Created by Jeffrey Wintersteen © 2006 All rights reserved.
Brilliance SF winning at Retama Park, Liz Brand trainer, Larry Taylor up.
What is new?
November 2, 2006
Brilliance SF (*Pepton x Brillant Light/ *Probat) went wire to wire tonight in San Antonio, never really asked by leading jockey Larry Taylor. It is a wonderful win for connections Jeffrey Wintersteen - owner, Elizabeth Brand - trainer and George Altenberg - breeder. Since Brilliance's arrival in Texas, the Retama Park simulcast host has started each of race previews talking about Brilliance. Tonight he started with "Brilliance has been knock, knock, knocking on the door... tonight should be her night. She will certainly go on to make a great allowance mare."
Brilliance actually broke a little more slowly than usual, but Larry hustled her to the lead and led through easy fractions of 25.47 for the quarter and 52.95 for the half. French bred Viansa was still chasing Brilliance at the 3/8ths pole, but her jockey was already going to the stick. Brilliance surged coming off the quarter pole and into the stretch to be up by as much as 4 lengths. She was hand ridden from the 1/8th pole. Larry took a couple of looks over his shoulder to make sure there were no surprises.
"It was great to see Wintersteen Arabian's blue and white 'W' silks in the winners circle, Brilliance looked beautiful", commented Jeff. "I have also been waiting a long time to hear 'bred in California by George Altenberg, owned by Jeffrey Wintersteen.' I was also able to touch base with George, we congratulated each other — I am just so thankful he bred me such a great filly. He also told me she runs just like her sire, *Pepton always had to be on the lead. I am also so thankful to Liz, Larry and crew. Brilliance couldn't have a better team. Liz and I will talk over the next few days to see what is next, just going to enjoy this for now."
Brilliance has now won $6,338, been first or second in the last four races and on the board in exactly 50% of her races lifetime. Tonight was the 14th race of her career. She was purchase privately by Jeff as a two year old and readied for racing at Wintersteen Arabians.For video of the race, click here.
Brilliance Continues to Roll -- 2nd Again!
October 11, 2006
*Pepton daughter Brilliance SF again demonstrated her take charge speed, exploding from the start of a strong field of 11 fillies at Retama Park on October 11. She led through sizzling fractions of 24.87 for the quarter and 1:07.35 for 5 furlongs in the 6 furlong test. The stakes placed French bred, Vibvilcca assumed a stalking position shortly after the start, and moved up to challenge just past the quarter pole. Jockey Larry Taylor asked Brilliance for more run with a shake of the reins the duo continued down the stretch with Brilliance maintaining an advantage by a neck. At the 1/16th pole, however, Vibvilcca was able to edge by for the win, Brilliance a comfortable second.
"Honestly, I didn't think that other filly [Vibvilcca] was going to get by us," commented Larry Taylor, current leading rider at Retama. "She [Brilliance] was all out, an honest filly -- I didn't need to go to the stick."
"No shame in second," commented trainer Liz Brand, "the winner has been mixing up in stakes company, we will get there. On the up side, Brilliance was very calm and professional today. She is finally the horse we always knew was there, but just couldn't get to before."
"I am still very proud of her, she continues to do everything right and continues to pick up a check," explains owner Jeff Wintersteen who watch the simulcast from Calder Race Track in Miami. "It is 3 seconds in a row, and this was her thirteenth race, 7th this year alone! She is getting better, just the way a good Polish mare does. I wouldn't trade her for anything."
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Brilliance Finishes 2nd in for Second Time!
September 21, 2006
In a very strong field of 12 fillies at Retama Race Park in San Antonio, TX, Colorado shipper Brilliance SF (*Pepton x Brillant Light/ *Probat) went off as the favorite. Starting from the difficult 11 hole for the 5 1/2 furlong test, she left the gate running, outbreaking her rivals. Brilliance relented the lead briefly to Awesome Decision who came up along the rail, but galloped past at the 3/8ths pole. Sands Jewel then made it to Brilliance's hip under heavy urging while Brilliance's jockey, leading Texas rider Larry Taylor, had yet to ask the tall bay filly for run. The two fillies dualed the entire stretch drive with Brilliance not allowing Sands Jewell to make ground. The duo was caught just before the wire by Gizmoson Fire coming from the far outside.
Trainer Liz Brand states, "She did nothing wrong today, we just got beat. I am really proud of the race she ran. Brilliance is getting really professional and knows her job. She and Larry will be back."
