The landscape of Thoroughbred breeding in Maryland, a tradition stretching back over four centuries, is undergoing a renaissance, driven by a new generation of passionate individuals. While Maryland-bred horses consistently capture national attention, the recent triumph of Knicks Go has cast an even brighter spotlight on the state’s burgeoning Thoroughbred industry. This remarkable horse’s victories in the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile in 2020 and the $3 million Pegasus World Cup Invitational in January 2021 have resonated throughout the racing world, marking a significant moment for breeders like Sabrina Moore and her GreenMount Farm. The success of Knicks Go has not only brought accolades but has also underscored the evolving strategies and dedication shaping the future of Thoroughbred breeding.
Establishing GreenMount: A Foundation of Passion
GreenMount Farm, a 43-acre property in Glyndon, Maryland, was acquired by Sabrina Moore’s grandfather in 2006. What began as a hobby farm, fueled by her mother Angie Moore’s lifelong passion for horses, soon blossomed into a dedicated breeding operation. While Angie’s initial forays into Thoroughbred partnerships provided valuable experience, it was the arrival of a broodmare in foal to Fantasticat that truly ignited the Moores’ commitment to breeding. This early success solidified their dedication, leading to the development of a structured breeding program. Sabrina, witnessing her mother’s deep emotional connection to their homebreds, which sometimes presented business challenges, eventually took the reins of farm management. “My mom opened this door for me,” Sabrina acknowledges, highlighting the familial legacy and shared enthusiasm that underpins GreenMount’s operations.
Sabrina Moore’s Strategic Approach to Breeding
Sabrina Moore has carved a niche for GreenMount Farm by specializing in the crucial broodmare and foal segment of the industry. Recognizing the intense demands and financial realities of raising horses for racing, she has strategically focused the farm’s business model on selling foals as weanlings and yearlings. While GreenMount does retain some homebreds to race under its own banner, selling young stock has proven to be the most sustainable path. Currently, the farm houses three broodmares and also provides boarding services for clients. A key aspect of their strategy involves breeding their mares to stallions in Kentucky, renowned for their quality bloodlines, before returning the mares to Maryland to foal. This approach ensures access to top-tier sires while maintaining the “Maryland-bred” status that is central to the farm’s identity.
Bloodstock agent Bill Reightler praises Sabrina’s exceptional work ethic and enthusiasm. “She’s a pleasure to work with,” he states, having first collaborated with the Moores through Angie in their early years. Sabrina’s extensive apprenticeship with Reightler, followed by the establishment of her own consignment company operating out of GreenMount, has equipped her with invaluable industry insight. Reightler emphasizes that Sabrina’s success is a direct result of her hard work and dedication. She embraces the demanding lifestyle of the Thoroughbred industry, characterized by continuous learning and mentorship from experienced professionals. “We don’t have enough young people dedicated to this sport right now,” Reightler observes, underscoring Sabrina’s commitment as a true passion rather than a mere pastime.
The Rise of Knicks Go: A Testament to GreenMount’s Breeding
Knicks Go’s extraordinary success has undeniably propelled GreenMount Farm into the international spotlight. However, for Sabrina Moore, he represents just one of many promising horses to emerge from their program. Angie Moore acquired Knicks Go’s dam, Kosmo’s Buddy, a sprinter, towards the end of her racing career. The strategic decision was made to breed her to a stallion with inherent speed. Paynter, Knicks Go’s sire, was chosen for his promising stud career and impressive pedigree. Moore often favors breeding to freshman sires, recognizing the “buzz” they generate, which can positively impact future sales. Balancing this with market trends, she also considers “more trendy stallions from a consignment stand point.”
Beyond pedigree and marketability, Moore places significant importance on matching stallions that possess physical conformation traits that complement or enhance those of her broodmares. Knicks Go’s rapid maturation as a foal led Moore to sell him as a weanling in 2016 through Reightler for $40,000 to Northface Bloodstock. The following year, the Korea Racing Authority acquired him for $87,000. To date, Knicks Go has amassed an impressive $4,588,995 in earnings for his owners. Sabrina describes the influx of attention as a “whirlwind” and expresses delight in witnessing his growing fanbase on social media.
The Next Chapter: GreenMount’s Promising Future
Sabrina Moore is filled with anticipation for the future of GreenMount Farm, with mares currently in foal to prominent stallions and a cohort of young horses being prepped for the 2021 sales season. She plans to offer two fillies at the Kentucky sales this fall: one by Tiznow out of Pinkprint (GreenMount’s first Kentucky consignment) and another by Accelerate out of Ostourah, a filly Moore purchased as a weanling with resale in mind. The Accelerate filly has been invited to the prestigious Kentucky select sale, while the Tiznow yearling will be presented at the Fasig Tipton’s Kentucky October Yearling Sale.
Moore’s current broodmare band is equally exciting. Pinkprint, a GreenMount homebred and Knicks Go’s half-sister, has been bred to More Than Ready after a year off from breeding. Mystic Love, a mare by Not For Love out of Memories of Mystic, raced by GreenMount until 2014 and earned over $200,000. She has proven successful as a broodmare, with her 2019 filly by Bernardini winning the 2020 Maryland Horse Breeders Association Yearling Show and selling for $100,000. This filly, now named Where’s Bridgit, is in training with Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher. Mystic Love welcomed a Malibu Moon colt this year and has been bred back to Improbable. Perdona, who earned over $170,000 on the track before being acquired by Moore as a broodmare, produced a Yoshida foal this year and is slated to be bred to Vekoma this season.
“This is the time of year I get most excited,” Moore shares, her voice filled with enthusiasm. “With foals being born and mares being bred back and all the young horses to prep for sales. It’s just a great time of year!” For 2021, Sabrina remains committed to the forward momentum and strategic approach that defines GreenMount Farm. Like many involved in Maryland’s Thoroughbred industry, Sabrina’s dedication stems from a deep love for her work. While the accolades for Knicks Go are thrilling, the profound satisfaction lies in nurturing her horses and celebrating their success.
A Special Bond: The Story of Itsallaboutthebens
While Knicks Go has undoubtedly placed GreenMount Farm on the international map, another foal holds a particularly special place in Sabrina Moore’s heart: Itsallaboutthebens. Bred from Gemstone’s Jewel (by Clever Trick) and sired by Outflanker, this distinctive-looking foal was born in 2012. “He just never looked the sales part so we kept him and raced him ourselves,” Moore recalls. Trained by William H. Wolfendale II for GreenMount Farm, Itsallaboutthebens raced exclusively at Maryland tracks, participating in 15 starts over two years. During his racing career, “Ben” achieved one win, three second-place finishes, and three third-place finishes, earning $45,143. Moore admits to being on the fence about selling him after his racing career concluded, stating, “I just love him and was really on the fence about selling him after he finished on the track.” She recognized his desire for a continued purpose beyond the farm, explaining, “He was just one of those horses that wanted to have a job and it would have been selfish to keep him at the farm just to look at him.” Itsallaboutthebens has now found a fulfilling new career as a foxhunter with his new owner, Katie Marquette. “I’m just so happy for him and his new owner,” Moore concludes warmly.
