New York grade II winner Sightseeing has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Richland Hills near Midway, Ky., in 2009. The 4-year-old son of Pulpit raced as a homebred for Ogden Mills “Dinny” Phipps in the name of Phipps Stable.
As a 3-year-old, Sightseeing won the Peter Pan Stakes (gr. II) and was beaten a half-length in the Wood Memorial Stakes (gr. I) while finishing second to Nobiz Like Shobiz and ahead of Any Given Saturday. He also placed to champion Street Sense in the Jim Dandy Stakes (gr. II) and ran third in the Dwyer Stakes (gr. II).
“Sightseeing went toe-to-toe with top 3-year-olds belonging to one of the best crops in recent memory,” said Richland Hills president Nathan Fox. “He is a very impressive individual who has great stamina and soundness, and together with his great pedigree is one of the most exciting stallion prospects for 2009.”
Sightseeing won or placed in a dozen of 18 races and earned $508,401 while trained by Shug McGaughey. He ran second in the Nashua Stakes (gr. III) at 2 and was third in this year’s Westchester Handicap (gr. III) to Divine Park and Grasshopper.
His dam, Resort (by Pleasant Colony), placed in three graded stakes, including the Coaching Club American Oaks (gr. I) and Gazelle Handicap (gr. I).
Sightseeing is being syndicated. His fee will be announced later.