(Edited press release)
Becky Thomas is pleased to announce that Laoban, the talented winner of the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes at Saratoga, will stand at Sequel Stallions in Hudson for the 2017 season. Laoban will be syndicated by a joint venture between Southern Equine Stables, Sequel Thoroughbreds, McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds as well as Woodford Thoroughbreds.
The dark bay colt is by Uncle Mo, the leading sire of 3-year-olds in 2016, who per John Sparkman of the Daily Racing Form is “the hottest young sire on the planet.” Laoban retires with $526,250 in earnings and earned a Beyer Speed Figure of 101 in the Jim Dandy. Second in the Grade 3 Gotham at Aqueduct and third in the Grade 3 Sham at Santa Anita for conditioner Eric Guillot of Southern Equine Stables, Laoban was working towards the Grade 1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream when he injured his ankle in a workout.
Out of stakes-placed Speightstown mare, Chattertown, Laoban is from the legendary John Franks family of Chatter Chatter, which boasts current multiple Grade 1 winning filly I’m a Chatterbox with earnings of $2,269,614. He will stand his first season for $7,500 S&N with limited breeding rights available.
“We are so excited to be able to offer our clients this very exciting prospect. He looks just like Uncle Mo. He’s gorgeous,” said Becky Thomas. “We are particularly excited to partner with such a great group of horsemen and breeders. The mares that will be presented to him will be second-to-none as we intend for him to follow in the footsteps of current leading freshman sire Mission Impazible.
Continued Thomas, “We will be offering a number of limited breeding rights to our breeders in New York, as well as out of state clients. The expansion of the New York breeding program has allowed many more opportunities as New York-breds have increased substantially in value on the racing front as well as in the sales ring. Laoban offers a unique breed-back option for our Kentucky clients as well as a perfect reason for our New York breeders to stay home.”
Matt Lyons, Vice President and General Manager of Woodford Thoroughbreds said, “Outstanding physical, son of a freaky sire, speed to burn and a great ownership group. A no-brainer!”
At Sequel Stallions New York, Laoban will join New York’s leading sire Freud, New York’s leading freshman sire Mission Impazible and New York’s leading sales sire of in-foal mares Alpha. Also standing at the 223-acre farm are popular young sires Emcee, Forty Tales and Stephanoatsee.
For more information, visit www.sequelnewyork.com or contact Molly Lightner (molly@sequelbloodstock.net, 352-620-9006).
