From Checkmate Thoroughbreds
SANTA YNEZ, Calif. (Nov. 14, 2022) — Eight Rings, a Grade I winner at 2, will stand the 2023 breeding season at Tommy Town Thoroughbreds in Santa Ynez for a fee of $7,500, it was announced by Adrian Gonzalez’s Checkmate Thoroughbreds, which manages the owning partnership.
Trained by Bob Baffert, the son of Empire Maker won the Grade I American Pharaoh Stakes at Santa Anita by six lengths from Grade I winner American Theorem, Grade I Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Storm The Court, and Grade I Del Mar Futurity winner Nucky.
On debut as a 2-year-old at Del Mar, Eight Rings’ brilliant performance earned him a TDN Rising Star dominating the 5.5 furlong maiden race by 6 1/4 lengths clear over future Garde I Santa Anita Handicap winner Express Train and Shooters Shoot (second in the Grade II Triple Bend Stakes).
Eight Rings was bred in Kentucky by Winstar Farm and sold for $520,000 at the 2018 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Eight Rings is out of Grade III Whimsical Stakes winner and Grade II Masters Stakes placed Purely Hot by Pure Prize. Bred on the same Empire Maker/Storm Cat cross as Eclipse Champion and Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh and Eclipse Champion Classic Empire.
Adrian Gonzalez of Checkmate Thoroughbreds said that “Eight Rings is a sensational stallion prospect for California breeders. He was an exceptionally precocious Grade 1 winning 2-year-old on the dirt at Santa Anita. He’s beautifully bred and even more impressive physically. He’s robust and powerful and exudes class. It is a rare opportunity to launch a stallion with this genetic makeup that is a Grade 1 winner at 2 in California. I am thrilled to present him.”
For information about seasons please contact Adrian Gonzalez. 1-805-720-5395. or email to CheckmateRacing@yahoo.com.