Graded Winner Momentum to Vessels in California

Momentum, a California graded stakes winner for J. Paul Reddam, will begin his stallion career at Frank Vessels' Vessels Stallion Farm near Bonsall, Calif.

A stakes winner in England in his first season of racing, Momentum raced in the U.S. after being purchased by Reddam in the fall of 2001. In his second U.S. start, he won the Native Diver Handicap (gr. III) that December.

Momentum placed in four consecutive California graded stakes the following year. He started off with a third in the Californian Stakes (gr. II), then was second in the following: Hollywood Gold Cup (gr. I, by a nose), Pacific Classic Stakes (gr. I, to Came Home), and Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap (gr. II, to Pleasantly Perfect).

Momentum, who was bred by John and Barbara Smicklas and trained in the U.S. by Craig Dollase, retired with four wins from 17 starts and earnings of $664,817. The 6-year-old son of Nureyev out of Foolish Pleasure mare Imprudent Love will stand as the property of Reddam and Vessels Stallion Farm. A fee will be announced later.