Markel associate, John Egan, first organized a freshman sire contest in the Spring of 2008, as a small competition amongst friends, family, colleagues and clients. To keep everyone informed, John also began producing a newsletter called 'The Freshman' that provided regular updates on the competition and the two-year-old racing scene. Past and present editions of the newsletter will be posted on this site regularly.
2009 Freshman Sire Competition:
'The Freshman' Volume 2 - all issues
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 21; January 2010
- In this Issue:
- Grand Prize Presentation at Darley Stud
- December and Overall Leaderboards
- December Cash Prize Winner
2009 Markel Freshman Sire Competition Final Standings
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 20; December 2009
- In this Issue:
- December and Overall Leaderboards
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 19; December 2009
- In this Issue:
- Final November and Overall Leaderboards
- November Cash Prize Winner
- Stallion Spotlight: Offlee Wild
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 18; November 2009
- In this Issue:
- November and Overall Leaderboards
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 17; October 2009
- In this Issue:
- Final October and Overall Leaderboards
- October Cash Prize Winner
- Stallion Spotlight: Kitten's Joy
- Breeder's Cup Preview
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 16; October 2009
- In this Issue:
- Fasig Tipton Graduates: Blind Luck and House of Grace
- European Focus
- Current October and Overall Leaderboards
- Other Freshman News
- Review of the Leaderboards
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 15; September 2009
- In this Issue:
- Keeneland Fall Meet: Three Graded Stakes Scheduled for 2-Year-Olds
- Markel In the Community: Markel to Sponsor t-shirts for Race for Education, Jockey Day at Old Friends
- European Focus: Shamardal
- Stallion Spotlight: Roman Ruler
- Final September and Overall Leaderboards
- September Cash Prize Winner
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 14; September 2009
- In this Issue:
- September and Overall Leaderboards
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 13; August 2009
- In this Issue:
- The Freshman on Facebook
- Markel to be Title Sponsor of HRRN Broadcast of Woodward Stakes (G1)
- European Focus: Termagant, Dubawi, Arakan
- Stallion Spotlight: Afleet Alex
- Final August and Overall Leaderboards
- August Cash Prize Winner
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 12; August 2009
- In this Issue:
- August and Overall Leaderboards
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 11; August 2009
- In this Issue:
- Fasig Tipton Graduate: Kid Canuck
- European Focus: Shamardal
- Stallion Spotlight: Ghostzapper
- Final July and Overall Leaderboards
- July Cash Prize Winner
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 10; July 2009
- In this Issue:
- June and Overall Leaderboards
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 9; July 2009
- In this Issue:
- Fasig Tipton Graduate: Vertical Vision
- European Focus: Long Lashes
- Stallion Spotlight: Pollard's Vision
- Royal Ascot Review & Postcard
- June and Overall Leaderboards
- June Cash Prize Winner
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 8; June 2009
- In this Issue:
- Stallion Spotlight: Limehouse
- European Focus: Powerscourt
- Fasig-Tipton Freshman Graduate: Ally Bear
- Royal Ascot Preview
- Freshman Sire Competition Leaderboard
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 7; June 2009
- In this Issue:
- Congrats to May Cash Prize Winner Steve Sansone!
- European Focus: Rose Blossom
- Fasig Tipton Graduate: Old Line State
- Freshman Sire Competition Leaderboard
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 6; May 2009
In this Issue:
- Stallion Spotlight: Wildcat Heir
- European Focus: Camacho
- Fasig Tipton Graduate: Southern Fireball
- Freshman Sire Competition Leaderboard
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 5; May 2009
- In this Issue:
- Over 50 Entries Received for the Freshman Sire Competition!
- More Farms on Board to Donate Halters to Winner
- First Leaderboard is Issued
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 4; April 2009
- In this Issue:
- Weekly Prizes This Year
- Enter the Competition by April 30th
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 3; April 2009
- In this Issue:
- The 2009 Freshman Sire Competition - Rules & Entry Form
- Freshman Runners on Display at Keeneland
- Wildcat Heir Makes Flying Start
- Other Freshman News
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 2; March 2009
- In this Issue:
- An Introduction to the Freshman Sire Competition
- An early look at this year's format for the 2008 players
- Markel In The Community
'The Freshman' Volume 2, No. 1; February 2009
- In this Issue:
- Press Release: Markel Lexington and the Horse Racing Radio Network
- Markel Lexington - Our New Office
- Upcoming Events