Coolmore lands breeding rights to Magnitude
The Coolmore partners have reached an agreement with Winchell Thoroughbreds to acquire the breeding rights to multiple Grade 1 winner Magnitude, who will retire to stand at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky when his racing career ends.
The 4-year-old, one of the highest-rated horses in the world, will continue to race in the colors of Winchell Thoroughbreds until then.
Magnitude, who remains undefeated in his 4-year-old campaign for Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen, cemented his standing among the world's best with an authoritative, gate-to-wire victory over international star Forever Young in the $12 million Dubai World Cup (G1) at Meydan in March. He backed up that performance in June by capturing the $2 million Stephen Foster Stakes (G1) at Churchill Downs and securing an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Classic.
A 9 3/4-length winner of the Risen Star Stakes (G2) at 3, Magnitude overcame a subsequent spring setback to return with a dominant 9 1/4-length victory in the Iowa Derby (G3). He concluded his sophomore season by hitting the board at the top level in the Travers Stakes (G1) and Pennsylvania Derby (G1) before defeating older horses in the Clark Stakes (G1).
Bred in Kentucky by Ron Stolich, Magnitude is by Not This Time and out of the Bernardini mare Rockadelic, a daughter of dual Grade 1 winner Octave, whose wins included the Coaching Club American Oaks.
Charlie O'Connor of Ashford Stud pointed to the colt's performances in Dubai and at Churchill Downs in welcoming the agreement.
"Magnitude has proven himself to be an absolute powerhouse, combining immense speed, balance, and incredible determination," O'Connor said. "His performances in the Dubai World Cup and the Stephen Foster showed the world what a talent he is. We've been watching him closely since his spectacular performance in the Risen Star at three, and we believe he has all the attributes to become an exceptional stallion. He is a striking, exceptionally good-looking horse with tremendous presence. We are thrilled to have come to an agreement with Ron and are looking forward to welcoming him to Ashford when his racing days are complete."
Ron Winchell said the agreement gives Magnitude a landing spot for his second career without changing anything about the rest of his 4-year-old season.
"Magnitude is an incredibly special horse for us, and he has given our family and racing team some of our greatest moments on the track," Winchell said. "Knowing he will eventually head to Ashford Stud for his stallion career ensures he will receive the absolute best support and opportunity when he enters the breeding shed. For now, Steve and our team are fully focused on the second half of his four-year-old season as we point towards the Whitney."