THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF HIDDEN BROOK FARM

DECEMBER, 2013 ˇ VOL. 3  NO. 12

UPCOMING  

SALES  

............  

Buying Opportunities

we will be on-site to
purchase horses at 

Keeneland January

Horses of All Ages Sale  
 January 6 - 9, 2014 

Ocala Breeders' Sales
Winter Mixed
January 22-24, 2014


Fasig-Tipton

February Breeding Stock Sale 
  Lexington, KY
February 10, 2014

 

CLOSING SOON!
Fasig-Tipton July
Saratoga Selected Yearlings
Breeding Stock Sale,
Lexington, KY
January 29, 2014
January Sale Preview
Consignment Filled with Potential
Hidden Brook's Keeneland January Horses of all Ages Sale consignment offers a strong catalog of broodmares and broodmare prospects with black-type pedigrees, as well as a handful of yearlings by popular sires.

The consignment includes the dam of D' Funnybone as well as half-siblings to graded stakes winners such as Amen Hallelujah, Volponi, Tax Refund, Daddy Long Legs, Big Blue Kitten, Rose Catherine, and Conveyance.

view the entire consignment 

Hidden Brook's 2013
Stakes Horses:    

Alpha Bettor-G2 
Balooga Bull
Battling Brook 
Breitling Flyer
Cigar Street-G3 
Co Cola
Confesiones
Courtesan-G3  
Customer Base

Dads Caps

Dannhauser

Darwin-G3

Discreet Bird

Discreet Girl

Dreaming Of Cara

Drill
Finnegans Wake-G2 SP
Game On Dude-G1 
Great Attack 

Lady Henrietta

Maracuya 

Marvin's Miracle-G2 SP  

Merry Meadow 

Millennia

Pianist-G3

Pleasantly Fit-G1

Saint Arthur 

Seeking Toussaud
Shimaal Nibras

Silverette 

So Long George-G2
Starship Truffles-G1  
Stop Smiling-G2
Thunder Lord 
Travelin Man 

True Thought

War Prospector 

Weekend Hideaway

White Rose  

West Coast Thriller
Customer Base earns first graded win at Santa Anita
While temperatures across the rest of the nation were falling, Hidden Brook graduate Customer Base was heating up the track in sunny Southern California. Tracking off the pace for most of the trip, the bay daughter of Lemon Drop Kid, rallied from mid-pack in the final furlong, then dueled for a gutsy photo victory in the Grade III, $100,000 Robert J. Frankel, a mile and an eighth turf contest at Santa Anita on December 29th.

Rider Mike Smith even made a comparison to Zenyatta when describing his confidence that he had won the tight photo finish with Stormy Lucy.

Born and raised at Hidden Brook, Customer Base was bred by Edward Seltzer and Beverly Anderson, and sold in the 2010 Fasig-Tipton July Sale. Trainer by Tom Proctor, she is owned by Glen Hill Farm.

To see the race replay and more info  
...............................................................
-In Memoriam-

With the assistance of Kristian Villante, Xavier Bloodstock

Hidden Brook partner and friend Donald E. Brooks, died on Tuesday, November 12, 2013 at age 62. Born in New York City, Don was a resident of Wyckoff.  He was a Certified Public Accountant for Price Waterhouse Cooper in New York and a partner of the firm for many years. Recently, Don and his wife Gina were owners and breeders of thoroughbred racehorses and campaigned graded stakes winner Pianist in partnership with Hidden Brook, among others.  A staple among the top owners at PARX, Don's B-C Stables garnered the leading owner title in 2010. He also served on the New York Jockey Injury Compensation Fund for many years.

 

The health and wellness of his horses was always his primary concern. He made sure to give all of his horses a safe and enjoyable retirement whenever possible. He either placed horses in care on his own or was a major supporter of the Turning For Home operation and routinely donated horses to the program even when they were sound and suitable for racing.  Don was a man that everyone respected who succeeded in every aspect of his life, from his many business ventures, to being an amazing husband, father, and client and friend.


Survivors include his wife of 28 years Gina (Cicioni) Brooks; three loving sons: Gregory B. Brooks of New York City, Steven A. Brooks of Wyckoff and David J. Brooks of Baltimore.  
STATS UPDATE 
December Stakes Horses! 
Customer Base-G3
Santa Anita
Dannhauser - G2 Spl
Discreet Bird Spl

********* 
2013 Stats:
21 SWs - 40 SHs - 8 GSWs
To become a
part of the
HIDDEN BROOK program,
call today
(859) 988-9377

CONTACTS

 

Sergio de Sousa  

(859) 983-1897 

sergio@hiddenbrookfarmky.com

  

Jack Brothers

(917) 287-2273

jkckjbrothers@msn.com

 

