Pin Oak stalwart Broken Vow (Unbridled–Wedding Vow, by Nijinsky II), the sire of 2016 Eclipse champion Champagne Room and 79 other black-type winners, has been pensioned from the stallion barn and will remain at his lifetime home.
Racing as a homebred for Pin Oak Stud, the nom de course of Josephine Abercrombie's historic racing and breeding operation, Broken Vow was a five-time stakes winner for trainer Graham Motion. His top wins included the 2001 GII Philip H. Iselin H. and the GIII Ben Ali S., as well as another four graded placings, including the 2001 GI Gulfstream Park H. Broken Vow retired to his birthplace to stand his first season in 2002 at age five for $10,000.
Broken Vow's first crop included GI Beldame S. winner Unbridled Belle and GII Futurity S. winner Private Vow. While he only topped 100 foals twice in 17 crops of racing age to date, the bay continued to deliver consistent quality, with runners including MGISW Sassy Image, GISWs Rosalind and Cotton Blossom, and MGSW Imprimis. Overall, the 24-year-old's 80 stakes winners include 26 graded winners to date and progeny earnings of more than $80 million. Broken Vow is also making a name for himself as a broodmare sire with the 36 black-type winners out of his daughters including champion and sire Runhappy (Super Saver).
“First as a race horse and then as an anchor to our stallion roster for 20 seasons, Broken Vow is the embodiment of Ms. Abercrombie's breeding program, producing sound, competitive racehorses whose bloodlines endure,” said long-time Pin Oak Stud manager Clifford Barry. “We appreciate the industry's support through the years, but mostly we thank Broken Vow for his loyal service to the farm and look forward to providing a well-deserved retirement for him here at Pin Oak.”
Broken Vow stood his final season this year for $20,000. Last month, Pin Oak Stud dispersed 23 mares and foals at a special sale held at Fasig-Tipton. In addition, Chris McGrath recently delved into the legacy of Pin Oak and Abercrombie.
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