In a generous gesture, Canadian thoroughbred owner Charles Fipke is waiving 2020 sire fees on the stallions that he owns in the US and Canada.
According to horseracingnation, Fipke owns seven stallions in Central Kentucky, Indiana, California, and Canada’s Ontario province, and has made the decision in order to assist smaller breeders whom he considers to be the backbone of the industry.
Each of the seven stands at a fee of less than $5,000, and none are syndicated, meaning Fipke has the freedom to make whatever decision he chooses without the need for consultation.
Although his stallions fall into a lower category than major commercial horses, Fipke is no stranger to top end success, having raced champion mare Forever Unbridled and her Gr1-winning full-sister Unbridled Forever plus Gr1 winner Seeking the Soul.
Fipke’s roster at Darby Dan consists of Bee Jersey, Tale of Ekati and Tale of Verve. Bee Jersey and Tale of Ekati had been standing for $5,000 and the stud fee for Tale of Verve was $2,000. Darby Dan Stallion Director Ryan Norton said that Bee Jersey has picked up an additional 25 mares and 10 new mares have been booked to Tale of Ekati. With the other 15 or so mares, it remains to be determined which Fipke stallion they will be bred to.
Darby Dan has received several messages from breeders expressing their thanks to Fipke.
“I think that the opportunity that Mr. Fipke is sharing is amazing given the tough time folks in the breeding business are having,” Dominic DeBellis wrote in an email. “We have no place to sell, or race or even go celebrate. This gesture was kindness that is rarely seen in this industry, especially to the little guy.”
At Daehling Ranch in California, where Fipke stands Jersey Town, the phone is ringing again.
“When all the stay at home orders came down, the phone literally stopped ringing,” said Farm Manager Julia Daehling-Oldham. “As soon as he announced this we got four or five phone calls right away. Everybody said they heard about the free breeding and wanted to get more information. In February, we weren’t busy. In March, things completely stopped. A lot of people were going to skip this year because of the uncertain times. If you’re not sure what’s going to happen with your job at least now you know you don’t have to come up with that stud fee.”
Fipke has two stallions, Danish Dynaformer and Perfect Timber, at Colebrook Farms in Ontario. They also reported an increase in interest in the Fipke stallions.
At Hidden Springs Farm in Indiana, there have also been several inquiries regarding Fipke’s stallion Forever d’Oro, said farm owner Dale Berryhill.
Earnings by Fipke’s racing stable have surpassed $30 million since 2000.
