Twin-surface grade 1 winner Catholic Boy has been bought to Harris Farms and can be part of its 2025 roster, the California farm introduced Oct. 21. The multi-millionaire is a son of Extra Than Prepared and among the many high eight second-crop sires by variety of black-type performers. He’ll stand for $6,000.
Catholic Boy campaigned three seasons, successful six graded stakes and changing into solely the third American 3-year-old in historical past to win a grade 1 race on each dust and turf. He received the 2018 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes (G1T) with a gutsy efficiency at Belmont Park and got here again in his subsequent begin to take the Travers Stakes (G1) over United States champion Good Magic , Canadian champion Surprise Gadot , and eventual Breeders’ Cup Traditional (G1) winner Vino Rosso .
These victories put Catholic Boy within the elite firm of the legendary Kentucky Derby (G1) winners and dual-surface grade 1 3-year-olds Secretariat (additionally winner of the Man o’ Conflict Stakes, G1T) and California Chrome (who received the Hollywood Derby, G1T).
In a profession hallmarked by versatility, Catholic Boy earned $2,134,000, with seven victories and two seconds from 13 begins at 9 completely different tracks. He broke his maiden at 2, going 7 1/2 furlongs on the turf at Gulfstream Park. He acquired examined in a graded stakes in his second profession begin and captured the With Anticipation Stakes (G3T) by a size going 1 1/16 miles at Saratoga Race Course. After a detailed fourth within the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) at Del Mar, he romped by practically 5 lengths in his dust debut, the nine-furlong Remsen Stakes (G2) over the principle observe at Aqueduct Racetrack.
Along with his grade 1 victories, he additionally received the Pennine Ridge Stakes (G3T) at Belmont Park and positioned within the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) throughout his sophomore season. Returning at 4, he received the 1 1/16-mile Dixie Stakes (G2T) at Pimlico Race Course and was runner-up within the Suburban Stakes (G2) at Belmont.Join BloodHorse Day by day
Catholic Boy represents an internationally influential and thriving sire line. Extra Than Prepared was a number one sire on two continents and sired grade/group 1 winners in seven international locations. His sons have sired grade 1 and basic winners in North America and Australia, and his son Gimmiethegreenlight (AUS) was a a number of main sire in South Africa.
“I really feel Catholic Boy has limitless potential, and might be a significant participant. He is likely one of the greatest stallions Harris Farms has had, and we’ve had a number of,” stated John Harris, president and chairman of Harris Farms.
“Catholic Boy had velocity that would carry, successful grade 1s on each dust and turf at a mile and one-quarter. We’re very excited for the chance to face him in California,” stated Jonny Hilvers, normal supervisor of Harris Farms.
Catholic Boy has sired 44 winners, led by multiple-stakes winner El Catolico and stakes-placed performers Barbratina , Future Star , Rock’n a Halo , Religion Understood , Woman d’Oro , Younger Pope , and Rey de Aragon, who all symbolize completely different broodmare sire strains.
Catholic Boy is out of the Bernardini daughter of Music of Bernadette, who’s from the household of English and Irish highweight 3-year-old colt (2022) and older horse (2003) Hawk Wing; European highweight 3-year-old filly (1989) Fortunate Music; and 1985 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly and Queens Plate winner La Lorgnette.
