American Pharoah (USA) is due to arrive at Ashford Stud on Monday after a record-breaking climax to his race career in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic (2000m) at Keeneland.
“I will go along to see him get settled in,” trainer Bob Baffert said. “It will be sad to say goodbye. He’s the best horse I’ve ever had in my career. He’s a gift from God. This guy had the brilliance, the speed and the personality. He’s the perfect racehorse.”
American Pharoah (pictured with Baffert) captured the hearts of Americans with victories in the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes earlier this year. He then came back from breaking the 37 year Triple Crown drought to win the G1 Haskell Invitational at Monmouth Park.
After a sole setback this year in the G1 Travers Stakes at Saratoga, he had a point to prove in the BC Classic and the result was never in doubt once he sailed to the front with a few fluid strides on Saturday. He set fast fractions and then drew away to a six-length victory in a track-record 2:00.07s.
“I’m so proud of his horse and I’m also so relieved,” Baffert said. “After his last race, I got so down on myself. When he’s right, he’s right, and you saw what he can do today. I’m so proud of him and just glad he goes out the champ.”
A crowd of 50,155 made American Pharoah the $1.60 favourite at Keeneland and the winning swansong improved his record to 9 wins in 11 starts for prizemoney of $8,650,300. He’s fourth in the all-time purse earnings in North America behind Curlin, Cigar and Skip Away.
His sire Pioneerof the Nile is by Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, one of three American classic winners sired by Kentucky Derby and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner Unbridled. His dam Littleprincessemma (Yankee Gentleman) is a half-sister to stakes-winning sprinters Storm Wolf and Misty Rosette.
Owner-breeder Ahmed Zayat sold American Pharoah’s breeding rights to Coolmore Stud for more than $20 million and his value has kept going north since they closed the deal in May. He will stand at Coolmore’s Kentucky base at Ashford Stud for an introductory service fee that’s been reported as ranging between $250,000 and $300,000.
