Fireball Birdie continues to train forwardly coming out of his recent win. There does not appear to be an option for him in the remainder of the Remington Park condition book as the meet there winds down (closing day is Dec. 13).
Unless an extra pops up on the overnight there, we will look for a race elsewhere for his next appearance.
Seize The Grey, and three other new additions to Gainesway Farm for 2025, gets a video introduction via YouTube. As previously mentioned, "Ceasar" has been very well received with around 100 mares already booked for 2025. Gainesway is expecting his book could be close to double that by the end of the booking season.
We received a report from Eclipse today:
Good Cop continues to do well at Fair Hill with Bruce Jackson while logging the miles galloping.
Our juvenile son of leading Freshman sire Tiz the Law will be ready for a breeze in the coming week. This is a nice milestone to reach on his return from time off.
We will keep the partners up to date on Good Cop's progress and we are excited to report him getting back on the worktab.
This is a very informative Talkin' Track interview with Caitlin Dunne of MRH.
She was very involved with Seize The Grey since the time he was purchased at the F/T sale in Saratoga as a yearling, and she's also the daughter of Ciaran Dunne of Wavertree in Ocala, who has done the early training of STG, as well as many of our past and current yearling/2YO horses.
This video was done shortly after the 2024 Breeders Cup and "Ceasar's" retirement. She talks about many of the horses but has a special portion where she describes Seize The Grey and his journey, commenting (as we have) of the unremarkable rose grey yearling who developed into a stunning grey Classic champion!
Talkin Track Interviews Caitlin Dunne
Blue Devil breezed a solo half-mile at Oaklawn Park this morning and was credited with a final time of :52.40.
Being his first work since his comeback effort, trainer Steve Asmussen wasn’t looking for anything more than this, given he will have time for at least two additional breezes ahead of our current target on December 15th.
Fireball Birdie Rolls at Remington
Fireball Birdie sat a perfect trip and proved best in the 8th race at Remington Park this evening.
Our Uncle Mo colt broke well and sat just behind #1 Time Muse, the early pacesetter in the race. He always traveled well down the backstretch under a hold from Stewart Elliot. He made his move in the turn and pulled away late to a convincing victory.
The team will enjoy this victory and see how "Firebird" comes out of this race before making any calls as to what’s next for him.
Lane Way has settled in well at Old Friends but will be in quarantine for two weeks at the farm. Once he clears quarantine he can be turned out in a paddock.
Gainesway Farm has unveiled Seize The Grey's stallion page on their site. Here's the link:
Our two yearlings in training advanced this last week from working in the round pen to working over grass in an open field at Wavertree in Ocala.
This is another new experience for the colts, where they work both directions and begin to learn picking up the right lead and balance with a rider on their backs. After this session, they perform figure 8s at a trot -- both directions - in columns of 2, each given a chance to be in the lead and to be a follower. They then formed a line and each backed up a few steps. Both horses did well for big this new step.
MALIBU BONNIE '23 (by Munnings) was initially a little tense and picked up the wrong lead, but soon switched leads and began to relax and drop his head as the session went on.
STYLISHLY '23 (by Not This Time) was more relaxed and on the correct lead from the get-go and Ciaran Dunn noted how he was going about his training "very professionally" and has "transitioned nicely."
If all goes well, the colts will graduate to the training track around the beginning of December, where they will begin developing toward performing speed drills later next spring.
Around Christmas, they'll be given a break, and then restarted sometime in January. This is where Seize The Grey began to make big moves forward in his early training, so we're obviously a little excited to see how these two come back from their "Christmas Vacation."
Our filly, Isle Blue, has shipped down to Two Springs Farm in Ocala, FL to take the next step in her training. This is the final step before she heads to Payson Park to join the Christophe Clement barn to get ready for her unveiling.
Isle Blue is a striking chestnut daughter of Speightstown out of Blue Curl, an unraced daughter of Curlin.
Blue Devil exited last week's race in good order and has since shipped to Oaklawn Park. He can be seen jogging in Hot Springs in the accompanying clip. As previously mentioned, we'll look to stretch him back out to his preferred trip next time and would expect that to make a major difference for him.
Our son of Uncle Mo earned an 82 Beyer Speed Figure for his comeback race--that's a pretty strong number considering where he finished and illustrates just how tough of a spot that was. The winner ran a 98.
