The dynamic combination of the old and the new will always engender excitement. It evokes a respect for history and tradition, leavened with the vitality and enthusiasm which a new venture brings.

These facets were very much at the forefront of Frank Nastasi's mind, when in 1993 he purchased part of the former Blue Sky Farm, Fort Edward. Situated just fifteen minutes from Saratoga, this historic setting is now the home of Pinebourne Farm North, New York's newest stallion station.

"During the days of French and Indian wars Fort Edward was a sight of tremendous importance, although, sadly the fort itself no longer exists. Nearby Roger's Island served the home of the legendary Roger's Rangers. Owning a farm in an area so richly steeped in our heritage really fulfilled a dream for me" reflects Nastasi.

eighteen month search of suitable properties, to make this site the new home of Blue Sky. A number of other considerations convinced Flynn that this was the right choice. "...We wanted to be in an area where we could be serviced well, meaning veterinarians, blacksmiths, supplies, and so forth. Saratoga offers those things. In addition, Saratoga offers an excellent location. This is easily accessible for a commercial breeding farm. We are right off the Northway on a main highway."

The fact that the farm was established so recently ensures that it has the facilities expected of a modern stallion operation. These include the covering shed and stallion barn, which at one stage housed 14 stallions, including the classic siring Ribot horse Filiberto. The barn is complete with an office suite, a conference room, apartments and a viewing gallery.

To complement the existing infrastructure, Nastasi embarked on an energetic program of refurbishing which took the number of stalls to over 40, saw automatic waterers installed in all stallion paddocks; considerable improvements to the roads; and the building of an equipment shed. The stage of development calls for the erection of several run-in sheds.

As the rebuilding program gained momentum, so began the search for a stallion of the quality necessary to launch Pinebourne North, and that search resulted in the purchase of Silver Music. As Nastasi explains "We had been determined to wait until we found a horse which genuinely excited us, and yet was available at a figure which would allow us in turn to price shares and seasons at a level within reach of smaller breeders. I feel that it is essential to take a long-term approach. One of the ways forward for the New York program is the scope to "make" stallions by bringing in really worthwhile prospects and standing them at value for money prices."

To acquire Silver Music, Pinebourne had to beat off considerable overseas interest, but they certainly seem to have a horse who fits the bill. Described by the Blood-Horse as "the most versatile three-year-old of his crop", Silver Music was a grade two winner of over $350,000. Although he won on both dirt and turf as a juvenile, it was at three that he really came into his own. At that age Silver Music ran first or second in six consecutive stakes, on dirt and turf, with three black-type victories. This streak started with a win in the Baldwin Stakes over six and a half furlongs on the turf, and ended with a resounding four length triumph over Dramatic Gold in the Swaps Stakes.

Frank Nastasi explains "We were very keen on finding a Mr. Prospector-line horse, and yet we also wanted a proven runner. Clearly Mr. Prospector sons were going to be out of reach, something which would also apply to the sons of the more fashionable Mr. Prospector stallions such as Gone West, Fappiano and Seeking the Gold. Silver Music's sire, Silver Ghost doesn't fit into that category at the moment, but we perceive him as a real bonus. He is one of the best bred Mr. Prospector sons at stud. He had very limited opportunities at the initial stages of his career, and yet he has one of the highest stakes winners to runners percentages of Mr. Prospector's sire sons. This tells us that he is a very prepotent horse. Silver Ghost's initial success caused him to be moved to one of Kentucky's top farms, Vinery, and he is going to have some very exciting crops of foals to come in the next few years."

The attractions of Silver Music's pedigree didn't reside solely in his sire line. "Our pedigree advisor was insistent that we must have a horse with a strong female line, and a pedigree which would ensure that he would work with a wide range of the broodmare population." Silver Music fits that bill as his dam, Music Bell, is by Stop the Music out of Belladora, a graded stakes winning Stage Door Johnny mare; who is also three-parts-sister to Champion two-year-old and successful sire Silent Screen. "He looks as if he should combine well with a real cross section of mares, and we are particularly excited by his potential to work with Northern Dancer line mares."

In line with his commitment to the New York breeding industry, Frank Nastasi has crafted an imaginative and creative syndication prospectus. Silver Music will stand for $2,500 live foal, and shares are available for $5,000, with each share conveying two breeding rights for his first season, 1997. This gives the smaller breeder the opportunity to participate in Silver Music's stud career.

Currently, Silver Music has three stud companions, all aimed at the less expensive end of the market. These are: Kracotowa, a son of Deputy Minister, who showed tremendous potential in a career halted by injury; Steerforth, who is by Seattle Slew's Northern Dancer half-brother Lomond, and who owned some very smart form in England- chiefly by winning the Duke of Cambridge Handicap Stakes by six lengths ; and Bianco d'Oro- a winning Miswaki sire bred on the same cross as Black Tie Affair. Kracotowa and Steerforth have their first runners in 1996 and Bianco d'Oro will begin his stud career in 1997. Nastasi is currently searching for a proven stallion to strengthen the line-up, and adds "if the right horse or horses become available, we are ready to move."

Nastasi's experience certainly gives him the grounding to empathize with owners and breeders at all levels. Frank and his wife Denise have been actively involved in racing for 17 years, and their runners have included several New York-breds raised at their home, the original Pinebourne Farm in Upper Brookville, Long Island. They also campaigned Three Coins Up, a winner of $300,000, who gained a Grade Two Stakes triumph in the Bowling Green Handicap (and who remains the only three-year-old to capture this race). Three Coins Up was subsequently sold to stand in Germany, where his middle-distance turf race record and pedigree have been well appreciated. They also campaigned Lady Talc, a New York-bred graded stakes performer who earned over $170,000.

A New Yorker born and bred, Frank Nastasi is firmly committed to racing and breeding in his home state. But he feels that the program won't assume its rightful place in the industry until "owners and breeders appreciate the value of working together to realize the tremendous potential which resides in this state."