade 1 winner and Champion on turf. (Classy Gem) appears to have a bright, bright future, which is good news for the mare."

Classiest Gem has a beautiful Bandini filly by her side who was foaled earlier this year, and she is back in foal to the Grade 1-winning son of Fusaichi Pegasus.

To view a video replay of the 2006 Debutante Stakes click here.

Cullen Bloodstock partnership mare enjoys new stakes horse in immediate family
7/29/2008


Red Boa, a five-year-old mare owned by a Cullen Bloodstock broodmare partnership, enjoyed a nice boost to her pedigree when a colt from her immediate family placed in a $75,000 stakes at Emerald Downs on July 27.

Honour the West, a son of Honour and Glory out of the good stakes mare Mrs. West (Gone West), held on gamely for third in the Mt. Ranier Handicap at Emerald Downs on Sunday. The bay colt set the early pace and led the field to the top of the lane, where he was engaged by two others. Honour the West was game and fought courageously during a thrilling stretch duel, but he could not hold off his challengers and finished third, beaten less than a length for the victory.

To view the official chart of the Mt. Ranier Handicap click here.

Honour the West becomes the second stakes horse produced from Mrs. West, joining the graded stakes performer Western Summer. That provides a meaningful update to the pedigree of Red Boa, a six-year-old stakes mare owned by a Cullen Bloodstock partnership.

By Regal Classic, Red Boa is out of Plume Poppy, a stakes-placed sister to Mrs. West and the blue hen mare Fitnah (Fit to Fight). Fitnah, in turn, is dam of the Grade 1 stakes winner Dreams Gallore, graded stakes winners Absent Friend and Fateful Dream, and the exciting freshman sire Ten Centuries, a $1.6 million yearling who currently stands at Buck Pond Farm near Lexington.

Red Boa was purchased privately by Cullen in late 2006. The filly - who won at first asking before she placed in the 2006 Finger Lakes Juvenile Fillies Stakes - made one start for the partnership before she was retired and bred to Grand Slam in early 2007. That mating produced a flashy filly foaled on March 31 (pictured).

According to Cullen, the Grand Slam filly will be sold as a weanling this November or as a yearling in 2009.

Red Boa was bred back to Eddington earlier this year.

"It's awfully nice to get an update like this for (Red Boa)," said Cullen. "She's a high-quality mare who descends from a deep, outstanding family, and it's really no surprise a colt like Honour the West has emerged this year. But every little bit helps, and I appreciate how lucky you have to be to realize meaningful success in this business. Hopefully (Honour the West) keeps doing good things, but more importantly I hope our filly keeps doing well heading into the fall sale season. She should realize a nice return if we can get her to the sale in good order."

To read more about the Mt. Ranier Handicap click here.

Filly bred by Cullen Bloodstock client registers impressive stakes score at Lone Star Park
7/29/2008


Seacrettina, a two-year-old filly bred by Cullen Bloodstock client Palides Investments N.V. Inc., kept her race record perfect from two starts with a dominating victory in the $75,000 Silver Spur Stakes at Lone Star Park on July 26.

By Sea of Secrets out of the Dehere mare Sha Hearah, Seacrettina simply ran her six rivals off their collective feet in the six-furlong Silver Spur. The filly broke sharply under Ken Tohill and led through contested early fractions of 22.47 and 45.67. The powerful bay began to pull clear through the turn, and she burst down the lane to win going away by a widening 6 1/4 lengths.

Final time was a dazzling 1:10.49.

"I actually got to put her to sleep on the lead," said Tohill. "She's so much horse. It was fairly effortless for her today. She's a very impressive filly. She was so relaxed, just galloping out there. All I had to do was kick her in gear. She's the real deal."

Joseph Petalino trains the winner for Baccari Racing. She was purchased as a yearling for $65,000 at the 2007 Keeneland September sale.

Seacrettina is the fourth foal and third winner out of Sha Hearah. The filly is a half sister to the talented five-year-old sprinter Ramsgate, a Grade 2 stakes-placed winner trained by Bobby Frankel.

To view the official chart of the 2008 Silver Spur Stakes click here.

Cosmic Queen overcomes rough trip to place in stakes at Hollywood Park
7/2/2008


Cosmic Queen, a two-year-old filly bred by Palides Investments, N.V., overcame a horrible trip to place in the $102,900 Landaluce Stakes at Hollywood Park on June 28.

A daughter of Stormy Atlantic out of the Sadler's Wells mare Well At the Top (Ire), Cosmic Queen was bred in Kentucky by Palides, the nom de course of agency client HH Prince Saud bin Khaled of Saudi Arabia. The handsome filly sold last year for $70,000 as a yearling before she brought $320,000 at public auction this spring, where she was purchased by trainer Christopher Paasch.

Cosmic Queen broke her maiden impressively at first asking, a performance so dominating that the Hollywood Gold Cup crowd installed her as the even-money favorite in the six-furlong Landaluce. Unfortunately for her connections she had an eventful day. The filly suffered a mild scrape in the paddock, then broke poorly and was hung wide throughout.

Despite the myriad of problems, Cosmic Queen ran well to gain third, beaten just over two lengths for the win and a short neck for third.

Final time was a sterling 1:09.52.

Cosmic Queen is the second foal out of her eight-year-old dam. The mare is also represented by a Broken Vow filly who will sell at the Keeneland September yearling auction, as well as a by Pure Prize foaled earlier this year.

Well At the Top is currently in foal to the exciting freshman sire Consolidator, who first foals are yearlings of 2008.

To view the official chart of the 2008 Landaluce Stakes click here.

Mare purchased, mated by Cullen Bloodstock produces two-year-old winner at Delaware Park
6/23/2008


I've Been a Gem, a stakes-winning mare by Saint Ballado purchased and mated by Cullen Bloodstock, was represented by a two-year-old winner yesterday at Delaware Park.

Out of the Valid Appeal mare Appealing High, I've Been a Gem was purchased by Cullen in 2004 on behalf of Dr. Robert and Leslie Schmidt of Ft. Worth, Texas. The mare was purchased in foal to Tiznow, at the time a first-crop sire. The Schmidts realized more than a 100% return on their investment when the resulting foal sold as a 'short' yearling for $115,000 at the 2006 Keeneland January sale.

On the advice of Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen, I've Been a Gem was then bred to Dixie Union in 2005. That mating produced a bay colt who was ultimately sold privately after being 'bought back' at public auction for $72,000.

Now named Raging Ron, the colt was unplaced in his debut but dropped into a $25,000 maiden claimer for his second start. The R N R Stable colorbearer looked like a winner throughout the five-furlong sprint, and he took charge in mid-stretch to win going away by 2 1/4 lengths.

"Whether you're a trainer, owner or breeder, the hardest thing to do in (the Thoroughbred industry) is win races - any races," said Cullen. "It's especially tough to win with a two-year-old because everything has to go right. It did in this case, so we can take a lot of pride in the fact we bought and bred a mare who was able to produce a sound, capable juvenile.

"Some might dismiss it because it was 'just' a maiden claimer, but (Raging Ron) is a May foal, and he looked good doing it. For the Schmidts sake I hope he goes on to do bigger and better things and help increase the residual value of the mare."

Valora Testerman trains the winner, who banked $12,000 for the victory.

To view the official chart of Raging Ron's maiden victory click here.

$2,000 yearling purchase wins nice allowance sprint at Woodbine for Richard Englander
6/20/2008


Fast Million, a three-year-old gelding purchased as a yearling for just $2,000 (Canadian), wired five rivals to win an entry allowance race at Woodbine on June 18.

Fast Million is a dark bay or brown son of Millennium Wind out of the Boone's Mill mare Twelve Mills. The colt was purchased as a yearling by Cullen on behalf of two-time Eclipse Award winner Richard Englander.

Fast Million broke his maiden last year in his second career start at two. The powerful bay was sent to trainer Bruce Levine in New York to run in some allowance preps for the Wood Memorial (G1), but the competition and distances proved to be too much.

