Trippi, Florida’s leading sire this year, has been purchased by Johann and Gaynor Rupert’s L’Ormarins Stud for stallion duty in South Africa. The 11-year-old son of End Sweep is owned by a partnership and has stood his entire career at J. Michael O’Farrell’s Ocala Stud Farm near Ocala, Fla.
“It was a substantial offer and ultimately it was a business decision,” O’Farrell told Wire To Wire Racing Digest. “We thought it was in everyone’s best interest if we sold him.
“They were building a new farm. They already stand some stallions, and were attracted to Trippi because they get a sire that turns out 2-year-olds and 3-year-olds that run long and can run on dirt, turf, and synthetic.”
End Sweep, who also began his stallion career in Florida, at Harry Mangurian’s Mockingbird Farm, was sold to foreign interests early in his career. Arrowfield Stud in Australia bought him in 1999.
Trippi’s stallion career has never wavered. Trippi was Florida’s second-leading freshman sire by progeny earnings in 2005 and the state’s fourth-leading sire in 2006. He topped last year’s ranking with $4.3 million. His progeny earnings this year are $2.2 million.
Trippi has sired 12 stakes winners, 16 stakes-placed runners, and the earners of $10.8 million.
Bred in Florida by Mangurian, Trippi won seven of 14 races and earned $666,220 for Dogwood Stable. His big win came in the 2000 Vosburgh Stakes (gr. I).
Trippi was produced from the Valid Appeal mare Jealous Appeal. His fee this year was $12,500.