While they garner the majority of the headlines in Kentucky, the state’s famed Thoroughbreds are not the only ones who are set to begin their breeding season. Their Standardbred brethren are also gearing up for their time in the shed and, to that end, Walnut Hall Stock Farm is hosting an open house this Sunday, February 5 to show off its new trotting stallion Northern Kid.
Owned by the Northern Kid Partners group, of which Walnut Hall Stock Farm’s Dr. James Sautter is a part of, the bay son of Muscles Yankee is standing his first season in the state of Kentucky after previously standing in Illinois. From his first crop of horses of racing age, Northern Kid has sired three sub-2:00 performers including the 2011 Illinois stakes-winning filly Maevey Gravy.
Since many of harness racing’s top stallions have departed Kentucky over the last several years, Walnut Hall Stock Farm wanted to bring Northern Kid to the Bluegrass in an attempt to give the Standardbred breeders who have remained a quality in-state option for their mares. Out of the mare Swift Kid Hanover, Northern Kid will command a fee of $850 for 2012, although the farm is offering several incentive programs as well.
On the track, Northern Kid won three of 19 career starts including a leg of the New Jersey Sire Stakes and an elimination of the Peter Haughton Memorial during his juvenile season.
Sunday’s open house will run from noon to 2 p.m. at Walnut Hall Stock Farm’s operation on Newtown Pike with the stallion showing set for 1 p.m. For more information, calls 859-254-5660.
Alicia Wincze Hughes is the turf writer for the Lexington Herald-Leader. She started riding at age 8 and was a four-year member of the Pace University equestrian team.
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