Returned to Canada, Fast Million won a $50,000 claiming race in May before he was entered into the allowance race on Wednesday. The gelding turned in his most impressive performance to date with a runaway victory in the sixth race.

Fast Million broke sharply from the outside and shot to the lead under jockey Matt Moore. The duo were pushed through a fast opening quarter in 22.80 before they extended their advantage to two after a half mile. Fast Million maintained that advantage to the top of the stretch and ran virtually unchallenged down the lane to post a facile victory.

Final time for the six furlongs was a sharp 1:09.85.

"I think it's pretty neat that this horse we bought so cheaply has turned out to be as nice as he is," said agency president Jim Cullen. "Rick and I first teamed up in 2002, and he's been one of my most loyal clients over the years. He's a great guy and I hope (Fast Million) goes on to bigger and better things for him."

The victory was Fast Million's third from nine starts, and the $40,763 he banked pushed his career earnings to $106,854.

To view the official chart of Fast Million's impressive allowance victory click here.

Former Four-Board Stable colorbearer still running - and winning - at age seven!
6/20/2008


Skiptothegoodpart, the first horse ever campaigned with the Four-Board Stable partnership, returned to the races in style on Wednesday when he won the third race at Suffolk Downs in impressive fashion.

By Skip Away out of Cally (Salt Lake), Skip Away was the first horse purchased by agency president Jim Cullen after he founded Four-Board Stable in 2003. Cullen bought the handsome chestnut for $27,000 at the Fasig-Tipton Texas two-year-olds in training sale after watching him breeze.

"I watched him work during the under-tack show, and my reaction was just like seeing a pretty girl - I was hooked," said Cullen. "He didn't work all that fast for a two-year-old sale (11 seconds flat), but he hit the track good and I liked the way he did it. But what I really liked was the fact he had tremendous reach on his stride - he really ate up ground.

"When I saw him back at the barn he wasn't the biggest, most robust colt, but all his parts fit together well enough. I just thought he had enough quality that he was worth buying if the price was right."

Immediately syndicated, Skiptothegoodpart was sent to trainer Bill Denzik, under whom the colt flourished. In fact, the South Carolina-bred was so impressive in his early training that the partnership turned down an offer of $100,000 for him.

Unfortunately, Skiptothegoodpart suffered a torn tendon soon thereafter and was sent to the sidelines for almost a year. He finally made it to the races at three and won at first asking at River Downs, which was the start of good things for the Four-Board partners.

Skiptothegoodpart's biggest year for the partnership was 2006. During that season he won allowance races at four different racetracks - including Keeneland - and he set course or track records during three of those races. For his exploits, the South Carolina Breeders Association (SCTOBA) named him the 2006 Horse of the Year.

Skiptothegoodpart was ultimately claimed from the partnership for $10,000 at Keeneland in April 2007, and unfortunately for his new owners his career since then has been spotty.

"He didn't win for his new connections, and his training was interupted a couple times for various reasons," said Cullen. "But it looks like he's back on his game now."

And how! Skiptothegoodpart made his first start of 2008 a winning one in the five-furlong turf sprint. He pressed the early pace under jockey Orlando Bocachica before he took over at the top of the stretch and held on to win.

Final time was 58.90, a solid time over a heavy turf course.

Greg Matties trains the winner for Yando Racing.

"Skippy will always be one of my favorite horses of all time," said Cullen. "He was such a neat colt, and though he had his problems like most horses he had a ton of talent and a big heart. He brought us so much joy and fun times - I will always appreciate him very much."

Cullen said he is intent on buying Skiptothegoodpart at the conclusion of his racing career and giving him a good home in Lexington.

"He's like part of the family - he might be married to somebody else right now, but he'll always be mine."

To view the official chart of Skiptothegoodpart's victory click here.

Love You Crazy to run in allowance tilt on June 20
6/19/2008


Love You Crazy, Four-Board Stable's stakes-placed daughter of Touch Gold, will make her third start of 2008 when she goes postward in the seventh race at River Downs on Friday, June 20.

Currently in training with Larry Lay, Love You Crazy was campaigned exclusively in Canada in 2006-07, where she won 2-of-7 races for Reade Baker and placed in the 2006 Ontario Lassie Stakes. The powerful filly was turned out last August after winning an allowance race at Woodbine, but she returned to racing earlier this year.

Most recently, Love You Crazy finished third in an allowance race at River Downs last month. She will look to improve off that effort when she contests the seventh race on Friday. It's an allowance optional claiming race for older fillies and mares going six furlongs on the dirt.

Love You Crazy drew post three in a seven-horse field, and Edgar Paucar will ride.

Post time is slated for 3:11 EST, and the purse is $8,200.

"This is an important race for Love You Crazy," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "She's run decently in her races this year, but she needs to step up and return to the form she showed in her two previous years of racing. If she does that, she should be good enough to win in this spot. If she doesn't, we might have to make some tough decisions about whether or not we continue (racing) her.

"(Love You Crazy) is showing some wear and tear, and with her pedigree and 'black type' she's a valuable broodmare prospect. She's been very good to us, so I want to make sure we protect her interests as much as possible. Hopefully she'll run off the screen and go on to a big year of racing."

Out of the stakes-winning mare Moonlight Affair (Friendly Lover), Love You Crazy was purchased by Cullen for $35,000 at public auction in 2006. Since then she has compiled a record of 8-2-1-3 for total earnings of $86,803.

To view the River Downs racecard for June 20 click here.

Cullen Bloodstock client hits $100,000 Pick Six at Belmont Park
6/12/2008


A Toronto-based client known affectionately as "Sherm" was one of 29 bettors who took down part of the $4.4 million Pick Six at Belmont Park on Wednesday, June 11.

Wednesday's racing in New York featured a Pick Six carryover of $1,186,625 following the upset-ridden Belmont Stakes (G1) card. That pool had risen exponentially by the time the horses went postward for the bet's first leg, which was the fourth race on the card.

The first leg was won by second choice My Dinah ($6.90), followed in order by Youbethecan ($21), Willsboro Point ($47.80), and the first of only two favorites to win on the card, Myakka ($5.30).

The feature race was captured by third-choice Penington ($9.20), leaving "Sherm" four horses on his ticket for the last race - the one (which would have netted a $325,000 payoff), five ($375,000), ten, the post time favorite ($103,000) and the 11 ($1.1 million).

The ten horse - whose name, ironically enough, was Ten Forty - made quick work of the field, sprinting clear early and winning easily for the big score. The 11 horse finished third, beaten some five lengths.

"Sherm" not only claimed the $103,754 but also 27 "five of six" tickets worth $255 each.

"That's the type of day horseplayers dream of," said Jim Cullen, president of Cullen Bloodstock. "He called me Wednesday and told me he was going to play it, and I was able to follow his ticket along with the results. It was pretty exciting stuff."

"Sherm" is a longtime client of Cullen Bloodstock and a partner in several horses through Four-Board Stable.

"Sherm is truly a great guy, and next to winning it myself I couldn't be happier for him," said Cullen. "He's obviously a great handicapper, but Sherm approaches the ponies the same was he handles horse ownership - he knows there will be more failures than successes, but boy the successes are sweet!"

Well done Sherm!

To view complete results of Belmont's card from June 11 click here.

Sweet Gladys works for racing debut
6/3/2008


Four-Board Stable's Sweet Gladys turned in one of her final works on Saturday in preparation for her upcoming racing debut.

With trainer Bill Denzik looking on, Sweet Gladys drilled a solid half mile in company at High Point Training Center. The filly was well in hand early and clicked through moderate opening fractions of 13.2 and 13 seconds flat, but when asked she finished up strongly. Just as importantly, she galloped out six furlongs and cooled out fine back at the barn.

"Sweet Gladys is fit and basically ready to run," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "Bill wants to school her at the gate another day or two, and we might work her one more time before she runs. There's nothing in the (Churchill Downs) condition book for her this week, but if and when something pops up we'll run her. We're all very excited about her prospects."

