What Separates Us From The Competition

Stonehaven Steadings, previously a part of Saxony Farm, has been home to five Champions in the span of just three decades. Included among them is Stonehaven Steadings’ sales graduate Shanghai Bobby, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and the coveted Eclipse Award for Two-Year-Old Champion. Shanghai Bobby is representative of the caliber of racehorse and results to which we aspire.

18% Stakes Horese from runners and 6 champions raised on these lands is what sets us apart. We are a family-owned farm driven by a love of the horse and a passion for success. Horse racing is about winning … winning horses, winning races, winning relationships, and winning outcomes. We are constantly in pursuit of the best practices, implemented by the best people, so as to maximize our likelihood of reaching a desired outcome. We are currently looking to selectively expand our base with like-minded investors.

We have found that selecting the right bloodstock is the cornerstone of a successful breeding program. Selecting the right broodmare is a mixture of art and science. When selecting a mare, we study a mare’s pedigree, familial proclivities, conformation and commerciality before making a bloodstock purchase.

We currently have around 25 broodmares whose quality improves year-in and year-out. We are meticulous in the stallions we select to breed to our mares. We are looking for both a genetic and physical compatibility which will enhance our chances of breeding and selling a good racehorse. Because we don’t stand stallions, our stallion selection process is completely unbiased. The size of our broodmare band assures our ability to secure the most aggressive stud fee pricing therefore reducing our basis.

We believe in treating horses like horses. We do not hot house our horses. We leave our horses out as much as possible so as to develop sound bone and a competitive spirit. The foundation for any horse’s diet is forage. Our limestone-rich pastures represent the fundamental building blocks for quality bone development.

As each nursery has an ideal carrying capacity for its horse population, we limit the overall number of horses on the farm. We do, however, have room to accommodate some select mares as year-round boarders whose goals and objectives are in alignment with ours. The best example of this is when the former Saxony Farm boarded mares for Buffalo Bills owner Ralph Wilson. When the late Ralph Wilson, one of the wealthiest men in the country, did his due diligence to find the best place to raise and sell his horses, he landed on our farm. He was handsomely rewarded in the sales ring as well as on the racetrack. Two of his yearlings raised on the farm fetched $7 million at public auction.

When it comes to raising and selling horses, we put our money where our mouth is. If we value a sales horse more than the market, we have no hesitation in taking it home and racing it ourselves. When you buy from Stonehaven Steadings, you can buy with confidence. 18% stakes horses and large number of 2YO MSW winners reinforces that confidence.

Our gray hair is a testament to the thirty-plus years of experience successfully breeding, foaling, raising, prepping, selling and training quality thoroughbred racehorses.

Our team of experienced horsemen does an exceptional job in sales preparation. We have an established protocol for getting our yearlings and/or weanlings ready, fit and looking as good as possible. It is a job that takes a lot of knowledge and a lot of hard work. We have found that the installation of a state-of-the-art walker has been extremely beneficial in allowing our young horses to have controlled exercise. We use it in conjunction with hand walking and daily grooming which teaches our horses good ground manners.

We make every broodmare purchase and mating selection with an eye to the future. Our goal is to breed quality racehorses, whether a buyer at Keeneland ends up owning them or we do. It’s just that simple.