Fireball Birdie has been entered at Remington Park for Tuesday, Nov. 19. He'll be the #2 among a field of eight in the day's eighth race. Post time is 5:46 p.m. CT. This will be another one-mile allowance like the last two he's run in. We'll be back with a closer look at the competition in the coming days.
Here’s the Kicker continues to do well out of her race. We touched base with trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. who said that he plans to work her some time this week. If he is happy with the way she breezes, she will be pointed for a first-level allowance race going one mile on dirt back at Gulfstream on Friday, Nov. 22.
After a brief pit stop at trainer Kenny McPeek's Magdalena Farm, Fancy Quality is reportedly moving much better and has already shipped to Fair Grounds. She will aim for a turf sprint maiden special weight there slated for December 7th.
The MRH team was out at Gainesway Farm this morning to check on Seize the Grey. Our dual Grade 1 winner has had a seamless transition to farm life. Gainesway reports that he has had substantial interest by breeders. Stallion Director Ryan Norton reports that there have been approximately 100 mares booked for a date with Seize the Grey already. It is likely he will cover approximately 175 mares for his first year at stud.
Secret Crush has had his next follow-up scan, and while Dr. Sutter did note some scar tissue, he gave the green light to continue on and introduce some galloping into Secret Crush’s training regimen.
Secret Crush has started to gallop, and will do that every other day for about 10 days. As long as all goes smoothly, the frequency and intensity of his gallops will increase. So far, the team at Silver Springs says he’s doing great.
As previously mentioned, he will be gelded soon as part of our efforts to give him the best possible chance to make it back as a racehorse.
Jaime Torres went to see Seize The Grey at Gainesway Farm where he will stand in 2025. They have a very special bond, and this is what he wrote about the experience of being "Ceasar's" jockey:
"To the horse that taught me more than words can, the horse that showed me what a true connection feels like, that brought my career to new heights, that brought me to new places. To the horse that allowed my family and myself to experience so much joy. The horse that brought myself and so many others on a ride of a lifetime. The horse that showed me what perseverance and the biggest heart feels like. Seize the Grey will always have the biggest place in my heart. I will always get goosebumps when I hear the announcer say “Seize the grey, Seize the day” I will be forever thankful for this horse and the team behind him for everything they have given me. HAPPY RETIREMENT BUDDY 🥹 ❤ "
Thank you, Jaime. Your words mean more than you can know. And we truly believe that you, being "Ceasar's" jockey made a huge difference in his career, too. Bonds like yours are rare indeed.
I wish I could share the special photos and video from his visit, but this site no longer allows me to upload image content. :( Trust me when I say, they are some of the most meaningful photos of these two and their journey over the last 16 months that we have in our extensive photo album.
Simply Enchanting returned to the work tab early this morning, covering three furlongs in :37 flat. Trainer Phil D’Amato opted to freshen her up since her most recent race and has been pleased with her energy of late. Tony Gutierrez was aboard for today’s work and reported that she felt great.
Your daughter of Nyquist should remain on a Sunday work schedule next week with the possibility of targeting a first-level allowance race on November 24th.
Guinevere from The Royal Duet bundle has sold at Keeneland for $90,000.
We now say goodbye to our lovely Justify filly. Straight to Glory, the Cotai Glory sired colt (now a gelding) in the bundle has been retired.
And thus ends our The Royal Duet bundle.
Guinevere has 5 starts with two wins and a second. Ironically, her two wins came on dirt and her 3rd on synthetic. The two times she was run on turf (she was believed to be a turf horse), she finished last.
Best wishes on your future endeavors - whether it be breeding shed or track - Guinevere.
Blue Devil scratched from his expected return to racing today, after being entered as a MTO (Main Track Only) with hopes the race would be pulled off the turf and moved to his prefered surface -- dirt.
He is entered in another race at Churchill in two days, but is currently 4th A/E (also eligible) and isn''t expected to make it into the gate.
We'll continue to monitor the situation and report back if it changes.
This morning, Seize the Grey departed D. Wayne Lukas’ barn at Churchill Downs and made the short journey to his new home at Gainesway Farm in Lexington, KY.
He handled the trip well and has settled in nicely, grabbing a bite of hay as soon as he got into his new stall.
We'll look forward to further updates on our boy, "Ceasar," as he begins his stallion career in Spring 2025.
We're a little melancholy because this guy took us on the ride of a lifetime, but we're in agreement that it's time to move on to the next phase of his career. The partnership is retaining a small percentage of "Ceasar" and we look forward with great anticipation to the next generation.
