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Special Times | Pedigree & Dosage | Race Record |Progeny | On-line Stallion Contract

Special Times
(dk. b/br. h. 1998, Seeking The Gold-Likeable Style by Nijinsky II)

Special TimesSpecial Times was Bob Baffert’s #1 Kentucky Derby horse. He stated this publicly when placing him above Point Given and Congaree, the trainer’s other top Derby candidates of 2001. Baffert came to this after Special Times crushed his opponents with an electrifying turn of foot first time out, and then returned to Santa Anita nine days later, as odds-on favorite in the prestigious Sham Stakes, to be a troubled, fast closing third, distancing all soon after the wire. Baffert’s esteem for Special Times was shared by others, for owner/breeder John Mabee (Golden Eagle Farm) flatly refused a $5 million offer for his colt following those efforts. The noted racing journalist, Steve Haskin, considered Special Times to be the budding star of the West Coast’s 3 year-olds. After witnessing the colt’s first start, Haskin wrote: “Special Times turned in a spectacular run from last to first to win going away by two lengths over a very classy field.”

Why did Special Times evoke such high praise and lofty expectations? It was apparent he was graced with it all: unmistakable racing talent; glorious pedigree; stunning looks; and great mind. As this could be said of very few potential or accomplished stars it is rather curious that another so endowed, the ill-fated superstar Dubai Millennium, shares much else in common with Special Times. Early on, Dubai Millennium’s connections also sensed greatness in their colt. He too was sired by Seeking The Gold, and like Special Times was a tall, imposing, very athletic dark bay, of classic aptitude, out of an impeccably bred elite race mare sired by a son of Northern Dancer.

Pedigree:

Seeking The Gold (Mr. Prospector-Con Game by Buckpasser), Special Times’ sire, was the World’s #1 sire in 2000, and is widely regarded as Mr. Prospector’s best son at stud. A multiple Grade-I Stakes Winner of $2,307,000, Seeking The Gold has, till present, sired 83 Stakes Winners (13%), 18 Grade-I Stakes Winners, 47 Graded Stakes Winners, 136 stakes horses, 4 Champions, and the earners of over $82 million. A “sire of sires”, six of his sons have, to date, sired Grade-I Stakes Winners, and he is the World’s leading active broodmare sire.

Likeable Style (Nijinsky II-Personable Lady by No Robbery), Special Times’ dam, was a Grade-I Winning miler, and multiple Graded Stakes Winner of 5 of her first 6 starts and $322,326. Richard Mandella said of her, “…she was the best filly I ever trained.” This multiple Stakes-Producer has also produced the dam of leading 2 and 3 yr. old and multiple Grade-I winning millionaire, Scat Daddy.

Personable Lady (No Robbery-Porthole by Gallant Man), Special Times’ 2nd dam, was a multiple Listed Stakes winning and multiple Grade-I Stakes placed earner of $227,971. This Greentree bred and raced Grade-I Stakes-Producer descends from the Bwamazon foundation mare and noted speed influence, Nato II.

Conformation and suggestions:

A classic-type horse in appearance, Special Times is visually very much the product of his sire and dam. That said, he is the near image of his paternal dam sire, Buckpasser. Special Times is a tall, elegant, extremely attractive dark bay (dominant), well boned, and very correct. He has consistently imparted these qualities to his offspring, along with his athleticism, “mind”, and truly wonderful temperament. Their promise would be best served by a patient approach, offering sufficient time for maturity and development. While this practice should likely benefit all horses (and owners), it is especially wise and proper for the Special Times youngsters. As juveniles, they will be capable of demonstrating high speed, many will bullet work if allowed. That manner of training, and /or early racing will, however, jeopardize their later quality. Those who desire most the quick return, or mere winning with little aspiration for the “home run”, should look elsewhere when selecting a mate for their mare(s). Conversely, breeders with similar beliefs to my own may find Special Times to be a worthy mate for their mare(s).

   2008 Stud Fee - $2,500 LFG
$2,000 LFG
if you agree to foal in PA and register the resulting foal as a PA Bred.

All inquires to Dr. Robert Fishman (610) 649-3409

If you'd like more information on Special Times or if you would like to set up an appointment to see him, please e-mail us at webmaster@godstonefarm.com.  We'll be more then happy to set up a time to show you and talk to you about our stallions.

Special Times | Pedigree & Dosage | Race Record | Progeny | On-line Stallion Contract
 

 
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