I’m not sure why one would recommend stallions in KY and elsewhere when the OP is considering reasonably priced Tapit sons in NY???
I wonder if some of that temperament is from Pulpit’s dam, Preach? Apparently she was a mean one.
Might Be. Tapit himself is a pretty laid back fellow as was Pulpit. I have a feeling his youngsters tend to be high strung at the track on their diets, minimal turnout, etc. I would be willing to bet that once they are off the track, on more turnout, different diets, they tend to settle down. I don’t think they are “mean” in a sense; just high strung youngsters
While Lani was notoriously bad; I think they way they treated him was why he was bad. No manners where ever instilled in him and instead they treated him and cared for him like he was a wild animal.
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I had a Tapit gelding that lived to pick fights. If you wanted to canter left, he had no left lead. If you wanted a short distance, he wanted long. If he wanted to buck you off, there was no stopping him until he did. And when he would get loose he’ run all over creation instead of back to the barn. Had him checked from head to toe, he was just a hard headed guy. Yet, was very good in the stall and was well mannered on the ground (except in round pen, in which I felt like a Matador). Seems he had his way of going, and that was it.
I know you didn’t ask but all of that sounds like a physical issue to me? Bucking, bolting, canter/lead issues, jumping issues…
I will say that the horses that are really difficult undersaddle but great on the ground usually have something physical wrong with them… perhaps they (Tapit horses) are not as forgiving of handler mistakes and/or physical pain as some other lines are? For instance, I know first hand that there are several fairly stoic TB lines that can work under mild discomfort without acting out or misbehaving, and then there are several TB lines like Storm Cat or Danzig that are mislabeled as difficult because they’re not as stoic about microinjuries or discomfort but their owners don’t know how to tell a lame horse from a sound one…
My own gelding being a testament to that, he is stoic all the day long about most things, very level headed undersaddle and kind… but if his back hurts (he has KS) he can get very reactive. No bucking or rearing, but defensive about his body… If someone didn’t know his history or his personality they might mislabel him as hardheaded, but I know he is very willing to do what you ask so long as it does not hurt…
There is a lot to be said about the type of management that these young race TBs have. While most of it is top-class care, it’s not very natural for a young horse. It can make good horses bad too. 23/7 stall time, rocket fuel feeds, constant handling/attention with no quiet time, high intensity work, isolation from the herd… just about any horse could get ornery in that type of situation.
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http://www.equibase.com/profiles/Results.cfm?type=Horse&refno=9096443®istry=T
That’s…not what I would consider a decent record. I wouldn’t take a free breeding to him for a foal I intended to race. His most notable accomplishments are finishing up the track behind good stakes horses. “Adequate dirt claimer at the $12,500 level at Aqueduct and still eligible for non-winners of 2L if that tag isn’t considered” (which is how he got in that $16,000 one) is a recipe for a nice gelding. The mare, if she’s Alllen’s Blessing, is at least stakes placed–I would be looking to improve on her, not breed to a dirt cheap claimer because he happens to be a Tapit, nearby, and cheap, unless you’re absolutely okay with a non-racing career or a very cheap racing career and are not planning to sell.
agreed. save your pennies and actually invest in a breeding. I listed many good considerations on page 1. many in which I would consider very affordable for their race records and career earnings who would compliment your mare in all aspects. There are many affordable, great stallions outside of Tapit lines who would also compliment your mare very well. I mentioned Perfect Soul on page one also. good luck
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I did go back and see that you were considering breeding for racing.
You planning on selling the foal before it hits the track or race it yourself?
If you want the fun of owning a racehorse, maybe buying into a syndicate would be easier to get the thrill of ownership without dealing with getting the horse on the track and all that you would need to do to make that happen.
If you’re breeding to sell, again a close review of both top and bottom of the pedigree to get something attractive to buyers.
If you really want to breed for sport, then you’re probably good with your current choice 
I would like to race it myself, but i am aware of how difficult it can be to get there. Thus, the desire to bred for something capable of other endeavors, and with a good temperment. On the track, most don’t care if a horse is intractable, but if I have a problem temperment, a second or alternate career is jeopardized.
As a matter of fact I have seen X-rays. The dam has had 5 foals. I owned one of them for a time and lost her to a sesamoid fracture. No chance of recovery. I have heard but not confirmed that one of the others also suffered a sesamoid fracture. I’m not sure of the outcome there. As I said, it’s not something that is a definite problem, sesamoid fractures can happen to any TB, but I don’t want to create a pattern, so if I can avoid that and possibly strengthen a weakness, I think it is my obligation as a good horsewoman.
My most important goal here is to improve on the mare and come out with a sound, hardy horse. Although Mojo doesn’t have a stellar record, he has great blood and a lot of other things I like. If it runs, that’s wonderful, if it doesn’t, I believe I will have a wonderful sport horse. I’m a firm believer in finding a horses natural gifts and developing them. Not all TBs love the racing scene even if their breeding says they should. Yes, I am absolutely ok with a non-racing career if that’s the way the cars play.
I have one with a sesamoid fx in my barn right now that is no relation to Tapit. It’s not an uncommon injury.
I agree. I have one now and she’s doing exceptionally well. One of the best horse I ever had came off the track with a sesamoid fracture. He was wonderful.
I agree with this 1000%. Honorable Dillion isn’t much better. Tapit’s don’t tend to have physical issues but a majority of them will bite your face off. There are already plenty of Thoroughbred goals who were free or cheap breedings and can’t run a step. People only see Tapit on the paper and get all excited. Do your homework (you’re off to a good start) and save.
I wasn’t aware she was looking for stallions in NY? Didn’t see that in the original post.
Yes. I am in NY and looking for a NY stallion