Dan Hall

(859) 621-0526 

danhall@hiddenbrookfarmky.com

 

Mike Recio  

(859) 221-1809   

mrecio@hiddenbrookfarmky.com

  

Bryan Cross

HIDDEN BROOK

1770 Winchester Road

Paris, KY 40361

Tel: (859) 988-9377

Fax: (859) 988-9339

www.hiddenbrookfarmky.com

 

   

 

 

Year-In-Review     

Strong Stats Round Out 2013     

Things were looking up for Hidden Brook at the start of 2013 when two mid-January $100,000 stake victories added substance to their Fasig-Tipton consignment at the Winter Mixed Sale. With victories from both a sale prospect and a full sibling to a sale prospect, Hidden Brook's 14-horse lineup received a significant bump in worth.

Golden Mystery, who finished 1st on January 19th in the $150,000 Florida Sunshine Millions Filly & Mare Sprint, boosted her value even further when she won the Hurricane Bertie Stakes (G3) the day before the sale. On February 11th, she sold for $625,000, making her the highest priced horse from the original catalogue.

All totaled, Hidden Brook's consignment grossed $1,001,700 with an average price of $71,550 per hip number, ultimately selling 100% of its horses. This average price was 27% higher than Fasig-Tipton's norm of $56,252 per horse. These results, added to their achievements at the Keeneland January sale, made Hidden Brook the sixth most successful broodmare consigner in 2013.

By March of 2013, Hidden Brook added five additional stakes wins to its résumé, including a victory by Cigar Street, who improved his record to a perfect three-for-three under the guidance of trainer Bill Mott, winning the Skip Away Handicap (G3) in impressive fashion.

Game on Dude, a yearling graduate trained by Bob Baffert and consigned for breeder Adena Springs, added a tenth and eleventh graded stakes win to his record with victories in the $750,000 Santa Anita Handicap (G1) and the $1.5 million Charles Town Classic (G2), upping his total career earnings to over $4.7 million. His win at the Charles Town Classic gave him more stakes wins and higher North American earnings than any active runner.

In 2013, Game on Dude (son of Awesome Again) received the top two Beyer Speed Figures (117 & 116), and his victory at the Santa Anita Handicap made him one of only four horses to ever win the race twice.

May and Preakness Day brought gray skies and good fortune as partnership filly Pianist nabbed her fifth victory in ten starts in the Gallorette Handicap (G3), which carried a purse of $150,000. Already a stakes horse, she had picked up her fourth victory in eight starts in her February 2013 debut in a one and one-sixteenth of a mile contest for horses three and up at Gulfstream Park. In front of a record Pimlico Preakness day crowd in the Gallorette, Pianist set all the pace under new rider Mike Smith. Her final time on the firm  Pimlico turf was 1:40.60, narrowly missing out on the course record. Pianist's win made her Hidden Brook's twelfth graded stakes winner overall, and their fourth of 2013.

When the LONGINES World's Best Racehorse Rankings came out in June, Game on Dude was listed as the top weighted racehorse on dirt at 126, five points higher than Kentucky Derby winner Orb and seven points higher than both Preakness winner Oxbow and Belmont winner Palace Malice.

As June came and went, Hidden Brook added another two horses to its 2013 list of stakes winners, bringing the total up to eleven. Making his first career turf start, Weekend Hideaway scored the tenth position on the list with a victory in the $100,000 Gone Fishin Stakes at Belmont. Hidden Brook consigned the chestnut colt in the 2011 Flying Zee dispersal at Fasig-Tipton. Also consigned at the 2011 Flying Zee dispersal was Saint Arthur, who snagged a $50,000 purse after riding to victory in the six-furlong Ontario County Stakes for three-year-olds.

July brought Hidden Brook's tenth overall million-dollar sales horse in Starship Truffles (daughter of Ghostzapper), consigned for client Myron Miller. The filly, which went for exactly $1,000,000, was sold at the inaugural Fasig-Tipton July Horses of Racing Age, held in conjunction with the July Yearling sale in Lexington.

Starship Truffles was foaled and raised at Hidden Brook's 600-acre Paris, Kentucky nursery, in addition to being prepped and offered for sale by Hidden Brook. In early July, she nabbed her first Grade 1 victory in the Princess Rooney, undoubtedly one of the reasons she sold so well.

Additionally, the highest-grossing yearling at the sale was a daughter of Desert Party that sold for $460,000. Desert Party was purchased by Hidden Brook during the 2007 Keeneland September Yearling sale before going on to be the highest-priced two-year-
old sold at auction in 2008, being purchased by Sheikh Mohammed's Darley Stable and Godolphin. Desert Party ultimately went on to win the Sanford Stakes (G2) and the Two Thousand Guineas (G2), and now stands at stud at Sequel Stallions.

