Wealthy Strike , winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1), is settling in at his new dwelling at Mountain Springs Farm in Japanese Pennsylvania the place he’ll enter stud this 12 months at $6,500.
The 6-year-old son of Eager Ice attracted a crowd of about 120 individuals Jan. 11 throughout an open home on the farm owned by Wealthy Miller, who’s a member of the syndicate that now owns the stallion.
“In response to the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders, we had one of many largest stallion exhibits they’ve ever had,” stated Miller. “We’ve individuals who did not make the present who’re particularly coming to see him over the subsequent couple of days. He’s a really good, balanced horse, and I believe there may be some alternative for him right here in Pennsylvania.”
The energy of the Pennsylvania-bred program, the racing alternatives all through the Mid-Atlantic area, and the energy of Mountain Springs’ stallion roster are the principle causes the possession group centered on Mountain Springs close to Palmyra, Pa., to launch Wealthy Strike’s stud profession.
“I believe we now have him at a worth level the place the on a regular basis breeder concerned in state-bred applications can get a chunk of a Kentucky Derby winner,” stated Kevin Bitler, the proprietor of Finger Lakes Bloodstock who brokered the stallion deal. “I believe he’s going to slot in the Mid-Atlantic as a result of individuals can make the most of the PA-bred program but additionally ship their horses to Delaware to be Delaware-certified or be Virginia-certified, too. I believe he’s going to be an thrilling horse.”Join BloodHorse Every day
Photograph: Skip DicksteinRich Strike and rider Sonny Leon win the 2022 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs
Bitler stated unquestionably the opposite stallions on Mountain Springs’ roster made it a high candidate to face Wealthy Strike. The farm stands Enticed (Medaglia d’Oro ) and Uptowncharlybrown (Limehouse ), the second- and third-leading lively Pennsylvania sires, respectively, by 2024 Northern Hemisphere progeny earnings.
“You might have Uptowncharlybrown, who within the final two years has generated practically $2 million in stallion awards, and you’ve got a horse like Enticed going from Kentucky to Pennsylvania, you wish to be subsequent to that sort of horse,” Bitler stated.
Additionally coming into stud this 12 months at Mountain Springs is Alejandro , a successful son of Curlin out of Rachel’s Valentina , the grade 1-winning daughter of 2009 Horse of the Yr Rachel Alexandra . He’s standing for $1,500.
Wealthy Strike retired with a 2-1-3 document from 14 begins and earned greater than $2.5 million. Bred by Calumet Farm, the stallion is out of grade 3 winner and 2005 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Gold Strike, a daughter of outstanding broodmare sire Good Strike. Gold Strike is also the dam of grade 2 winner Llanarmon (Sky Mesa ) and the granddam of grade 1-placed, a number of grade 3 winner Neecie Marie (Cross Site visitors ).
