Plans for recent Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) champion Drosselmeyer were finalized on Nov. 18, and the 4-year-old son of Distorted Humor has been officially retired to stud and will stand his first season in 2012 at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky. His fee will be $17,500 stands and nurses.
“Drosselmeyer came out of the Classic so good that it gave us cause for pause,” said Elliott Walden, president & CEO of WinStar. “We knew he had what it took to be one of the top older horses in the country, and I think we saw that with how he came to hand in his last two starts. So it made for a difficult decision.
“We took some time to think about all of our options, and we came to the conclusion that it was best for both Drosselmeyer and WinStar Farm to retire him and go out as a Breeders' Cup Classic champion.”
Drosselmeyer joined A.P. Indy as the only two horses in history to win the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) and Breeders' Cup Classic. He also added his name to an elite list of just seven horses to win a Triple Crown race and the Breeders' Cup Classic, including such names as A.P. Indy, Unbridled, Sunday Silence, and Curlin.
“Drosselmeyer has always been a superstar since we saw him as a weanling, and we couldn't be more proud of him showing up with his best on racing's biggest day to give WinStar our first Breeders' Cup Classic win,” Walden said.
“During the Triple Crown last year, many analysts thought he gave us the best chance to win the Kentucky Derby. I will never forget Lisa Troutt walking him into the winner's circle at the Belmont. We're thrilled to be able to keep him at WinStar for his stud career. He retires as the most accomplished son of our leading sire Distorted Humor, and he has the looks to match his pedigree and race record.”
With earnings of $3,728,170, Drosselmeyer is the all-time leading earner for Distorted Humor. He hails from the grade I-winning mare Golden Ballet. WinStar purchased Drosselmeyer for $600,000 as a yearling at Keeneland September from the consignment of Taylor Made Sales and breeder Aaron and Marie Jones.