A three-year-old filly by Awesome Again, Sweet Gladys is out of the stakes-winning mare Honey Eyed (Lite the Fuse). Cullen purchased the filly at public auction for $55,000 in 2007.

To view High Point's official worktab from May 31 click here.

Cullen buys racing prospect for client at Fasig-Tipton Timonium juvenile sale
5/20/2008


Agency president Jim Cullen selected and helped purchase an attractive two-year-old filly today at the Fasig-Tipton Midlantic juvenile sale.

The filly, purchased on behalf of longtime client Vincent Colbert's Seaglass Stable, is a handy daughter of Candy Ride (pictured) out of the stakes-placed mare Farewell My Lovely (Red Ransom). The filly worked 10.4 seconds during the under-tack show despite changing leads twice during the breeze.

You can view all the workout videos from the sale by clicking here.

Colbert purchased the filly for $19,000, and she will be campaigned at Suffolk Downs with trainer Lori Lockhart.

"She's not the biggest filly in the world, but what there is of her is nice," said Cullen. "She looked good during the under-tack preview - she hits the ground good and gets over the track really well. The important thing is she came through the sales process like a champ, so we should be able to go right on with her. With her apparent talent I think she'll win her share of races if she holds together."

The modest purchase price was reflective of a generally soft sale in which the gross receipts dropped nearly 20%.

"It was definitely a buyer's market," said Cullen. "I thought the filly we bought could have gone for $40,000 or $50,000, but there just weren't that many buyers floating around there. The horses were nice, but the weather was cold and rainy, and it just seemed like some people who normally buy stayed away."

To view complete sales results for the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale click here.

Chocolate Souffle to run in maiden allowance at Mountaineer on Saturday
5/7/2008


Four-Board Stable's Chocolate Souffle will make her return to the races in a maiden race at Mountaineer Park on Saturday, May 10.

A three-year-old filly by Milwaukee Brew, Chocolate Souffle has not raced since the Woodbine meet ended in December. Chocolate Souffle was subsequently sent to trainer Bill Denzik in Kentucky, and the filly has been training forwardly for her 2008 campaign since January.

Chocolate Souffle will make her first start of the year when she goes postward in the sixth race, a maiden special weight race going 5 1/2 furlongs on the main track. The filly has drawn post five in an eight-horse field, and jockey Jesus Barria will ride.

Post time is scheduled for 9:05 pm EDT, and the purse is $21,800.

"We were considering a race at Churchill Downs the following week, but this one came up and fits Chocolate Souffle perfectly," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stables. "She's been training good - Bill couldn't have her looking any better - and we're expecting her to run well. Hopefully it will be good enough and she can break through the maiden condition on Saturday."

Chocolate Souffle has been installed as the morning-line favorite by the Daily Racing Form.

Out of the stakes-winning mare Raging Love (Jeblar), Chocolate Souffle was purchased by Cullen for $35,000 at public auction in 2007.

To view Mountaineer's race card for May 10 click here.

First foal out of mare purchased by Cullen Bloodstock earns stakes-placing in New York
5/5/2008


Southern Prince, the first foal out of a broodmare purchased by Jim Cullen in 2005, earned black type for his dam when he held third in the $77,500 Music Prince Stakes at Belmont on Derby Day, May 3.

A five-year-old gelding by Hennessy, Southern Prince is the first foal out of the Distant View mare Distant Breeze (Chi). The speedy runner went postward as the 8-to-5 favorite in the Music Prince, a six-furlong sprint over the inner turf course.

Southern Prince broke on top and led the field of 10 through swift early fractions of 21.66 and 44.60. The gelding took a two-length lead to the top of the stretch under Jose Espinoza, and though game he could not last and faded to third, beaten less than a length for the victory.

Gary Contessa trains Southern Prince for Winning Move Stable. The gelding banked $7,750 to push his total earnings to nearly $300,000.

Out of the Known Fact mare Li Law, Distant Breeze is from the immediate family of Champion racemare Banshee Breeze, and she's a half sister to the stakes-placed runner War Plan. Cullen purchased Distant Breeze privately in 2005 on behalf of clients Dr. Robert and Leslie Schmidt of Ft. Worth, Texas. The mare is currently represented by a yearling filly by Chapel Royal and is in foal to Borrego.

"I'm very happy that Southern Prince got some black type for the Schmidts," said Cullen. "He was the reason I bought the mare in the first place. I had seen him at a two-year-old sale in Ocala and thought he looked like a runner, and we were able to buy the mare for a pretty modest price. Southern Prince is the first foal out of the mare, so it looks like we guessed right.

"What's more, the second foal is a colt named My Golden Opinion who's an allowance winner of more than $100,000. That colt finished fourth in the 2006 Champagne Stakes (G1), so he is obviously a colt of quality as well. It's a good family, and I'm happy that this mare has worked out as well as she has."

To view the official chart of the 2008 Music Prince Stakes click here.

Sibling to Cullen broodmare purchases blows away maiden field at Woodbine
5/4/2008


Impossible Time, a half sister to a mare purchased at auction by Cullen Bloodstock, roared down the stretch to win a maiden allowance race at Woodbine on April 30.

A Charles Fipke homebred, Impossible Time is a three-year-old filly by Not Impossible (Ire) - a full brother to the exciting freshman sire Perfect Soul - out of the Pleasant Colony mare Classiest Carat. The filly missed the break and was last of 12 through the opening quarter mile in the six-furlong sprint, and she was still seventh after a half mile in 46.54 seconds.

However, jockey Jono Jones dropped Impossible Time to the rail to launch her bid at the top of the stretch, and she responded with a devastating turn of foot that propelled her on to victory. The bay filly won going away by 1 1/2 lengths, and she stopped the clock in 1:11.90 seconds.

Roger Attfield trains the winner, who earned $36,000 for her debut effort.

Impossible Time is a half sister to Classiest Gem, an unraced mare who was purchased by Cullen Bloodstock at the 2006 Keeneland November bloodstock sale. By Dehere, Classiest Gem was purchased in foal to Whywhywhy for $20,000 on behalf of client Jovan Trumbulovich of Chicago.

Though Classiest Gem lost the Whywhywhy foal in 2007, the mare produced an outstanding filly by Bandini earlier this year (pictured). She was been bred back to Bandini this spring and has been pronounced in foal to the 2005 Bluegrass Stakes (G1) winner.

"I know it was just a maiden race, but you don't see too many horses do what Impossible Time did in their racing debut," said Cullen. "She got the worst of it all the way around there, and for her to come up the rail and run the way she did was fantastic.

"It looks like this filly has some serious talent, and I wouldn't be surprised to see her in stakes company soon. That would be a great boost to the family, and if she were to win an important race like that it would really increase the residual value of Classiest Gem. It's going to be pretty fun and exciting to follow."

To view the official chart of Not Impossible's maiden victory click here.

Sweet Gladys works half mile in anticipation of racing debut later this month
5/3/2008


Four-Board Stable's Sweet Gladys moved a step closer to racing when she breezed a half mile at High Point Training Center on Saturday, May 3.

By Awesome Again out of the stakes-winning mare Honey Eyed (Lite the Fuse), Sweet Gladys worked a half mile in company at the Louisville-area training center. With trainer Bill Denzik looking on, the impressive three-year-old filly stopped the clock in 53 seconds on the deep, dull surface. She bested her workmate and galloped out well following the breeze.

"We're very pleased with what we saw," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "She got a little tired at the end of the work, but it was a deep, loose track that was really tiring. She did what she needed to do, and the filly should get a lot out of it."

According to Cullen, Sweet Gladys will work another half mile later this week. Barring any setbacks she should debut at Churchill Downs before the end of the month.

Our Boy Blue finishes fourth in maiden race on Derby Day
5/3/2008


Our Boy Blue, a four-year-old gelding campaigned by Four-Board Stable, finished fourth in the first race at Beulah Park on Saturday, May 3.