"She ran a great race, especially having to break so alertly from the far outside - she was just perfect," states owner Jeff Wintersteen who watched the race via simulcast in Colorado. "When she wouldn't let Sands Jewell by down the stretch, I just got emotional. She is going to be a heck of a broodmare." Brilliance is expected to start on again on October 11.
Brilliance Readies for First Start in Retama!
September 13, 2006
Brilliance SF readies for her first start at Retama Park with a blistering 3 furlong work, the best of all Arabians for the week, including the bettering some Thoroughbreds. She is currently with Texas leading trainer Liz Brand and expected to start on September 21.
September 1, 2006
WA Emfatyk - Colorado Breeders Cup Champion Yearling Colt
For more pics of Colorado Breeders Cup, (click here)
Wintersteen Arabian bred horse's won
two championships and a reserve championship at this year's Colorado
Breeders Cup, held during the CAHC Fall Show. Leading off was the
yearling colt WA Emfatyk (*Ecaho x Estansia/
Monogramm), who netted the CBC Yearling Colt/ Gelding Championship and
the winners purse of $1,260 for the Champion in each category. All
entries were required to be shown by an amateur. "He was just awesome,"
states his handler Jeff Wintersteen "While this colt has developed an
Ecaho-like front end, I haven't been excited with how he was moving. To
my parents credit they still were holding faith in him, saying he needed
to develop. Friday night his trot in was absolutely perfect, snorty,
tail over the back and beautiful motion. I could feel him getting bigger
as we got closer to the in gate, but honestly never expected that - he
completely changed my opinion of him by the time we reached the other
end of the arena. His stand up was great, I was proud to be on the end
of his lead."
"I was so happy that Emfatyk won, and happy that *Ecaho's only foal
entered in the Colorado Breeders Cup won. It is really fitting as Jim
Ferlita was one of the first to jump on board the CBC with *Ecaho and
has been very supportive," adds Bonnie Wintersteen.
WA Miraczyk being shown during the Colorado Breeders Cup at the CAHC Fall Show.
Photo: Anne Carvalho
WA Miraczyk (WA Pejczyk x WA Miss Mirabell/
Elegant SA) added her third title in three years, winning the 3 year old
Filly Championship and Wintersteen Arabian bred
WA Elegancja (WA Pejczyk x Estansia/ Monogramm) won Reserve Champion
2 year old Filly for owner Tisa Meisel and a check of $700 -- both were
also shown by Jeff. "Miraczyk was at her best this show, she is just the
quiet achiever like her mother. Elegancja was a tough one to show, also
like her mother and HOT!. She was champion the two prior years in her
age group, and while very nice was going through a growth spurt - the Pryme Tyme filly ahead of her was nice, it was probably the most
competitive class."
In addition, WA Pejczyk edged out US National Champion Pyro Tyme SA for
Top Stallion Award at the Colorado Breeders Cup. Pejczyk had won the two
prior years, but this year was by far the stiffest competition with
payout and stallion numbers ballooning as the program increased
popularity. "I knew it was going to be a tough year to win. Pyro Tyme
SA, in particular, had some nice fillies and colts, but every
championship his get won, there would be a couple Pejczyk's,
particularly the daughters on his tail. Pejczyk also got the reserve in
the weanling and yearling colt class to help even the score," relates
Jeff. "I was pretty relieved when they called Miraczyk's number in the
last class, I think that may have put him over the edge. It is pretty
cool to have his name notched above a nationally recognized sire." Other
Pejczyk get that won titles were BFA Arias: Reserve Champion Weanling
Colt, GF Jet Stream: Reserve Champion Yearling Colt, HLL Princess Camria:
Reserve Champion Weanling Filly and Allyshah: Reserve Champion 2 Year
Old Gelding.
"We have really been blessed with the support of Pejczyk by our friends
and clients. They continue to breed to him and show his foals," comments
Jeff. Pejczyk's get won $6,300 for their owners.
Brilliance Just Misses Her First Win!
August 20, 2006
Brilliance enters the paddock at Arapahoe Park.
"Brilliance" is race track vernacular for "fast". It is also a fitting name for Brilliance SF (*Pepton x Brillant Light/ *Probat) who ran courageously in front the entire race till a few strides before the wire, just getting caught for second on a sloppy track at Arapahoe Park. For owner/ trainer Jeffrey Wintersteen, it was bitter sweet. "I am glad she finally showed what she was capable of, just frustrating not to win." Jockey Jose Torres was a little apologetic coming off the track, but still smiling "I want this filly back, nobody could have caught us on a dry track."
