Longshot 2012 Louisiana Derby (gr. II) winner Hero of Order will enter stud in 2014 at Gennadi and Irina Dorochenko's Raut Farm near Paris, Ky., for a $3,000 fee.
The son of Sharp Humor—Ocean Sprite, by Ocean Crest, is the first stallion to ever stand at the Dorochenkos' farm. Gennadi Dorochenko, a native of Russia and a former jockey, acquired Hero of Order for a bargain $3,000 at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale. He trained the horse in all 24 of his starts and raced him under the Raut banner.
"When I first bought this horse, he showed a lot of potential, a lot of class," Gennadi Dorochenko said. "He's the best son of Sharp Humor, he has good bloodlines, and a great exterior."
Hero of Order was bred in Kentucky by Wind Hill Farm. In addition to the Louisiana Derby, in which he scored a half-length victory in front-running fashion at odds of 109-1, Hero of Order also ran a respectable second in the 2012 Iowa Derby (gr. II).
The 4-year-old's best finish in a stakes in four starts this year was a close fourth behind Mark Valeski in the Feb. 23 Mineshaft Handicap (gr. II) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. He owns a career slate of 2-3-2 from 24 starts, for earnings of $747,822.
Dorochenko said he has had a few inquiries from horsemen wanting to send their broodmares to Hero of Order in 2014. The owner/trainer also has a band of nearly 70 broodmares and plans to breed several of them to his new stallion.
"If get around 25 babies every year, I would be happy," Dorochenko said.
He said he had received several offers from other horsemen wanting to purchase Hero of Order during his career, but declined because he wanted to retain the runner as a stallion.
"I have a good feeling about him because he's a great horse," Dorochenko said.
