From Three Chimneys Farm
Robert Clay’s Three Chimneys Farm announced July 1 that Rahy, one of the farm’s foundation sires, has been pensioned from stallion duty due to declining fertility. The 24-year-old stallion will stay at Three Chimneys throughout his retirement.
Bred in the United States and sold as a yearling for $2 million to Sheikh Maktoum, Rahy began his racing career in Europe under the tutelage of Michael Stoute. His sire, Blushing Groom, was a champion 2-year-old in France, and champion 3-year-old in France and England.
Rahy initially raced in England, where he was a stakes winner and group I-placed. He was returned to the U.S. at age 4 in 1989 under the care of trainer Neil Drysdale and captured the Bel Air Handicap (gr. IIT) at Hollywood Park by 10 lengths.
Though Rahy enjoyed success on the racetrack, his most prestigious accomplishments have come from his career at stud. He is the sire of 84 stakes winners—12 millionaires and 14 grade I winners. Rahy’s most notable runners include Fantastic Light(2001 European Horse of the Year and winner of the grade I Breeders’ Cup Turf), Serena's Song(inducted into the U.S. Racing Hall of Fame after winning 11 grade I races and setting an earnings record for an American filly or mare), Noverre (a multiple group I winner and champion 3-year-old miler in England), Dreaming of Anna(champion 2-year-old filly and grade I Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner), and Dancing Forever(a grade I winner of nearly $1 million).
“Rahy is one of the most important stallions we’ve had,” Three Chimneys president Case Clay said. “Not only was standing him a great opportunity for Three Chimneys, but it allowed us to begin a very enjoyable and successful partnership with the Maktoum family. While it’s too bad Rahy won’t have any more crops going forward, we’re excited to have his son Lewis Michael here to carry on his legacy.”
Rahy’s average earnings per starter is just under $108,000, and his progeny have collectively earned more than $85 million. In recent years, Rahy stamped himself as a productive broodmare sire, as he is the broodmare sire of more than 70 stakes winners. He is also the sire of 19 horses at stud internationally.
Rahy stood for $50,000 in 2009 and $60,000 the year prior. His son, Lewis Michael, a multiple grade II winner and a full brother to Dreaming of Anna, stood for $12,500 in 2009 at Three Chimneys.