Zayat Stables’ grade III winner Heart Ashley has been retired and will be entered in the Keeneland November Breeding Stock sale.
The 4-year-old daughter of Lion Heart—Pretty ‘n Smart, by Beau Genius, won six times out of 10 starts and earned a total of $395,896. Her victories included the Miss Preakness Stakes and Cicada Stakes, both grade III.
“Heart Ashley had as much raw sprinters speed as any filly I have trained...and she’s a beauty,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. The filly was undefeated this year in two starts and was being pointed toward the Ballerina Stakes (gr. I) when her ankles started to show signs of wear and tear.
“We really wanted her to have a chance in a grade I but didn’t want to risk her getting injured...she’s done her job well and hopefully will go on to produce some very fast babies,” said owner Ahmed Zayat. He added that one of her top performances came in her last start, when she won the $250,000 My Juliet Stakes at Philadelphia Park and produced a 104 BRIS Speed Rating.
Bred in Kentucky by Gaines-Gentry Thoroughbreds, Heart Ashley was purchased by Zayat for $320,000 out of the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga select yearling sale. She is the half sister to grade III winner Ashley's Kitty, by Tale of the Cat. Heart Ashley will be sold by Eaton Sales as agent in the Keeneland November sale.