Grade 1-placed, graded stakes winner Eagle has been retired and will enter stud at Douglas Scharbauer's Valor Farm in North Texas for $5,000.
The 5-year-old son of Candy Ride —Sea Gull, by Mineshaft , was bred and raced by William S. Farish. He won twice at 2 and never finished off the board in four starts, including a third in the Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes (G2). Eagle would win his first black-type stakes at 3 then at 4 win or placed in five graded stakes. He would follow a victory in the Ben Ali Stakes (G3) at Keeneland with second-place finishes in the Alysheba Stakes (G2) and the Stephen Foster Handicap (G1).
"He ran at the highest level, he's sound, was first or second 14 times out of 22 starts, and is a very good-looking horse," said Ken Carson, general manager of Valor Farm.
Eagle is the first foal and first black-type winner out of Sea Gull. The mare has also produced winner Catalina Cruiser (by Union Rags ).
Texas' breeding community faces a lot of challenges, being surrounded by gaming states, but Carson said breeders have been resilient.
"The racetracks have been willing to sit at the table and figure out a way to keep it all going," said Carson. "For Will to send this horse to us is a huge indicator of faith in Texas racing."
