Brunetti Sends Top Broodmares To Darby Dan Farm
Multiple Grade 1-winning and leading owner Red Oak Farm is looking forward to rekindling its long history with Darby Dan Farm.
The Ocala, FL-based farm, owned by John J. Brunetti, Sr., will relocate 10 of its best broodmares to the famed stallion station and nursery in Lexington, KY.
Racing and Operations Manager Richard W. Sacco also announced that the racing division –Red Oak Stable– will campaign a “boutique stable” beginning in 2015. The racing stable will significantly reduce the amount of starters it sends to the track and focus on high quality runners with residual value.
“The arrangement to house Red Oak’s highest quality graded stakes-winning mares, stakes winners, and stakes-producing broodmares in Kentucky has been in the overall plan for quite some time,” said Sacco. “Mr. Brunetti’s youngest son Stephen and I have been culling the Red Oak bloodstock as well as upgrading the broodmare division and stallion selection over the past three years. We will continue to drop foals in Florida as well as in New York to participate in the lucrative state-bred programs.”
The Brunetti family opened Hialeah Park Racing & Casino on August 14, 2013. The planning and construction of the new casino, which houses a slot floor, poker room, electronic blackjack, roulette, and craps as well as multiple restaurants and bars, took a tremendous amount of time, energy, and investment.
“Mr. Brunetti, Sr. is now looking forward to spending time with his wife Tracee visiting both of his farms (Red Oak and Good Chance) in Ocala and watching his horses compete across the country,” Sacco added.
There is a tremendous amount of history between the Galbreath family’s Darby Dan Farm and the Brunetti family’s Red Oak Farm. Mr. John Brunetti, Sr. purchased Hialeah Park from Mr. John Galbreath, owner of Darby Dan Farm, in 1977. Today, John Galbreath’s grandson John Phillips owns and manages the distinguished thoroughbred facility. Hialeah Park has been owned by the Brunetti family for the past 37 years.
“We’re thrilled to have Mr. John J. Brunetti’s broodmares join us at Darby Dan Farm,” Phillips stated. “Our two families have a long and productive history together. We’re excited to rekindle our long-standing relationship and carry it on to the next generation.”
Red Oak Farm will continue to break and prepare horses for the race track at its 252-acre full service training center in Ocala. The farm just completed a major capital improvement program and looks forward to utilizing its new facilities. The race track, broodmare barn, and training barns were recently renovated and the farm is in show place condition. In addition to the capital improvement plan, Red Oak participated in the recently concluded OBS and Keeneland Fall Sales with an emphasis on upgrading its bloodstock.
Red Oak Stable has horses in training with Hall-of-Fame conditioners Jerry Hollendorfer and Ron McAnally on the West coast and Al Stall and Gregory Sacco on the East coast. The current crop of Red Oak Stable two-year-olds has yielded six individual MSW winners including the stakes-winning Stand and Salute. The homebred by Saint Anddan – Gotham City Girl by Freud won the Gold Rush Stakes at Golden Gate and will be pointed toward the California Derby on January 17, 2015. The two-year-old colt has now won his last two races in impressive fashion going a distance of ground.
“Red Oak looks forward to the new relationship with John Phillips’ Darby Dan Farm and to being part of their rich history and tradition in Kentucky,” said Richard Sacco. “These two breeding and racing families are deeply committed to the thoroughbred racing industry and the future of the sport.”
“Just think about all the famous horses that were bred and raised at Darby Dan … Roberto, Chateaugay, Proud Clarion, Graustark, His Majesty, Proud Truth, Sunshine Forever, Brian’s Time, Plenty of Grace, Memories of Silver, Soaring Softly, and Winter Memories. It’s truly a who’s who of incredible thoroughbred race horses both on and off the track!”
Source: Hialeah Park