A modern era which recalled the heyday of the great owner/breeders will come to a close when Sam-Son Farm steps away from the Thoroughbred industry.

The Ontario-based operation which has produced such iconic Thoroughbreds as Dance Smartly and Smart Strike will hold the largest portion of its dispersal at the Keeneland January Sale.

At Fasig-Tipton November, four fillies and mares were sold, including 2019 Woodbine Oaks winner Desert Ride (photo) and Shared Account, a Sam-Son mare purchase whose daughter Sharing emulated her dam with a Breeders' Cup victory.

Given our familiarity with Sam-Son's horses and matings, the news brought on a deep sense of reflection. At the same time, it presents an exceptional opportunity for investment for breeders, no matter where in the world they are based.

This is by virtue of Canadian breeding boasting a strong global influence, beginning of course with Windfields Farm, breeder of the incomparable Northern Dancer. Winners of the Woodbine Oaks, a race a record eight times by Sam-Son, have gone to make an indelible mark on the stud book, from Nijinsky's dam Flaming Page to Sam-Son's own Classy 'n Smart.

The common thread was the focus of leading Canadian breeders on developing families which thrived over all racing surfaces, and often over classic distances. That was likewise the hallmark at stud of Sam-Son homebred Smart Strike, one of America's most admirable and well-rounded sires of the past quarter century.

More about the operation and people behind the many greats to carry the Sam-Son silks over the past near-half century:

Ernie Samuel founded Sam-Son Farm in 1972 and built it into a world-renowned racing and breeding operation. After his death in 2000, his daughter Tammy Samuel-Balaz took over the reins at Sam-Son and led the farm to numerous victories and awards until her own passing in 2008. Today the farm is run by Farm Manager, Dave Whitford, and Racing Manager, Tom Zwiesler, under the leadership of owners, Rick Balaz, (President), Mark Samuel (CEO) and Kim Samuel, who have sustained and built upon the farm’s sterling reputation and legacy of success.

Sam-Son Farm has bred and raced 44 Graded stakes winners in the famed red and gold silks, including 37 Classic winners, and 14 Grade 1 winners. The legendary operation has garnered 84 Sovereign Awards, including the 2019 Sovereign awards for Owner and Breeder of the Year, and four Eclipse Awards.