The saying goes that when one door closes, another opens. And in this case, the closing of CloverLeaf Farms II opened the door of opportunity for a new Ocala-based stallion station.

Journeyman Stud, a division of Brent and Crystal Fernung’s Journeyman Bloodstock Services Inc., has taken up residence at what was previously Sez Who Thoroughbreds. Located in southeast Marion County, the property is now known as Lucky Warrior Farm and is owned by Charlie Underbrink. The Fernungs are leasing the stallion complex and main office to base their Journeyman Stud. In addition, a 25-stall training barn is also being leased to operate Journeyman Training Center.

“Both the stallion operation and the training center are an expansion of our Journeyman Bloodstock,” said Brent Fernung, who served as CloverLeaf Farms II general manager from the fall of 2000 until June 30, 2007. “Since we’ve operated boarding and sales divisions of Journeyman since 1989, this seemed like the next logical step when the opportunity presented itself.”

That opportunity came on June 1 when Tampa entrepreneur John Sykes announced that he had purchased a Lexington, Kentucky area farm and was closing his Reddick-based CloverLeaf Farms II. Sykes had owned the 1,000-acre CloverLeaf since buying it for a reported $5 million in March, 1997. The property had previously been Robert Brennan’s Due Process Farm.

By month’s end, the majority of Sykes’ bloodstock had been moved to Woodford Thoroughbreds, a new entity based on the previous ClassicStar Farm near Versailles, Kentucky. Mares, weanlings and yearlings owned in partnership with Journeyman Bloodstock Inc. are scheduled to be sold at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s August and October sales.

Sykes enjoyed early success with graded stakes winner Sister Fiona, who was the first stakes winner to carry the CloverLeaf Farms II silks. He had purchased her for $50,000 at the 1998 OBS August yearling sale. With the arrival of Fernung as general manager, the farm was transformed from a private to a full-service commercial operation. The farm offered breeding, boarding, training and sales representation to its clients.

With Fernung acting as agent, the farm enjoyed consistent success in the sales market. On its ledger of key sales included Red Mischief; the dam of Florida-bred grade-one winner Ermine was sold for $40,000 at the 2003 OBS January mixed sale. Red Mischief was sold in foal to Exchange Rate, therefore carrying the future graded stakes winner at the time. At the 2006 OBS March juvenile sale, a Johannesburg out of Whenourshipcomesin, by General Assembly, colt was sold for $500,000. A Repent out of Crowning Touch, by Thunder Gulch colt brought $300,000 at the 2007 OBS March juvenile sale.

But the farm’s most notable acquisition and sale was I’ll Get Along, the dam of 2004 Kentucky Derby (G1) and Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Smarty Jones. As agent for CloverLeaf, Fernung purchased I’ll Get Along in foal to Doneraille Court for $130,000 at the 2001 Keeneland November breeding stock sale.

At the 2004 Fasig-Tipton November selected mixed sale, CloverLeaf Farms II with Fernung as agent sold I’ll Get Along for $5 million to Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds. I’ll Get Along was in foal to Elusive Quality and therefore carrying a full sibling to Smarty Jones at the time of the sale. I’ll Get Along was the highest-priced broodmare to be sold at public auction in 2004.

MAJOR STALLION STATION

Under Fernung’s direction, CloverLeaf had over the past decade developed into a major Florida stallion station. During the 2007 breeding season, a dozen stallions stood at CloverLeaf. The roster included Alke, Cashel Castle, Congrats, Gibson County, Mass Media, Mongoose, Pomeroy, Repent, Sarava, Smooth Jazz, Snuck In and Wildcat Heir. The closing of CloverLeaf left the fate of the stallions undecided, but not for long.

“It just seemed like a natural transition to operate our own stallion station. And we began negotiations with the stallion owners right away,” said Fernung, whose Journeyman Bloodstock is partners with CloverLeaf on Repent. “In addition to Repent, we lined up Mass Media and Mongoose very quickly. Congrats, Alke and Wildcat Heir soon followed. Then we realized we were going to need a facility.”

The Fernungs own two farms within four miles of each in the Reddick area. The original Journeyman Farm is 52 acres with another 90-acre parcel, which was most recently part of Martin Stables South and Valley View Farm prior to that, comprising Journeyman II. But those farms serve as a base of operation for the boarding and sales divisions of Journeyman Bloodstock; there was no facility already there appropriate for a stallion station.

“We thought about building a stallion barn,” said Fernung. “But the problem was what to do with the stallions in the meantime. And as we signed up more of the stallions, it became clear that it would be better to find an already existing facility to lease for the time being. We and our clients are very happy that the old Sez Who Thoroughbreds stallion barn and office were available.”

This particular piece of property has a long history as a successful Florida operation under several names. Known as The Oaks for many years, leading sires Sovereign Dancer and Meadowlake stood there. In June, 1989, Thomas Liang bought the farm and retained the name; among the leading sires who stood there during that time were Cutlass, Great Above and Island Whirl.

In February, 1996, John and Lita Hart purchased the property and renamed it High Mark Farms. The farm changed hands again in August, 1999, when Ken and Deena Montgomery acquired it and named it Charter Thoroughbreds. Richard Simon then purchased the farm in December, 1999, it became Sez Who Thoroughbreds and Rizzi was among the leading sires who stood there.

TOP NOTCH STAFF

For Fernung, an added bonus was the presence of a training center on the farm. Underbrink leases several of the training barns to various trainers; the farm has a six-furlong training track.

