Superbly bred graded stakes winner El Padrino (Pulpit—Enchanted Rock, by Giant's Causeway ) will enter stud in 2014 under the Northview Stallion Station banner, standing his first season at Northview PA in Peach Bottom, Pa.
A half brother to 2013 grade I-winner Verrazano from the family of champion Queena, El Padrino won the 2012 Risen Star Stakes (gr. II). During his juvenile season he won a maiden race by 12 3/4 lengths at Belmont Park in his second career start before placing third in the Remsen Stakes (gr. II) at Aqueduct Racetrack. He was trained by Todd Pletcher for Let's Go Racing Stable.
Pletcher purchased El Padrino, bred in Kentucky by Emory A. Hamilton, for Let's Go Racing for $210,000 from the Middlebrook Farm consignment to the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale. El Padrino retired with three wins, two seconds, and a third from eight starts and earnings of $326,770.
"We were thrilled to acquire El Padrino. He has all the makings of a top stallion," said Richard Golden, owner of Northview Stallion Station. "He was a good racehorse with outstanding conformation and he has an exceptional pedigree."
Carl McEntee, bloodstock director of Northview Stallion Station, said El Padrino should prove attractive to breeders.
"This horse was electric at the track," McEntee said. "It is rare to have a freshman sire with this kind of pedigree. Obviously being by Pulpit is a huge positive and out of a young mare whose first two foals to race are graded stakes winners, the family is very active. In addition to the depth throughout the pedigree including Queena, Brahms, and La Reina, you couldn't ask for more from a stallion's pedigree."