Claiborne Farm has acquired the breeding rights to multiple graded stakes winner Silver State (Hard Spun–Supreme, by Empire Maker). He will stand at the Paris, Ky., farm upon his retirement from racing.
The 4-year-old son of Hard Spun has won seven of 13 career starts, hitting the board in 12 of those starts, and has made over $1.9 million. In 2021 alone, he is 4-1-1 from six starts and has made over $1.6 million.
“We are very excited to stand Silver State in 2022,” said Claiborne's Walker Hancock. “Danzig is one of the legends of Claiborne, and we anticipate his legacy continuing through his grandson, Silver State.”
Silver State is being pointed toward this year's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar Nov. 6, after earning a “Win and You're In” berth by winning the GI Metropolitan H. this June. In the stallion-making Met Mile, he defeated three Grade I winners, including Knicks Go (Paynter), a four-time Grade I winner who has captured the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and GI Pegasus World Cup Invitational S.
The highlight of his career thus far is a six-race winning streak spanning 2020 and 2021, which included wins in the listed Fifth Season S. and Essex S. at Oaklawn Park, the GII Oaklawn H. and culminating in his signature Met Mile triumph at Belmont.
“He's a tremendous physical,” said trainer Steve Asmussen. “Everyone that's been around this horse is struck by his presence. He really must be seen to be believed.”
Ron Winchell of Winchell Thoroughbreds, who co-owns Silver State with Willis Horton Racing, added, “For any horse to win six races in a row, especially when those victories included races as well-regarded as the Oaklawn H. and Met Mile, is pretty incredible and puts him in a special category. Looking ahead to his stud career, we couldn't be more excited about Silver State finding a home at Claiborne. We're looking forward to supporting him with our mares and can't wait to see his offspring.”
A product of the vaunted Stonestreet Farm breeding program, Silver State is out of the Grade III-placed stakes-winning Empire Maker mare Supreme, and he hails from the family of GI Kentucky Derby winner Monarchos. He sold for $450,000 as a yearling at the 2018 Keeneland September sale.
An advertised stud fee will be announced at a later date.
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