The Winstar Stallions, Part 2

At Winstar, they have a nice mix of young stallions and older ones.  Several recent Grade 1 winners are there including Bodemeister.  He ran second in the Derby and the Preakness but he won the Arkansas Derby.  He ran only six times, won twice and was second four times.  The handler at Winstar said he carries a grudge even to this day for being a bridesmaid so many times, by laying his ears back when they bring him out.  He was laying down the morning we came to visit.  Who can blame him, in this nice sunny, well-bedded stall?

 (Bodemeister)

We also saw Carpe Diem.  He raced only six times as a two and three-year old and won four times and was second twice, winning $1.5M.  He won the Breeders' Cup Futurity as two year-old, setting up to be one of the favorites for the Derby, which he did not win. He won the Blue Grass Stakes and the Tampa Bay Derby as well.  

 (Carpe Diem)

 Distorted Humor was an amazing horse to see, who at 23 is still very actively breeding.  He is a legend, the sire of Derby winner, Funny Cide. His offspring have included 17 Grade 1 winners in six countries, six millionaires, winners of all three Triple Crown races.  He looks great for his age.  He looks like the old pro that he is.  Besides Funny Cide, he sired Drosselmeyer who won the Belmont and the Breeders' Cup Classic.

 (Distorted Humor)

Drosselmeyer is also at Winstar.  He's one of only four horses who have won both the Belmont and the Classic. He's in elite company.  The others include American Pharaoh, Sunday Silence, Unbridled and A.P. Indy.

Super Saver is the only Derby winner at Winstar.  He is starting to produce Grade 1 winners and he too was having a nice nap while we were there. 

 (Super Saver)

We also saw Commissioner.  As as son of A.P. Indy, he won almost a million dollars in his three-year career, posting a win in the Pimlico Special, a time faster than American Pharoah's Preakness win.

 (Commissioner)

Tiznow was one of my favorites.  He is in the Hall of Fame and is the only back-to-back Breeders' Cup Classic winner.  He was also Horse of the Year and has sired 13 G1 winners so far.  He won over $6M and his horses are starting to bring big money at the sales. They told us he does not get ridden because when they come to saddle him he lays down.  Sounds like one smart stallion to me.  He is very striking in person.  If you watch his videos of his big races, the stride on this guy is amazing.

(Tiznow)

(Tiznow)

Revolutionary is also at Winstar. He won the Louisiana Derby and was third in a "troubled" Kentucky Derby.  He was the fastest two-year old during his second year.

(Revolutionary)

We got some good looks at Pioneer of the Nile as a prospective breeder came to look at him while we were there.  They pull the horse out, stand him up and walk him past the clients going both directions.  He is one beautiful animal.  He's a stall weaver.

 (Pioneer of the Nile)

(POTN)

I can't say enough about the staff at Winstar.  They went out of their way to show us their prized animals, their facilities and it was a wonderful morning.  Next visit to Kentucky will include more stallion visits for sure.  It's a great way to see some famous horses.  And Winstar is getting Exaggerator it was recently announced.  He was the best three-year old this past year and won the Belmont.  He'll run in the Breeders' Cup in November and then he'll retire to a life of luxury at Winstar. My late father used to say that he wanted to return to life as my cat.  But I think I'd rather return to life as a stallion at Winstar. 

Happy Wednesday!