By J.N. Campbell
In a deal that came about unexpectedly for Rodney Eckenrode's Equistar–the training and breeding operation east of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania that stands Smarty Jones and Brody's Cause–GSW Zozos (by Munnings) will join the farm's stallion roster for 2025 with a stud fee of $2,500 in the offing.
The dark bay who was bred and campaigned by Minnesotans Barry and Joni Butzow recently retired from trainer Brad Cox's shedrow after a career which began at three.
Zozos's career highlights include a runner-up finish in the GII Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds and a 10th-place showing in the 2022 GI Kentucky Derby. The next season, the homebred won the Knicks Go Stakes and later the GIII Ack Ack Stakes–both at Churchill Downs.
In May of this year, Zozos was third in the GI Churchill Downs Stakes, and finished his career over the summer with 15 starts, seven wins and over $1 million in earnings.
Eckenrode, who has been on the hunt for a new stallion, heard from an agent friend of his that the 5-year-old was coming on the market.
Zozos | Coady Photography
“It normally can take a couple of years to find the right fit,” said Eckenrode. “This horse is really going to get people excited here in Pennsylvania and what he is going to do is really help the breed. That is always my focus regionally. The depth of the pedigree here and the Munnings connection were just a few of the reasons that we jumped at the chance.”
The breeder acknowledged that with over 70% of races in the state drawn up as sprints, Zozos will make a fine addition because of the types of runners who Munnings already claims.
Eckenrode believes that the Ashford Stud stallion has versatility in his blood to handle different surfaces. There is also the potential to be a break-out sire of sires in his own right, which to him only makes the argument stronger to bring Zozos to Equistar.
“I've already spoken to a number of folks and they are really interested,” he said. “The number was right for us and setting the fee where we have will entice folks once the season starts.”
The Butzows will retain a piece of Zozos's stallion rights according to Eckenrode.
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