ALBERTUS MAXIMUS (Albert the Great), winner of the 2009 Donn H. (G1) and the
2008 Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, has been retired from racing and will stand the
2012 breeding season at Shadwell Farm in Lexington, Kentucky. The seven-year-old
was retired due to injuries that occurred two years ago in the Dubai World Cup
(UAE-G1), where he finished sixth as the favorite.
“We realized that Albertus was not going to return to his Grade 1 form, so
the decision was made to retire him to stud,” said Rick Nichols, vice president
and general manager of Shadwell Farm. “He is a strongly-made horse with obvious
talent on both synthetic and dirt, and raced successfully on both coasts.”
Albertus Maximus made headlines when he won the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Dirt
Mile on the synthetic surface at Santa Anita and the Donn on dirt at Gulfstream
in back-to-back races. He won or placed in 11 of 17 races and earned over $1.3
million. His victories also included the Windy Sands H. at Del Mar. In addition,
he was second in the Swaps Stakes (G2) and Affirmed H. (G3), and in one of his
best efforts placed to eventual Dubai World Cup winner Well Armed in the
Goodwood S. (G1).
“He’s a very professional racehorse,” conditioner Kiaran McLaughlin said.
Out of the Forty Niner mare Chasethewildwind, Albertus Maximus is a
half-brother to the Grade 3-placed Chasethegold (Touch Gold). The millionaire’s
second dam is Grade 1 winner Race the Wild Wind (Sunny’s Halo), whose
descendants include French highweight King Charlemagne (Nureyev) and 2010 Forego
S. (G1) winner Here Comes Ben (Street Cry [Ire]).
In view of the fact that he has been out of the public’s eye for such an
extended period, the 2012 stud fee will be waived for approved mares. In
addition, a bonus of $5,000 will be awarded to the breeder of the first winner
sired by Albertus Maximus, and a bonus of $10,000 will be awarded to the breeder
of the first black-type winner sired by him.
For more information, contact Kent Barnes at Shadwell Farm at (859) 224-4585.