Grade I winner Paddy O'Prado will stand his first season at stud in 2012 at B. Wayne Hughes' Spendthrift Farm near Lexington it was announced July 8.
A five-time graded stakes winner and earner of $1,721,297, the 4-year-old son of El Prado—Fun House, by Prized, was retired May 23 with a leg injury two days after winning the Dixie Stakes (gr. IIT) at Pimlico Race Course in his season debut. Jerry Crawford's Donegal Racing campaigned the gray/roan colt, who was bred in Kentucky by Winchell Thoroughbreds.
Trainer Dale Romans helped pick out Paddy O’Prado from the Keeneland September 2008 yearling sale for $105,000. He was consigned by Gainesway, agent.
“We are thrilled with the addition of Paddy O'Prado to the Spendthrift Farm stallion roster and to our very popular 'Share The Upside' program,” said Ned Toffey, Spendthrift’s general manager. “He is a grand-looking animal with a world of talent on the racetrack. That, coupled with the success of sons of El Prado at stud such as Medaglia d'Oro and Kitten's Joy , will make Paddy O'Prado a very attractive stallion prospect.”
At 3, Paddy O'Prado won four graded stakes on turf, including the Secretariat Stakes (gr. IT) at Arlington Park, Colonial Turf Cup (gr. IIT) and Virginia Derby (gr. IIT) at Colonial Downs, and the Palm Beach (gr. IIIT) at Gulfstream Park. The versatile colt also placed second in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (gr. I) on the Keeneland Polytrack, and third in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) on dirt.
He retired with a record of 5-3-3 from 14 starts.
“When Kitten's Joy retired I never thought I would have another horse as good as him, but I'm glad (Paddy O'Prado) proved me wrong,” Romans said. “Paddy's one of the smartest, most talented and most versatile horses I've ever had the privilege to be around.”
A stud fee will be determined and announced at a later date.