This morning the MRH team reached out to Miacomet Farm to check up on Isle Blue.
Our daughter of Speightstown is coming to the end of her jogging period at Miacomet. She will ship very soon down to Two Springs Farm in Ocala, FL where she will begin galloping.
Once the team there feels she is ready to return to the racetrack, she will then join the Clement barn at Payson Park to prepare for a debut.
We're looking forward to her starting her career in 2025.
Seize The Grey's stud fee has been announced. We're pretty happy with the decision since it seems comparable to other young sires who have multiple G1 wins and outstanding bloodlines.
First year fee: $30,000 (live foal, stands and nurses).
Thoroughbred Daily News: Gainesway Releases Additional Stud Fees
Seismic Beauty returned to jogging at Los Alamitos a few days ago as planned. Assistant trainer Mike Marlow reported your filly is doing well and will gradually pick up the pace over the coming weeks.
As anticipated, the official retirement of Seize The Grey came this morning. Below, we'll post portions of the announcement from MRH.
We can't begin to express what involvement with this remarkable athlete brought us, but most of all we were gifted with a lifelong dream come true and a chance to be involved in the pinnacles of the sport that we never dreamed we'd see, except as a spectator.
The good news is that the partnership has retained 10% ownership of "Ceasar" as he begins the next phase of his life as a stallion standing beside the legendary Tapit at beautiful Gainesway Farm in Kentucky. We expect he'll be available for inspection by breeders in the the coming weeks and during the upcoming Keeneland sale.
Thank you, "Ceasar" for being the amazing horse you are. You've truly been a blessing in our lives and will continue to be. We wish you every success as one of the best sons of Arrogate and may your progeny follow in your footsteps for years to come. You truly are our "horse of a lifetime."
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OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT (edited for length and context)
As many of you likely expected to be the case, Seize the Grey has officially been retired from racing and is ready to begin his second career at Gainesway Farm. He will ship to the farm on Thursday, November 7th.
He accomplished plenty to get breeders excited. It looks like fellow top sophomores Sierra Leone and Fierceness will be staying in training for 2025, so Seize the Grey will get a head start on them in the breeding shed and garner some extra attention this coming season as one of the two big 2024 3-year-olds retiring to stud along with Dornoch.
While the racing chapter of Seize the Grey’s story is coming to an end, we’re excited for what lies ahead and hope you all are too. The series has retained an interest in the colt’s breeding rights, and we plan to support him at stud in other ways as well.
Congrats again for all your colt has accomplished this year on the racetrack.
Seize the Grey will get settled in at Gainesway and be inspected by potential breeders over the next couple of weeks during the November sale. Then he’ll rest up for the 2025 breeding season, which commences around February 15, 2025. We’ll have more news in the interim.
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Personal Post from David
We were not on the winning side of Breeders Cup Dirt Mile yesterday with Seize The Grey 
, but were blessed with his successful year of winning the G2 Pat Day Mile, G1 Triple Crown Race Preakness and G1 Pennsylvania Derby. This morning blessed with full rainbow over the ranch
. Thank you God, Caesar, D Wayne Lukas, Jaime Torres and MyRacehorse and fellow owners for the journey!
.
Personal Post from Laurie
The time has come. What an amazing, incredible, once-in-a-lifetime journey these last 16 months have been. If you'd asked me 10 years ago if we'd ever have a Preakness winner and 2x Grade 1 champion, I would have said, "Never in a million years." Time flies...and so did our "Ceasar." Happy Retirement!! Looking forward to the next phase of your story. 
Simply Enchanting's (by Nyquist) older half-sister, Envoutante, sold for for $1.8 million in foal to Into Mischief at the Fasig Tipton Sale on November 4th!
In addition, her weanling foal by Gun Runner went for $425,000 to Three Chimneys.
Good omen if "Ella" can turn in more great performances.
Last night at Remington Park, "Firebird" (Fireball Birdie) finished fourth in a field of five, beaten a total of 12 lengths. Sadly, our son of Uncle Mo did not put forward his best effort.
He settled in behind the leaders, and saved ground through the first turn, but when jockey Stewart Elliot called on him for more, he flattened out.
The team will consult with top trainer Steve Asmussen in the coming days to get an update on how he exited the race. Hopefully, we can just chalk this up as a bounce after his 2nd place finish last out that earned him a 100 Equibase speed figure. He scored a 57 with this below par effort.
