Valor Farm Adds Stonesider to Roster

Valor Farm in North Texas picked up a new stallion this week, when Bob and Janice McNair's Stonesider   arrived from New York.

The winning son of Giant's Causeway entered stud at Doc and Suzie O'Cain's Highcliff Farm in 2008 and most recently stood in the Empire State at Keane Stud. He was relocated as part of a desire by the McNairs to consolidate their stallion interests.

"New York is wonderful if you have the mares and are breeding for that program," said John Adger, a longtime bloodstock adviser to the McNairs. "They don't have mares anymore, but their son, Cary, has a dozen mares in Texas. With Lane's End Texas closing, they decided just to consolidate their stallions in one place, and Valor does a wonderful job."

The McNairs wholly own Congaree  , who was relocated from New York to Lane's End Texas in 2015. They also have a sizable interest in Too Much Bling  , who also stood at Lane's End Texas until William S. Farish decided to shut down the farm earlier this year. Lane's End Texas' sires Too Much Bling, Congaree, and Grasshopper   have since been relocated to Valor Farm, which is being run by Doug Scharbauer, whose late parents, Clarence and Dorothy, built the farm. Scharbauer owns part of Too Much Bling as well.

Ken Carson, general manager of Valor, said he is tickled to have Stonesider on the roster, because Valor has not had a Northern Dancer-line stallion since the farm stood Magic Cat, a son of Storm Cat. Magic Cat was sold and relocated to Minnesota in 2011.

What is promising about Stonesider for Valor's breeding program in particular is the large number of Early Flyer   daughters it owns. Valor has stood Early Flyer, a son of Gilded Time, since he retired to stud in 2004.

"Stonesider is out of a Gilded Time mare, which will produce some inbreeding to Teddy, who really concentrates well," Carson said.

The cross of Storm Cat-line sires with Gilded Time daughters has already produced graded stakes winners Bye Bye Bernie and West Side Bernie, and stakes winners Ruler of Dubai, who is also grade I-placed; Valentine Fever, who is grade III-placed; and Roll Bloomers Roll.

Injury curtailed Stonesider's racing career, which included winning his first start in June 2005 at Belmont Park. He won as the favorite in a field that included future grade I winner Flashy Bull   and grade III winner Tasteyville.

"He had a world of talent, but we just had back luck when he got hurt," Adger said.

To date Stonesider has sired four black-type stakes winners, including multiple stakes winner Galiana, who earned $641,861; and Hey Kiddo, winner of the Roamin Rachel Stakes and earner of $361,768. He stood this year for $3,500.