Multiple graded stakes winner Tacitus (Tapit), an earner of more than $3.7 million and a son of champion older female and five-time Grade I winner Close Hatches (First Defence), will stand stud duty at Taylor Made Stallions at the conclusion of his racing career, the farm announced Monday.
Owned in partnership by Don Alberto, Juddmonte Farms, and Taylor Made Stallions, Tacitus will stand for a fee of $10,000 S&N terms and a breeding right program will also be offered.
“I knew he had to be a champion when I first jumped on him,” jockey Jose Ortiz told US Racing. “I love everything about him. He's got a great stride, and he's very athletic.”
A maiden winner at second asking for trainer Bill Mott, Tacitus was the 1 1/4-length winner of the GII Tampa Bay Derby in his 3-year-old debut, stopping the clock in 1:41.90, just 0.15 seconds off the track record. The homebred then overcame serious trouble in the first turn to land the GII Wood Memorial S., cementing a spot in the gate for the GI Kentucky Derby, where he fought on bravely to cross the line fourth, placed third. He maintained his position near the top of the sophomore class for the balance of the season, finishing runner-up in the GI Belmont S., GI Runhappy Travers S. and GII Jim Dandy S. before closing the season with a third against older rivals in the GI Jockey Club Gold Cup.
Tacitus proved an impressive winner of the 2020 GII Suburban H. at Belmont Park, scoring by 8 3/4 lengths in 1:59.51. He was subsequently second in the GI Woodward H. and third in the Gold Cup. His current record stands at 4-4-3 from 17 starts for earnings of $3,767,350.
Eclipse Award winner Close Hatches is a full-sister to SW & MGISP Lockdown, while the further female family includes the talented G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Siskin (First Defence) and GI United Nations H. hero Senure (Nureyev).
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