Bold Chieftain Embarks on New Career

Bold Chieftain, California-bred two-time winner of Del Mar's California Dreamin' Handicap and career earner of $1.5 million, has been retired from racing and will pursue a new career as a California stallion, co-breeder, co-owner and trainer William Morey Jr. said Friday morning.

"We're letting him down now," Morey said, adding that he will be sent off to stud soon. Morey said the horse would be shipped to Applebite Farms near Stockton to await final plans for a stud career. "They have shown a lot of interest in him, so we're sending him there now," Morey said. "There has been other interest shown but a final decision hasn't been made."

Of the 7-year-old son of Chief Seattle, out of Hooked on Seattle, Morey said, "He's been a wonderful horse for us. He's never left California."

Morey's owner/breeder partners are Duane Hall, Langbein Trust and Ken Robinson. Morey has been fond of saying, "When he wins, we hit a homerun," meaning the partners take the owner's share of the purse and any California breeders' money.

Bold Chieftain's career record shows 17 wins, seven seconds and four thirds from 38 starts. In his last race -- the California Dreamin' Handicap on Sunday -- he finished last of six. Morey said the horse retired sound, but he had been bleeding some in recent races and "a heavy dose of bleeder medication made him drop his head a bit." Even so, he had a string of three victories and a second in races leading up Sunday's finale.

He ranks 17th on the list of top-earning Cal-breds, right behind Brother Derek.

"He always did his job," Morey said, "and we hope he enjoys Phase Two of his life." The trainer said the partnership is still open to offers from other breeding farms. "We're not interested in standing him ourselves, but we'd like to have a couple of breeding rights for our own mares."