NEWS: BREEDING

Team Falcone & Halay announce 2019 renewal of Superestrella stallion incentive program

Tuesday, December 18th, 2018

Photo by Barbara Livingston

By Sarah Mace

The father-and-son Falcone breeding/racing team, along with Frank Halay of Homestretch Stables, have announced a 2019 renewal of their stallion incentive program for New York-based sire Superestrella. Initiated by the connections last year, this innovative incentive program has a slightly new look for the upcoming breeding season.

In 2018 Rob and Robert Falcone and Frank Halay’s program offered New York breeders the option of having have their Superestrella foals bought back by the Falcones to train and race, while leaving breeders eligible to receive all breeder’s awards earned by the horse from the New York State Thoroughbred Breeding and Development Fund (the Fund).

In 2019 the Superestrella incentive program offers breeders the following options:

  • Sign a breeding contract by January 1 and be charged no stud fee. The breeder will receive a $3,000 credit voucher toward the foal’s daily racing expenses with trainer Robert Falcone, Jr.
  • Sign a breeding contract by February 1 and receive a $2,000 credit voucher.
  • Sign a breeding contract after February 1 and receive a $1,000 credit voucher.

The credit vouchers outlined above are transferable to the buyer of the foal if the breeder decides to sell. Breeders will recall that Robert Falcone, Jr. trained superstar Mind Your Biscuits in 2015-2016 for 13 starts culminating in a victory in the Grade 1 Malibu Stakes at Santa Anita.

For breeders who do not choose to participate in the program, Superestrella’s 2019 stud fee will be $2,500. Superestrella stands at Irish Hill Century Farm in Stillwater

Superestrella was bred in Kentucky by the Vallee Des Reves Syndicate. A unique Storm Cat-Kingmambo cross, he is out of Kingmambo’s unraced Kentucky-bred Valee Des Reves, who is a half-sister to European Group winners and European Handicap highweights Vetheuil and Vervine. His second dam is a half-sister to French Group I winner Vin de France and English Group 2 winner and sire Vacarme.

Valee Des Reves has enjoyed significant success as a broodmare, producing seven winners from 10 foals to start, led by a pair of group winners. Her second foal Maids Causeway (Giant’s Causeway) won the Group 1 Coronation Stakes, the Group 2 Owen Brown Rockfel Stakes and Group 3 Swynford Paddocks Hotel Sweet Solara Stakes in England, earning $644,496. Her Montjeu (IRE) filly Uimhir A Haon has a group placing in Ireland.

Superestrella made 14 starts for three high-profile New York barns on the New York Racing Association circuit at three and four. Opening his account with Rudy Rodriguez for Michael Imperio and Elizabeth Loftus, he made starts 5-9 for David Jacobson and Drawing Away Stable. Superestrella closed out his career for owner Robert Falcone and trainer Dominick Schettino.

On-the-board 10 times, Superestrella won a pair of turf route races at Saratoga and Belmont Park over firm and “good” grass, and was effective in dirt sprints, He retired with two wins, six seconds and two thirds while bankrolling $107,538. He entered stud in 2015.

Dominick Schettino gives Superestrella rave reviews on all fronts. “Superestrella was a talented runner with the sensibility and temperament to match,” said the conditioner. “His pedigree strength is obvious, and the Storm Cat/Kingmambo cross packs a punch.” As also evidenced by the incentives on offer, the Falcones and Halay are fully committed to supporting Superestrella and his foals.

For further information on seasons, please contact Frank Halay at (607) 435-4892 or Homestretchstables@gmail.com.

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