Bred by George Altenburg, the tall, elegant bay filly has had a different jockey in every race this summer, always in contention until the top of the stretch. "It has a been a difficult summer," continues Wintersteen. "Unlike the bigger barns, we aren't going to have our choice of jockeys with only a couple horses and it was tough finding someone Brilliance wanted on her back. Jose worked Brilliance a couple times and they were obviously a great team, but he was always tied up with the bigger trainers. It is, however, great when you finally get such a talented rider, I just told Jose she was his horse today and gave him a leg up."
All of this would not have happened without the efforts of trainer Liz Brand. While not running under her name, Jeff credits her with all the work. "Liz has done everything this summer, she was the brains. She figured Brilliance out, and ultimately got Jose on her."
Liz doesn't mince words on Brilliance's ability, "Anybody who knows this filly knows that she is not just fast, she is extraordinarily fast. So many of the jocks were getting the quarter pole with a ton of horse left, drop her head and hit her with the stick. She has been looking for some other communication, obviously her and Jose speak the same language."
"Ultimately I am really proud of her, she ran huge, to go the first quarter in 25 in that slop and still hang on -- she is just amazing," concludes Jeff.
Wintersteen Arabian bred and stablemate WA Miss Emaranta (*Emanor x Melissa SA/ Bandit SA) finished 5th. Her regular rider Marc Cronin separated his shoulder in a fall a week earlier and could not make the start. "Emaranta ran her heart out, but Jeff [Smith] had never been on her and the kickback in the slop was brutal -- just a tough situation for her," related Jeff.
July 24, 2006
Emaranta coming back with Mark Cronin up.
*Emanor daughter WA Miss Emaranta made her second career start against all fillies this time going 6 furlongs. She improved upon her previous 4th place finish, coming in 3rd, just a length back from the 2nd place horse, winner of over 10k lifetime, Strawberry Bay. "She just continues to do everything right," says trainer Jeff Wintersteen. "She sat at the back of the field covered up along the rail. Then she started to make her move coming around the turn for home. She has a lot of gears, and just keeps coming. My plan with her was always two turns and she is learning her lessons well. I am really looking forward to a longer race for her, I think we may have something!"
Emaranta lost her previous jockey who left for Arizona, so Jeff decided to give the mount to an apprentice jockey. "It wasn't an easy decision because there just wasn't a lot of experience between the two [horse and jockey], but Mark [Cronin] gave her as good as ride as anybody -- I think we have a good team. I told Mark to keep talking to her and give her confidence, he did just that."
Apprentice jockey Mark Cronin was also very pleased with the race, "I think she will do better as we go longer, she was still improving. I worked her 5 furlongs a week ago and she impressed me a lot, I can't wait to ride her again. I am thankful to the Wintersteen's for giving me the shot with her."
Owners and breeders Bob and Bonnie Wintersteen were elated with the result. "This is only the second homebred we have raced, and the first from this dam line. She is such a sweetheart. Probably the most fun is after the race, she snorts and flags her tail back to the barn. She really thinks she is something," comments Bob. "Jeff has also done a nice job looking out for her, keeping her sound and happy."
WA Miss Emaranta Makes Racing Debut!
June 26, 2006
Emaranta in the paddock before her racing debut.
The *Emanor daughter, WA Miss Emaranta made her racing debut against the colts today at Arapahoe Park. This signifies the first *Emanor get to start in the US and only the second total as one raced in Poland. The big bodied five year old gray mare finished 4th for owners and breeders Bob and Bonnie Wintersteen of Wintersteen Arabians. It was a family affair as their son Jeff was the trainer. "It really was exactly what I was hoping for, she broke great, sat off the pace, took some dirt in the face and didn't back down to those boys. When Danny [Gutierrez] called on her at the quarter pole, she started picking them off," states Jeff. "I am attached to this mare, she is a sweetheart and does everything I ask -- I think she will do better as we stretch her out. After the race, she was flagging her tail back to the barn, I think she gained some confidence. I wanted to see what we had, now we can try and find a spot to win."
Emaranta is out of Melissa SA, daughter of Canadian TT Mare Mustamagic. This makes Emaranta half sister to WA Miss Mirabell, Colorado Futurity Champion Filly, who the Wintersteen's lost to colic last fall. The Wintersteen's are clear on the ultimate goal for her as a broodmare. "Emaranta is a beautiful mare and from our foundation mare Melissa. With our loss of Mirabell, she will play an important part of our program. We race for breeding, not the other way around... so she has done a lot today in that regard," offers Bonnie. "She showed courage, soundness, and athleticism, really all you can ask for! In our small way we are just trying to emulate the Poles."
