Taylor Made Stallions announced Dec. 17 that Instagrand , the second-leading second-crop sire by 2025 winners with 76, has been added to the farm's State-Bred Initiative Program.
The farm created the program to support and incentivize regional breeders by allowing them to breed approved mares to a stallion at a set stud fee, which will be waived as a complimentary no-guarantee fee once the resulting foal is reported as being born outside of Kentucky and supporting documentation for state-bred registration is submitted.
Instagrand joins Angel of Empire , Dr. Schivel , Idol , and Tacitus in the State-Bred Initiative Program. The 9-year-old son of multiple leading sire Into Mischief was a $1.2 million sale-topper at Fasig-Tipton's 2018 The Gulfstream Sale, a select 2-year-olds in training sale. Larry Best's OXO Equine acquired the colt who was undefeated at 2 with a 5-furlong debut win by 10 lengths in :59 at Los Alamitos Race Course followed by a 10 1/4-length win in the Best Pal Stakes (G2) at Del Mar.
At 3, Instagrand ran third in the Gotham Stakes (G3) and next made his two-turn debut in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), where he led the field for 6 furlongs but finished a close third behind Roadster and 2018 champion 2-year-old male Game Winner.
As a sire, Instagrand is passing on his speed and precocity. With two crops of racing age, Instagrand is the sire of 14 black-type performers, including stakes winners Sturgeon Moon, winner of this year's Audubon Oaks and third in the Indiana Oaks (G3); Superwolf, a two-time stakes winner this year; Bouwerie Stakes winner Kay Cup; and 2-year-old stakes winners Sweet Montreal and Gangster Flash. He also sired graded stakes-placed runners Ourdaydreaminggirl, who was third in the Cotillion Stakes (G1) and Comely Stakes (G3); Gateskeeper, runner-up in the Gallant Bob Stakes (G2); and, 2-year-old Vost, who ran third in the Iroquois Stakes (G3).
"The reception of the new program has been incredibly positive and the addition of Instagrand is a very unique opportunity for regional breeders across the country," said Travis White of Taylor Made Stallions. "Considering his success as a dirt sprint sire so far with horses like Superwolf, Gangster Flash, and Sturgeon Moon, he should work well with regional markets and add another option for breeders to choose from. He will provide significantly more value to the State-Bred Initiative Program with his sire line and progeny success in the dirt sprint division."
Space in the program is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis with approval.
