King Zachary's First Foal Born at New Texas Farm

The first reported foal by Solitude Thoroughbreds' grade 3 winner King Zachary  is a chestnut colt born Jan. 25 at the new Texas farm being developed by Melanie Martinelli and Brian McClay.

Bred by Trinity West Stables, the colt is out of the unraced Tapit   mare Dynatap, who is out of the Storm Creek  stakes winner Stormin' Daina. The mare is among 50 broodmares now residents at Solitude, a more than 300-acre breeding and lay-up/rehabilitation farm near Alvord, Texas, about 50 miles northwest of Fort Worth.

"There has been a lot of interest in King Zachary because his pedigree is similar to Vino Rosso  ," said Martinelli, referring to Spendthrift Farm's 2019 Longines Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner. "His babies, so far, are tall, look strong, and are correct."

Both King Zachary and Vino Rosso are by Curlin   with a blend of Northern Dancer and Mr. Prospector lines on their dam sides. King Zachary is out of the Giant's Causeway mare On My Way, whose broodmare sire is the Mr. Prospector son Seeking the Gold. Vino Rosso is out of Mythical Bride, whose sire Street Cry is a Mr. Prospector grandson and her broodmare sire is Northern Dancer's great-grandson Touch Gold.

Solitude also stands grade 2-placed winner Tiz Mischief , who Martinelli bought privately from owner Frank Jones Jr. while she was in Lexington for the 2020 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale. At the sale, she bought King Zachary for $30,000 from Lane's End's consignment.

Martinelli and McClay decided to start standing stallions in Texas because in 2019 the state committed a portion of sales tax revenue from horse feeds, supplements, tack, and supplies to supplement purses, a total of $25 million annually that is divided between Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse races. The full impact of the new program was felt in 2020.

"Texas is definitely getting busier," said Martinelli. "There has been a lot of excitement about the increase in purses, but the sales are reflecting that increase, too."

Texas' breeding program overall has been growing as well, with Lone Star State returning among the top 12 states by numbers of mares bred after two years outside this group. Texas ranked 11th for the 2021 breeding with 366 reported mares bred, which is 25% higher than in 2020.

Solitude will be primarily a breeding farm, though it has layup and rehabilitation facilities it will use primarily for its own racehorses. Martinelli recently hired Gene Turns to run the stallion operation and also help with sales prep. The farm's business plan at this point will focus on breeding and either racing or selling at auction the resulting foals.

Both King Zachary and Tiz Mischief are standing for private fees, with special consideration given to approved mares.

"Our focus is to cover as many quality mares that will not only enhance our breeding program, but also build and improve upon the Texas Accredited Racing program," Martinelli said.

Starting this year, Martinelli will race under the stable name Solitude Thoroughbreds and is using Kris Fullerton as her trainer.

In addition to growing its breeding business, Solitude Thoroughbreds is in the final stages of building a 100-stall show barn that will also include space for special events. The farm is home to a private Sporting Club that offers sporting clay courses, fishing, and horseback riding.