Claiborne Buys Breeding Interest in Eddington

The Hancock family's Claiborne Farm has bought an interest in the breeding rights of grade II winner Eddington. Located near Paris, Ky., Claiborne formerly stood Eddington's sire, Unbridled, a Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner who developed into a leading stallion.

A graded winner last year, Eddington captured the Gulfstream Park Handicap (gr. II) in March while registering a 113 Beyer Speed Figure. He started the season with an 8 3/4-length score in a Gulfstream allowance race, then ran third in the Donn Handicap (gr. I) there.

Eddington last year captured the Calder Derby (gr. IIIT) in his sole start on grass and placed in five graded stakes, including the Preakness (gr. I), Travers (gr. I), and Wood Memorial (gr. I) Stakes. First, second, or third in 14 of 16 starts, Eddington has earned $916,760

Eddington, who was produced from the stakes-placed Chief's Crown mare Fashion Star, will continue to race for Peter Willmott in the name of Willmott Stables and will enter stud at Claiborne in 2006. His fee will be announced following his retirement.