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| Staff Writer |
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Florida's Dianne Waldron has transformed a childhood obsession with horses into one of Arabian racing's most formidable breeding operations, with Rosebrook Farm's homebreds dominating tracks from California to Dubai. In a remarkable testament to her programme's consistency, 2023 saw her operation achieve a world-leading 42% winners-to-starters ratio, cementing her position among the elite of international Arabian racing.
"I started out being crazy about horses for as long as I can remember. I didn't have a horse, and nobody around me had one, but I was obsessed," Waldron recalls, reflecting on her journey from enthusiast to expert. "Every chance I got, I would get near one."
The turning point came when she finally got her first horse - an old grey mare named Comanche. "I loved her and rode her," Waldron remembers. "Then I convinced my father to breed her with an Arabian stallion. That's when I became interested in Arabian horses, and I've been passionate about them ever since."
That passion evolved through various equestrian disciplines, with endurance riding playing a crucial role in developing her eye for athletic talent. "A good endurance horse is about as sound as anything you'll find because they do everything independently. You're only allowed to use water - nothing else - and they go 100 miles in one day," she explains.
When Arabian racing first came to Florida, Waldron took her horses to Ocala, where they proved immediately successful. "One notable example was a seven-year-old mare who had to run against colts her entire career since no older mares were competing," she remembers."I worked every day to earn my living and couldn't afford to buy the best racing lines. So I just ran my athletes."
That passion for winning started with her very first race at Tampa Bay Downs. "I had a borrowed bridle since I didn't own any racing tack as an endurance person," Waldron recalls with a laugh.
What distinguishes Waldron's approach is her methodical "breeding up" strategy – starting with athletic foundation mares and consistently improving bloodlines over generations. This philosophy paid spectacular dividends with TH Richie, who made history as the only Arabian to win the US Triple Crown in 2005.
"TH Richie's Triple Crown races, especially the third one, were wonderful memories," Waldron reminisces. "Seeing that big, beautiful horse come barreling down the stretch and win so easily was remarkable."
Recent successes include RB Money Maker's Group Two triumph at Meydan, while RB Burn secured consecutive victories in the Crown Jewel race. "That same mare line keeps producing winners," Waldron notes modestly. "I can't take credit for being that smart. I just love the horse, and choose different horses to try, and it works out."
The latest stars from Rosebrook include two sisters who thrilled their breeder by running one-two and winning races on the same night. Such moments exemplify the consistency of the programme, which has produced athletes like Dance With Me, who combines racing ability with classic Arabian beauty, a trait passed to her daughter Dance Party.
"You need a good mare, preferably one that's been a winner, though I've raised many successful horses from backyard horses that never raced," Waldron explains. "That's why it's called the sport of kings – you can't buy a win. The horse must want to perform and give everything it has."
Her earliest breakthrough came with ZT Ali Baba, who proved critics wrong by excelling on the track despite his straight Egyptian breeding. "Back then, and even now, people would laugh at the idea of running a straight Egyptian horse successfully," Waldron remembers. "But ZT Ali Baba had the power, heart, conformation, and size. Using him as a stallion and breeding him with better, more race-bred mares evolved to where today, Ali Baba's grandson, TH Richie, is the best broodmare sire I can think of."
"I just keep my eyes on the horizon," Waldron explains, describing her approach to developing bloodlines. "I'm always looking for new lines that might be better than what I've got, but they must truly surpass my current stock if I'm going to bring them in. It's that simple."
This philosophy has helped her stay ahead in an ever-evolving sport. "When I started, Polish lines were considered the best for racing Arabians in the world. They probably were back then, but we achieved great success with our straight Egyptian horse," she notes. A prime example was RB Lara, who triumphed against stakes colts at Tampa Bay Downs in her third start. Her legacy continues through her most renowned foal, Dance With Me BW, who became an outstanding Group winner and race mare.
"These lines go way back, and while they're not all fancy racing bloodlines, they're athletes with heart," Waldron emphasises. "I can't think of a better way to find an athlete with heart than through an endurance horse."
When French bloodlines entered the American scene, Waldron demonstrated her keen eye for talent by quickly recognising their potential. This led to partnerships with stallions like La Croix and the acquisition of Kalinda Loop, who produced Triple Crown winner TH Richie.
The farm's success continued with Fryvolous claiming the 2007 Dubai Kahayla Classic Group One and earning Darley Horse of the Year honours.
"This little gelding from the US, who was Horse of the Year here, went over there, and we watched him compete. I was a nervous wreck thinking about him racing against all these big, strapping racehorses owned by people from everywhere. It really was a thrill because it was an unexpected win, and he won easily by many lengths." Waldron recalls.
Sand Witchh followed, securing back-to-back Darley Horse of the Year titles in 2009-2010. The success continued with Rosebrook taking the prestigious Gr.1 Drinkers of the Wind Stakes at Los Alamitos for an unprecedented five consecutive years.
"I don't breed for trends; I breed for what I believe will improve in the long term. That's what I've done from the beginning, as much as I could afford,"she asserts.
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Waldron's emphasis on strong mare lines is central to Rosebrook's success. The foundation mare Friga established a dynasty through her daughter Frynch, producing multiple Group One winners across generations. Similarly, Rich Kinka has consistently produced winners at the highest level.
