V. E. Day , winner of the 2014 Travers Stakes (gr. I), has been retired and will enter stud at Waldorf Farm near North Chatham, N. Y. He will stand for an introductory price of $6,500 in 2017.
"He is shipping back to the U.S. from France and will take up stud duties next year at Dr. Jerry Bilinski's Waldorf Farm," said Jonathan Miller, representing owner Mrs. Magalen Bryant. "We are extremely excited to stand the leading North American money earner of a grade I stakes on dirt by English Channel ."
After breaking his maiden in May at Belmont Park going a mile, V. E. Day followed up with a two-length, 1 1/8-mile allowance win on Belmont's inner turf. Moving to Saratoga Race Course, he won at the same distance on dirt, taking the Curlin Stakes in a dramatic three-horse finish over Protonico and Viva Majorca.
V. E. Day provided trainer Jimmy Jerkens with a thrill of a lifetime when he nosed out stablemate Wicked Strong in the Travers, just the colt's third start on dirt. His score in the Travers was again a tight finish over a stellar group. He defeated Wood Memorial (gr. I) winner Wicked Strong by a nose, while Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Tonalist was 2 1/2 lengths back. Grade I winners Mr. Speaker and Bayern , graded stakes winner Kid Cruz, and Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (gr. I) runner-up Commanding Curve were also in the mix.
NOVAK: V. E. Day Over Wicked Strong in Travers Upset
"V. E. Day was a beautiful chestnut colt with a gorgeous shoulder and a stride that covered immense ground," Jerkens said. "He ascended the 3-year-old ranks in early summer in leaps and bounds, as was evident by his big wins in the Curlin and Travers. He was absolutely sound and had a mind to match. He will always be one of my favorites."
As a 4-year-old, V. E. Day finished second in the Brooklyn Invitational (gr. II) by a neck to Coach Inge and in the Temperence Hill Stakes, both at Belmont. Third in three of four starts as a 5-year-old in France, he retires with earnings of $1,994,460.
V. E. Day was bred by Brad Kelley's Bluegrass Hall out of the Deputy Minister mare California Sunset, dam of five other winners and out of a sister to champion grass horse Sunshine Forever. He is a Keeneland September yearling sale graduate who sold for $105,000 to Bradley Thoroughbreds. He was purchased by Chester Stables, agent for $135,000 at the Ocala Breeders' Sales Co.'s March sale of 2-year-olds in training.
