The Pamplemousse , one of the early favorites for the 2009 Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I), has been retired from racing and will stand in 2011 at Tom and Nancy Clark’s Rancho San Miguel near San Miguel, Calif. His fee is $3,500.
After winning the San Rafael Stakes (gr. III) wire to wire at Santa Anita in his first start at 3, The Pamplemousse set the pace in the Sham Stakes (gr. III) at Santa Anita and scored by six lengths in 1:47.86 for the 1 1/8 miles. He earned a 107 Beyer Speed Figure. The morning line favorite for the Santa Anita Derby (gr. I) that April, The Pamplemousse was scratched the day of the race because of an injury and never raced again.
"The Pamplemousse had more raw ability than any horse I ever trained,” said trainer Julio Canani. “Not only was he fast, but he could carry his speed a long way. I really believed he had classic potential. It was a travesty that he never had a chance to prove it."
A son of California stallion Kafwain , The Pamplemousse was retired with three wins from five starts and earnings of $209,280. He raced for Bienstock and Winner Stables, Alex Solis II, Jeff Strauss, Tom Lenner, Tom Murray, and Skyline Stable.
The Pamplemousse is out of the winning Rubiano mare Comfort Zone, who is a half sister to four stakes winners and the dam of Hollywood Futurity (gr. I) winner Stormello. The Pamplemousse’s third dam is stakes winner/producer Special Warmth.