Grade I winner To Honor and Serve , an earner of $1,328,840, will enter stud in 2013 at the Beck family's Gainesway Farm near Lexington, the farm announced Aug. 19. Owned by Charlotte Weber's Live Oak Stud and trained by Bill Mott, the 4-year-old bay son of Bernardini has captured five graded events in his career.
"To Honor and Serve has every component necessary to be a top sire, and we are delighted Mrs. Weber has agreed to stand him at Gainesway," said Gainesway president Antony Beck. "He was a top class 2-year-old, a brilliant runner, and a grade I-winning miler on the dirt. Perhaps equally important, he had outstanding speed−he ran two number 1 Rags−and those are the types of horses who take it to the next level as stallions. And of course, he is by one of the most exciting young sires in our industry and from a sire's family. He represents great opportunity for breeders and for Gainesway."
To Honor and Serve won the Cigar Mile Handicap (gr. I) and Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) in 2011. He also scored in the Remsen (gr. II) and Nashua (gr. II) stakes in 2010 and the Westchester Stakes (gr. III) this year.
In 14 career races, To Honor and Serve has seven victories, a second, and three thirds in 14 career races. His efforts include third-place finishes in the 2011 Florida Derby (gr. I) and this year's Metropolitan Handicap (gr. I).
"I am pleased that To Honor and Serve will be standing at Gainesway," Charlotte Weber said. "Antony Beck, his family, and entire team have a history of success and are leaders in the industry. We know he will have every opportunity to be successful as a sire. I look forward to seeing his foals."
Twin Creeks Farm, Larry Byer, and Rancho San Miguel bred To Honor and Serve in Kentucky. Four years ago, Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent, consigned him as a weanling to the Keeneland November breeding stock sale. Sommer Smith, agent, purchased the colt for $250,000. In 2009, Taylor Made, agent, consigned To Honor and Serve to the Keeneland September yearling auction. Weber bought him for $575,000 in the name of Live Oak Plantation.
To Honor and Serve is out of the stakes-winning Deputy Minister mare Pilfer.