"When examining bloodlines, you must scrutinise the mare closely," Waldron emphasises. "While some stallions are better than others, the same applies to mares. Ideally, you want a great stallion crossed with a great mare, but if given a choice, I'll choose the mare every time."
Another notable producer is Bernie G, dam of RB Burn and Torch, both successful in the UAE. Prior to Burn, she produced Feel The Burn, an undefeated champion filly in the United States. "A good mare seems to consistently produce champions regardless of the breeding match," Waldron notes. "These three lines have been predominant."
The landscape of Arabian racing has transformed dramatically during Waldron's tenure at the top. "Today, you can analyse pedigrees much more thoroughly than when I started," she explains. "Back then, you still had a real shot, even with a backyard horse. It would be harder to do that today because we have been breeding for racing for so many years."
The dominance of Polish bloodlines, through horses like Zell and Sam Bore, marked the early era of Arabian racing. "The Poles were known internationally for their racehorses," Waldron recalls. "The French people have also been breeding for racing for a long time, but they hadn't reached the international scene yet. I believe the Polish horses were coming over here mostly for shows. They were very beautiful, successful, and athletic."
Modern breeding requires a more analytical approach. "Now you need to examine pedigrees, individual mares, individual stallions, their race records, and their produce. There are so many statistics available now that, just like Thoroughbreds, you can look at the page and get a feel for the whole picture. I didn't have that luxury before - I just looked at the horse and decided if it looked good."
The evolution of breeding practices has also highlighted key differences between Arabians and Thoroughbreds. "You go to Kentucky and look at all the finest stallions, and it's amazing how soundness appears to have been bred out of many of them. They don't last long," Waldron observes. "The Arabians are different - they're sounder, they're people horses. I loved my Thoroughbreds, but the Arabians have my heart. They always have."
Waldron's decades of experience have honed her ability to spot future champions, though she acknowledges it's more art than science. "the aggressive ones stand out," she explains. "When you watch how they carry themselves running in the field, you notice certain things - their efficiency of motion matters."
Interestingly, hierarchical position in the field doesn't always indicate racing potential. "Sometimes the boss in the field might not be as good as others because they've never had to do anything; they're the boss," Waldron notes. “They're used to getting their own way."
When it comes to temperament, Waldron has clear preferences. " Some of the most talented, well-bred horses can disappoint if they don't have the heart. Normally, it comes through, especially in the mares. I would much prefer the aggressive mare than the aggressive colt because colts become aggressive when they get a chance. Mares are different - the one that is already aggressive usually stays that way. But again, it can be spoiled too.”
Her experience with the progeny of Orti, including Oration and Doran, illustrates the unpredictable nature of breeding. Despite producing many successful racehorses and stakes winners, full siblings can develop very different aptitudes. "Oration didn't really want to run fast, but he sure does like to be a show horse," she observes.
"With Arabians, my experience is they'll normally give you everything they've got if they understand what you want. Some have more to give than others, and that's where the heart comes in."
Rosebrook's influence extends beyond racing, with graduates like Oration achieving unprecedented success in sport horse competitions. "He seemed to want to run forever, though not quickly," Waldron recalls. "We introduced him to the sport horse world, and now he's the most winning sport horse in history. They've even created a Breyer horse in his honour."
As a three-time winner of the Florida 100 and serious competitor on the Eastern endurance circuit, Waldron developed an eye for horses with stamina and heart. "I've often ridden ex-racehorses and currently racing horses on endurance trails," she shares. "I've transported a horse from Delaware Park to the Old Dominion, ridden him for 50 miles, and returned him to Delaware for more racing."
Looking ahead, Rosebrook Farm will welcome home RB Rich Lyke Me as a stallion in 2025, representing a full-circle moment for Waldron's breeding programme. The multiple Group winner traces his lineage back to the foundational mare Friga, embodying the patient, methodical approach that has defined Rosebrook's success.
"For a horse to be incredible, it must start with being an athlete who's consistent. Consistency means they've got heart too. If they happen to look pretty besides, that's wonderful."
Through careful selection, unwavering patience, and an eye for athletic talent, Waldron has not just built a successful breeding operation – she's created a legacy that continues to shape the future of Arabian racing worldwide. With over 50 Darley nominations, 20 Darley Champion Awards, and countless international successes, Rosebrook Farm stands as a testament to the power of passion, persistence, and precision in Thoroughbred breeding.
"I breed every horse as if I'm going to run it myself," she explains. "If there were enough racing in the United States, I probably wouldn't sell any of them because racing is what I love to do."
"I didn't go out and buy horses to race - I've bred them all. I did that with Thoroughbreds too and actually did well, having some really good ones. They won the Amsterdam and other stakes races, but nothing is as much fun as these Arabians."
"I'm blessed and I love it – it's been a lifelong passion," Waldron concludes. "I enjoy and appreciate each win more every time because I don't take them for granted. I'm very grateful to all the team at Rosebrook, Torres Racing Stable, and over the years, Nunley Racing Stable and Phil Saxer. Without the right people caring for your horses, they're at a grave disadvantage."