Another racehorse is heading to the breeding shed to get on with the business of progeny. For Violence, however, this abrupt end to his racing career comes much earlier than originally expected. Violence had been a winter book favorite for the Kentucky Derby until he fractured his right front medial sesamoid during the Fountain of Youth Stakes at Gulfstream Park on February 23.
The fracture occurred at some point during the race, but the horse gamely finished the race, placing second by a mere head to Orb.
During his brief racing career, Violence raced for Steve Marshall's Black Rock Stables.
Violence was bred by Dell Ridge Farm. His sire is Medaglia d’Oro and he is out of the winning mare Violent Beauty by Gone West, a line of many runners.
Now Violence will move to John G. Sikura’s Hill ‘n’Dale Farms near Lexington where he will head for the breeding shed – but not until the 2014 season.
Says Sikura, "This family has been producing grade I winners for over three decades at all distances and on all surfaces. This versatility will suit a great cross section of mares. Violence was an undefeated grade I winner at 2, and showed so much courage in finishing second in the Fountain of Youth while sustaining an injury.”
Of the injury says Sikura, "The injury is fine, but it's March, and by the time we test breed him and EVA vaccinate him, he won't be able to start breeding until April. He's breeding sound, but we won't stand him until next year."
Violence was trained by Todd Pletcher during his short racing career. His early retirement comes with the record of 3-1-0 from four starts with earnings of $623,000.
Pletcher always liked Violence. He says, "Violence was the consummate professional with a perfect temperament and unlimited potential. This was a really, really good horse."
Steve Marshall of Black Rock Stables is pleased to partner with Hill ‘n’Dale. Says Marshall, "The Hill 'n' Dale facilities are second to none, and John has a reputation for making stallions. They have a world-class broodmare band, launched Violence's sire, Medaglia d'Oro, and have a high profile customer base and sales agency. As difficult as it was to see his racing career end so abruptly, we are now looking forward to Violence becoming an outstanding sire extending his dominance on the racetrack to the breeding shed."
"He is a great horse to look at, and possesses all the traits of an outstanding sire prospect—precocity with classic ability, physicality and a huge pedigree. What we saw of him talent-wise was just the tip of the iceberg. He was absolutely a top-class horse."
We have no doubts that Violence will become a successful sire.
Read: Blood Horse
If you enjoyed this article by Heidi Rucki, please click the link above to subscribe and get others. It’s free, informative and anonymous. Read Rucki's articles on Examiner.com and visit her website, www.DressYourHorse.com.
Comments