Frank Stronach's Adena Springs has purchased an interest in multiple grade I winner Mucho Macho Man, who will continue to be trained by Kathy Ritvo while campaigning in the silks of Reeves Thoroughbred Racing.
The deal with owners Dean and Patti Reeves is for racing and breeding purposes and is effective immediately, according to a Feb. 21 release. Adena Springs stands Mucho Macho Man's champion sire, Macho Uno , in Kentucky. Mucho Macho Man is poised to join the ranks of a stallion roster that would boast five Breeders' Cup Classic winners. The others are Alphabet Soup , Awesome Again , Fort Larned , and Ghostzapper .
Bred in Florida by John and Carole Rio out of the stakes-winning Ponche mare Ponche de Leona, Mucho Macho Man holds a 9-5-6 record from 24 starts, with earnings of $5,580,410. In addition to his two grade I victories, he is the winner of the 2012 editions of the Suburban Handicap (gr. II) and Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II), and the 2011 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II).
"Mucho Macho Man is not only a beautiful animal, but an incredible runner who has already won or placed in 16 major stakes races," Stronach said. "There are not many stallion prospects anywhere in the world that can hold their top form from (age) 2 through 6 like he has. I look forward to his races this year, and subsequent retirement to Adena Springs."
Finn Green will remain as racing manager for the long-striding bay as he continues his 2014 campaign.
"It's a homecoming of sorts," Stronach said. "Our program bred Ponche De Leona to Macho Uno before selling her with Mucho Macho Man in utero."
John Rio purchased the mare from Adena for $33,000 at the 2007 Keeneland November sale when she was consigned by Hidden Brook. She is now owned by Brushwood Stable, who bought her from Blake-Albina Thoroughbred Services for $775,000 at the 2014 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale.
The Rios sold a majority share in Mucho Macho Man to Jim Culver of Dream Team One Racing Stable before he started in 2010, keeping a small portion for themselves. After his first race, a majority share was sold to Reeves Thoroughbred Racing. In 2012 Reeves Thoroughbred Racing bought out Dream Team One's 30% interest.
