Fairbanks, who topped the 2004 Saratoga yearling sale at $1.85 million and went on to become a multiple graded stakes winner, will enter stud in 2009 at the newly formed Northview PA near Peach Bottom, Pa. The farm is a division of Dr. Tom Bowman and Richard Golden's Northview Stallion Station, located in Maryland. By Giant's Causeway , Fairbanks is being syndicated for $30,000 per share and will stand for $7,500.
Last year at 4, Fairbanks registered one of the year’s highest Beyer Speed Figures, a 115, when winning the Tokyo City Handicap (gr. III) at Santa Anita. Following that 6 3/4-length victory, he finished a close second to Political Forcein the Suburban Handicap (gr. I) at Belmont Park and later placed in the Massachusetts Handicap.
Fairbanks captured this year’s Hawthorne Gold Cup Handicap (gr. II), plus the Duke of Magenta Stakes at Saratoga, and ran second in the Gulfstream Park (gr. II) and Bill Hartack Memorial (gr. III) Handicaps. He finished first or second in 10 of 19 races and earned $879,768 for Team Valor International. He recorded Beyer speed figures of 100 or higher seven times.
Northview has acquired a 50% interest in Fairbanks from a partnership that consists of Margaux Farm, Team Valor International, and the horse's breeders, James Mamakos and veterinarians Dr. Chuck Kidder and Dr. Johnny Griggs.
“We had Fairbanks syndicated to stand in Kentucky, but I truly believe this move to Pennsylvania will work out better,” said Steve Johnson of Margaux. Margaux is located near Midway, Ky.
Fairbanks is out of the Time for a Change mare Alaska Queen and is a half-brother to grade II winner Keats. Team Valor purchased Fairbanks for $1.85 million at the Saratoga yearling sale from Gainesway, agent.