Eugene Melnyk’s Harlington, a grade II winner out of Hall of Famer Serena’s Song, has been retired from racing and will stand in 2009 at John G. Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms near Lexington. His fee is $10,000.
A $2.8 million Keeneland September yearling, Harlington won six of 10 races, including the 2006 Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II), and earned $370,000 for Melnyk Racing Stables.
“Harlington showed as much potential as any horse we have had," Melnyk said. “We are supporting him with our top mares as we feel he will become an important sire.”
Harlington is the most expensive yearling sired by Unbridled, and was the second-highest-priced yearling colt sold in 2003. The fourth stakes winner out of Serena’s Song (by Rahy), Harlington is a half-brother to English group I winner Sophisticat, grade II winner Grand Reward, who stands at Hill ‘n’ Dale, and multiple stakes winner Serena’s Tune.
On the racetrack, Harlington broke his maiden in New York in his sole start at 2 and won at Gulfstream Park in his initial race at 3. His victory in the Gulfstream Park Handicap came over a field that included champion Funny Cide and was one of three triple digit Beyer Speed Figures.
“Harlington showed great potential from day one, and he has unlimited potential as a stallion,” Sikura said.
Bred in Kentucky by Lewis Thoroughbreds, Harlington was bought by Melnyk at Keeneland in 2003 from Denali Stud, agent.