Fort Prado , an eight-time Illinois champion, has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Richard Duchossois’ Hill ‘N Dale Farms near Barrington, Ill. He will stand for the Block family for $3,000.
An 8-year-old son of El Prado, the highly durable Fort Prado won or placed in 36 of 59 races and earned $1,211,681. Thirteen of his wins came in stakes.
Fort Prado was a champion four separate years. His greatest season came in 2006 when he was voted Horse of the Year, top older male, and champion grass horse. During that year, he won four stakes, including the John B. Connally Breeders’ Cup Turf Handicap (gr. IIIT), the Fair Grounds Breeders’ Cup Handicap (gr. III), and the second of three consecutive runnings of the Black Tie Affair Handicap on turf at Arlington Park.
This year, Fort Prado won the Black Tie Affair over the main track and also captured the Kentucky Cup Turf Dash Stakes.
Fort Prado was bred by David P. Block and was trained by his son Chris on behalf of family members in the name of Team Block.
“He had quite a fan base, and we were encouraged by breeders to stand him in Illinois,” Chris Block said. “He seems to be a good fit in the state.”
Fort Prado is out of the multiple stakes-winning Fortunate Prospect mare Fort Pond.