In 2008, Pinto pulled off a radical move and relocated Braggadacio to Sottrum, Germany. The staff were skeptical, neighboring stables were shocked, and every one of Pinto's friends were caught by surprise--though the friends already located in Europe were more than thrilled. It took a month alone to ship more than twenty horses across seas. Horses who were already in other states or countries stayed put for their races before being flown to their new home to allow them some adjustment time.

But Braggadacio's success never slowed. In 2006, the stable ranked in $301,454, 86(36) wins, while hitting the board 171(72) times. The year came to a wonderful conclusion when Mr. Wonderful, a son of Wolf Power (SAF) won the Breeders Cup Classic and was named that year's EAC Horse of the Year and Older Male Champion. In 2007, earnings reached $476,980 with 125(93) wins, and 336(230) times on the board. Braggadacio accomplished the impossible when their gelding, Volcanic Speed, ended the year with the exact same honors as Mr. Wonderful. The old titan would also become Pinto's first $100,000 earner.

Horses are bred back in Kentucky at Black Storm Stables, the one thousand acre facility. Once the foals are yearlings, they're all loaded up in a plane and shipped to Germany to begin training at the farm. In all, Braggadacio horses have captured such names as the Breeders Cup Classic, Breeders Cup Filly & Mare Turf, Breeders Cup Sprint, Melbourne Cup, Preakness, Godolphin Mile, and more. The stable has banked more than $1 million, and Black Storm/Braggadacio stock are in high demand.

The success of Black Storm is evident in our stock. A few examples of this would include Volcanic Speed, Next Victim Please, and Falante. Volcanic Speed probably has the most humorous story behind him: purchased for a hefty $8,000 from the Humane Society, we thought we were purchasing a future stallion prospect. Imagine our surprise when we found out he was gelded! Nonetheless, we fell in love with this freight train of a horse, and kept him. In return, he went on to win the Hill Prince Stakes, Supreme Stakes (Gr. I), finish second in the Breeders Cup Mile, and travel halfway across the globe to finish a worthy third place in the Dubai World Cup. But this son of Cherokee Run was special; he finished his 2006 season by winning 4 out of 10 starts, and returned to dominate the year 2007 by winning 9 out of 19. As if that didn't sound impressive enough, he finished less than 3rd only twice in all 29 starts.

Next Victim Please was one of our first homebreds. Sired by A-Jay, an In Excess son, out of the mare Jamaican Rum by Exemplary Leader, "Victor" had horses such as Siberian Express, Vigors, Valid Appeal, and Runaway Groom all in the same generation. Victor won the Breeders Cup Sprint, De Francis Memorial Dash (Gr. I), Play the King Stakes (Gr. II), and Deputy Minister Stakes (Gr. III).

Falante's story was a head case. Found wandering along the street caked in mud, we took the chestnut colt in, cleaned him up, and began searching for an owner. When none was found, we kept him. Falante was the sort who would run exceptionally well one day, and flunk to dead last the next. In 2006, he won just 1 start out of 13--a Maiden. But like a fine wine, he improved with age. The next year he won the Pebbles Stakes and Citation Handicap (Gr. I), finishing second in the Breeders Cup Mile, Tropical Turf Handicap (Gr. II), and more. Much to our surprise, he was named that year's Older Turf Male Champion.

Racing colors of yellow and black.