A son of Sir Cat out of the Grade 1 stakes producer Mia Petra (Peteski), Our Boy Blue broke poorly but rallied into a contending position through the turn for home. The gelding had every opportunity to push past the pacesetter but flattened out down the lane.

Our Boy Blue ultimately finished fourth in the maiden claiming race, beaten less than two lengths for the victory.

"The beat goes on with this guy," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "He acts and trains like a good horse in the morning, but for whatever reason he just can't put it together in the afternoon. We'll give him one more shot, but if he doesn't step up and break through his maiden condition next time out he'll have to find a new occupation."

To view the official chart of Our Boy Blue's most recent effort click here.

Cullen broodmare purchase closely related to Kentucky Oaks (G1) winner
5/2/2008


On behalf of friend and client Danny Bramer, Cullen Bloodstock Services would like to congratulate the connections of Proud Spell, emphatic winner of the 2008 Kentucky Oaks (G1).

Bramer's Gullbram Shamrock Stable owns a yearling filly who is very closely related to Proud Spell. By Successful Appeal, the attractive filly is out of the stakes-winning mare Call Her Magic (pictured). Call Her Magic in turn is a half sister to Pacific Spell, the dam of Proud Spell.

Call Her Magic was originally purchased by Cullen Bloodstock at the 2004 Keeneland November bloodstock sale. The bay mare was bought in foal to Smart Strike for $75,000 on behalf of two-time Eclipse Award winner Richard Englander. The resulting foal subsequently sold as a weanling for $90,000, at which time Englander made the decision to sell the mare.

Agency president Jim Cullen brokered the private sale of Call Her Magic to a partnership headed by Bramer. The mare was sold in foal to Congaree, and the resulting colt sold as a weanling for more than the purchase price of the mare.

Call Her Magic was bred to Successful Appeal in 2006, which produced the lovely yearling filly still owned by Bramer. The mare sold in foal to the same stallion at last year's Keeneland November sale, where she was purchased by WinStar Farm for $95,000.

"Call Her Magic has been good to everybody who's owned her," said Cullen. "She's an attractive, well-bred mare who throws pretty foals, and that's what people want in the marketplace.

"To have a filly like Proud Spell pop up so close to (Call Her Magic) in the pedigree is amazing. She obviously stamped herself as the best filly of her generation, and she might be one of the best in recent times. She's a little filly, but she's a tremendous racehorse."

To read more about the 2008 Kentucky Oaks click here.

Patsy Ann drills three furlongs as she readies for racing debut
4/30/2008


Patsy Ann, Four-Board Stable's talented filly by Yankee Gentleman, turned in a sharp three-furlong breeze this morning as she readies for her racing debut later this spring.

Working in company, Patsy Ann stopped the clock in 36.1 seconds over a deep, dull surface at High Point Training Center near Louisville. She went 13 seconds and change for the first eighth of a mile but took off when asked in earnest at the quarter pole. The impressive bay filly raced down the stretch to best her workmate by a head.

Perhaps just as importantly, Patsy Ann galloped out strongly and cooled out well back at the barn.

"I didn't get to see the work, but Bill said she looked great," said Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. "She's a fast filly with a lot of natural ability, and even though she went well there is probably room for some improvement. She was a bit green, kind of laying on the other filly, and she was a little slow to get into the work. But she can run when she has her mind on business, and hopefully we'll see good things from her as she becomes more professional."

Out of the stakes-winning mare Silver Spool (Strike Gold), Patsy Ann was purchased by Cullen for $100,000 at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky yearling sale.

Cullen Bloodstock client realizes solid return on offering at Franks two-year-old sale
4/1/2008


Cullen Bloodstock client Charles Aker realized a nice return on his investment when a homebred colt brought $27,000 during the 2008 John Franks Memorial two-year-olds in training sale on March 30.

Held at Evangeline Downs in Opelousas, Louisiana, the two-year-old sale catalogued nearly 200 juveniles, most of whom were bred and foaled in Louisiana.

Aker was represented by an attractive and athletic colt by David Copperfield. That colt was purchased in utero when Jim Cullen bought his dam, Helen Blue Blazes, for Aker during the 2006 Keeneland January sale. Helen Blue Blazes - who was purchased for $15,000 - was shipped to Valene Farm in Louisiana, where she subsequently foaled the attractive bay colt.

The unnamed colt entered the ring after a sharp work of 10.3 seconds during the under-tack show. That drill, coupled with his exemplary conformation, resulted in spirited bidding among those in attendance.

When the smoke cleared, William Heiligbrodt's high-profile racing stable purchased the colt. The colt will be shipped to trainer Steven Asmussen to launch his racing career in Louisiana later this spring.

"I'm very happy for Chuck," said Cullen. "He's a good guy and a committed horse owner, and this is a nice little boost at an opportune time. Hopefully Mr. Heiligbrodt will win some meaningful races with this colt and make him successful for everybody."

Helen Blue Blazes is also represented by a yearling colt by Storm Day, and she is in foal to Louisiana-based sire Placid Fund.

All of those on offer are eligible for the $100,000 John Franks Memorial Sale Stakes at the track later this year.

To read more about the John Franks Memorial sale click here.

It's Me Megan produces first foal, a filly by Yankee Gentleman
2/20/2008


It's Me Megan, an allowance winner of more than $50,000, produced her first foal when she gave birth to a beautiful filly at Chesapeake Farm on February 19.

By Silver Ghost out of the Cox's Ridge mare Undervalued, It's Me Megan was purchased as a yearling for $10,000 by Jim Cullen, president of Four-Board Stable. The filly won four races for the partnership during her career, including a maiden special weight contest at three and an allowance race at four.

It's Me Megan was retired to the farm in 2007 and bred to the exciting young stallion Yankee Gentleman. That mating produced a beautiful bay filly at Chesapeake yesterday.

Both the mare and filly are doing well following an uneventful foaling.

"The filly was born at 7:34 pm, and everything went like clockwork," said Cullen. "She weighed 120 pounds at birth, and she stood to nurse less than an hour later (pictured). She's a strong, healthy, bright, and alert filly. The farm manager told me she's correct and very active, and she couldn't be in better health. All of those are great signs, so it looks like the entire episode was a success."

A half-sister to two stakes winners, It's Me Megan is one of five winners out of Undervalued from as many to race. Her second dam, Raging Lady, is dam of six winners from seven to race, including the multiple stakes producer Enraged.

It's Me Megan will be bred back to Seattle Fitz later this spring.

Astaire runs good third in allowance contest for 5280 Stables
2/15/2008


Astaire, a four-year-old son of Distorted Humor purchased by Cullen Bloodstock, took a clear lead into the stretch but tired to run third in the feature race at Turfway Park on February 14.

Trained by Bill Denzik, Astaire was purchased by Cullen for $32,000 at the 2007 Keeneland November sale on behalf of 5280 Stables. The gelding finished fourth in his first start for the new connections, but he then won a maiden and entry allowance races at Turfway. The handsome chestnut (pictured) was sent postward in the yesterday's eighth race as the third choice at 4-to-1.

Astaire broke well and sat just off the early pace set by a longshot runner. Astaire put that one away leaving the three-eighths pole, and he carried a clear four-length lead to the top of the stretch. Unfortunately, the gelding began to tire late, and he could not hold off the late rush of two others. Astaire finished third, beaten three lengths for the victory.

Final time was 1:39.19 for the mile race on PolyTrack.

"No real excuse - he ran his race but just came up short," said Jim Cullen, president of Cullen Bloodstock. "Personally I think the racetrack cost him; it wasn't playing very kindly to speed. Astaire had just won at 1 1/16 miles, but (jockey James Lopez) said he was really tired at the end. That's pretty confusing because he wouldn't have blown out a candle after winning the longer race. But, in the end, he ran well. We'll get him back in a race in a couple weeks and see if he can break through this second condition."

Astaire banked $2,260 for his efforts to push his earnings to $32,065 since being purchased.

