Three-time graded winner and runner-up in the 2023 GI Kentucky Derby Two Phil's (Hard Spun-Mia Torri, by General Quarters) will stand the 2024 season at WinStar Farm near Lexington. His retirement was previously announced after the chestnut suffered an ankle injury during his win in the June 24 GIII Ohio Derby. A fee will be revealed later.
“We have been looking for a Danzig-line horse that meets our standard of physicality, pedigree, and race record for some time now,” said Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm. “I think Two Phil's could have been the best 3-year-old in the country if his career had not been cut short after his dominant win in the Ohio Derby with a 5 Ragozin, 105 Beyer, and a negative 3/4 on Thorograph. However you look at it, he is top class.”
After a solid 2-year-old season which was highlighted by a win in Churchill's GIII Street Sense S., Two Phil's burst onto the national scene with placings in the GII Risen Star S. and GIII Lecomte S. prior to a dominant victory in the GIII Jeff Ruby Steaks at Turfway in March, which propelled him to the Kentucky Derby. Bred by Phillip Sagan and campaigned by Sagan, Patricia's Hope LLC, and Madaket Stables, Two Phil's just missed to Mage (Good Magic) in the Derby. Skipping the rest of the Triple Crown races, he was routed to the Ohio Derby at Thistledown, where he attained a third consecutive triple-digit Beyer Speed Figure (105). His Beyers in the Jeff Ruby and Kentucky Derby were 101 and 105, respectively.
“From the time he came into my barn at two, Two Phil's was a standout,” said trainer Larry Rivelli. “He is the best horse I have ever trained, and I look forward to his babies.”
Two Phil's retires with a record of 10-5-2-1 and earnings of $1,583,450.
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