Johar's dam, millionaire Windsharp (by Lear Fan), was a multiple champion in Canada and a two-time grade I turf winner in Southern California. Mill Ridge Sales sold Windsharp (in foal to Gone West) as agent for The Thoroughbred Corp. at the 2003 Keeneland November breeding stock sale, where she went for $6.1 million to John Ferguson Bloodstock on behalf of Sheikh Mohammed. Only three other broodmares at auction have sold for more. Sent to Sheikh Maktoum's Gainsborough Farm near Versailles, Ky., she foaled a filly this year and has been bred back to Gone West.Mill Ridge also stands another son of Gone West, Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Commendable, whose first foals are 2-year-olds. Johar is scheduled to arrive the morning of April 16.
Johar, who deadheated for first with High Chaparral in last year's John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (gr. IT), has been bought privately by Richard Santulli and George Prussin's Jayeff B Stable for stud duty at Mill Ridge Farm near Lexington. A son of Mill Ridge stallion Gone West, Johar will not cover mares this year, according to Alice Chandler, who owns Mill Ridge with husband Dr. John Chandler. "We're still working on the fee and some of the details," she said.Johar, who was raised at Mill Ridge, was retired because of a suspensory injury that was discovery in March. He was being prepared for his 5-year-old debut in the April 3 San Arcadia Handicap (gr. IIT) at Santa Anita.A homebred for The Thoroughbred Corp., Johar won six of 16 races and earned $1,494,496. His three other stakes wins came in the Hollywood Derby (gr. IT), Oak Tree Derby (gr. IIT), and San Marcos Stakes (gr. IIT).