"Tapit experienced an up-and-down year, and we didn't want that to happen again," said David Fiske, who manages the Winchell family's Oakwind Farm near Lexington. "We thought it best if he were retired to stud. He's as sound as any horse we have in the barn."A $650,000 yearling, Tapit is from the female family that includes successful stallions Relaunch, Rubiano, and Glitterman."Tapit has a classic stallion's pedigree," said Antony Beck, President of Gainesway. "He was an impressive performer on the track and we believe he will be an excellent sire."
Tapit, a 3-year-old son of Pulpit out of Tap Your Heels (by Unbridled), has been retired to stud and will stand at Gainesway Farm in Lexington, Ky.Tapit will stand as the property of a syndicate made up of Winchell Thoroughbreds LLC, Gainesway, and shareholders. Tapit's stud fee has been set at $15,000 live foal.Trained by Michael Dickinson, Tapit won both his starts as a 2-year-old, including the Laurel Futurity (gr. III). Unplaced in the Pennsylvania Derby (gr. II) in September in his last start, Tapit retired with three wins in six starts, including the 2004 Wood Memorial (gr. I), and career earnings of $557,300.