In many ways, Lord Nelson (Pulpit)’s young stallion career at Spendthrift Farm has been a story of benchmarks. After a well-documented battle with Laminitis that forced him to miss the 2017 breeding season, the chestnut was given a clean bill of health later last year and, on Feb. 26, had his first mare confirmed in foal. Now just shy of two months into the breeding season, Lord Nelson has passed every test with flying colors and appears ready to handle an increased book size. Ned Toffey, Spendthrift Farm General Manager, said Wednesday that the farm plans on adding a handful of extra mares to his 2018 book, which was intentionally kept on the small size for the stallion’s first season at stud.

“We’re keeping him on a somewhat limited book, but he’s actually doing so well that we’re just now going to open up a few more spots for selected, quality mares,” Toffey said. “We’re doing it because we’re about seven weeks into the breeding season, and the horse is really proving to us that the workload is not a problem at all for him.”

Toffey said that from the beginning of the breeding season, Spendthrift’s plan has been to “listen to the horse” when managing Lord Nelson’s book. When all is said and done, Lord Nelson is expected to breed between 120 and 125 mares–although Toffey believes the 6-year-old stallion is capable of handling significantly more.

“He could not be doing any better,” Toffey said. “There’s a lot of hard work and a lot of hours put in–a lot of dedication by a lot of people. We have one tough horse, and a lot of luck that is paying off.”

Although Spendthrift continues to keep a close eye on Lord Nelson’s progress, Toffey said the stallion has handled the physical and mental demands of his new career flawlessly.

“He’s on the same routine as any stallion at Spendthrift,” said Toffey. “He does still wear a custom shoe to help make sure that we keep things in good order, but he gets turned out every morning. He’s breeding a good book of mares, and his fertility has been very good so far. He’s a very good breeder. One of the things that’s been very apparent with this horse is what a smart animal he is. He takes care of himself, and he’s very easy on himself in the breeding shed. He’s really doing well.”

On the track, Lord Nelson enjoyed a stellar 2016 season, capturing the GI Triple Bend S., GI Bing Crosby S. and GI Santa Anita Sprint Championship for Spendthrift and trainer Bob Baffert. Those performances stamped him as the likely favorite for the GI Breeders’ Cup Sprint, but the chestnut was forced to scratch and retire from racing after contracting a leg infection in the days leading up to the World Championships. With Lord Nelson having successfully conquered Laminitis in 2017, Toffey said he has all the confidence in the world in the horse going forward.

“This horse has been through the ringer,” Toffey said. “I have not seen many horses get to the point that this horse got to and make the kind of recovery that he has. We can intervene, and the veterinary care for Laminitis has improved so much–those are all really important things–but none of that works without the patient. This guy is just so intelligent and mentally tough. It makes me that much more excited about breeding to this horse.”

The role of Godolphin Group CEO, presently filled by Joe Osborne, has been removed from the international operation’s power structure, Godolphin stated on their website on Tuesday evening.

The statement read: Godolphin announces that the role of Group CEO has been discontinued from March 2018.  Responsibility for each operation around the world is now vested in the local managing director and his board of directors. As such Joe Osborne has resumed his role as managing director, Godolphin Ireland, and, in addition to his role as a leading public trainer, John Gosden remains responsible for Godolphin bloodstock purchases.

Osborne, who took John Ferguson’s place as CEO last June when Ferguson resigned, will resume his Irish duties.

(Click here for a Kelsey Riley feature on Godolphin and Osborne)

Jockey Hugh Bowman, regular reinsman for Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), has been cleared to return to the saddle following a fall on Mar. 10. He will rejoin Winx, as that champion goes for her 24th-consecutive score and 17th-Group 1 win in the Mar. 24 G1 George Rider S. Bowman sustained a concussion after falling from Mar. 24 G1 Golden Slipper S. hopeful Performer (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) and was stood down. The Australian will most likely be race riding on Thursday and will be aboard several horses for trackwork on Tuesday morning.

“I don’t feel I could have ridden last weekend, but having had a good week’s rest, I’m feeling much better,” Bowman told Racing NSW on Monday. “You’ve only got one head, don’t you? The brain’s an important part and I had a significant concussion.”

In addition to Winx, Bowman will be aboard Performer once again in the Golden Slipper, also on Rosehill’s Saturday card, as well as D’Argento (Aus) (So You Think {NZ}) in the G1 Rosehill Guineas, Le Romain (Aus) (Hard Spun) in the G1 The Galaxy and Prized Icon (Aus) (More Than Ready) in the G1 Ranvet S.

“I am looking forward to it, believe it or not,” said Bowman. “It seems to be a freak thing. He’s obviously reacted to something, but he’s trialled well since, so we will get on with it.”

As first published by Daily Racing Form, trainer Peter Miller has been fined $2,500 and suspended seven days by the Santa Anita stewards for the use of “derogatory words about a licensee’s unborn baby” last September at San Luis Rey Downs. In addition to his suspension, which begins Apr. 2, Miller has been placed on probation through the expiration of his current trainer’s license in October 2019 and will be required to attend anger management classes. The ruling noted that it was the seventh time that Miller was reprimanded for disorderly conduct and “aggressive/abusive behavior.”