Pete Parrella has reached an agreement in principle with Bo Hirsch to stand Hirsch’s homebred Papa Clem at Parrella’s Legacy Ranch near Clements, Calif. Parrella joined with several of California’s leading breeders, including Tom Bachman and Madeline Auerbach, to stand Papa Clem in the state.
“This opens up a lot of avenues for mares in California,” Parrella said. “We’re very pleased to have a horse like Papa Clem stand here.”
Papa Clem, a 4-year-old son of Smart Strike, will stand for $7,500 and be syndicated for $25,000 a share. The share price is good for breeding two mares a year.
Parrella and Hirsch will own controlling interest, while California breeders Bachman, Auerbach, Brian Boudreau, and Don Valpredo already have agreed to buy into the stallion.
“This is a good core group that will support him,” Bachman said. “It’s real exciting to have a horse like that at Pete’s farm. To have a horse like this in Northern California—I love it. I just bought a mare in foal to Curlin , and she’ll go to him.”
Papa Clem won the Jan. 16 San Fernando Stakes (gr. II) at Santa Anita. His left front ankle filled slightly in the days following the race, and Hirsch elected to retire him rather than take a chance of further injury.
Papa Clem, named for Hirsch’s late father, California racing executive Clement Hirsch, won last year’s Arkansas Derby (gr. II). He placed in four stakes, including the Dec. 26 Malibu Stakes (gr. I), and finished fourth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) and the Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I). Trained by Gary Stute, Papa Clem won or placed in seven of 13 starts and earned $1,121,190.
Papa Clem’s dam, grade I winner Miss Houdini (by Belong to Me), is out of multiple grade I winner Magical Maiden.