"At the very least the guys from 5280 Stable are 'out' on him," said Cullen.

To view the official chart of Astaire's allowance race click here.

Cullen Bloodstock buys mare, gets foal as well at Fasig-Tipton Kentucky mixed sale
2/12/2008


Jim Cullen purchased one broodmare and one racing prospect during the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky Winter Mixed Sale on February 10-11, but his clients exited the sale with a total of three horses.

On February 10, Cullen purchased the young broodmare Afternoon Krystal on behalf of Chicago-based client John Trumbulovich. A seven-year-old mare, Afternoon Krystal is a winning daughter of Afternoon Deelites out of the good Waquoit mare Win Right Now.

Afternoon Krystal is a half sister to three winners, among them the good stakes winner Red Raymond and the six-figure earner Millennium Two. The mare - who counts no less than 17 stakes horses under her first three dams - was purchased in foal to the exciting freshman sire Lion Heart.

Afternoon Krystal was shipped immediately from the sales grounds to our farm in Lexington. Much to our delight, Trumbulovich realized some immediate good luck when Afternoon Krystal foaled a lovely chestnut filly later that evening.

Both the mare and the filly are doing fine following the uneventful foaling.

"Afternoon Krystal is a big beautiful mare with a solid pedigree, and we're very pleased with the purchase," said Cullen. "Her half-brother Red Raymond was a very fast horse, and there's a lot of quality throughout the family. The mare was due to foal any day when we bought her - she had a February 21 cover date - and I think it's great she had a nice baby the first night we had her. Everybody is doing well, and we look forward to seeing the foal run in a couple years."

Cullen indicated that Afternoon Krystal would be bred to Hat Trick in 2008.

On February 11, Cullen went to $14,000 to purchase a two-year-old filly by Flatter. The athletic bay filly was purchased as a racing prospect on behalf of a partnership.

Out of the $100,000 earner Glitter Bond (Glitterman), the filly is by one of the hottest freshman sires in the U.S. She is a half-sister to two placed horses, and her dam is a full sister to the multiple stakes winner Broadway Show.

"This is a neat little filly that I like a lot," said Cullen. "We didn't have to give much for her, but she's quite an attractive racing prospect. We'll put her in training in a couple weeks and point her for a summer debut. We should have a lot of fun with her."

To view the complete results of the 2008 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky mixed sale click here.

Filly bred by Cullen Bloodstock, Dan Mallory breaks maiden at Charles Town Races
2/2/2008


Peace Time, a three-year-old filly bred by Jim Cullen and the late Dan Mallory, pressed the early pace before she drew off late to win the first race at Charles Town Races on January 31.

A daughter of Gilded Time out of the good stakes mare Ordinary Woman (Herat), Peace Time had posted three thirds and a fourth in four career starts in maiden special weight company. On Friday, trainer Jeff Runco dropped the filly in for a $16,000 tag against older fillies and mares, and she responded with a convincing victory as the 8-to-5 favorite.

Final time was 1:23.37 for 6 1/2 furlongs around two turns.

Peace Time banked $10,200 for her first victory to push her total earnings to $23,450. The filly had sold for $6,000 as a yearling at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October yearling sale.

"(Peace Time) was having a tough time in maiden allowance company, but I'm pleased to see she was able to win her first start in claiming company," said Cullen. "She might not be a superstar, but she won a race she was supposed to win and did so rather easily. What's most impressive is that she's a three-year-old beating older horses - that's a tough task in February of the year, especially since Peace Time is a May foal. I think - or hope - there are more victories in her future."

Ordinary Woman is a stakes-placed winner of $172,223. The mare, who descends from the immediate family of the exciting freshman sire Soto, is currently being offered for sale by her Alabama-based owner. Ordinary Woman produced a handsome colt by Cape Canaveral in 2007, and she is currently open and ready to be bred this year.

"Peace Time is the last foal Dan Mallory and I bred together," said Cullen. "She didn't sell for much money as a yearling - I lost money on the deal, because I had purchased the season to Gilded Time - but she'll always be special to me."

To view the official chart of Peace Time's maiden victory click here.

Cullen Bloodstock active at successful Keeneland January sale
1/15/2008


Cullen Bloodstock Services enjoyed numerous successes with mares and 'short' yearlings during the recently concluded Keeneland January mixed sale.

The Keeneland January sale, held annually in Lexington, primarily features broodmares and foals of 2006. The seven-day sale concluded on January 13 with mixed results, most noticeably a 3.3% reduction in gross receipts and a higher number of horses (20%) not sold.

Despite the tepid results, Cullen Bloodstock enjoyed a successful week. During the opening session of the sale, the first foal out of a mare purchased by Jim Cullen sold for nearly 40% more than the mare's purchase price. Catalogued as hip 106, the colt is by the exciting freshman sire Purge out of the unraced Tale of the Cat mare Sydneyleigh.

The mare - a half sister to the multiple graded stakes winner Shoop - was purchased by Jim Cullen for $50,000 in 2005 on behalf of Dr. Robert and Leslie Schmidt. The colt was consigned by Kildare Stud, and though he was led out of the ring unsold on a final bid of $85,000, he later sold for 'nearly that amount', according to Kildare owner Frankie O'Conner.

"In all honesty, I thought the Purge colt was one of the most impressive physical specimans I saw during the entire sale," said Cullen. "I don't blame the owners for putting an aggressive reserve on him, but in the end he sold - and sold well. To think the Schmidts realized more than four times stud fee on the first foal out of an unraced mare is remarkable. I'm happy for them; it was a great sale. Frankie deserves all the credit - he did a great job prepping the colt. Hopefully he'll go on to be a nice racehorse and help make the mare."

On January 11, Cullen made his sole broodmare purchase when he went to $80,000 to buy the stakes-producing mare Girls Girls Girls. The mare, a 10-year-old daughter of Colonial Affair out of the Vanlandingham mare Crystal n Pennies, was purchased in foal to the top freshman sire Yankee Gentleman.

A multiple allowance winner of $80,000, Girls Girls Girls' first foal to race is Girls Pearls, a stakes winner of more than $100,000.

Girls Girls Girls was purchased on behalf of Vincent and Marie Colbert's Seaglass Stable.

"Kenny McPeek trains Girls Pearls, and he's told me on several occasions that he thinks she's a graded stakes-caliber filly," said Cullen. "Even if she doesn't live up to those expectations, Girls Girls Girls is a beautiful young mare who descends from the immediate family of A.P. Indy. At the end of the day she's a classy mare from a classy family, and she'll be a nice addition to the Colberts burgeoning broodmare band."

Cullen indicated that Girls Girls Girls would be bred to Touch Gold in 2008.

In addition, Cullen purchased a yearling filly by Cuvee on behalf of Chicago-based client John Trumbulovic. The filly is out of the Forest Wildcat mare Wildcat Lady, a winner of $33,178 who's out of a Grade 3 stakes winner and a half to a multiple stakes winner.

The attractive chestnut filly was purchased for just $4,500 - less than half of the stallion's advertised stud fee.

"Physically the filly is outstanding," said Cullen. "The reason we got her so cheaply is because she has an immature throat. We're banking that Mother Nature will do her thing and the throat will catch up to the rest of her body during the coming year. For that price, a filly built like that is worth the risk."

To view the entire results of the 2008 Keeneland January sale click here.

Two-year-old filly Sweet Hennessy breaks maiden at Fair Grounds
12/24/2007


Sweet Hennessy, a two-year-old filly purchased as a yearling by Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen, drew off convincingly to break her maiden in the first race at Fair Grounds on December 23.

By Hennessy out of a Salt Lake mare, Sweet Hennessy was purchased by Cullen for $70,000 at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton July yearling sale in Lexington. The attractive chestnut was bought on behalf of HH Prince Saud bin Khaled of Saudi Arabia, who subsequently sent the filly to trainer Bill Mott.

