Going Ballistic, winner of the Super Derby (gr. II) and nearly $1.2 million in earnings, will begin his stud career in 2012 at Ellen Jackson’s Victory Rose Thoroughbreds near Vacaville, Calif.
In a deal brokered by Robert Knolhoff Jr. and Dr. Staci A. Speidel, the 8-year-old son of Lite the Fuse will stand for $3,000 live foal. Mike Kindred, who campaigned Going Ballistic in the name of Kindred Thoroughbreds, will remain majority partner and support the stallion with mares of his own.
“I couldn’t be more excited to welcome Going Ballistic as the newest addition to Victory Rose’s stallion roster,” said Jackson. “He displayed class throughout a long career and won or placed in a number of important races.”
Trained by Donnie Von Hemel over a 46-race career, Going Ballistic graduated in his third start and was a stakes winner in his next. He capped a seven-race juvenile season when fourth behind Tiz Wonderful in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (gr. II) at Churchill Downs.
The durable campaigner enjoyed his best season at 3. Going Ballistic won the $500,000 Super Derby at Louisiana Downs over Travers Stakes (gr. I) runner-up Grasshopper . In his next start, he landed Remington Park’s $300,000 Centennial Oklahoma Derby.
A capable grass performer as well, Going Ballistic won the 2007 Pin Oak Stud USA Stakes at Lone Star Park. He later finished a close second in the American Derby (gr. IIT), and then placed third in the Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT).
Going Ballistic won or placed in 18 stakes. He was retired with a record of 7-5-8 from 46 starts and earnings of $1,195,567.
Going Ballistic is out of the winning Holy Bull mare Holy Lightning. Going Ballistic’s next two dams, Blazing Hot and Hot Milk, are stakes winners.