Fasig-Tipton July

Saratoga Selected Yearlings

Hidden Brook's Fasig-Tipton February lineup looks more like a top class November breeding stock consignment, with two yearlings by popular sires Bernardini and Cape Blanco, three broodmares by desirable broodmare sires El Prado, Holy Bull, and Riverman, seven racing or broodmare prospects, and 18 broodmare prospects.  

The 25 breeding prospects boast combined total earnings of nearly $2.5 million for average earnings of nearly $100,000 per prospect, and are sired by select sires such as Awesome Again, Bernardini, Elusive Quality, Giant's Causeway, Harlan's Holiday, Henny Hughes, Lion Heart, Medaglia D'Oro, More Than Ready, Sky Mesa, Speightstown, Stormy Atlantic, and Tiznow.

Hidden Brook's Fasig-Tipton February roster includes half-sisters to two 2013 Eclipse finalists: Grade I stakes winner Havana, and Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1) Champion Ria Antonia, as well as Grade I stakes winners Spoken Fur  and Willy Beamin.  

Graded stakes winning siblings Broken Sword-G2, Sweet Whiskey-G3, Caminadadora-G3, and Unbridled's Note-G3 (also multiple a G1 stakes performer), as well as graded stakes performers Ashtabula-G2 (also the dam of G2 stakes winner Even The Score), Rock Again-G3, and Yate's Black Cat-G3, enhance the pedigrees of other Hidden Brook offerings. 

For a complete list of offerings,
click here.

Led by two graded stakes performances, Hidden Brook graduates made a strong showing early in 2014.  Co Cola, a yearling sale graduate making only her third lifetime start, put in a determined run for victory in the Grade III Old Hat Stakes at Gulfstream Park, getting nicked in the stretch by her stablemate, but impressing trainer Todd Pletcher, who said she "ran super".  

The frost may be thick on the fence boards and snow still dusts the paddocks at Hidden Brook, but make no mistake, January marks the beginning of Thoroughbred foaling season.  Our team takes special pride in the mares we care for and the foals born and raised here.  In 2013, our program produced 21 stakes winners, 40 stakes horses, and 8 graded stakes winners.  A few of the standouts foaled and/or raised on the farm include 2013 Grade I winner and sales topping race filly Starship Truffles,

STARSHIP TRUFFLES-G1

Eclipse finalist Discreet Cat-G1, Kentucky Derby contender Discreetly Mine-G1, Millionaire Classic contender Musket Man-G2,  Kentucky Oaks contender and Graded stakes winner Amen Hallelujah, Eclipse finalist and multiple graded performer Awesome Maria, Kentucky Oaks (G1) runner-up Broadway's Alibi, and  Italian Classic winner Malossol-G3.  Many other first class racehorses were bred or raised at Hidden Brook including Graded stakes winners Awesomemundo, Customer Base, Dixie Chatter, Lady of the Desert, R Gypsy Gold, So Long George, Tajaaweed, Travelin Man, Wow Me Free, Yawanna Twist and Verdana Bold.

Starting with an experienced and dedicated staff, every aspect of a mare's and foal's management is top class at Hidden Brook.  Headed by managing partner Sergio De Sousa and assistant manager Alan Fahey, the foaling program offers our charges comfort, safety, and the highest quality veterinary services, provided by Dr. Karen Wolfsdorf of leading equine clinic Hagyard, Davidson, and McGee. As Sergio says, " This is where it all begins - it's a long way from the foaling barn to the starting gate!"

Foaling season is a special time in the Bluegrass and if you've ever witnessed the spindly-legged, newborn foal struggling up on its feet to nurse minutes after birth, you know the awe that it inspires. Most mares respond very well to their babies and any human involvement. These trusting, beautiful creatures allow us to handle and nurture their offspring, monitoring their progress throughout labor and during the birth. Very few require assistance, but the Hidden Brook team is there if the need arises.

Some mares can present signs of labor several days in advance with telltale "waxing" , or even dripping of colostrum (the antibody-rich first milk) from their filling udders, while others keep their secret much more quietly, circling in their stalls and becoming restless just hours before giving birth. The night watchman must have a trained eye and a well-developed intuition as to which ladies are ready to go on any given evening.  Most equine births take place between the hours of 11:00 pm and 6:00 am. The night patrol must be careful to keep a close eye on the mares without disturbing them and possibly delaying labor.

Once a mare presents impending labor signs such as pawing, circling, sweating, getting up and down frequently, or water breaking, things move into a higher gear. Her tail is wrapped to keep it out of the way and free from fluids, a "foaling kit" is at the ready with the basic tools that may be needed, such as a bucket of warm water, clean, dry towels, and iodine for application to the foal's navel.

Once the mare's water breaks, the typical foaling progresses quickly (within 30 minutes), with the tiny front feet protruding first, its hooves not yet hardened so that the birth is easier, but sharp enough to break through the placenta. Just behind the front feet, the foal's front legs and nose follows, with his body curved inside the mare in an arc shape. As the contractions intensify, the mare pushes the foal out, usually resting briefly after his shoulders and hips slip through. As labor continues, the rest of his body follows rather quickly until he is a glistening, new creature laying in the deeply bedded straw.  Mama quickly reaches around while she is recovering to lick him dry and nicker to him as she cuddles him close.

In a few cases, nature needs some assistance and the attendant may be needed to make sure the foal is presenting correctly, help guide the foal's legs out or position them differently before she pushes. Hidden Brook's experienced staff knows the warning signs and is always ready to handle any abnormalities or emergencies.  

After a normal birth, the mare and baby are watched carefully to make sure all is well. Within 30 minutes the foal is usually standing and nursing, usually after several unsuccessful initial attempts. But, he is typically not discouraged and will soon be tottering around the stall with mom. Her placenta should be expelled within two to eight hours at most, and it is also checked for any abnormalities. The health and well-being of both are paramount to the Hidden Brook team.

A normal, healthy foal can be turned outside to romp and play with mom the following day, and is usually running quite capably within 24 hours of birth! It is an amazing trait that the horse exhibits than never ceases to impress us, stemming from the innate equine flight response that kept the herd safe in the wild. Within a week, mares with babies of similar ages can be turned out together to develop strong, muscles, bones and joints, and to learn to socialize with others.

Next month we will showcase some photos of our early 2014 foals. Till then, don't forget to check us out on Facebook for foal photos and videos. We look forward to many healthy, happy mares and babies arriving over the next several months.