Silver Train Makes Gold for Ryans

TDN HEADLINE NEWS Article appeared in TDN on May 20, 2015

The husband-and-wife team of Crystal and Marcus Ryan, which consigns as Mason Springs, celebrated its
biggest sales success to date when selling hip 468, a colt by Silver Train, for $125,000 to the bid of trainer
Gary Contessa.

We work for Darley in the mornings and we ride out for Tim Jones down in Aiken in the pre-training and then we do our
own horses on the farm at home, explained Marcus Ryan. The couple, married for three years now, have pinhooked one
horse a year for the last four years. They were able to purchase the Silver Train colt for $7,500 at last year=s Midlantic
Fall sale on the advice of Chris Welker. We bought him outside the ring and through some friends who put us in the right direction, Ryan explained. I was looking at another horse, but he went for too much money and Crystal told me I had to come
down and look at this horse. She is 100% a great judge of horses.

Crystal Ryan acknowledged she had big hopes leading the colt into the ring Tuesday, but the final We were thinking around $50-60,000, she said. We knew we had something special, but being by Silver Train we weren’t sure what would happen. Asked if this was the couple’s biggest success, Crystal Ryan said, By far. This is all of the rest of them put together.
Crystal Ryan is a Michigan native who had been riding reining horses before transitioning to Thoroughbreds. Marcus Ryan is a transplanted Irishman who had been involved in steeple chasing. The morning we bought our first horse is the day we
got engaged, Marcus Ryan recalled. A friend of ours told me, you know it’s serious when you buy a yearling together, the ring is definitely coming, Crystal Ryan laughed. That just seals it. Marcus proposed to me here in Timonium

HnR PABRED Sulis 13 up for sale in OBS March 2 year old in Training Sale Hip 464

HnR Nothhaft Horseracing LLC bred the PABRED and sold this filly @ the Keeneland Mixed Stock Sale in November 2013 as Hip 509.  Sulis was purchased at the November 2012 Mixed Stock sale for HnR by Bloodstock Agent Carl McEntee now with Darby Dan.  Sulis was domiciled at Northview PA and Sulis 13 was foaled at Northview.  The featured photo is Sulis at Northview 2 months old.  Article on Sale  http://silvertrainsire.com/hnr-nothhaft-horseracing-pa-bred-filly-captures-highest-priced-honors-day-3-of-keeneland-november-sale/

Video of the November 2013 Sale.  http:/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHxGpBr02mc

This filly was pinhooked at the Keeneland September 2014 yearling sale and is now up for sale for the third time.  We hope the connections hit a home run and that she gets a chance to race in PA.  Photo by Hank Nothhaft

Hip No. 464

Consigned by de Meric Sales, Agent VI

Dark Bay or Brown Filly

Foaled February 11, 2013

By HARLAN’S HOLIDAY (1999). Black-type winner of $3,632,664, Florida Derby [G1] (GP, $600,000), etc. Sire of 9 crops of racing age, 1108 foals, 700 starters, 56 black-type winners, 515 winners of 1398 races and earning $45,822,877, 3 champions, including Shanghai Bobby ($1,857,000, Grey Goose Breeders’ Cup Juvenile [G1] (SA, $1,080,000), etc.), and of Into Mischief ($597,080, CashCall Futurity [G1] (HOL, $403,000), etc.), Majesticperfection [G1] (5 wins, $310,430), Pretty Girl [G1] (to 3, 2014).

1st dam SULIS, by Maria’s Mon. Winner at 2 and 3, $134,363, in Canada. (Total: $130,- 732). Dam of 1 other registered foal, none of racing age.

2nd dam MEDICINE WOMAN, by Dr. Blum. 7 wins in 12 starts at 4 and 5, $161,427, Brown & Williamson H. [G3], Candy Eclair Breeders’ Cup H. (GP, $38,811), 2nd Queen Breeders’ Cup S. (TP, $10,555), 3rd Thoroughbred Club of America S. [G3]. Dam of 13 foals, 11 to race, 10 winners, including–

     INTERN (g. by Dynaformer). 13 wins, 3 to 11, $392,729, Sea O Erin Breed- ers’ Cup Mile H. [L] (AP, $72,780), Mister Gus S. (AP, $25,425), 2nd Lou- isiana H. [L] (FG,       $15,000).

     LOVE MEDICINE (f. by Mining). 6 wins at 3 and 4, $149,561, West Long Branch S. (MTH, $24,000), 2nd Star Shoot S. [L] (WO, $16,215(CAN)). Dam of 7 foals, 5 to          race, all winners, including–

          I’M THETIGER (g. by Siphon (BRZ)). 7 wins, 3 to 5, $580,371, in N.A./ U.S., Frank J. De Francis Memorial Dash S. [G1] (LRL, $180,000), etc.; placed in 1 start at 5,         $15,980, in Canada. (Total: $593,662).

