This Stone Rocks!

Gainesway farm announced yesterday that the stud fee for leading sire Birdstone will be increased to $30,000 for the 2010 breeding season. Birdstone has stood for $10,000 since he entered stud duty in 2005. During the current economic conditions, a $20,000 rise deserves a standing ovation. Millionaires Mine That Bird and Summer Bird, winners of two-third of this year's Triple Crown, have been instrumental in elevating Birdstone to second place on the second crop sires list, behind only young super-sire Medaglia D'Oro, who will command a $100,000 fee in 2010.

Birdstone owner Marylou Whitney should be applauded for her modesty in marketing Birdstone. Upon setting his $10,000 fee immediately following a year in which Birdstone reeled off two grade I wins, including victory over Smarty Jones in the Belmont, Ms. Whitney explained that she wanted to make Birdstone accessible to all types of breeders. Don't we wish more people like Ms. Whitney owned stallions.