Early Voting is retired to stand at Ashford Stud

Klaravich Stables’ classic winner Early Voting has been retired from racing and will stand at Coolmore America’s Ashford Stud for 2023.

The son of Gun Runner out of a Tiznow half-sister to Speightstown won the Preakness in May. In his last two races, both at Saratoga, he finished fourth in the Jim Dandy (G2) and last in the Travers (G1).

Early Voting made each of his first three starts at Aqueduct, winning a 2-year-old maiden race and the Withers Stakes (G3) before going down by a neck to Mo Donegal in the Wood Memorial (G2).

Despite having the required points for the Kentucky Derby, he bypassed it and went straight for the Preakness on owner Seth Klarman’s birthday, where he defeated Epicenter to record a Beyer Speed Figure of 105, according to Daily Racing Form.

“Early Voting was an outstanding physical specimen as a yearling,” purchaser Mike Ryan said. “He had size, strength, scope, substance and tremendous quality. It is very easy to be impressed by him, he has all the credentials to become a successful stallion, and I am very confident that breeders will love him.”

“Early Voting identified himself very early in his initial training as one of our top colts in his crop,” trainer Chad Brown said. “He has tremendous gate speed for a horse his size and incredible stamina to complement it. His performance in the Preakness confirms his talent as one of the best in this talented division.”

“We’re delighted to be standing classic winner Early Voting,” Ashford’s Dermot Ryan said. “He’s a very good-looking son of a remarkable sire in Gun Runner, with an incredible six Grade 1 winners from his first crop, and he’s out of a half-sister to the sire of our own Munnings.”

A fee for Early Voting will be announced at a later date.