     HOT LEAR (f. by Lear Fan). 4 wins in 7 starts to 4, $106,050, Santa Clara H. (BM, $25,230), Bay Meadows Debutante S. (BM, $19,670), Court- ship S. (BM, $19,600),       2nd Fremont H. (BM, $9,000), etc. Dam of–

          FLAMING HEART (f. by Touch Gold). 4 wins to 5, $185,914, in N.A./U.S., Strolling Belle S.-R (AQU, $37,350), etc.; winner       in 2 starts at 5, $67,- 500, in Canada, Hill ‘n’ Dale S. [L] (WO, $60,000). (Total: $245,961). Dam of LAUGHTRACK (c. by Distorted Humor, Total: $598,014, Vigil S. [G3] (WO, $94,500), etc.), Commissioner (c. by A.P. Indy, 2 wins to 3, 2014, $515,767, 2nd Belmont S. [G1] (BEL, $280,000), etc.).

               Dash for Money (f. by General Meeting). Winner at 2, $53,202, 3rd Railbird S. [G3] (HOL, $12,864). Dam of SO LONESOME (g. by Awesome Again, to 3, 2014, $394,067), NO SPIN (g. by Johannesburg, to 5, 2014, $364,813), Ack Naughty (f. by Afleet Alex, at 2, 2014, $56,000).

              Love Torch. Unraced. Dam of Reserve Love (f. by Philanthropist, at 2, 2014, Total: $53,021, 3rd South Ocena S-R(WO, $12,500)).

Engagements: Breeders’ Cup

Breeder:  HnR Nothhaft Horseracing LLC

Foaled in Pennsylvania. 

Rembering Silver Train

by Henry R. “Hank” Nothhaft
A year ago we received the terrible news that Silver Train had died while traveling to quarantine in Brazil awaiting his return to the U.S. Even though he was accompanied by a veterinarian, when he became ill, he died before reaching a equine hospital.

A Pensive Silver Train

He exhibited symptoms similar to colic, was treated accordingly and colic was initially given the cause of death. A detailed necropsy discovered that Silver Train died from a virulent, pathogenic Streptococcus pneumonia that attacked his lungs and other organs resulting in his demise.

Silver Train The Artist

Silver Train produced 7 crops in North American consisting of 412 foals. His 354 foals of racing age produced solid statistics. 80% of the foals of racing age started, while 60% are winners. The average winning distance of this group is slightly less than 7 furlongs indicating a propensity to produce dirt sprinters and milers. He also has many repeat winners and stands second in the Mid-Atlantic this year one win behind Rockport Harbor. Perhaps the standout statistic for Silver Train is his outstanding and improving 17 starts per starter.

Silver Train with his Monet

We miss Silver Train, but are fortunate to have six of his off spring in our stable. 5 will be of racing age this year, with a filly coming along in 2016. She is named Silber Zug out of Aloft by Unbridled Song, which is Silver Train in German. Silber Zug is a full sister to Shenango Valley. We have included a number of our favorite photos of The Train.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Silver Train
Sire Old Trieste
Grandsire A.P. Indy
Dam Ridden In The Stars
Damsire Cormorant
Sex Stallion
Foaled February 11, 2002
Country United States
Colour Brown
Breeder Mulholland Farm
Owner Buckram Oak Farm
Trainer Richard E. Dutrow, Jr.
Record 17: 6-3-4
Earnings $1,259,345
Major wins
Jerome Handicap (2005)
Tom Fool Handicap (2006)
Metropolitan Handicap (2006)
Breeders’ Cup wins:
Breeders’ Cup Sprint (2005)
Last updated on July 22, 2007
Silver Train (foaled February 11, 2002) was an American Thoroughbred racehorse. Bred by Joe Mulholland and family in Georgetown, Kentucky, he was out of the mare Ridden In The Stars and sired by Old Trieste, a son of U.S. Racing Hall of Fame inductee A.P. Indy.
Purchased by the Buckram Oak Farm of Mahmoud Fustok, at age two Silver Train raced four times, winning once and finishing second twice. At age three in 2005, he won three times, including the Grade II Jerome Handicap, plus had three third-place finishes. Ridden by Edgar Prado in the most important win of his career, Silver Train overtook a tiring Lost in the Fog in midstretch and held off a fast charging Taste of Paradise to win the 6 Furlong Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Belmont Park.
Sold in 2006 to Four Roses Thoroughbreds, Silver Train won the Grade II Tom Fool Handicap and the Grade I Metropolitan Mile. In October’s Vosburgh Stakes, he ran a disappointing last in a five-horse field. Believing the horse might be out of his element in attempting a second straight win in the 2006 Breeders’ Cup Sprint, trainer Richard E. Dutrow, Jr. opted to run him in November’s Cigar Mile Handicap where he ran third to Discreet Cat. Silver Train was then retired to stand at stud for the 2007 season at the Vinery Kentucky in Lexington. In 2011, Silver Train was purchased by HnR Nothhaft Horseracing LLC and moved to Northview PA. Silver Train was number one in winners among 2nd year sires in 2011.