Sweet Hennessy did not distinguish herself in three prior starts on the PolyTrack and turf, but a switch to the conventional dirt surface at Fair Grounds proved to her liking. With Robby Albarado riding, Sweet Hennessy was kept off a solid early pace in the six-furlong sprint before she moved into contention through the turn. The filly moved inside the pacesetter to take command at the top of the stretch and held sway down the lane to win convincingly by 3 1/2 lengths.

Sweet Hennessy - who went postward as the 3-to-2 favorite - stopped the clock in 1:13.72.

"I'm very happy for Mr. Khaled that Sweet Hennessy broke through with this kind of performance yesterday," said Cullen. "(Bill) Mott told him that she was a nice filly, but her previous starts on the PolyTrack were a disaster - she didn't take to it at all. She's always trained well on the dirt, though, and now that she's won first time on it I would expect that's where she'll stay for the immediate future. There looks like there's a lot more in the tank, so hopefully she'll continue on to bigger and brighter things."

Sweet Hennessy banked $12,600 for her winning efforts.

To view the official chart of Sweet Hennessy's maiden victory click here.

Sweet Sugaree retired to breeding shed
12/14/2007


Dark Star Thoroughbred's Sweet Sugaree, a stakes-placed filly purchased as an unraced two-year-old by Jim Cullen, has been retired from racing. The four-year-old daughter of Tiznow has been shipped to Nuchols Farm near Lexington.

Breeding plans for Sweet Sugaree have not been finalized.

Out of the Clever Trick mare Clever Tide, Sweet Sugaree was purchased by Cullen for $100,000 at the 2005 OBS March two-year-olds in training sale on behalf of Gabe Grossberg. The filly broke her maiden as a two-year-old in her second career start, having won a maiden allowance race at Fair Grounds over a field that included 2006 Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Ermine (pictured). The filly then ran second in the Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn over a field that included six stakes winners. After that effort, the filly was named to the Kentucky Oaks future wager, at one time being as low as 18-to-1.

Unfortunately, Sweet Sugaree's Oaks plans went by the wayside when she exited a fifth-place finish in the Ashland Stakes (G1) at Keeneland with a slight fracture in an ankle. The filly returned to the races in late 2006, but after her career was again interupted by injury the decision was made to retire her.

"It's a bittersweet day," said Cullen. "I appreciate everything (Sweet Sugaree) did on the track, but with her talent you can't help but think 'what if' - she was that good. She beat Ermine in a hand ride, and she almost won the Martha Washington in her first start around two turns. She was a fast, fast filly who will make a fantastic broodmare. I'm excited for Gabe and can't wait to see her foals in coming years."

According to Cullen, Sweet Sugaree is being considered for a number of oustanding stallions, including Forestry, Elusive Quality and Grand Slam.

Cullen Bloodstock mare Call Her Magic sells for $95,000 at Keeneland November
11/13/2007


Call Her Magic, a Cullen Bloodstock mare owned in partnership with Gullbram Shamrock Stable, realized a healthy return on original investment when she sold for $95,000 during the Keeneland November sale on November 10.

A multiple stakes winner by Caller I.D., Call Her Magic was purchased by agency president Jim Cullen for $75,000 in November of 2004. The mare was purchased in foal to Smart Strike, a mating that produced a filly who sold at auction for $90,000 the following year. Bred back to Congaree on a $15,000 stud fee, the resulting foal was a filly who brought $54,000 at auction last year.

Call Her Magic had another lovely filly this spring, this one by Successful Appeal (pictured). The mare was bred back to that same sire earlier this year, and both she and her foal were offered at Keeneland November.

The two sale horses realized a tremendous update this fall when Proud Spell - a two-year-old filly out of a half-sister to Call Her Magic - won the Matron Stakes (G2) at Belmont before she finished second in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1).

Selling as hip 1892, Call Her Magic was the subject of a fierce bidding duel before she was eventually purchased by WinStar Farm for $95,000. Her weanling filly was led in the ring next, but she was brought home after receiving a final bid of 'just' $85,000.

"We're sorry to see Call Her Magic go, but she was awful good to us," said Cullen. "When we bought her we got more for the foal in utero than what we paid for her, and we sold her for more than we bought her. We made money on the Congaree filly and still have an exceptional filly out of her. We'll probably try to sell her next year, but we might also race her ourselves. I'll talk it over with (Gullbram Shamrock owners Danny Bramer and Eric Gulley) and see what they want to do."

To view the complete results of the 2007 Keeneland November sale click here.

Cullen Bloodstock purchases broodmare for Chicago-based client
11/12/2007


If there's anything that Thoroughbred racing teaches us is that timing is everything...

After waiting the entire session - and being the underbidder on several offerings - Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen was able to purchase a lovely broodmare by Forestry (pictured) on behalf of Chicago-based client John Trumbulovich. The mare, named Summer Forest, was purchased in foal to Champion colt Afleet Alex for $47,000.

Selling just six hips from the end of the session, Summer Forest was sold by Warrendale Sales on behalf of Jess Jackson's Stonestreet Stables. The four-year-old mare was originally purchased by Jackson as a yearling for $375,000, though she did not race and was bred this spring.

Summer Forest is out of the winning Boston Harbor mare Summerwood, who in turn is a sister to the multiple graded stakes winner Firm Pledge and the good Italian stakes performer Omnia. In addition, Summer Forest's half brother by Forest Camp sold as a weanling for $160,000 at the 2006 Keeneland November sale.

"I'm very happy that we were able to purchase this mare for that price," said Cullen. "John was standing right next to me while I was bidding on her, and we didn't think we'd get the mare for that. She's a beautiful mare from a nice family, and she's in foal to a hot sire. Afleet Alex's first crop are weanlings this year and they've sold great - they've averaged $200,000. If John gets anywhere close to that with the foal in utero it's going to be a home run."

Summer Forest is scheduled to be bred to Bandini in 2008.

To view the complete results from the 2007 Keeneland November sale click here.

Make Mine Minnie sells for $90,000 at Fasig-Tipton November
11/9/2007


Make Mine Minnie, a stakes-winning mare who was purchased at auction by Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen, sold as a broodmare prospect for $90,000 during the Fasig-Tipton November bloodstock sale on Sunday, November 4.

By Honour and Glory out of the stakes-placed mare Boundless Beauty (Copelan), Make Mine Minnie was purchased by Cullen for $150,000 at the 2005 Fasig-Tipton Calder two-year-olds in training sale. The filly broke her maiden at two for owner Gayle Fogelson, then placed in the Anoakia Stakes later that year. She returned to win the $75,000 Blue Norther Stakes at Santa Anita at three, but she then went to the sidelines following her next start with a small chip in a knee.

Make Mine Minnie came back to the races at four and finished second in three consecutive starts behind graded stakes winners, all in allowance company in Southern California. However, she suffered another minor injury in early March, and the decision was made to retire her for the 2007 breeding season.

Make Mine Minnie retired with earnings of $147,995.

Bred to the top freshman sire Vindication, Make Mine Minnie got in foal on one cover but lost the pregnancy at 60 days. Thus, she entered the Fasig-Tipton November sale open and ready for breeding.

After a spirited bidding duel, Make Mine Minnie was purchased for $90,000 by Leonard Riggio's My MeadowView Farm. Riggio, who is chairman of Barnes & Noble, bought 11 mares at the sale for a combined $2,345,000.

"I thought the (sale) price was fair and we're generally pleased with the results," said Cullen. "Obviously I wish she would have stayed in foal to Vindication; her sale price probably would have increased exponentially. But you can't control those things, and overall we're happy that she's going to such a good outfit.

"Gayle had a lot of fun with Minnie during the three years he owned her. She was a solid filly who might not have been good as some others, but she made up for it with a ton of heart. Hopefully her foals will have that same spirit and determination.

