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New Curlin Stallion for Manitoba

Jan 10, 2025 | The Inside Track

New Manitoba stallion Nielson (Curlin-My Wandy’s Girl by Flower Alley) will stand for $1,250 in 2025.

By G.S. Thompson

Manitoba’s leading breeder Cam Ziprick has strengthened his stallion roster for the 2025 breeding season with the addition of Nielson, an impeccably-bred son of Curlin (Smart Strike – Sherriff’s Deputy, by Deputy Minister) who will stand alongside Speculating for the 2025 breeding season.

Nielson, who commanded $850,000 as a yearling and was originally trained by Bob Baffert, represents a significant addition to the province’s stallion ranks. The chestnut stands approximately 16.2 hands with a distinctive bald face, and is out of the multiple graded stakes winning Flower Alley mare My Wandy’s Girl. He will stand for a fee of $1,000 plus $250 booking fee.

“He’s exactly like Going Commando in looks and temperament,” said Ziprick. “Except he’s bigger. He’s a chestnut with a big bald face and just everything about him – his head, his face – he has that same kind of look.”

A two-time winner on the track, Nielson is a half-brother to graded stakes winner My Prankster (Into Mischief), who entered stud in New York in 2024 and covered 46 mares in his first season.

Curlin, a two-time Horse of the Year (2007, 2008) and Hall of Famer who earned over $10.5 million, has established himself as one of North America’s most influential sires, achieving the unique distinction of being the only stallion in history to sire three Breeders’ Cup champions on the same day and have progeny win four individual Eclipse Awards.

Curlin’s influence extends beyond his immediate offspring, as he is emerging as a significant sire of sires. His son Keen Ice sired 2022 Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, while champion Good Magic has already produced Kentucky Derby winner Mage and Grade 1 Champagne Stakes winner Blazing Sevens. Young stallions Vino Rosso and Solomini were represented by their first stakes winners in 2023, further cementing Curlin’s legacy as a generational sire.

Nielson will stand alongside Speculating in 2025, and Ziprick also has high hopes for Speculating’s progeny at the races this year. “Everyone we talked to really likes them,” Ziprick said of Speculating’s first crop. “They all had their reasons for not starting at two — a little shinny or they just needed to grow up – but they all really liked them. He’s going to start having some big years, I think.”

New Manitoba stallion Nielson (Curlin-My Wandy’s Girl by Flower Alley) brings impeccable bloodlines to Manitoba for 2025.

Ziprick and his partners Charlie Fouillard and sons, and Kelly Halliday, also acquired two other well-bred young stallions who will not be standing at stud in 2025, but will be in the future. Thousand Springs, a 3-year-old son of Ghostzapper, comes from one of the hottest young families in the industry. His half-sister, Demoiselle Stakes (G1) winner Muhimma (by Munnings) is undefeated in three starts and has earned $279,460.

“The third foal out of the mare, a yearling by Gun Runner, sold for $2.2 million at Keeneland,” said Ziprick. “The mare also has a weanling by Gun Runner and she’s back in foal to Gun Runner.”

The third new addition is In Form, a 3-year-old son of Candy Ride, who is a half-brother to graded stakes winner Solo Album (by Curlin), who sold for $535,000 as a yearling and later brought $800,000 at the Night of the Stars sale. Another half-sibling, the black-type winner Maedean (by Tapit), sold for $450,000 as a yearling and later brought $500,000 in foal to Nyquist. In Form’s dam is also booked to Not This Time for 2025.

Ziprick operates his breeding program in partnership with Charlie Fouillard and Charlie’s sons, and Kelly Halliday also partners with the group. Together they maintain a band of approximately 15 high-quality broodmares. Their 2025 yearling sale consignment will feature 10 yearlings by Speculating, including the first foal out of multiple stakes winner Hidden Grace.

“Hidden Grace will have a baby in the sale, so that’s going to be exciting,” said Ziprick. “He was born January 2nd and he’s huge – a big, strong, good-looking bay.” The operation also has a yearling for the sale out of She’s Regal, making it a half-sibling to multiple Manitoba-bred stakes winner No Show No Call, by Speculating.

With a quality broodmare band, two commercial stallions, and promising young sires waiting in the wings, Ziprick’s operation appears poised for continued success in the Manitoba breeding industry. The addition of a son of Curlin provides breeders with access to one of North America’s most influential sire lines, while Speculating’s 3-year-old crop will help establish his commercial viability when they race this year.

The diverse stallion roster and strong broodmare band demonstrate Ziprick and his partner’s commitment to upgrading breeding stock in Manitoba. Their strategic approach – acquiring well-bred young stallions while maintaining proven sires, continues to ensure the long-term sustainability of thoroughbred breeding in Manitoba.

And we’re all cheering for that!