Montbrook has been retired from stud duty and will spend his time at play and leisure at Ocala Stud in Florida where he was foaled.
Ocala Stud is owned and operated by J. Michael O’Farrell.
Says O’Farrell, "Montbrook has been a flagship stallion whose contributions have been significant, not only to Ocala Stud but also the Florida breeding industry. We bred him, sold him as a 2-year-old, and were lucky enough to buy him back after his racing career to stand him, so he's a special horse to us.”
O’Farrell noted, "His fertility has reached a point that the humane thing to do is to retire him, and allow Montbrook to happily live out his life. I believe his influence on racing will continue to carry on for many years through his sons at stud and daughters in many broodmare bands around the country."
The stallion, now 23 years old, serviced 25 mares during the current breeding season. Only a few of the mares tested in foal.
In a release, Ocala Stud announced that Montbrook was being retired due to his declining fertility.
Montbrook is by Buckaroo out of Secret Papers by Jet Diplomacy. Ocala Stud sold him as a two year old in training for $260,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sales. The colt went on to run eight starts as a three year old, winning five of them, including Gr. III Frank J. DeFrancis Memorial Dash, Gr. III Riva Ridge Stakes, Jersey Shore Budweiser Breeders’ Cup Stakes and Hirsch Jacobs Stakes. His earnings amounted to $373,728.
In 1996 Montbrook was retired to stand at stud.
Montbrook sired 47 stakes winners, 15 graded stakes winners, four Grade I winners and two champions. The stallion’s racing age colts and fillies have earned over $42-million. He was Florida champion sire in 2002, 2003, 2008, and 2009.
It is good to see Montbrook remain at Ocala Stud in retirement.
Source: Blood Horse
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