Photo of Susan and John Sykes by Cindy Mikell

CloverLeaf Farms II, closed since 2007, is set to reopen. Owner John Sykes acquired the property in 1997, built it into a full-service facility and then moved his operation to Kentucky in 2007. Due to the direction of Florida’s Thoroughbred industry and the early success of the Vinery stallion Congrats – whom Sykes owns in partnership with Vinery – Sykes has decided to utilize the Reddick property once more.

“The recent legislation and the direction of Florida’s Thoroughbred industry certainly played a role in our decision,” said Matt Lyons, general manager of Sykes’ Woodford Thoroughbreds and CloverLeaf Farms. “Of course, the Congrats horses have really come out running as well and we want t­o support him over the next few years.”

Congrats, the top freshman sire in the country, stands at Vinery for a $4,500 stud fee. Through Aug. 30, Congrats is represented by 11 winners from 34 starters. He has two stakes winners and total progeny earnings of $477,364. His leading runner is Sorrento Stakes (G3) winner Wickedly Perfect, a Florida-bred OBS graduate with earnings of $114,600.

Lyons said he expects CloverLeaf to house 20 to 25 of Sykes’ broodmares. Among Sykes’ broodmare band are the likes of Florida champions Bsharpsonata and Set Play, Turko’s Turn, the dam of Point Given, and   Grade 1 winner Celtic Melody, according to the Woodford Thoroughbreds website.

Lyons indicated there are a few mares on the property currently and more will take up residence over the next couple of weeks. Lyons also said that Cory Stayner has been hired as the farm’s manager.

“We have a lot of nice mares,” Lyons said. “Right now the plan is to board only our horses. If a good client were to come along, however, we may be open to that in the future.

“We know these are tough economic times,” he added, “but the farm is there, it’s a beautiful property and the grounds have been maintained. The industry in Florida seems headed in the right direction, and having Congrats is a big draw for us. Everything pointed to reopening.”