Sanford Zimmerman and his wife Jan own and operate a thriving standardbred breeding farm and boarding facility near Gorrie, ON. Their Century Spring Farms has been in the Zimmerman family since 1868 and is named for the historic artesian well on the 200-acre site.
Sanford has had an interest in harness racing since he was a youngster watching his father Harry, a dairy farmer, dabble in raising and selling yearlings in the early days of the Ontario Sires Stakes.
Sanford had been dairy farming for 22 years and Jan was a massage therapist, but in 2005 they both decided to make a fulltime commitment to the horse business.
The Zimmermans employ some part-time help, but prefer to be hands-on for most of the labour and administration involved in their 25-30 horse operation.
Sanford Zimmerman has been a member of the Board of Directors of SBOA since 2007.
What advice could you give someone just starting out in the Standardbred
breeding business today?
I would choose maiden mares with current pedigrees. The first two foals might be the best sellers she has and if they make it, you’re all set. If they don’t, my advice would be to sell the mare while she still has some value and start again. Don’t wait forever for the big one.
Who do you think you have learned the most from about the breeding business?
I’ve picked up tips and information from a lot of different people. But my own interest in studying pedigrees and sales, plus practical experience, has taught me the most about the little bit I do know.
What do you enjoy most about the business?
Having yearlings sell well after all the time, effort, and money you’ve invested in them is certainly satisfying, but watching them do well on the track is the ultimate goal.
How many yearlings are you selling this year and where?
We’re selling four yearlings of our own and seven as agent at the Canadian Yearling Sale at Flamboro. Of our own, we have a Lis Mara colt, a Jeremes Jet filly, a Mach Three colt, and a Striking Sahbra colt.
We’re also prepping a Somebeachsomewhere filly from world champion Benear p,1:49.3 for the Harrisburg sale.
What has been your most harrowing experience in the business?
The first foal that we had when we started foaling in 2006 was a beautiful Striking Sahbra filly. One morning just after she was 3 months old, I went out to feed the mares and found her with a broken leg and she had to be put down. That was devastating.
Who is your favourite broodmare and why?
Lady Sammie is my favourite broodmare for a lot of reasons.
We bought her on a whim, the first mare purchased for our operation, but she has been a good producer for us. And through he,r we have become good friends with her former owners, Ralph, Rosalind, and Doug Paul of “M&L of Delaware” (Wilmington, DE).
After what seemed to be a very routine foaling in 2009, Lady Sammie was ultra sounded and they found a tear in two of the three layers of her uterus. Surgery was performed in January, 2010 at the University of Guelph and they removed part of the left horn and the left ovary.
It was the first surgery for that problem ever done and the damaged horn is now on display at Guelph as a learning tool.
In March of 2010 Lady Sammie was bred to Camluck and in March of this year she had a gorgeous filly with a full blaze and one blue eye. Since then she has been checked in foal to Sportswriter.
Those are just a few of the reasons that she’s my favourite broodmare.
How do you unwind away from the breeding business?
We do like to travel when we get the chance. A few years ago we took the train to Montreal and thoroughly enjoyed it. I would like to do the same through the Rockies.
Jan has a riding horse, but I’m not into that. I like to collect toy tractors and I’m an avid hockey fan.
How do you monitor mares about to foal?
We have four foaling cameras. During foaling season Jan goes to bed at 3:30 in the afternoon and gets up at 11p.m. She gets the crappy hours– but I get more chores to do.
Who is your favourite racehorse of all time?
Because he was the first great horse I followed closely, I think I would have to say, Nihilator.
If you could spend a day with anyone (living or dead), who would that be?
My dad. I think he would have really liked seeing so many standardbreds on the farm, especially the foals.
See Also:
Breeder Spotlight…Tammy McNiven
Breeder Spotlight…Dr. Keith Coquhoun
Breeder Spotlight…Larry Morrison
Breeder Spotlight…Ruleen Lilley
Breeder Spotlight…Bobbi Morley
