TWO MARES, TWO SALES, ONE NEW YORK PLAN.
An exciting time to become a breeder in New York.
This fall we will buy two mares: one at Keeneland in November and one at Tattersalls in Newmarket in December. Partners commit before the sale, and we pick the mares at the sales.
The plan
Each is bought in foal, has that foal in New York, and is then bred to Bucchero, the 2025 New York Sire of the Year. Both foals will be New York-breds. If the right opportunity comes, we sell. If not, they race in New York, where New York-breds have races of their own. Of the five biggest breeding states, only Kentucky and New York grew in 2026. As the mare's owners when she foals, our partnership is the foal's breeder, and New York's lucrative breeders' awards program pays the breeder when a New York-bred finishes first, second or third.
How we buy
We look for value where other buyers are not looking, and our latest purchase shows how. Last December at Tattersalls we bought Yarrow, a 2012 daughter of Sea The Stars out of Highland Gift, for $6,000. She won at three and ran second in the Listed Pontefract Castle Stakes, and she is a half-sister to Golan, winner of the 2000 Guineas and the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Her son Herbal, by Lope de Vega, was unraced when we bought her. On September 13 he ran second in the Group 3 Prix du Prince d'Orange at ParisLongchamp. Yarrow is now in New York, in foal to Modern Games. She will foal there and then go to Bucchero.
We have done this before
In November 2024 we bought two young mares at Keeneland, including Textile (by Hard Spun), to breed to Bucchero in New York. That December we went to Tattersalls and brought home First of May (by Mayson) and Aloula (by Blue Point).
Bucchero's Girls 2026: the Keeneland mare
Carrying a foal by a stallion we are excited about, she comes straight to New York, where her foal is born a New York-bred, and then she goes to Bucchero. Reserve by Wednesday, November 4.
Bucchero's EURO Girls 2026: the Tattersalls mare
In foal to a European sire we think highly of, she has her foal in New York and is then bred to Bucchero. Reserve by Wednesday, November 25.
What partners pay
- Partners pay the actual purchase price, the same basis we are in at, and every expense after that at actual invoice.
- Ironhorse Racing Stable earns money in exactly two ways, 10 percent of a horse's purse earnings and 10 percent of disposition when a horse is claimed or sold, and there is no markup at purchase.
- Ongoing costs are an estimated $200 to $250 a month per 5%, billed at actual invoice, and we collect three months of expenses in advance. The Bucchero stud fee is paid only after a live foal.
- Partners who join after a mare is bought pay a small post-sale fee.
- As with every Ironhorse Racing Stable partnership, partners commit before the sale.
- Keeneland reservations close Wednesday, November 4. Tattersalls reservations close Wednesday, November 25.
If not NOW… When?
Racehorse ownership is offered for the enjoyment of the sport and involves risk, including loss of capital. Historical results for specific named horses do not predict future performance. Full partnership documents available on request. Questions? info@ihracing.com