"I'm sure Minnie will be a good addition to Mr. Riggio's farm. She's a neat mare who is bred on the same cross as (2005 Broodmare of the Year) Baby Zip, dam of Ghostzapper and City Zip - a Relaunch sire over a Tri Jet mare. Hopefully Minnie will prove to be half as good as that one and produce some nice horses for them." "

Make Mine Minnie was the first horse purchased by Cullen for Fogelson, whose father, E.E. "Buddy" Fogelson, campaigned Racing Hall of Fame member and 1971 Horse of the Year Ack Ack.

To view the complete results of the 2007 Fasig-Tipton November bloodstock sale click here.

Cullen Bloodstock client is breeder of $3 million mare at Fasig-Tipton mixed sale
11/5/2007


Indy Five Hundred, a Grade 1 stakes winner in foal to Kingmambo, got the 2007 Fasig-Tipton November bloodstock sale kick-started when she sold for $3 million to agent John Ferguson on November 4.

By A.P. Indy, Indy Five Hundred is a seven-year-old mare out of the Group 2 stakes winner Lyphard's Delta (Lyphard). The mare won three races and $244,510 during three seasons of racing, topped by a four-length victory in the 2003 Garden City Breeders' Cup Handicap (G1).

"She's a beautiful mare and a Grade 1 winner," said Ferguson, who bought the mare on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum. "Her mother won the Nassau [Stakes in England] and her mother was a champion, so you've got three generations of real high performance. Therefore, we feel this mare has a huge opportunity to continue the excellent record that the family has set so far...It's the mare we wanted."

Indy Five Hundred (pictured) was bred by Cullen Bloodstock client HH Prince Saud bin Khaled, who still owns Lyphard's Delta. Prince Khaled sold Indy Five Hundred as a yearling but kept her full sister, a multiple graded stakes winner named Delta Princess. That mare had her first foal this spring when she bore a colt by Seeking the Gold, and she's back in foal to Empire Maker.

Lyphard's Delta had her tenth foal earlier this year when she foaled a filly by Mineshaft. The 17-year-old mare is back in foal to Empire Maker.

"This is one of Mr. Khaled's dearest family, and the success of all (Lyphard's Delta's) progeny is very important to him," said Jim Cullen, president of Cullen Bloodstock. "He's very pleased by the results of the sale yesterday and wishes Sheikh Mohammed all the best."

Cullen Bloodstock has represented Prince Khaled in several transactions, among them selling A.P. Delta - a full brother to Indy Five Hundred and Delta Princess - as a stallion prospect. A.P. Delta is the leading freshman sire in Louisiana for 2007 and is the subject of negotiations to bring him to Kentucky for 2008.

To view the complete results of the 2007 Fasig-Tipton November sale click here.

Cullen Bloodstock yearling purchase wins second consecutive race in New York
10/29/2007


Forza Bruta, who was purchased privately as a yearling by Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen, won his second consecutive race when he ran off with the ninth race at Aqueduct on October 28.

By Military out of the Flying Chevron mare Royal Favor, Forza Bruta was purchased privately by Cullen on behalf of Grey Ledge Stable. The colt didn't get to the races at two, but he's made 10 starts this year at three for trainer James Bond.

After coming close and placing in five maiden races in New York this summer, Forza Bruta broke through for his first win at Belmont in September. The gelding returned to win the final race on yesterday's card at Aqueduct, a $35,000 claiming race for older horses going a flat mile.

Forza Bruta made quick work of the field when he wired eight rivals to win by a length. Final time was a sharp 1:38.40.

"It might not be the biggest race to win, but I'm very happy for the Grey Ledge owners," said Cullen. "The winner's purse yesterday was more than we had to pay for the colt, so he's paid for himself. That's a big deal when you're playing at that level.

"Forza Bruta might not be a Breeders' Cup horse, but he's a solid runner who has allowed them to have some fun - and get their picture taken! To be able to provide that service for a couple of good guys who like the business means a lot to me. I'm very proud of finding a colt like him for that price, but more than that I'm proud of what he's accomplished. I hope he wins 10 more races!

Forza Bruta now boasts a record of 10-2-4-1 for total earnings of $58,215.

To view the official chart of Forza Bruta's winning effort yesterday click here.

Cullen Bloodstock pinhooking graduate Court the King places in stakes at Bay Meadows
10/21/2007


Court the King, who was purchased as a yearling by Jim Cullen and resold at two, closed determinedly but ran out of ground and finished second in the $75,000 Bay Meadows Speed Handicap on October 20.

By Doneraile Court out of the Rare Performer mare Smart'n Rare, Court the King was on the Triple Crown trail this spring, but he went to the sidelines after he split the field in the Santa Anita Derby (G1) on April 7. The colt returned to the races in September and won an allowance sprint at Bay Meadows in 1:08.40!.

Off that effort, Court the King was installed as the 2-to-1 favorite in the six-furlong Speed 'Cap. The colt broke well under Russell Baze but was allowed to trail the field of eight through the first quarter mile. The powerful bay began to find his stride approaching the turn, and at the top of the stretch was poised to launch his bid.

Court the King closed like a freight train, especially inside the sixteenth pole, but he was left with too much to do. The colt could not catch Wind Water, who wired the field with a front-running effort.

Final time was 1:09.23.

Court the King earned $12,000 for his efforts. He now boasts a record of 6-3-1-0 for total earnings of $94,200.

Court the King becames the latest stakes performer to have been purchased and pinhooked by Cullen Bloodstock, joining the likes of Eishin Sullivan, Coppertone Kid, and The Case Queen. The colt was purchased privately by Cullen as a yearling and resold at the 2006 Fasig-Tipton Midlantic sale for $37,000.

"It's always a nice thing to have a horse you bought go on and run well," said Cullen. "(Court the King) is a particular favorite of mine because I bought him out of a field on a farm near Louisville. He doesn't have much pedigree, but this colt has always been an awesome physical specimen. He wasn't quite Triple Crown material, but he's a very fast colt who looks like he's going to be a force in the sprint division on the West Coast."

To view the official chart of the Bay Meadows Speed Handicap click here.

First foal out of mare mated, sold by Cullen Bloodstock wins allowance at Keeneland
10/8/2007


Ben and the Twin, a two-year-old colt and first foal out of Bewitch Bewild, pressed the early pace but took over late to win an allowance race at Keeneland on October 6.

Trained by Cody Autrey for a partnership, Ben and the Twin finished third in his debut but broke his maiden at second asking last month at Remington Park. He returned off that effort to contest the second race at Keeneland on Saturday, a six-furlong allowance race for juvenile runners.

Ben and the Twin was third down the backstretch but moved up to take the lead through the turn. The son of Storm Boot led by a quarter-length at the eighth pole and extended his advantage to the wire to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

Ben and the Twin stopped the clock in a sharp 1:10.61 and returned a healthy $44.80 for the upset victory. He banked $26,412 for the effort to push his earnings to $43,800.

The colt is the first foal out of the good winner Bewitch Bewild. By Once Wild, Bewitch Bewild won 11 races and $134,260 during a lengthy racing career. The mare is a half sister to the stakes performer and stakes producer Charming Susan (Crozier), and her second dam is the multiple champion and Racing Hall of Fame member Susan's Girl (Quadrangle).

Cullen Bloodstock president Jim Cullen mated Bewitch Bewild on behalf of client Richard Englander, for whom the mare last raced. Bewitch Bewild was subsequently sold by Cullen in foal to Storm Boot to John "Jack" Murphy, the breeder of record for Ben and the Twin.

Ben and the Twin sold for $35,000 at the 2006 Keeneland September sale.

"She wasn't a superstar, but I always liked Bewitch Bewild," said Cullen. "She was kind of cheap, but she's what I call 'good cheap' - she ran hard every time they led her over, and she won a bunch of races. Those type of mares often prove to be very useful in the breeding shed, and with (Bewitch Bewild's) pedigree she had a license to produce a runner like Ben and the Twin. I'm really happy for her connections and am pleased it's worked out."

To view the official chart of Ben and the Twin's allowance victory at Keeneland click here.

