Union Rags at Lane's End Farm 2012.
Photo: Mathea Kelley
Union Rags wins the 2012 Belmont Stakes.
Photo: Skip Dickstein
Union Rags the 144th running of the Belmont Stakes.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Union Rags in the Belmont Stakes post parade.
Photo: Rick Samuels
Union Rags wins the Belmont Stakes.
Photo: Skip Dickstein
Union Rags holds off Paynter in the Belmont Stakes.
Photo: Chad B. Harmon
Union Rags and Paynter battle in the Belmont Stakes.
Photo: Chad B. Harmon
Union Rags wins the Belmont Stakes.
Photo: Chad B. Harmon
Union Rags wins the Belmont Stakes.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Union Rags - Belmont Park, June 8, 2012.
Photo: Rick Samuels
Union Rags arrives at Belmont Park on June 6, 2012.
Photo: Rick Samuels
First Time by in Kentucky Derby 138.
Photo: Mallory Haigh
Union Rags - Churchill Downs, May 3, 2012.
Photo: Dave Harmon
Union Rags - Churchill Downs, May 3, 2012.
Photo: Dave Harmon
Union Rags - Churchill Downs, May 3, 2012.
Photo: Dave Harmon
Union Rags at Churchill Downs 4/30/2012
Photo: Steve Haskin
Union Rags - Churchill Downs, April 27, 2012.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Union Rags - Churchill Downs, April 27, 2012.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Union Rags - Churchill Downs, April 27, 2012.
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Union Rags - Churchill Downs, April 27, 2012.
Photo: Mathea Kelley
Union Rags - Churchill Downs, April 27, 2012.
Photo: Mathea Kelley
Union Rags - Keeneland April 20, 2012.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Union Rags - Keeneland April 20, 2012.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Union Rags - Keeneland April 20, 2012.
Photo: Keeneland/Coady Photography
Union Rags wins the Fountain of Youth Stakes.
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Union Rags in the Fountain of Youth Stakes.
Photo: Coglianese Photos/Courtney Stafford
Union Rags wins the 2012 Fountain of Youth Stakes.
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Union Rags wins the Fountain of Youth Stakes.
Photo: Coglianese Photos/Courtney Stafford
Union Rags wins the Fountain of Youth Stakes.
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Union Rags, Churchill Downs, November 1, 2011
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Union Rags, Churchill Downs, November 1, 2011
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Union Rags, Churchill Downs, November 1, 2011
Photo: Anne M. Eberhardt
Union Rags wins the 2011 Champagne.
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Union Rags wins the 2011 Champagne.
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Union Rags wins the 2011 Saratoga Special.
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Union Rags wins the 2011 Saratoga Special.
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Union Rags wins the 2011 Saratoga Special.
Photo: Coglianese Photos
Union Rags in the Saratoga Special
Photo: Coglianese Photos/NYRA
The Mr. Prospector sire line has been an American institution since his first runners hit the races in 1978. Those descending from his son Gone West have remained relatively true to Mr. Prospector's gift of brilliant speed.
Keeneland's January horses of all ages sale, topped by $2.2 million mare Up, closed Jan. 15 with across-the-board declines in a year that featured no major dispersals.
Declaration of War, third on his only start on dirt in last year's Breeders' Cup Classic (gr. I), will relocate to Coolmore's Ashford Stud near Versailles, Ky., for the 2015 breeding season, it was announced Oct. 22.
The colt was born at William Shively's Dixiana Farm and is out of Shively's stakes winner Gleaming.
Todd Pletcher will set a record if all five 3-year-olds he entered start in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), but the multiple Eclipse Award-winning trainer is most concerned about the race result.
by John P. Sparkman
Despite admirable objective accomplishments, some very good sires like Dixie Union seem fated not to be fully appreciated within their lifetimes.
Gibson Thoroughbred Farm in Washington state has purchased War Power, a multiple winner by Pulpit out of a half sister to 2012 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Union Rags.
Bloodhorse.com's most popular stories, blogs, videos, slideshows, and horse profiles for 2012.
A visual look at some of the top new stallions for 2013. View Slideshow
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Distance concerns were, to a degree, dispelled by his determined triumph over the Remsen's nine furlongs.
Jason and Tom give their picks for the 138th Kentucky Derby. Watch Video
Lane's End stallion Smart Strike, a two-time leading sire, will stand in 2013 for $85,000, the same fee he stood for in 2012.
Hansen, last year's champion 2-year-old male and Grey Goose Breeders' Cup Juvenile (gr. I) winner, has been retired from racing due to a tendon injury.
Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Union Rags will enter stud next year at William S. Farish's Lane's End Farm near Versailles, Ky., the farm announced Aug. 16.
Five other contenders line up for their shot at a $1 million purse, joining the Bob Baffert trainee in trying to bring excitement to a summer season lacking major 3-year-old stars.
Owner Phyllis Wyeth is now shopping for a stud deal for Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Union Rags, her adviser Russell Jones said July 20.
Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Union Rags has sustained a minor suspensory injury and will miss the remainder of the 2012 season.
Jockeys Javier Castellano, Ramon Dominguez, Mario Gutierrez, and John Velazquez are the four nominees in the "Best Jockey" category for the 20th annual ESPY awards, ESPN announced June 27
PORTER ON PEDIGREES, by Alan Porter
Leading up to the 2012 classics, many speculated that Union Rags could be the horse to end the long wait for a 12th winner of the U.S. Triple Crown.