Kindle, Versatile Stakes Winning Speedster Retired

Kindle winning the Cool Air Stakes at Hollywood Park
Kindle winning the Cool Air Stakes at Hollywood Park

Kindle, a blazingly fast, chestnut mare, by Indian Charlie out of Carson City mare Carson’s Vanity has retired from racing to become a broodmare prospect domiciled at Darby Dan in Kentucky. Kindle was purchased as a yearling at the Keeneland September sale, 2009, for $50,000 by HnR Nothhaft Horseracing, Trained by Gary Mandella, Kindle went on to hit the board in all six stakes attempts, winning the Cool Air Stakes and the Bangles and Beads Stakes. She placed 2nd twice in the Grade 2 Monrovia Stakes, 2rd in the Grade 3 Ken Maddy Stakes and 3rd in the Grade 2 Santa Monica Stakes. Reflecting on Kindle’s career, owner Hank Nothhaft stated, “Kindle was brilliantly fast, extremely exciting to watch as she always ran from the front giving her all in every race. I am thrilled to add this athletic filly to my broodmare band.” She will be bred to two time Horse of the Year and Breeders’ Cup Classic Winner Tiznow in 2015.” Her speed resulted in top five Beyer Speed numbers for turf fillies in 2012 and 2013. Unraced as a two year old and plagued by minor injuries throughout her career, Kindle started 11 times 3 to 6, winning 4, placing 4 times and showing once while winning $243,000. Displaying her versatility, she won races on all-weather, dirt and turf surfaces.

Silver Train- A Leader in Sire Durability and Soundness

Silver Train Enjoying a Fast Start as a 4th year Sire

In promoting a Stallion to prospective breeders, owners rightfully emphasize money earned, winners, and repeat winners. Also, a “homerun” at an auction for the sale of an off spring at a good price is almost certain to result in immediate outward promotion of the Stallion.

Recently, “Blood-horse Magazine” published a study by Research Today sponsored by the Grayson Jockey Club Research Foundation tracking two additional key metrics valuable in making breeding decisions. These are important if you breed to sell because they will help determine what others will be willing to pay for your foal, but if you breed to race they are invaluable because they will likely determine your profitability not to mention how much excitement, enjoyment and fun your horse will generate for you.

One is Lifetime % of Foals of Racing Age Started. In order to be listed, a sire had to be in the top 200 official ranking for 2012. With the % of horses that reach the races around 70%, leaders in this category are seen to be way above average. Approximately 75% of Silver Train’s foals reach the starter’s gate making him a very attractive choice based on these criteria.

The other key criteria in this study are average starts per starter. The decline in this metric is seen as an indicator of the “decrease in the durability” of thoroughbreds. According to the Grayson Jockey Club study the average starts per year for North American starters have decreased from 11 in 1960 to 6.31 in 2012. It has been under 7 since year 2000. There are many reasons for this decline, but undeniably, one is the soundness and economic viability of the offspring of a Sire. If a thoroughbred is sound, generates modest veterinary bills, and at least comes close to covering its’ upkeep, the horse will continue to race.

Only one 4th crop sire made the Grayson-Jockey Club list because they have a limited number of older horses that are racing. Therefore, it is revealing to compare Silver Train to the top 25 Sires in his Sire Class. Only one stallion has better races per starter rating than Silver Train’s current 11.85 starts per starter. Silver Train’s races per racer number have continued to improve rapidly and were 11.1 three months ago in December 2012
.
What does this all mean? If you are breeding in the Mid-Atlantic region and you want to produce a profitable racehorse, you should give serious consideration to Silver Train. He is 2nd in PA and 5th in the Northeast based on earnings. He has earned this status even though he is just a 4th year sire. He is also, 2nd in PA in winners, 3rd in the Northeast and 31st Nationally. When it comes to repeat winners, he is 1st in PA and 1st in the Northeast and 4th Nationally.

Couple this with 75% foals of racing age getting to the starter’s gate, 11.85 starts per starter and a fair priced $5000 stud fee, Silver Train represents real value, if not The Best Value among stallions in the Mid-Atlantic.

Henry R. “Hank” Nothhaft

New Silver Train Advertisement Stresses Across the Board Leadership

Silver Train’s Performance in 2013 provides a long list of selling points across all metrics including earnings, winners, wins, stakes horses and durability as measured by races per starter. Coupled with a modest $5,000 stud fee, Silver Train is a sterling value proposition, especially for Mid-Atlantic breeders.