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SUPER SIRE: Desert God repeats as top stallion; NMHBA Zia Awards - By PETE HERRERA for SureBet February 2012 - He’s a senior citizen now, but Desert God is still one heck of a stud. The 21-year-old was honored for the second consecutive time as New Mexico’s Stallion of The Year. Owned by a partnership headed by H. Joe Allen, Desert God’s progeny earned just over $2 million in 2011. Among those offspring were Rose’s Desert, named the top 3-year-old Thoroughbred filly for 2011. Owned by Joe R. Peacock Sr., the homebred filly was undefeated in four races last year and earned $212,700. Her wins included the New Mexico State Racing Commission feature at Sunland Park, and the New Mexico Classic Championship for fillies and mares at Zia Park. Desert God also sired the top 3-year-old Thoroughbred gelding Desert Hennessey. Owned by Cleber Massey, the gelding won five of seven races in 2011, finished second once and earned just over $212,000. The New Mexico Horse Breeders Association, which in 2011 reached its 50th year of existence, presented its annual awards to the state’s top Thoroughbreds, Quarter Horses and their owners and breeders during a well attended banquet in Albuquerque on Jan. 26. Desert God, whose most famous daughter is Peppers Pride, stands at the A&A Ranch in Anthony, N.M. Ranch owner Fred Alexander said Desert God’s ability to produce winners is a testament to his breeding. “He is by Fappiano, which is probably the best sire of the Mr Prospector line. And his female line is tremendous,” Alexander told SureBet after the NMHBA event. Desert God’s dam, Blush With Pride, was also the dam of Better Than Honour, the broodmare that sold for $14 million at Fasig-Tipton in November 2008. Pepper’s Pride retired as an unbeaten racehorse, winning all 19 of her races against fellow New Mexico-breds. Desert God, purchased by Texas horseman Joe Allen from the University of Arizona, was bred in Kentucky. Alexander said there are stallions in Kentucky that are 26 and 27 years old, and so Desert God may still have some years remaining in his career as a sire. “He’s 21 and he does have some fertility issues, so we limit the amount of mares we breed to,” Alexander said. That limit is about 32 mares a year. Alexander said the big horse — he stands 17 hands — remains a gentle horse. “He has a fantastic disposition,” said Alexander. “He’s a puppy dog.” Desert God never raced and arrived in New Mexico about 10 years ago. The NMHBA banquet featured keynote speaker Chris Lincoln, the well-known and respected horseracing analyst who has a long association with horseracing in New Mexico, dating back to his work with the All American Futurity in the early ‘80s. New Mexico Horse Breeders Association president Mike Cadotte noted the enormous role that horse racing and the breeding industry play in the economy of the state. Cadotte noted that the state’s five tracks and racinos contributed nearly $64 million in revenues to the state and horse racing has an annual economic impact of half a billion dollars. The New Mexico Horse Breeders Association was born in 1961 and in 1979. Then-Gov. Bruce King signed the bill that provided for the distribution of funds to owners and breeders of New Mexico-bred racehorses. From an initial distribution of $300,000 in December 1979, the total has grown to more than $13 million distributed to breeders and owners in 2011. Cadotte said New Mexico’s horseracing remains successful in an economic environment that has hurt the sport in numerous other states. The other award winners for 2011 included: The Way Home - TB NMHBA 2011 Freshman Thoroughbred Stallion of the Year - See related story CHUCHULUCO: Best older Thoroughbred gelding. Winner of two of nine starts last year and earnings of $157,700. Owned by the West Texas Racing Partnership. OUR FLYING ANGEL: Top 2-year-old Thoroughbred filly. Unbeaten in three starts in 2011. Earnings of $171,446 for owners Leslie A. and Pierre Amestoy Jr. LA SORPRESA: Best older Thoroughbred mare. Earned $114,600 with two wins in four starts for owner Dr. Miguel Gallegos and his Del Norte Racing stable. OSBALDO: Best 2-year-old Quarter Horse colt. Won his first six races and earned $232,806 from eight starts for owner and breeder Hubaldo Solis. Wins included the New Mexico Breeders Futurity at SunRay Park and the New Mexico Spring Futurity at Sunland. JESS KICKEN: Named best freshman sire for Quarter Horses. Sire of No Breaks Included. Owned by Jesus Carrete and Richard Kloeppel. GENUINE STRAWFLY: Top Quarter Horse stallion with his progeny earning $977,841 in 2011. Owned by J&L Stables LLC. WILLIE CAL ME: Top Quarter Horse broodmare. Owned by Mike Abraham. JENUINE JOY: Best older Quarter Horse mare. Six top-three finishes, including three wins in 2011 and earnings of $202,830. Owned by Fredda Draper. This was Jenuine Joy’s second consecutive win in the older mare category. BULLETS BROTHER: Top older Quarter Horse gelding. Three wins and three seconds from eight starts and earnings of more than $179,000 for owners Martin Orona and Veronica Gonzalez. SNOW REGARD: Best 3-year-old Quarter Horse filly. Earnings of $161,600 with two wins from seven starts last year for owner K H Logax Inc. QUATRO MENUDOS: Leading 3-year-old Quarter Horse gelding. Winner of three of five races, with one second and earnings of $270,644. Owned by William G. McCarty, Paul Wood and SW Paving and Grading. CALL ME A BLAZN CHIC: Best 2-year-old Quarter Horse filly. Seven top-three finishes from eight starts, including three wins. Earned $359,839 for owner J&M Racing and Farm. | ||
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