Darley to Take Possession of Pyro

Sheikh Mohammed’s Darley operation will assume ownership of Pyro, a contender in the Oct. 25 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, following the World Championships.

Jimmy Bell, president of Darley USA, said Darley’s assumption of Pyro’s ownership is the culmination of a deal entered into last spring for the son of Pulpit   to stand at the Lexington breeding nursery upon completion of his career.

A Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred trained by Steve Asmussen, Pyro has won four of 12 starts, with six second- or third-place finishes, and earned $1,469,883. His victories include the grade II Louisiana Derby and grade III Northern Dancer.

Bell said Sheikh Mohammed would decide when Pyro is retired to stud and that no decision had been made on 2009.