Zayat Stables' leading 3-year-old Bodemeister , this year's brilliant winner of the Arkansas Derby (gr. I) and a narrow runner-up in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and the Preakness Stakes (gr. I), will stand stud at WinStar Farm at the conclusion of his racing career, the Lexington operation announced June 28.
A partnership was formed between WinStar and the colt's owners, Ahmed Zayat and Michel and Tiffany Moreno, who will continue to race the colt.
"Bodemeister is brilliant by design," said WinStar Farm president Elliott Walden in a statement. "The raw speed he shows, combined with his freakish numbers, makes him the best stallion prospect on the market. I can't remember the last time a 3-year-old colt ran three straight triple-digit Beyers around two turns before the Kentucky Derby like he did. And he's by leading sire Empire Maker, out of a million-dollar Storm Cat mare. He is truly brilliant by design.
"Bodemeister will be in an advantageous situation when he retires to stud," added Walden. "Mr. Zayat and Mr. Moreno have built quality broodmare bands and are very active in the marketplace. I think breeders will love the fact they start off with three potential bidders on his babies. We are excited about the possibilities and the relationship."
Bodemeister quickly jumped onto the Derby trail in February with an eye-catching, 9 1/4-length maiden win in California. In just his fourth start, he scored his biggest win to date in the $1 million Arkansas Derby, romping by a near-record 9 1/2 lengths and earning a 108 Beyer Speed Figure. The breakout victory made Bodemeister the favorite for the Kentucky Derby, where he would go on to set historic fractions--including a :45.39 half mile and a 1:09.80 six furlongs--before coming up just short at the wire of the 1 1/4-mile classic.
"Bodemeister is a brilliant horse, and this industry needs more sires that can carry their speed a mile-and-a-quarter," said his Hall of Fame trainer, Bob Baffert, in a release.
On June 24 at Santa Anita, Bodemeister recorded his first breeze since getting nipped at the wire by I'll Have Another in a thrilling renewal of the Preakness. He's pointing for the $1 million Haskell Invitational (gr. I) at Monmouth Park July 29, with a year-end goal of running in the Breeders' Cup at Santa Anita.
An earner of $1,304,800 to date, the bay colt is by Empire Maker, out of the graded stakes-winning Storm Cat mare Untouched Talent.
"I love Empire Maker, who was an awesome racehorse and has proven to be a great sire," said Ahmed Zayat, owner of Zayat Stables, in a statement. "I've been lucky to own three grade I winners by Empire Maker, and Bodemeister is the most special because of the enjoyment he has given to me and my family. We are loving racing him, and I really believe Bodemeister is just getting started.
"I'm excited about our partnership with Kenny Troutt, who is a great sportsman, and I have full confidence in the leadership of Elliott Walden and the WinStar team," he added. "I look forward to racing little Bodemeisters one day down the road."
Michel Moreno, who also owns Southern Equine Stables, said: "Bodemeister's run through the Triple Crown was a thrill for my family, and there are big plans for his racing days ahead. We bought into him largely because of his great potential as a stallion, and we will support him throughout his stud career."
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