Game on Dude carried his winning ways into July with a victory in the $500,000 Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup. Bred by Adena Springs in Kentucky, Game on Dude and regular rider Mike Smith notched their fifth consecutive win.

Yet another Hidden Brook graduate, Customer Base, sealed the deal on her first stakes win in the Lucie Manet Stakes at Hollywood, becoming the 40th overall stakes winner raised on Hidden Brook's soil. By late December, she had notched a graded stakes win at  Santa Anita.

In late July, So Long George, having been foaled, raised, and sold by Hidden Brook, upset a full field of talented horses in the Grade 2 Nijinsky Stakes at Woodbine, making him Hidden Brook's 14th stakes winner and 6th graded winner of 2013.

Hidden Brook sales grad True Thought won the Edmonton Juvenile Stakes in Canada to close out July, beating a field of five two-year-olds by five and a half lengths.

Game on Dude, after finishing fourth and second in previous efforts, made his third attempt at the Grade 1 Pacific Classic with Martin Garcia on his back and strode to a dominating victory, increasing his lifetime winnings to over $5.5 million and clearing him a spot in the Top 20 leading thoroughbred earners of all time-a list that's topped by Curlin, Cigar, and Skip Away.

Hidden Brook purchase Alpha Bettor, son of Alphabet Soup, won the $150,000 G3 Seagram Cup for the second consecutive time, slipping through the rail and winning by just under a length. This brought Alpha Bettor's earnings up to $545, 571.

Silverette, yet another Hidden Brook purchase, made her first turf start in the $100,000 Caress Stakes at Saratoga, winning the 5 ˝ furlong race for owner Paul Pompa Jr.

Millennia, a Hidden Brook sales grad, earned a win in the $100,000 Ta We Stakes at Gulfstream for owner Brinker Hill Farm. Bred by Adena Springs and the daughter of Milwaulkee Brew, Millennia upped her lifetime earnings to $305,237 with this victory.

In the Keeneland September sale, Hidden Brook grossed over $4.2 million, selling 58 of their 66 yearlings and clinching a spot as one of the twenty top-earning consigners at the sale. Only 12% of Hidden Brook's horses did not meet their reserve. On the Sunday of the sale, they sold two of the top three yearlings-Hip# 1372, a chestnut colt from the debut crop of Super Saver, sold for $360,000; and Hip# 1552, a colt by Coronado's Quest, went for $350,000.

Graduates continued their stakes success through September. Balooga Bull won decisively in the Gold Cup Stakes (Can.), stalking the pacesetter for the first half mile before surging ahead to win by 1 ˝ lengths. This marked his second win in the Gold Cup Stakes and brought his earnings up to $252,686 for owner Peter Brandt.

A photo finish in the G2 Bowling Green Stakes at Belmont showed that the Hidden Brook born-and-raised Finnegan's Wake narrowly missed first place. It was a strong second-place finish, nonetheless, as the son of Powerscourt found his stride late and only missed by a nose.

Dads Caps finished third in the Ajamin Stakes at Belmont. Foaled and raised at Hidden Brook and owned by Vince Scuderi, the bay three-year-old by Discreet Cat looked like a winner until the last few strides where he was barely bested by two others.

Drill, another graduate and Grade I winner, also ran a solid third in the $75,000 Governor's Cup Handicap.

In October, Pianist continued her hot streak with a win in the $200,000 G3 Athenia Stakes at Belmont, earning her a Beyer score of 98-her lifetime best. She gained control at the top of the stretch and extended a snug three-length lead, ultimately winning by two
lengths.

Pianist, by More Than Ready out of Red Piano, was bred in Kentucky by Grapestock LLC and purchased by Hidden Brook as a yearling at the 2010 Keeneland September Sale for $100,000. Her win at the Athenia improved her record to 13-6-2-2 and boosted her earnings up to $498,450.

By the end of October, Hidden Brook partnership horses had a 2013 win percentage of 23%, with an incredible 71% finishing in-the-money, and total yearly earnings just under $600,000.

Alpha Bettor continued his dominance in Canada with a win in the G2 Autumn Stakes. With his eight wins, five seconds, and two thirds, Alpha Bettor has earned a total of $660,914.

Game on Dude and Alpha Bettor each became finalists in year-end awards. Game on Dude was nominated for Champion Older Male Eclipse honors in the United States, while Alpha Bettor will be vying for the Sovereign Award for Champion Older Male. In 2013 alone, Game on Dude has earned $2,575,735 with a 71% winning percentage, bringing his career total to $5,707,893 with fifteen wins, six seconds, and one third. Alpha Bettor has garnered $336,441 in 2013, and has been in the top three finishers in 83% of his starts.