Noted Breeders Marsha Parkinson Visits!
June 9, 2006
Jeff presenting our premier broodmare, Estansia (Monogramm x *Erwina).
We were very fortunate to have noted breeder and author Marsha Parkinson to visit Wintersteen Arabians this week. Marsha has one of the premier Polish Arabian farms in the US, Canterbury Farms in Maryland. It was great to show Marsha some of our horses and hear her thoughts. We have met many times in Poland, but the first time she has been to the farm. In addition to her phenomenal broodmare band, Marsha is probably most noted as the owner of Polish National Champion Stallion *Wojslaw and lessee of Polish and US National Champion Stallion *Ganges. One of the highlights was showing Marsh our *Ganges yearling colt, WA Maksimum. Special thanks to Tisa Meisel who was able to help "groom" for the presentation which showcased her Estansia filly, WA Elegancja. Also, a special thanks to Ferman Ansel from the Arabian Horse Legacy who was on hand to document the horses.
Bonnie, Marsha, Bob and Jeff
May 15, 2006
WA Pejczyk's fifth foal and third filly of the season arrived to Judy, Allen and Kelley Harding of Hardings Living Legends in Simla, CO. The bay filly, HLL Camria, is out of the Falconn daughter, Mystical Dreamer out of Alis Alexandria by Glorieta Alisudan. The foal out of the Egyptian/ Crabbet bred mare marks another complete outcross for Pejczyk. The filly is very upright and the Kelley Harding write, "She has an awesome neck on her and long straight legs with a flat topline, I think I could balance a glass of water on it. Just a gorgeous dishy head with great width between her huge eyes and has tippy ears."
We look forward to her first appearance in the show ring. Camria is Colorado Breeders Cup, COBRA and AHA Sweepstakes nominated.
Pejczyk is featured in "Arabian Horse" magazine!
April 15, 2006
WA Pejczyk is featured in the April 2006 issue of Arabian Horse magazine. The feature is on "Do It Yourself Racehorse" and Pejczyk's success in racing from the farm. To access the article in PDF format, click here.
Barbary Dancer Joins the Wintersteen Broodmare Band!
April 10, 2006
The beautiful Barbary daughter, Barbary Dancer joins the Wintersteen broodmare band. She is a very beautiful with long, well-hinged neck, the kind very much sought after by knowledgeable breeders of high caliber performance horses. Already a champion English Pleasure producer, including recent Region VIII champion Noble Heir, she was brought to the farm as an outcross for our stallion Pejczyk.
She is owned by Barbara Boodell of BB Arabians is currently on lease to the farm. We are extremely thankful to Barbara for allowing us to use this great mare. Dancer will be bred to WA Pejczyk in 2006.
Pejczyk's second colt of season born!
April 6, 2006
WA Pejczyk's fourth foal and second colt, HLL Destiny on Fyre (pending), of the season arrived to Judy, Allen and Kelley Harding of Hardings Living Legends in Simla, CO. The bay colt is out of the *Elimar daughter MHR Sweet Dreams, full sibling to Champion Sugar nd Spice. The colt has a wonderful neck set and powerful hip. Destiny is Colorado Breeders Cup, COBRA and AHA Sweepstakes nominated. We look forward to his first appearance in the show ring.
Pejczyk's third foal of season born!
Mar. 21, 2006
WA Pejczyk's third foal of the season arrived to Pat & Frances Roberts of Simla, CO The big bay colt is out of the gray mare Alexissandre -- by Palissandre out of Lea Gai Louisa. The colt has a great front and we look forward to see how he develops.
Pejczyk's Dam to be Bred to Darley Champion Ontario HF!
Mar. 21, 2006
WA Pejczyk's dam, Phyllan is scheduled to be bred to Darley 4 Year Old Race Horse of the Year, Ontario HF. Ontario also won the ARC Sprint Championship as a 5 year old. He is son of legendary Monarch AH and out of the stakes winning and halter champion mare, Orzonna HF. Her dam line traces to the legendary Orla -- triple crown and Oaks winner in Poland. Ontario is a superior race horse, winning over $120,000 on the track, and beautiful individual. This will be Ontario's first year at stud. We are excited to bring the blood of both Orla and Monarch AH to the farm for the first time.
