Grade I winner Victor's Cry and grade II victor Wilburn have both been retired from racing and purchased by B. Wayne Hughes' Spendthrift Farm. Wilburn will stand at the Lexington-based farm in 2012, while Victor's Cry will join Breeders' Cup champion Court Vision at Michael Byrne's Park Stud near Orangeville, Ontario, Canada for next year’s breeding season.
“We're excited to offer Wilburn and Victor's Cry through our popular ‘Share the Upside program,’ ” said Spendthrift Farm stallion director Ken Wilkins. “Both are very talented racehorses and grand-looking individuals by two of the hottest sires in the world.”
Ned Toffey, general manager of Spendthrift, added: “Wilburn and Victor's Cry are at the farm for viewing along with our other stallions, including the recently-retired Tizway and Court Vision. We invite people to come out to see them and have breakfast with us Friday morning (Nov. 11) from 8:30-10 a.m. The stallions will also be shown every day from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the farm during our open house, which will go through the end of the Keeneland November sale next Thursday.”
Wilburn is the first son of leading second-crop sire Bernardini to retire to stud. The imposing 3-year-old colt owns five wins, including the 2011 Smarty Jones Stakes and Indiana Derby (gr. II). He won the latter by 4 3/4 lengths, defeating Preakness (gr. I) winner Shackleford and multiple grade I winner and Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (gr. I) victor Caleb's Posse . Wilburn was a $625,000 2-year-old and is out of the graded stakes winner and multiple graded stakes-producer Moonlight Sonata (by Carson City).
Wilburn was bred in Kentucky by Woodbridge Bloodstock.
Victor's Cry, winner of last year’s Shoemaker Mile Stakes (gr. IT) at Hollywood Park, was retired in April due to wear and tear on his ankles. He exited racing with 13 top-three finishes from 24 starts and earnings of $762,021.
Victor's Cry set a track record breaking his maiden. A 3-year-old at the time, he won at 6 1/2 furlongs in 1:15.82 over Del Mar's Polytrack.
Victor’s Cry’s best season came last year. He won the Shoemaker Mile in a swift 1:32.88, plus the Citation Handicap (gr. IIT), and finished second in both the Eddie Read Stakes (gr. IT) and the San Simeon Handicap (gr. IIIT).
This year Victor’s Cry placed in the Shoemaker and the Thunder Road Handicap (gr. IIIT). He was invited to compete in the Dubai Duty Free Sponsored by Dubai Duty Free (UAE-I) and finished fifth, 4 1/4 lengths behind the winner.
Bred in Virginia by Legacy Farm, Victor’s Cry is out of grade II stakes-placed mare Short Time (by Clever Trick). His second dam, Maria Fumata, was a champion and classic winner in Chile.
Stud fees for all Spendthrift stallions, including Wilburn and Victor's Cry, will be announced soon. For inquiries on these stallions and Spendthrift's Share The Upside program, contact Ken Wilkins, Des Dempsey, or Sean Feld at (888) 816-8787.
