Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Drosselmeyer will retire to stud after making a final start in the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I) at Churchill Downs.
The 4-year-old son of Distorted Humor is set to stand in 2012 at Keane Stud near Amenia, N.Y. as a WinStar/Keane Stud venture. Drosselmeyer is in the process of being syndicated by Thomas Clark Bloodstock, with a limited release of shares to be sold before the chestnut colt starts in the Breeders' Cup.
“Starting a young stallion prospect like Drosselmeyer in the New York market shows how serious WinStar is about our commitment to that state's emerging breeding program,” said WinStar president and CEO Elliott Walden in a release. “Being by our champion sire Distorted Humor, we had the opportunity to follow his growth from when he was at Taylor Made as a foal. He's always been a superstar and we had to have him, which is why we purchased him for $600,000 as a yearling from Mr. and Mrs. Aaron Jones.”
Drosselmeyer, who notched his biggest victory in last year's Belmont, most recently was a strong runner-up to Flat Out in the Oct. 1 Jockey Club Gold Cup (gr. I) at Belmont, earning a 104 Beyer for the performance.
“Drosselmeyer is the first classic winner ever to be retired to New York, and we think it's about time,” said Tom Clark of Thomas Clark Bloodstock in a statement. “New York breeders know him well, and we believe he'll be very popular.”
An earner of more than $1 million, Drosselmeyer owns four wins and has been in the money in 11 of 15 starts. Drosselmeyer’s dam, Golden Ballet, was a dual grade I winner on the track. Last year, the daughter of Moscow Ballet was purchased for $1.4 million by Coolmore at the Keeneland November breeding stock sale.
Drosselmeyer’s 2012 fee will be announced after the Breeders' Cup. For inquiries on Drosselmeyer's limited syndication, contact Tom Clark at 859-421-0502 by Nov. 4.
