Dornoch (Good Magic–Puca, by Big Brown), a leading 3-year-old colt with impressive wins in the 2024 GI Belmont Stakes and GI Haskell Stakes, has been diagnosed with bone bruising, which will force him to miss his planned final start in the GI Breeders' Cup Classic. Dornoch, fourth in the GI Travers Stakes last out, has been retired from racing and will begin his stud career at Spendthrift Farm in 2025.
“Dornoch's performance in the Travers really wasn't what we expected, and we just have not been happy with the way he's trained since,” trainer Danny Gargan said. “We decided to have the vets go over him thoroughly before we started to really ramp up his works for the Breeders' Cup. That's when some bone bruising was discovered. The Breeders' Cup (Classic) was going to be his last race anyway, so, given the timing, the right thing to do is to retire him.”
Gargan continued, “Dornoch owes us nothing. He's the best horse I've ever trained, and our team is going to miss having him around the barn. But we are also excited about his future. He's going to a great place in Spendthrift, and I think Dornoch has a big chance to be a good sire.”
Dornoch, winner of last year's GII Remsen Stakes and this year's GII Coolmore Fountain of Youth Stakes, retires with career earnings of $2,427,275 for his owners West Paces Racing, R. A. Hill Stable, Belmar Racing, Two Eight Racing, and Pine Racing Stables. The $325,000 Keeneland September yearling graduate is out of the Big Brown mare Puca and is a full-brother to 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage. He was bred in Kentucky by Grandview Equine.
“We are very excited to have Dornoch join our stallion roster,” said Ned Toffey, Spendthrift's general manager. “He's just a tremendous individual, with a pedigree and race record to match. Dornoch won a couple of major Grade I races from 1 1/8 miles to 1 1/4 miles this year. We believe he's the best 3-year-old we've seen from the Curlin line, and he really has all the makings of a special stallion prospect. We look forward to showing him off to our breeders in the near future.”
Details on Dornoch's 2025 stud fee and availability for inspection at Spendthrift will be announced at a later date. For more information about Dornoch, please contact Des, Mark, Brian, or Daniel at Spendthrift Farm at 859-294-0030.
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