“We have clients that we’ve trained horses for more than 20 years,” said Fernung. “And with CloverLeaf closing, it was good to be able to find a place that we could bring them with us to. We train for the two year old sales and the track. Keith Sargent, who’s been our trainer, is also making the move and that’ll make for a smooth transition there too.”

Also making the move to the new Journeyman Stud is Ken Breitenbecker, who served as stallion manager at CloverLeaf. Breitenbecker, who was the longtime farm manager of Bonnie Heath Farm, also put in a stint at Sez Who Thoroughbreds before moving to CloverLeaf. Breitenbecker will serve the dual role of general and stallion manager at Journeyman Stud.

Fernung, who served in management positions with Lasater Farm and Southland Farms, will take on the title of president of Journeyman Stud. Crystal Fernung will serve as vice president.

“We’re very fortunate to have people like Ken, Keith, Cirilo Figueroa, who’s our Journeyman farm manager, and Debra Henley, who’s our sales coordinator,” said Fernung. “That is so important in this business. There’s no way we would even think of doing this without these great people who work for and with us.”

STALLIONS’ NEW HOME

With the stud barn refurbished and new fencing put up in the adjacent turnout paddocks, the first of the Journeyman Stud stallions arrived in mid-July. Included in that first van load were Repent, Mass Media and Mongoose; Alke, Congrats and Wildcat Heir soon followed. Repent is owned in partnership by CloverLeaf Farms II and Journeyman Bloodstock. Mass Media and Mongoose stands as property of Gary and Mary West. Alke and Congrats are owned by CloverLeaf Farms II. Wildcat Heir is owned by Taylor Made/WinStar and New Farm.

“I’m a big believer in the Florida stallion market,” said Fernung, who was with Lasater Farm when leading sire Nodouble stood there. “If you bring in a good stallion, Florida breeders will come to him. Last season, the CloverLeaf stallions collectively bred more than a 1,000 mares.”

In addition to the stallions which moved from CloverLeaf, Fernung intends to pursue new stallions for future breeding seasons.

“I like to say that we promote one-stop shopping when it comes to our stallions,” said Fernung. “A good stud fee price range is from $2,500 to $12,500. But Florida breeders would support the right $25,000 stallion. I saw it with Nodouble and I think it’s still true today.”

Journeyman Stud is off to a good start with a strong initial roster of stallions. Repent is graded stakes-winning millionaire son of Louis Quatorze out of blacktype producer Baby Grace (Arg), by Cipayo. Repent won the Jockey Club Stakes (G2), Louisiana Derby (G2), Kentucky Cup Juvenile Stakes (G3) and Risen Star Stakes (G3). A half-brother to graded stakes winner King Ruckus and stakes winner Johansson, Repent entered stud in 2004 and his first two year olds run this season. On August 3, Repent scored his first two winners in Atoned and Repentina. Also on the same day, Big Al was third in a maiden special at a mile and one-sixteenths on the turf at Saratoga.

Atoned, bred by Anthony and Mitzi Robinson, won a one-mile maiden special weight race at Monmouth Park. Raced by Dogwood Stables and trained by Todd Pletcher, Atoned won by half a length in 1:40.39. Out of the Icecapade mare Amidst, Atoned was bought by Dogwood Stable for $165,000 at the 2007 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Company’s February 2-year-olds in training sale. He had been consigned to the sale by Niall Brennan Stables, agent.

Repentina, bred and raced by Juan Luis Perez, won a six-furlong maiden claiming race at Calder Race Course. Out of Kory Christina, by Air Forbes Won, Repentina won by four and a half lengths in 1:14.50. The 2-year-old filly is trained by Manny Tortora.

Mass Media, by Touch Gold out of Sultry Allure, by Forty Niner, is a grade-one stakes winner from the family of grade-one millionaires Sultry Song and Solar Splendor. Mass Media won the Forego Stakes (G1) and Sport Page Handicap (G3) to bank $569,740. Mass Media stood his first year at stud in 2007.

Mongoose is a grade-one stakes winner by leading sire Broad Brush out of Salty Gal, by Cox’s Ridge. Mongoose won the Donn Handicap (G1) and listed Cradle Stakes, banking $694,531. A half-brother to stakes winner Hesanoldsalt, Mongoose is represented by several 3-year-old winners from his first crop. His leading earner to date is 3-year-old Mongoose Gold, who has banked $96,719.

Alke is a graded stakes-winning son of Grand Slam out of multiple black-type producer Pasampsi, by Crow (FR). Alke won the Deputy Minister Handicap (G3) and earned $619,385. Alke is half-brother to stakes winners Debit My Account and Red N’Gold. He entered stud in 2005 and his first foals are yearlings of 2007.

Congrats is by leading sire A.P. Indy out of the stakes-producing Mr. Prospector mare Praise. Congrats, a graded stakes winner of $998,960, won the San Pasqual Handicap (G2) at Santa Anita Park and listed Alysheba Stakes at Churchill Downs. Congrats entered stud in 2007.

Wildcat Heir, by Forest Wildcat out of Penniless Heiress, by Pentelicus, won the Frank J. De Frances Memorial Dash Stakes (G1) on his way to earning $424,460. He is a full brother to graded stakes winner Forest Heiress and stakes winner Forest Heir. Wildcat Heir entered stud in 2006.

“We are very excited about Journeyman Stud,” said Fernung. “We’ve forged good relationships with people like Taylor Made, WinStar, New Farm, the Wests, Briggs and Cromartie Thoroughbred Consultants. And, of course, we really appreciate Mr. Sykes’ support and confidence in our new venture. We intend to build on this beginning and bring the best stallions we can to Florida.”

Reprinted With Permission – The Florida Horse (August 2007)

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