On January 6, Whispering Oaks Farm proudly welcomed a striking filly—the first Louisiana-bred foal of 2026. This filly holds special significance as she is also the inaugural offspring of Wit, the Practical Joke stallion who entered stud in Louisiana last year. Wit's move marked a new chapter for the breeding program, and the arrival of his first foal in the state is a notable milestone.
The filly is out of the stakes-winning Quality Road mare Sashimi Blaster, owned by Whispering Oaks. "We were blessed by her arrival at 10:23 p.m. on January 6," said Carrol Castille, Whispering Oaks Farm owner. "She is everything you look for in a high-quality thoroughbred prospect, and we are blessed that she and her dam are healthy and off to a great start. We look forward to watching her development here at the farm."
Sashimi Blaster was purchased as a yearling by Whispering Oaks and earned $191,000 during her racing career. Her biggest win came in the $150,000 Louisiana Jewel Stakes at Delta Downs. She is out of the Grade 3 winning Cure the Blues mare Pentatonic.
A Strategic Acquisition for Louisiana Breeding
Wit (Practical Joke—Numero d'Oro, by Medaglia d'Oro) was offered at the 2024 Keeneland April Horses of Racing Age Sale. At that time, Andrew Cary, serving as the bloodstock advisor for Keith and Ginger Myers' Coteau Grove Farm in Sunset, Louisiana, recognized Wit's potential—not as a racing prospect, but as an ideal addition to Louisiana's breeding program. Coteau Grove's partner in the stallion business, Whispering Oaks Farm in Carencro, Louisiana, also viewed the 'TDN Rising Star' as an excellent candidate for the state's thriving Thoroughbred industry. Coteau Grove Farms and Whispering Oaks Farm acquired the stallion, and he has integrated seamlessly into the Louisiana-bred program.
Wit's Racing Highlights
Wit enjoyed a distinguished career on the racetrack under the guidance of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. A $575,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Repole Stable & St Elias Stable, Wit was the highest-priced yearling of that crop by leading sire Practical Joke. Wit won his career debut at Belmont Park by six lengths and then burst into national prominence by winning the historic Grade 3 Sanford Stakes at Saratoga, triumphing by an impressive eight-length margin. This performance established him as one of the leading two-year-olds of his crop.
Following this notable victory, Wit continued to compete at the highest level, securing a second-place finish in the Grade I Hopeful Stakes. His success on dirt continued in the spring of 2022 when he claimed victory in the Grade 3 Bay Shore Stakes.
Demonstrating versatility, Wit made a smooth transition to turf racing. He added to his achievements with a win in the Better Talk Now Stakes at Saratoga. Additionally, Wit earned runner-up honors in both the Grade 2 Hall of Fame Stakes and the Grade 3 Bryan Station Stakes, and he delivered a strong performance with a close third-place finish in the Grade I Hollywood Derby.
Wit was very well received in his first season at stud, breeding over 70 mares, and will continue to be well supported in the future by the likes of Coteau Grove Farms, Whispering Oaks Farm, and other leading Louisiana breeders.
Louisiana remains a notable state for thoroughbred breeding, with its horses competing for significant purse money, and the industry is supported by the Louisiana Thoroughbred Breeders Association breeders incentive awards.
According to the Jockey Club, Louisiana led in the increased percentage number of thoroughbred mares bred in 2025 and was the only state to show an increase over 2024. The increase was nearly 50% year over year. It was the only state that showed an increase in mares bred. All other North American numbers showed decreases, with Louisiana a top-five state for 989 mares bred to 51 stallions, an increase over 44 reported in 2024. This number was up dramatically from the 662 mares bred in 2024.
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