Paul Pompa, Jr.'s GI Cigar Mile hero Connect (Curlin–Bullville Belle, by Holy Bull) will stand at Will Farish's Lane's End Farm upon his retirement from racing.
“He's by an emerging top class sire that's one of the most commercially sought after stallions in the market,” said Farish. “He will cross beautifully with A.P. Indy line mares, which Curlin has had so much success with. He's an outstanding physical, very much akin to the successful stallions on our roster today. We're confident breeders will find him very attractive. We're certainly grateful for the opportunity to partner with Mr. Pompa and very pleased with the strength of the syndicate behind this horse.”
Graduating at second asking at Belmont last May, Connect followed suit with victories in an Elmont allowance on the GI Belmont S. undercard June 11 and Saratoga's Curlin S. July 29. Sixth behind champion Arrogate (Unbridled's Song) in the GI Travers S. Aug. 27, the dark bay returned to winning ways in the GII Pennsylvania Derby Sept. 24 and closed out his sophomore campaign with a victory in the Cigar Mile Nov. 26.
The now 4-year-old, whose record currently stands at 7-5-0-1 with $1.25 million in earnings, is currently in training with Chad Brown at Palm Meadows and is expected to make his 2017 debut this spring.
“Connect is poised to be one of the top older horses this year,” said Brown. “He's done everything we've asked of him from his stakes debut at Saratoga to defeating the Derby & Preakness winner and winning his first Grade 1. He ran a 1 on the sheets in the Cigar and there are very few active horses running those kinds of figures.”
Pompa purchased Connect for just $150,000 at the Fasig-Tipton July sale and he hails from the extended female family of Pompa's GISW Backseat Rhythm (El Corredor).
“I've been very fortunate to own many top class racehorses, but Connect is in another league,” said Pompa. “When it came time to determine the future of his stallion career, the best choice was Lane's End. Their success in making world class stallions and the people involved made it a very easy decision. I'm excited to run him again this year and very much looking forward to being involved with the Farish family and Lane's End for many years to come.”
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