Raven's Pass Retired

fbwinnersfbwinners Senior Member
edited November 2008 in Horse Racing Forum
Breeders' Cup Classic winner Raven's Pass has been retired to stud at Sheik Mohammed's Kildangan Stud in Ireland, Darley enterprise announced today in a news release.

The 3-year-old colt won the $5 million Classic, his first race on a surface other than turf, while campaigning the name of Sheik Mohammed's wife, Princess Haya of Jordan.

Sheik Mohammed's Darley enterprise bought half-interest in the Elusive Quality colt last year from breeders Bob and Janice McNair, then purchased the remaining share when Darley acquired the vast majority of the McNair's racing and breeding operation in September.

Raven's Pass, who was trained by John Gosden, won his final three races, including Ascot's prestigious Queen Elizabeth II Stakes over his nemesis Henrythenavigator, the Breeders' Cup runner-up.

According to a press release, Raven's Pass will stand for $51,1024 or 40,000 Euros.

“Raven's Pass will stand at Kildangan, but I'm sure we'll be encouraging mares from Kentucky to (come to) County Kildare,” said John Ferguson, bloodstock adviser to Sheik Mohammed said in a release. “A horse with genuine global appeal, he'll give top breeders the opportunity to sell his offspring either in Europe or the (United States).”

Raven's Pass, who had never raced farther than a mile when he won the Classic, retires with a 6-4-1 mark in 12 starts. Three times he lost in Group 1 races captured by Henrythenavigator, who also was retired to stud by the Irish-based Coolmore conglomerate that is Darley's arch-rival world-wide in competition on the racetrack, in the sales ring and for stallions.

According to thoroughbredtimes.com, Darley also took possession of about 80 horses in training, including Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner Midshipman, who also campaigned in the Breeders' Cup in the colors of Princess Haya.

Midshipman, who had been trained by Bob Baffert, is expected to join Sheik Mohammed's elite Godolphin Racing program in Dubai this winter and prepare for the Kentucky Derby from overseas.
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