Thanks to all of our owners, buyers, boarders, partners and staff for a terrific 2013. We wish you all a prosperous and happy new year!
...............................................................................................
Inside the WINNER'S CIRCLE
with Alberto Figueiredo    
One of the most popular features of The HIDDEN BROOK TIMES is a Q&A with some of our valued clients. Alberto is the General Manager of RDI, which is an international Thoroughbred breeding and racing business in South & North America and previously spent many years with Rio Claro Thoroughbreds, which bred horses like Siphon (Brz). He was kind enough to take a few minutes upon returning home from a trip to Argentina to chat with us.

Born: 1968 in San Paulo, Brazil
Residence: San Paulo, Brazil
Family: Two daughters, Victoria, 17 and Manuella, 16, and a son, Joaquim, 6
Education: Elvira Brandao, San Paulo
Primary business: General Manager, RDI

Tell us a little about the program at RDI:  RDI is a private international venture that has established a boutique breeding program with horses in Brazil, France, Argentina, and the United States. We select for quality instead of quantity and choose high end mares and fillies for the farm. That, I think, is really the secret to success. Prior to this I was with Rio Claro Farm for 21 years.  

What did you learn from your experience at Rio Claro:  Well, it was a very successful farm, and when they hired me, it was just starting to grow outside of Brazil. It is very difficult to make changes as a young person coming into an established program with established employees!  But everyone was able to understand our goals and to feel the challenge of expanding and competing in Argentina and the United States,  We were very fortunate to become even more successful than in the past. That was very good and felt really special!  We had the support of the owners, the Machados -- nothing would have happened without them.  And, all of the people I met during my time with Rio Clara are connected with people all over Europe and South America, so I have many connections all over the world because of my experience there.

What is your greatest success from those years? The best moments of my life were with those horses, especially Siphon (Brz).  For me, being from South America, breeding a horse in Brazil, and seeing this horse running so well in the United States -- Wow that was really very special! He won the Hollywood Gold Cup (G1) and the Santa Anita Handicap (G1) was named a favorite in the Dubai World Cup. You must enjoy that a lot because we know it does not happen all the time. It was a real pleasure!
(Ed note:  Siphon (Brz) was a multiple graded stakes winner who won $3,136,428, including two Grade I's, and a second in the Dubai World Cup and Pacific Classic to name a few, who went on to a successful stud career.)

What got you started in the Thoroughbred industry? My family had a small farm close to San Paulo, so we were able to be involved in horses and showing, as well as a little Thoroughbred racing with my father. I have always been involved with horses since I was very young.

Are there any particularly interesting places your job has taken you?  If you are with horses and you love it, then all places and all experiences are very nice. All places have something to offer - I have been to California, Kentucky, Newmarket (England), Normandy, France, Ireland, and the racing in Argentina is unbelievable!  There are so many names and places, but it is very difficult to say one is the favorite, because every place I have gone, I really enjoy. Even when we lose (laughs)!  Being involved with horses and traveling all around the world, I have made a lot of friends, at every level and class, from grooms to farm owners,  and that is something that I will carry on in my life forever.

What is your connection to Hidden Brook?  Sergio (de Sousa) is my cousin and we were very close when we were young. We basically grew up together. I was the oldest of four brothers and Sergio was very much like another brother to me.
 
What do you think sets the Hidden Brook experience apart? I really feel, regardless of being Serge's cousin, if they were not top class, I would not risk sending them mares. What gives us the confidence in Hidden Brook is that they are a team of horsemen. You feel very, very confident when you work with people that speak the same language as you (horse!). They are straight forward and honest.  It is a farm that is conducted by horsemen.  And that is why I feel comfortable doing business with them. We share the same mentality.

How do you stay current on international racing? I think with the internet these days you have easy access to information from the entire world.  I like the TDN in the United States and EBN (European Breeders News) in Europe.  For South America, Turf Diario (Argentina) and ElTurf.com keep you updated and are very good sources.

Favorite sports? I love all sports and especially soccer. Brazil is, of course, my favorite and I think the best player in Brazil right now is Neymar. Next year the World Cup will be held in Brazil, so, we are happy to be hosting and hope to welcome the world to Brazil.  I played soccer for a long time and now to keep fit, I bicycle and run.

Favorite meal or place to eat?  My favorite meal is Japanese food - I prefer sushi and sashimi. Close to home we have a very good, top class restaurant called Nagayma.  

What advice do you have for those who want to get in the game? It is like a marriage - it is all-day work, every day. It is hot and cold, you go and you lose more than you win. No one wins all their races. You win one and cry nine!  But the one you win, you love so much that you forget about the other nine.  And you get pleasure knowing that you have a very good team, from the grooms to the jockey to the trainer. Get the best team you can and be surrounded by the best people. No one does this by himself. It not "I do", it's WE.

 

Thank you Alberto Figueiredo, for giving us a few minutes of your time inside the Winner's Circle.