Claiborne Farm has purchased an interest in Catholic Boy (More Than Ready–Song of Bernadette, by Bernardini), a Grade I winner on both dirt and turf and victor of the GII Dixie S. at Pimlico on Preakness Day in his 2019 debut. He will stand at the farm upon his retirement from racing, they announced Tuesday.
“What an incredible horse. What an incredible effort [in the Dixie],” said Robert LaPenta, who campaigns Catholic Boy in partnership with Madaket Stables, Siena Farm, and Twin Creeks Racing Stables. “Six and a half months off–(the Dixie S.) was not an easy race, and he made us proud.”
A graded stakes winner at ages two, three and four, Catholic Boy won three of his four starts as a juvenile, including the GIII With Anticipation S. on turf at Saratoga and the GII Remsen S. on dirt. In 2018, Catholic Boy became just the third American 3-year-old in history to win Grade I races on dirt and turf, preceded by two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome and Secretariat, who also retired to Claiborne. Those wins came in the GI Belmont Derby Invitational S. and the GI Runhappy Travers S., both at a mile and a quarter.
“He's just such a gifted horse,” said trainer Jonathan Thomas immediately after the Dixie. “I would have been happy coming here and running a good second or third and galloping out well. But he has it in him to win. It was great to see. Sometimes turf is a little easier on them coming back and that was the plan we utilized.”
Bred in Kentucky by Fred W. Hertrich III and John D. Fielding, Catholic Boy is out of Song of Bernadette, who sold to Bridlewood Farm for $2.3 million carrying a foal by War Front at last year's Fasig-Tipton November Sale. (See the TDN video feature on Song of Bernadette.)
Catholic Boy's record currently stands at seven wins from 11 starts–six of them graded–and earnings of over $1.9 million. He is being pointed toward's Belmont's GII Suburban H. on the main track July 6.
“A graded stakes winner on both dirt and turf at two, and Grade I winner on both dirt and turf at three, makes him one of the most versatile and unique stallion prospects on the market,” said Claiborne's Walker Hancock. “Plus, being a son of More Than Ready opens him up to breed to a very wide variety of mares. We are thrilled to stand him at Claiborne Farm upon his retirement.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
