2021 Big ’Cap winner Idol is retired, will stand at Taylor Made
Idol, winner of the 2021 Big ’Cap and a full brother to multiple Grade 1 winner Nest, was retired and will stand the upcoming breeding season at Taylor Made Stallions, the farm announced Friday.
The 5-year-old son of two-time horse of the year Curlin out of the stakes-winning A.P. Indy mare Marion Ravenwood, Idol was a $375,000 Keeneland September sale graduate. He was retired having hit the board in 6 of 8 starts for owner Calvin Nguyen.
Idol will stand the 2023 season for $10,000 for Repole Stable and Taylor Made Stallions.
“Idol fits the profile of what we are looking for,” Taylor Made’s Ben Taylor said. “He’s by a world-class sire and out of a world-class producer. He’s got the looks, and he’s a Grade 1 talent. It’s the same ingredients Not This Time possessed when he arrived at Taylor Made.”
In his biggest victory in the 2021 Santa Anita Handicap (G1), Idol defeated a contentious field that included Grade 1 winners Maxfield, who was unbeaten, and Express Train as well as graded-stakes winners Independence Hall and Tizamagician. With Joel Rosario aboard, Idol traveled five-wide around the far turn, collared the leaders in the stretch following a powerful rally and won going away in the end, recording a career-best Beyer Speed Figure of 102, according to Daily Racing Form.
It didn’t take long for Idol to announce his arrival on the scene. He broke his maiden in his second career start at 3, winning a seven-furlong maiden special-weight event in 1:22.04 at Churchill Downs, getting a 94 Beyer.
Next up he set a Churchill Downs track record in just his third lifetime start, winning a 1 3/16-mile allowance race by 5 3/4 lengths at 1:55.97 and earning a 98 Beyer.
Bred in Kentucky by Leonard Riggio’s My Meadowview, Idol hailed from a strong and active family replete with black type. His full sister Nest has banked more than $1,873,050 in her ongoing racing career. She crushed her opposition by 9 3/4 lengths in the Beldame (G2) to add to her already resume.
Idol’s 2-year-old half-brother Lost Ark won his first two career starts, including the Sapling at Monmouth Park in August by 7 1/2 lengths.