Grade II winner and multiple grade I-placed Hold Me Back will enter stud in 2011 at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky.
“Unfortunately, a strained tendon has compromised Hold Me Back’s chances of recapturing the brilliance he showed us during his 2009 campaign,” said Elliott Walden, WinStar’s vice president and racing manager. The 4-year-old colt was bred by WinStar in partnership with Haras Santa Maria de Araras.
Hold Me Back, by Giant's Causeway —Restraint, by Unbridled's Song, began his 3-year-old campaign with a win in the $500,000 Lanes End Stakes (gr. II) at Turfway Park. He later finished second to General Quarters in the $750,000 Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) at Keeneland and second in the $1 million Travers Stakes (gr. I) at Saratoga behind 3-year-old male champion Summer Bird. This year, Hold Me Back won the Dominion Day Handicap (gr. III) at Woodbine. He was retired with $872,610 in career earnings and four wins and three seconds from 14 lifetime starts, 11 in graded company.
“Standing every bit of 16.3, he is a very fluid mover and an imposing individual," said Bill Mott, who trained the colt for his entire career. "He is versatile and ran in all of the big races including a great Travers run.”
“With his physical presence, his talent, and his excellent pedigree, Hold Me Back has the credentials to make it as a stud,” said WinStar president Doug Cauthen. “We have been lucky with talented grade II winners before.”
Hold Me Back will be available for viewing at WinStar Farm during an open house starting Nov. 7. The stud fee has not been announced.
