Concord Point to Hill 'n' Dale

Grade II winner Concord Point , Tapit ’s leading money earning colt in North America this year, has been retired from racing for stallion duty in 2011 at John Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Farms near Lexington. His fee is $7,500 live foal.

“He’s an exceptionally good-looking horse by one of the hottest sires on the scene today who was as brilliant as any horse we’ve brought to the farm,” Sikura said. “(Owner) Kaleem Shah and (trainer) Bob Baffert did a wonderful job with this horse. He was on track for winning a grade I before being sidelined.”

Lee McMillin and Ed Rudley are the breeders of Kentucky-bred Concord Point, whose dam, Harve de Grace (by Boston Harbor), is a winning half sister to graded stakes winner Tasha’s Miracle.

Concord Point was Tapit’s highest-priced yearling of 2008, selling for $220,000 at the Keeneland September yearling sale.

Concord Point made his first start for Oxbow Racing and Peter R. Bradley III at Santa Anita at 2 in 2009. He won that 6 1/2-furlong race in 1:15.11after setting a sizzling six-furlong fraction of 1:08.72. He earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure off that effort.

Concord Point was acquired by Shah after the race. As a 3-year-old, Concord Point showcased his talent with a track-record-setting performance in the 1 1/16-mile Iowa Derby (gr. III) in his first effort around two turns. The 8 ½-length victory earned him a 107 Beyer Speed Figure, the third-highest Beyer Speed Figure for a 3-year-old this year behind Eskendereya ’s 111 and Discreetly Mine’s 109. Concord Point then won the nine-furlong West Virginia Derby (gr. II) in a pacesetting effort.

“Concord Point is the best-looking Tapit I’ve seen,” Baffert said. “He had ridiculous, brilliant speed that he carried two turns, reminiscent of Unbridledwho beat Housebustersprinting, then went on to carry that speed a mile and a quarter. That’s what Concord Point was like. He brought his track with him, and he always brought his best game. He’s got the looks, the sire, the speed, and the farm to develop into a leading sire.”

Concord Point was retired with four wins and a second from six starts and earnings of $669,260.