Feb. 20, 2006 The second of WA Pejczyk's foals arrived hours after her paternal sister. BFA Mazurka, out of the Wintersteen bred WA Miss Elegant was born at 4 am. This is Miss Elegant's second foal, the first the outstanding colt BFA Matisse. Mazurka, like Matisse, are very closely related to champion WA Miraczyk, as they are all by Pejczyk and out of full sisters. Miraczyk is out of the multi champion WA Miss Mirabell.
Like Pejczyk's first foal of the season, Mazurka is owned and bred by Pat and Frances Roberts of Simla, Colorado. Mazurka is Colorado Bred Racing, Colorado Breeders Cup eligible, and AHA Sweepstakes nominated.
Feb. 19, 2006
WA Pejczyk's first foal of the season arrived, a typey bay filly BFA Eliztka. She is out of HM Poet daughter, HM Euphoria. Euphoria is out of the Wermut daughter *Bulawa, of the legendary dam line of Bandola. With Pejczyk being line bred to Bandola 4 x 4, and her dam bred 4 x 5, this filly has 4 crosses to this Polish great in the first 5 generations. The filly is bred and owned by Pat and Frances Roberts. This is the first of three Pejczyk foals expected for the Roberts whose family run farm is in Simla, Colorado. We are excited that they were blessed with a beautiful filly as reward for their faith in Pejczyk.
The Colorado Breeders Cup is Alive and Better Than Ever!
Feb. 4, 2006 (Reprinted from coloradobreederscup.com)
Open Letter to Breeders of Colorado and Nationwide:
Here are some statistics to consider:
- Foals born in Colorado 2003 - 206 foals compared to 7,055 nationally.
- Foals born in Colorado 2004 - 177 foals compared to 5,936 nationally.
- Foals born in Colorado 2005 - 112 foals compared to 7,861 nationally.
The 2005 number is 1.4% of the national average for the state of Colorado. This is almost 1/2 of what we had 2 years ago. Colorado participating is also declining in the show ring and in our contribution to national Arabian industry.
To this end, breeders in Colorado have formed a committee to reinstitute the Colorado Breeders Cup (CBC) similar to what had been established in 2003. The revitalized CBC boasts an increased numbers of motivated Colorado breeders to the committee. They bring with them new enthusiasm, a broader range of ideas, unflappable dedication to the success of the program, and an unbeatable list of new stallion nominations.
The previous Colorado Breeders Cup was a profitable program and totally self sufficient. The program offered paybacks of approximately $400 for a win, $280 for a second etc. It brought new people to the show ring mainly because they had a place to show their Breeders Cup entry and went home with ribbons AND money for their efforts. However, what the old program lacked was nationally recognized stallions and interest had waned. The new program has corrected this problem and solicited stallions from all over the country and Canada.
So far the stallion roster for 2006-2007 breeding seasons is impressive! The new program hopes to reach $30,000 in paybacks in the first couple years. Where will this money come from? It comes from the sale of stallion owner's donated breeding. The CBC sells the breeding at 50% the normal fee with the proceeds going to CBC. All the of collected money, minus a small percentage used for advertising, is paid out to participants in CBC classes at the CAHC Fall Show.
The purebred stallion owner who donates the breeding and the mare owner who buys the breeding get one (1) free entry to the classes in any of the next 5 years. In addition, all existing get under 5 years old of these nominated stallions are eligible to enter the classes the year the breeding is sold and continues to sell every year! The entry fee is $100 for these foals also goes toward paybacks. Classes include purebred and 1/2 Arabian weanling, yearling, and 2 year old halter classes along with performance classes including western, hunter & country English pleasure. CBC will be including the popular reining classes after this year. We are open to more suggestions!
The new and reinvigorated Committee has as it's mission, to encourage breeding quality horses and to increase paybacks in the show ring. We will be striving to include both racing and endurance in the future.
The Breeders Cup Committee is also forming a Colorado Arabian Breeders Alliance
to encourage quality breeding and promote education on breeding decisions.Thanks so much.
The Colorado Breeders Cup Committee
WA Pejczyk begins training in reining!
Jan. 12, 2006
WA Pejczyk is now entering reining training with Manny Beltran. For the last year Bob Wintersteen has been working with Pejczyk's transition from race track to the next step in his performance career. Today he was evaluated for reining by Manny at his training facility. Manny was extremely impressed with Pejczyk and his ability under saddle. He considers Pejczyk an outstanding reining prospect and will begin working with him this winter. With his natural ability and the skills he has already learned he should be to progress rapidly. As of right now, the goal is for him to show for the first time at the Fall Show 2006!
We have always had faith in Pj's ability and are looking forward to this next chapter.