Any Given Saturday, recent winner of the Haskell Invitational Stakes (gr. I) at Monmouth Park, will join Sheikh Mohammed's Darley team following this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I). Until then, the horse will continue to race for current owners Bill Casner and Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm, in partnership with Satish and Anne Sanan's Padua Stables.
John Ferguson, Sheikh Mohammed's bloodstock advisor, said, "Any Given Saturday is one of the stars of an outstanding generation. He's also a most attractive son of one of the world's hottest stallions. He's got a big future, both on the track and later at stud."
Darley, an international operation, stands several stallions at its farm near Lexington, Ky.
The 3-year-old son of WinStar stallion Distorted Humor beat Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) runner-up Hard Spun and Preakness Stakes (gr. I) winner Curlin in the Haskell. He has won or placed in eight of nine races and has earned $989,213.
The Haskell was the second straight win for Any Given Saturday. He won the July 4 Dwyer Stakes (gr. II) over Nobiz Like Shobiz at Belmont Park. In his second start of the year, he battled champion 2-year-old male Street Sense in the Tampa Bay Derby (gr. III) and succumbed by a nose. Street Sense went on to win the Kentucky Derby.
Said WinStar president Doug Cauthen: "Any Given Saturday is a special horse to WinStar and Padua, but because of our business approach to the industry, we are willing to look at all opportunities, including selling such a tremendous stallion prospect. We know Darley will do a wonderful job, and we hope to breed to him throughout his career."
Bred by Racehorse Management, a division of WinStar, Any Given Saturday was bought for $1.1 million by Buzz Chace, agent, at the 2005 Keeneland September yearling sale. He was consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency, agent.
Any Given Saturday, one of 59 stakes winners by Distorted Humor, is a half-brother to grade III winner Bohemian Lady and is out of the winning A.P. Indy mare Weekend in Indy. The last-named is a half-sister to graded stakes winner Second of June.
Any Given Saturday's future will be evaluated after the Breeders' Cup.