Velazquez will not require surgery on a broken right collarbone sustained in a June 16 riding accident at Churchill Downs, according to a medical update issued June 21 by the jockey's wife.
This free report is a look back at the 2012 Triple Crown by award-winning turf writer Steve Haskin. Download Report
Amid the chaos in New York, Union Rags delivers a brilliant performance. read blog
In his hauntingly melodic song, "Hallelujah," Leonard Cohen wrote, "Baby I've been here before. I know this room, I've walked this floor." read blog
Evan Hammonds recaps the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), True North Handicap (gr. II), Just A Game Stakes (gr. I), and Manhattan Handicap (gr. IT). watch video
Belmont Stakes (gr. I) winner Union Rags was a happy horse this morning in Michael Matz's barn at the Fair Hill training center in Elkton, Md.
Overnight ratings for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) on NBC soared in spite of the scratch of Triple Crown-hopeful I'll Have Another, topping last year's overnight by 13% and the 2010 overnight by 74%.
View the excitement of Belmont Stakes 144. view slideshow
Lenny Shulman recaps the exciting 2012 Belmont Stakes won by Union Rags. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm. Watch Video
Trainer Michael Matz and Jockey John Velazquez answer questions after Union Rags' victory in the 2012 Belmont Stakes. Watch Video
A photo gallery of a typical morning with Belmont Stakes contender Union Rags. read blog
Union Rags, closing with urgency along the rail under John Velazquez, got up in the final couple of strides to win a heart-pounding finish over Paynter in the 2012 Belmont Stakes (gr. I) June 9.
Tom LaMarra and Pete Denk handicap the Belmont Stakes. Sponsored by TVG. Watch Video
We won't even begin to express our disappointment and disgust over the scratch of I'll Have Another. All we will do for now is kill the paragraphs already written and leave the leftovers. This is what is left of the Belmont. Read Blog
Donegal Racing's Belmont contender is now the 9-5 favorite in Saturday's classic. Dullahan finished third in the Kentucky Derby and skipped the Preakness Stakes.
Join Tom LaMarra and Pete Denk to talk Belmont Stakes and the Triple Crown. Read Transcript
When I'll Have Another attempts to become the 12th Triple Crown winner in racing history June 9 in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I), he will be bucking more than the 34-year gap since the last one.
A day after the dozen Belmont Stakes (gr. I) horses were relocated to a designated barn, some trainers still expressed dissatisfaction with the arrangement and questioned why it wasn't handled differently.
Lenny Shulman reports on the days news, including Union Rags' first tour of the Belmont track, I'll Have Another, and the weather. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm. Watch Video
Trainer Michael Matz comments on his Belmont contender Union Rags. watch video
I'll Have Another gets another outside draw, post 11 of 12, for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I). The son of Flower Alley bids to become racing's 12th winner of the Triple Crown in the "Test of the Champion" June 9.
Will I'll Have Another be crowned as Triple Crown winner number 12? Or will there be a spoiler? Predict the Order
The move of all horses entered in the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) to Barn 2 at Belmont Park was an orderly process June 6, with 4-5 morning-line favorite I'll Have Another the last to arrive just a few minutes past noon.
Lenny Shulman reports on the draw, the detention barn, and the weather. Sponsored by Three Chimneys Farm. Watch Video
Steve Haskin examines works for Belmont Stakes contenders Atigun, Dullahan, Paynter, Street Life, Unstoppable U, Guyana Star Dweej, and Union Rags. watch video
With the rain having moved out of the New York area, the June 3 work tab at Belmont Park was busy, with five contenders for the Belmont Stakes (gr. I) putting in their final workouts.
With two Belmont Stakes (gr. I) hopefuls having completed their final workouts, trainers of other contenders for the June 9 classic have firmed up their plans.
Tom and new co-host Pete Denk present an early look at the Belmont Stakes. Sponsored by TVG. Watch Video
The New York State Racing and Wagering Board has issued a set of protocols for horses running in the Belmont Stakes, the most notable one being the use of a stakes barn, to which all Belmont starters must go beginning June 6.
With a steady rain falling, dual classic winner I'll Have Another galloped a mile at Belmont Park May 25 as he continued to prepare for attempt at history in the June 9 Belmont Stakes (gr. I).
Fountain of Youth winner is looking for a clean trip this time under John Velazquez.
| Trainer | Michael R. Matz |
|---|---|
| Jockey | John R. Velazquez |
| Owner | Chadds Ford Stable |
| Breeder | Phyllis M Wyeth |
| Union Rags View Five-Cross Pedigree | Dixie Union | Dixieland Band |
| She's Tops | ||
| Tempo | Gone West | |
| Terpsichorist |
| Sale / Hip | Type | Buyer | Consignor | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FTSAUG2010 Hip 192 |
Yearling | IEAH Stables | Paramount Sales, agent | $145,000 |
| FTFFEB2011 Hip 63 |
Two-year-old | Chadds Ford Stable | Eddie Woods, agent | $390,000 |
| Dortmund |
| Upstart |
| American Pharoah |
| Texas Red |
| Far Right |
| International Star |
| Itsaknockout |
| Rachel Alexandra |
| California Chrome |
| Far From Over |
