WinStar Farm has acquired a minority interest in Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) hopeful Upstart , winner of the Lambholm South Holy Bull Stakes (gr. II), from owner Ralph Evans.
In addition to winning the Holy Bull this year at Gulfstream Park, Upstart also finished second in the Besilu Stables Florida Derby (gr. I) and Besilu Stables Fountain of Youth Stakes (gr. II). He finished third in last year's Sentient Jet Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I). Upstart will remain with trainer Rick Violette Jr.
"Upstart has been on our radar since the Breeders' Cup," said WinStar president Elliott Walden in a release. "Jerry Brown of Thoro-Graph approached me because he really believes this colt has a big future. We are honored to be partners with such a nice man as Ralph Evans on such an exciting young horse as Upstart."
Upstart breezed a bullet half mile in :47 2/5 April 17 at Palm Meadows Training Center in South Florida. The striking son of Flatter is scheduled to have one final breeze this weekend at Palm Meadows before shipping to Churchill Downs for the Kentucky Derby.
"When Elliott called, I became excited about what we could do together with WinStar in a partnership on Upstart," Evans said in a release. "We look forward to sharing in Upstart's promising future."