Mare purchased by Cullen Bloodstock is half to dam of Spinaway Stakes (G1) winner
9/4/2007


Lochrea, an eight-year-old mare purchased last year by Cullen Bloodstock, received a huge update to her pedigree on Sunday when Irish Smoke won the $250,000 Spinaway Stakes (G1) at Saratoga.

By Lord at War (Arg), Lochrea is an unraced mare out of the Grade 3 stakes winner Added Elegance. Lochrea in turn is a full or half sister to the Grade 2 stakes winner Added Gold ($222,000) and Added Asset ($330,022), as well as the $100,000 earner Added Time.

Added Time has just two foals to race, but one of them emerged as one of the best two-year-old fillies in the U.S. when Irish Smoke won the Spinaway on September 3. The filly rallied to win the seven-furlong classic impressively as the 6-to-5 favorite for West Point Thoroughbreds and Lewis Lakin.

According to trainer Patrick Biancone, the daughter of Smoke Glacken is being pointed for the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) at Monmouth Park in October.

Jim Cullen purchased Lochrea in early 2006 for John Roven of Texas. The mare, who produced a Touch Gold filly earlier this year, is catalogued into the upcoming Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

"I have always loved this family and am not surprised it's produced a filly like Irish Smoke," said Cullen. "I used to work for Wimborne Farm when I was in college and this is one of their best families - they're a very classy group of horses. Added Time was as good as any of them, and Irish Smoke looks just like her.

"I'm very happy for John and hope he realizes a nice profit on the mare when he sells her in November."

Cullen weanling purchase wins maiden allowance race at Hoosier Park
9/4/2007


Decadent Storm, a four-year-old filly by Storm Boot, rallied from mid-pack to get up and win a maiden special weight race at Hoosier Park on September 2.

Out of the Nasty and Bold mare Cato Lady, Decadent Storm was purchased as a weanling by Cullen Bloodstock for $15,000 at the 2003 Keeneland November breeding stock sale. Cullen purchased the filly on behalf of Gabe Grossberg's Dark Star Thoroughbreds.

Decadent Storm ran second in her racing debut at Hawthorne last year but then was sidelined with a minor injury. The chestnut filly returned this spring but failed to win in four subsequent starts with Frank Springer in Chicago. She was then sent to trainer Jerry Hammonds, for whom she ran third in a July race before breaking through for her maiden win.

Decadent Storm broke cleanly and was well off the early pace in the 5 1/2-furlong sprint under Thomas Pompell. She moved to the inside through the turn and then powered up the rail to get up and prevail by a clear head.

Final time was 1:08.47 on a fast but deep racetrack.

Decadent Storm banked $8,400 for the victory to boost her total earnings to $15,660.

"I'm really happy Decadent Storm was able to get it done Saturday," said Jim Cullen, president of Cullen Bloodstock. "We always thought she was a nice filly, and though she got a little sidetracked it's good to see she's back on track."

Decadent Storm becomes the latest winner purchased by Cullen for Grossberg. Those include Sweet Sugaree, who broke her maiden over a field that included Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Ermine before she placed in the $50,000 Martha Washington Stakes at Oaklawn. Sweet Sugaree herself was on the Oaks trail but suffered a hock injury when fifth in the 2006 Ashland Stakes (G1).

"It's funny, but whenever Gabe would call about Sweet Sugaree Bobby (Springer) always wanted to talk about how good Decadent Storm was," said Cullen. "She's not there yet, but hopefully (Decadent Storm) will be able to duplicate or exceed the other's stakes success."

To view the official chart of Decadent Storm's maiden victory click here.

Cullen Bloodstock purchases stakes-winning mare from immediate family of Distorted Humor
8/28/2007


Cullen Bloodstock Services today announces the purchase of the stakes-winning mare Aly's Vow, a four-year-old daughter of Broken Vow from the immediate family of Distorted Humor.

According to agency president Jim Cullen, the mare will be owned by a partnership that breeds to race. Purchase price was not disclosed.

Aly's Vow was retired earlier this year after winning four races and $169,598 for owner Robert Orth. The filly posted her most prestigious victory when she won the 2006 Lone Star Oaks. She also placed in three other stakes races at three, most notably the Marie D. DeBartolo Oaks at Louisiana Downs and the Furl Sail Handicap at Fair Grounds.

"I'm really pleased that Mr. Orth has allowed us to buy his mare," said Cullen. "Aly's Vow is exactly what the market demands - she's young, she's got an outstanding race record, she's well bred and she's got terrific conformation. She's the complete package and I'm really excited about her prospects."

Aly's Vow has a dynamic pedigree that is well suited for either the race track or sales ring. She is by Broken Vow, a multiple graded stakes winner who is the leading third-crop sire on the strength of runners such as Cotton Blossom and Unbridled Belle.

"Broken Vow is carrying on the tradition of his sire, Unbridled," said Cullen. "His horses have size, scope and class, and it looks like Broken Vow will be an important sire for years to come."

Aly's Vow is one of four runners produced to date out of Chanting Sweetly (Alysheba). She is a three-quarter sister to the stakes-placed runner Aly's Sweet Sheba, as well as two other winners.

Chanting Sweetly, in turn, is a half sister to the Danzig mare Danzig's Beauty, who is the dam of the elite stallion Distorted Humor.

Distorted Humor has emerged as one of the top sires in the world. In 2007 alone he has been represented by Grade 1 stakes winners Any Given Saturday and Hysterical Lady, and he currently is ranked third on the general sire list behind only A.P. Indy and Smart Strike.

"In my opinion, Distorted Humor is the next great sire in the tradition of Storm Cat and A.P. Indy," said Cullen. "In a relatively few number of years he has produced some of the most outstanding runners of the past decade, and he already has sons such as Flower Alley and Sharp Humor at stud. To have a filly so closely related to Distorted Humor is a real coup and I'm thankful for the opportunity."

Cullen indicated that Aly's Vow would be bred to Vindication in 2008.

Foal out of Cullen Bloodstock partnership mare places in Lone Star Oaks
7/2/2007


Kid Majic, the second foal out of the Cullen Bloodstock mare Call Her Magic, ran gamely but lost a contentious finish and finished third in the $50,000 Lone Star Oaks on June 30.

A multiple stakes winner by Caller I.D., Call Her Magic was purchased by agency president Jim Cullen for $75,000 during the 2004 Keeneland November sale. The mare was purchased in foal to Smart Strike on behalf of a broodmare partnership. That acquisition paid immediate dividends when the resulting foal sold for $90,000 at Keeneland November the following year.

Call Her Magic has two foals to race, Kid Majic being the second. The filly is a daughter of Lemon Drop Kid trained by Allen Milligan

A two-time winner, Kid Majic entered the 1 1/16-mile Oaks off two solid prep races over the Lone Star Park turf. The filly broke cleanly and was settled just off the early pace before she and jockey Monte Berry launched their bid at the three-eighths pole.

Kid Majic moved up into contention at the head of the stretch and appeared poised to take command. She ran well but was ultimately outfinished by two others. The three-year-old filly did hold well for the show, however, in a blanket finish that saw the top five runners seperated by a length.

Kid Majic earned $5,500 for the effort to push her total earnings to $47,910.

"What an exciting race," said Cullen. "First it looked like (Kid Majic) was going to win, then it looked like she was going to be fifth and beaten a length. But she got the stakes placing, which is a huge benefit for the mare. That should help us a lot when Call Her Magic sells later this year."

Owned in partnership with Gullbram Shamrock Stable, Call Her Magic had a beautiful daughter of Successful Appeal in March (pictured), and the mare will sell in foal to that same stallion later this year.

Call Her Magic is the second broodmare purchased by Cullen to be represented by a new stakes runner in the past month. In early June, Girls Pearls - who is the first foal to run out of the Colonial Affair mare Girls Girls Girls - won the $50,000 Panther Stakes at Prairie Meadows. Girls Girls Girls was purchased by Cullen for $20,000 at the 2006 Keeneland January sale.

To view the official chart of the 2007 Lone Star Oaks click here.