Eight Rings , Empire Maker’s 1st grade winning son, will be entering California next year as the property of a partnership company managed by Adrian Gonzalez’s Checkmate Thoroughbreds. Stud fees and farm details will be announced later.
Bred in Kentucky by WinStar Farm, Taylor Made’s Sales Agency sold Eight Rings as a Desire for $520,000 to SF Bloodstock and Starlight West at the September 2018 Keeneland Sale. 2, he won his first race with 6 1/4 lengths at Del Mar with trainer Bob Baffert and went on to win the American Pharaoh Stakes (G1) at Santa Anita . Park six times more than Runhappy Del Mar Futurity (G1) winner Nucky and the last ones to get the level 1 prize American Theorem and Storm The Court .
Eight Rings raced until he was 5 years old, runner-up in Bing Crosby Stakes (G1), and placed in three other classified stakes. He retired with a 3-1-3 record in 14 starts and $474,451 in earnings.
The Out of Pure Prize-rated bet winner is absolutely Hot, Eight Rings bred on the same Empire Maker/Storm Cat cross with Triple Crown winner American Pharaoh and Eclipse Classic Empire champion.
“Eight Rings are a terrifying prospect for breeders in California,” said Gonzalez. “He is beautifully bred and is even more physically impressive. He is healthy, strong and showing class. This is a rare opportunity to debut a stallion with the same genetic makeup. this one, won second place in California.”
