Hill 'n' Dale Farms announced July 16 that grade I winner Violence , the winter book favorite for this year's Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) before suffering a career ending injury, will stand the 2014 breeding season for $15,000.
A son of Medaglia d'Oro —Violent Beauty, by Gone West, Violence was a $600,000 session-topping yearling when consigned by Hill 'n' Dale Sales Agency, agent, to the 2011 Keeneland September sale.
"He was the best-looking yearling I saw in 2011," said Donato Lanni, Hill 'n' Dale's director of bloodstock services, in a release.
Violence broke his maiden at first asking at Saratoga Race Course last August, followed by a seemingly effortless two-length triumph in the Nashua Stakes (gr. II) at a mile at Aqueduct Racetrack.
In somewhat of a bold and unorthodox move for trainer Todd Pletcher, Violence shipped cross-country to run for the first time around two turns at Betfair Hollywood Park, where he notched a 1 1/4-length score in the CashCall Futurity (gr. I), showcasing his versatility, determination and class.
Violence's only defeat came to eventual Kentucky Derby winner Orb , in the Feb. 23 Fountain of Youth (gr. II), where he ran a valiant second after running three-quarters of a mile in 1:08 4/5 and subsequently sustained a career ending injury.
"Violence was the consummate professional with a perfect temperament and unlimited potential," said Pletcher in a statement.
Added Hill 'n' Dale president John Sikura: "Violence is a great horse to look at, and possesses all the traits of an outstanding sire prospect—precocity with classic ability, physicality, and a huge pedigree, hailing from the family of champions Sky Beauty, Maplejinsky, Gold Beauty, and Dayjur. He was absolutely a top-class horse, and at $15,000 stands and nurses, I am confident we are affording breeders a strong opportunity to be successful, both in the sales ring and on the racetrack."
