Littleexpectations has one going to the BC Juvenile!!

jellac · Postby **jellac** » Sun Sep 24, 2006 9:03 pm

When everything goes just right for a new stallion - (from the Texas Thoroughbred Association's website) -

King of the Roxy, son of Texas sire Littleexpectations, wins Grade 2 Futurity Stakes, headed to BC

9/23/2006

King of the Roxy, a 2-year-old colt by Texas stallion Littleexpectations, punched his ticket for racing’s championship day with a three-quarter length victory in the $250,000 Futurity Stakes (G2) on September 23 at Belmont Park. Trainer Todd Pletcher indicated that the Ohio-bred would be pointed to the $2 million Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) on November 4 at Churchill Downs.

Owned by Team Valor Stables, King of the Roxy has compiled a record of 4-2-1-0 with earnings of $226,400. The colt broke his maiden at Hollywood Park, after which he was purchased privately by Team Valor, and then finished second in the Grade 2 Saratoga Special Breeders’ Cup.

Littleexpectations, a full brother to top Texas sire Valid Expectations, began his stallion career in Kentucky before moving to Drs. Ken and Linda Quirk’s Q6 Ranch near Salado, where he stood the 2006 season for $3,500. With King of the Roxy’s latest victory, Littleexpectations moved into the top 5 on the national list of leading freshman sires. Littleexpectations earned more than $200,000 on the racetrack, including an undefeated juvenile campaign in which he won two stakes.

PS - It couldn't happen to a more deserving couple than Drs Ken and Linda Quirk. They've been in this business for so many years and weathered many a twist and turn in the economic fortunes of Texas breeders it's great to see them have a year like this with their stallion roster: first Holzmeister's success and now Littleexpectations.

henthorn · Postby **henthorn** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 8:46 am

Ditto congratulations to the Quirks. I've worked with them for four years now as boarders, breeders, and consignors. I liked Littleexpectations when I saw him at stud in KY a couple years ago. He should do well in TX.
My silly girl Dreams for Hire was born at their farm by the stallion Western Trader, who was standing stud at that time. He's now gone elsewhere, not commercially viable. Holzmeister looks great on paper as a breed-to-race stallion for Reigning Glory. Lots of Ambiorix and unusual ancestors.

madelyn · Postby **madelyn** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 9:04 am

Interesting and timely.. I have a client who is friendly with the owner of Marrakesh, the dam of King of the Roxy.. and she has Marrakesh back in foal, apparently, this year to Bright Launch after getting her '05 by Bright Launch. He said she hopes now that she can take Marrakesh to Storm Cat next year. *gulp Heck of a jump from $3500 to $500,000, isn't it?

Heidilady · Postby **Heidilady** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:05 pm

madelyn wrote:Interesting and timely.. I have a client who is friendly with the owner of Marrakesh, the dam of King of the Roxy.. and she has Marrakesh back in foal, apparently, this year to Bright Launch after getting her '05 by Bright Launch. He said she hopes now that she can take Marrakesh to Storm Cat next year. *gulp Heck of a jump from $3500 to $500,000, isn't it?

Not sure if that's a brilliant idea exactly but hey if the mare's putting out a "top" (or a buzzworthy) BC prospect from a really cheap stallion she could stand a bit of an upgrade just to see...there are cheaper upgrades though. $500K is pretty huge. Do we reckon they're seeing dollar signs on those really expensive Storm Cat yearlings?

fletch621 · Postby **fletch621** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 12:51 pm

http://breeding.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=35469

Looks like he's moving back to Kentucky for next year.

Jason

henthorn · Postby **henthorn** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 3:22 pm

That's good news for people looking for In Reality line stallions in KY.

Bedouwia · Postby **Bedouwia** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 3:46 pm

Ken and Linda Quirk are top notch, and have provided excellent service and results for Texas horse breeders for years. They have earned and deserve the success that they have had with both Holtzmeister and Little Expectations. I find it sad in a way that the world is such a place that when they prove they have the product, ie a nationally ranked stallion, that it is moved to Kentucky. Such is the horse business. We will just have to bounce back again, and provide another class horse for a fraction of the price charged elsewhere.

Bedouwia

henthorn · Postby **henthorn** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 4:28 pm

The Quirks have had longterm relationships with the John Franks farm in LA and Ro Parra's Millennium Farm in KY. Their partnership with Parra has dissolved, but they still work together when appropriate, standing Millennium Farms stallions in TX. The relationship with Franks Farm I'm sure has changed also since Mr. Franks died.

Pan Zareta · Postby **Pan Zareta** » Mon Sep 25, 2006 5:59 pm

fletch621 wrote:http://breeding.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=35469

Looks like he's moving back to Kentucky for next year.

Jason

That would explain why he disappeared from the TTA stallion season auction. Or maybe I just imagined that he was there in the first place.... :wink:

jellac · Postby **jellac** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 11:28 am

Nope Pan Zareta - you have the 'quick' eye and sharp memory. He was there....and THEN HE WAS GONE!

Bedouwia · Postby **Bedouwia** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 2:38 pm

henthorn wrote:That's good news for people looking for In Reality line stallions in KY.

Yea, good for them, like they have a shortage of good stallions in Kentucky. At least Texas will still have a great In Reality line stallion in Sand Ridge, standing near Q6 at Key Ranch. Hopefully, he won't get snatched away when his foals hit the track and do well.

Bedouwia