by Mary Fleming Simon
excerpts from THE THOROUGHBRED TIMES, MAY 16, 1998
In the pages that follow, THOROUGHBRED TIMES presents its list of the leading stud farms in North America and the world.
To determine the rankings, THOROUGHBRED TIMES has analyzed statistics of the 1997 racing season provided by the Jockey Club Information Systems. (In two previous seasons, 1994 and 1995, a different criteria‹aggregate stud fees by farm was utilized to determine the leading stud farms.) While the TIME's final results may be open to debate, there is no arguing one point-success in this business is defined by the racetrack.
Excluding as many uncontrolled variables as possible (such as stud fees), the THOROUGHBRED TIMES's top 20 stud farms listing is based on collective racetrack performances of the progeny of each farm's stallions. Four statistical categories were used as criteria: Total earnings, average earnings per starter, percentage of stakes winners from starters, and percentage of graded stakes winners from starters. Each was given equal weight to determine the rankings.
Because much of the data used represents averages and percentages, farms that stand many stallions would seem to be at a statistical disadvantage - lesser sires would tend to bring a farm's overall numbers down to the average. Conversely, facilities with small, elite rosters would have a better chance to statistically soar. Or so it would seem. The top 20 produced a surprisingly broad spectrum of farm sizes - from Brookside's three-stallion roster to more than 30 for Vinery.
Furthermore, 1997 leaders reflected a reasonable geographic cross-section of the industry as a whole. Kentucky, long perceived as the heart of the Thoroughbred world, was home to 13 of the top 20 stud farms; Florida boasted three; Maryland two; and California and Canada, one each.
For a farm to qualify for consideration, the collective stallions at each farm must have had a combined minimum of 200 starters in 1997. Included in the calculations were stallions standing at the farm for the 1998 breeding season, plus deceased and pensioned stallions who last stood at the applicable farm.
THREE CHIMNEYS FARM
When Robert Clay purchased 100 undeveloped acres along Old Frankfort Pike near Midway, Kentucky, in 1972, he did not envision it becoming a premier stallion operation. In fact, as Three Chimneys Farm grew in size and scope over the years, Clay resisted the introduction of stallions - until just the right one came along.
The "right one " was two time Eclipse Award winner Slew o' Gold, whose conformation, pedigree, and race record proved irresistible to the Kentucky horseman. In 1985, that $3.5 million earner became the farm's first stallion; when Slewo'Gold's legendary sire, Seattle Slew, and champions Nodouble and Chief's Crown followed soon thereafter, the future of Three Chimneys as an important stallion facility was sealed.
Emphasis at Three Chimneys has been on quality rather than quantity. (The farm has adhered to its promotional slogan: "The Idea is Excellence.") Ten stallions currently stand at the Midway operation, which now encompasses 1,400 acres and six divisions. The farm suffered the loss of Chief's Crown in 1997 but gained world-record miler Atticus for'98. At age 24,1977 Triple Crown winner Seattle Slew still reigns as one of North America's marquee stallions. The two-time leading broodmare sire and sire of 82 stakes winners remains highly sought after - At an advertised fee of $100,000.
In 1997 Three Chimneys stallions included two of the top ten by progeny earnings - Wild Again (second) and Chief's Crown (eighth). Stud fees of the farm's stallions range from $7,500 to $100,000.
Always innovative and breaking new ground under Clay's guidance, Three Chimneys in 1996 became the first U.S. Thoroughbred farm to sponsor a major North American race - Keeneland's Grade 1 Spinster Stakes - and in recent years racing journalists have been invited to gain hands-on horse experience at "Camp Three Chimneys."
