Ballena Vista Farm Integrity. Commitment. Compassion
it’s all here
We’ve come a long way since the Swycaffer family homesteaded 180-plus acres for a cattle ranch in Ballena, California, in the early days of the area in San Diego County now occupied by Ballena Vista Farm! Today, the more than 220- acre showplace is one of the most beautiful and successful Thoroughbred operations on the West Coast.
Ballena Vista Farm boasts a world-class facility and showcases the best stallion roster in the state with Tribal Rule, Eddington and Benchmark ranking among California’s top fiveleading sires by money won. Rounding out the roster is Dixie Chatter a grade I winner whose is second on the California First Crop Sire List and new sire Calimonco, a stakes winning son of Storm Cat out Sweet Life whose first crop is due in 2014.
Currently first on California’s general sire list with progeny earnings of more than $4.1 million, Tribal Rule continues to dominate West Coast two-year-old sire standings, leading all sires in 2011, and again in 2012, by earnings and winners. The Storm Cat son was California’s leading freshman sire in 2006, and with Georgie Boy’s grade I Del Mar Futurity win, he topped the two-year-old sire list the following year. Tribal Rule’s on-track success is reflected in the sales ring, as his 2012 two-year-olds in training average of $52,667 is more than eight times his stud fee.
Tribal Rule, a brilliant winner twice in four starts. Currently leading California overall sire list earning of more than 4.1 million, leader of California bred two year olds by money won and winners, Leading national sire list for all weather surfaces. Sire of Gr 2 winner Ethnic Dance who won the 2013 Del Mar Derby and undefeated 2 year old Summer Rules who set a stakes record at Del Mar
Eddington: Relocating to Ballena Vista Farm for 2014, stud fee $ 3,500. Grade 1 winning son of Unbridled. 5 stakes winners include Secret Circle recent winner of the Xpressbet Breeder's Cup Sprint Gr.1, Grade 2 winner Brushed by a Star who is Grade 1 placed in 2013, Five crops have earned more than $ 10.7 million.
Dixie Chatter, a grade I winner of $484,606, stood his first year in 2010 and his first crop in 2011 is earning high grades for size and conformation. A top two-year-old of 2007, Dixie Chatter received the second-highest weight among colts and geldings ranked on the Experimental Handicap. In three stakes-winning seasons, the son of Dixie Union won the Norfolk Stakes (grade 1), Oceanside Stakes and the Arcadia Handicap (grade IIT). First crop now racing, 5 winners including multiple stakes winner Architecture and stakes placed Chattering Nikita.
Benchmark, a triple grade II winner, topped California’s two-year-old sire list in 2003 with his second crop to race and again in 2005. His 31 stakes winners include multiple grade 1 winner Brother Derek, and with total progeny earnings just over $2.3 million for 2011, he is currently ranked third in California. Benchmark was also California’s leading sire by winners and races won in 2009-2010. New Grade 1 winner Points off the Bench won the 2013 Bing Crosby.
Ballena Vista Farm encompasses more than 220 acres consisting of pastures irrigated by numerous fresh-water wells and individual paddocks (grass or dry) of varying sizes, all with wood four-rail fencing and V-mesh wire for safety. There is also a quarter-mile training track with a starting gate and a six-horse Claydon indoor exerciser to help meet all your equine needs.
New for the 2013 breeding season is a state-of-the-art breeding complex, including an eight-stall stallion barn, adjoining grass turn-outs, covered round pen, laboratory, and a breeding shed to accommodate the high standards of excellence required by our resident stallions. Additional pastures are being added in the upcoming year.
Ballena Vista has at its helm Manuel Ochoa, whose career spans 40-plus years in the California industry. Manuel has assembled a team of industry professionals: Becky Ocampo (Office Manager); Jeanne Davis (Sales and Marketing); Miguel Jimenez (Broodmare Manager); Frank Ochoa (Operations Manager); and Marcelino Gordillo (Facilities Manager). Together the team has more than 100 years of hands-on Thoroughbred experience.
We pride ourselves on providing the best possible care for mares and foals, breaking and training of young horses, sales preparation and rehabilitation of injured horses. There are personnel available around the clock for constant supervision of your equine athletes. In depth and meticulous attention is given to every detail of our equine residents and Ballena Vista Farm stands by its motto “Integrity, Commitment, Compassion . . . It’s All Here.”