Leading 3-year-old Arabian Lion , who became Justify ‘s first grade 1 winner after capturing this year’s Woody Stephens Stakes (G1), has been retired from racing and will enter stud at Spendthrift Farm for the 2024 breeding season. His introductory fee will be $30,000 stands and nurses.
“Arabian Lion is a tremendous-looking individual and he showed real brilliance on the track. His win in the grade 1 Woody Stephens was arguably the best performance this year by a 3-year-old, and the speed figures back that up,” said Ned Toffey, Spendthrift general manager. “We are grateful to Mr. Zedan for the opportunity to stand another one of his stars. He and his team have obviously done a great job of acquiring and racing the best of the best, and those are the type of stallion prospects we are looking to stand at Spendthrift.”
Purchased by Zedan Racing Stables for $600,000 at the Ocala Breeders’ Sale Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, Arabian Lion won first time out for trainer Bob Baffert at Santa Anita Park. He raced the six furlongs in an excellent 1:09.78.
As a 3-year-old, the powerfully built chestnut colt stretched out around two turns and was a narrow runner-up to First Mission in the Lexington Stakes (G3) at Keeneland, before decisively capturing the Sir Barton Stakes by four lengths on the Preakness Stakes (G1) undercard a month later at Pimlico Race Course, earning a 106 Equibase Speed Figure.
Arabian Lion showed his versatility by turning back to one turn in the prestigious Woody Stephens on Belmont Stakes Day, running seven furlongs in 1:21.70 and earning a 115 ESF. He returned to finish third in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial Stakes (G1) at Saratoga Race Course.
Arabian Lion retires as 2018 Triple Crown winner Justify’s first grade 1 winner entering stud, with a record of 3-2-1 from nine starts and earnings of $498,100. Bred by Bonne Chance Farm in Kentucky, he is out of the stakes-placed Distorted Humor mare Unbound . Arabian Lion hails from one of the Phipps’ top families, as his third dam is the Hall of Fame race mare and producer, Personal Ensign.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
