Will Take Charge to stand at Three Chimneys after 2014

Last updated: 12/29/13 9:11 PM

Owner Willis Horton sold a half-interest in Will Take Charge, who will remain in training with Wayne Lukas for a four-year-old campaign
(Churchill Downs/Reed Palmer Photography)

The Borges Torrealba & Clay families’ Three Chimneys Farm has secured a
50-percent interest in multiple Grade 1-winning three-year-old Will Take Charge,
this year’s favorite for the Eclipse Award as three-year-old male champion and also
a Horse of the Year candidate. With Willis Horton retaining the other
50 percent, the plans are for Will Take Charge to remain in training with Hall
of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas for a 2014 campaign before he retires to stud
duty at Three Chimneys at the conclusion of his racing career.

“Will Take Charge is the kind of horse we all dream of having in the stallion
barn, because he’s the complete package in every way,” said Case Clay, president
of Three Chimneys.

“Being a part of a horse of this magnitude is a step in an
exciting new direction for Three Chimneys, and we’re thrilled to be able to race
him with Mr. Horton in 2014.”

After breaking his maiden at two, Will Take Charge emerged as a superstar
this year as a three-year-old, winning the Travers, Clark Handicap over older
males, Rebel Stakes, Pennsylvania Derby, and Smarty Jones Stakes while
bankrolling nearly $3 million in earnings. He also narrowly missed winning the
$5 million Breeders’ Cup Classic, closing tenaciously to fall just a nose
short of Mucho Macho Man in a powerful runner-up performance.

Will Take Charge
has shown tremendous durability and versatility, running 11 times in 2013 at
seven different racetracks, from January through November, and from distances of a
mile to 1 1/4 miles.

“Will Take Charge had a magnificent year, and I’m hopeful that he will
receive consideration for year-end awards,” Lukas said. “He’s a special horse because he
has it all: physical presence, toughness, talent, and one of the best pedigrees
in the book. This deal is a true win-win. I get to keep a special horse in
training for some great clients, and the fans get to enjoy Will Take Charge for
another year. I’ve already trained one special horse for the Torrealba’s —
Grade 1 winner Cara Rafaela back in the 90’s.

“She went on to be the dam of Bernardini. So if we can keep that kind of
success going with this new venture, we’re in for a super 2014.”

Will Take Charge is a grand-looking son of leading sire of sires Unbridled’s
Song, the sire of both the Leading First Crop Sire and Leading Juvenile Sire in
2013. He’s out of multiple Grade 1 winner and multiple Grade 1 producer Take
Charge Lady, a frontrunner for 2013 Broodmare of the Year.

“I can’t think of a better result,” Horton said. “This deal allows me to
enjoy racing Will Take Charge another year, and secures a wonderful home for him
when he’s retired. Will Take Charge is the horse of a lifetime, and 2014 will
hopefully be exciting for me, for Three Chimneys, and for the fans.”

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