Spendthrift Farm will add grade 1 winners Taiba , Zandon , and Arabian Lion to its stallion roster for the 2024 breeding season.
“We are really excited to be bringing in three new stallion prospects of the caliber of Taiba, Arabian Lion, and Zandon for the 2024 breeding season,” Spendthrift general manager Ned Toffey said in a Sept. 16 release. “All three are superior physicals, and all three displayed immense talent in winning some of America’s biggest 3-year-old races on dirt.
“Obviously, the Breeders’ Cup is ahead and some of them will be looking to finish strong. These are the kind of stallion prospects we have looked to bring in and will continue to try to bring in at Spendthrift.”
Taiba was a leading 3-year-old in North America a year ago, knocking down victories in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Pennsylvania Derby (G1), and Malibu Stakes (G1) for Zedan Racing Stables. A $1.7 million 2-year-old purchase, the talented chestnut is the only son of Gun Runner with three grade 1 wins. Out of the 14-time stake-winning Flatter mare Needmore Flattery , Taiba has earned $2,356,200.
Taiba, unraced since finishing eighth in the Saudi Cup (G1) in February, last breezed in mid-August for Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert.
Farm to Farm, together, we breed future champions. pic.twitter.com/uhvC62yJUp
— Spendthrift Farm (@spendthriftfarm) September 17, 2023
Zandon also was a leading sophomore of 2022, impressively winning the Blue Grass Stakes (G1) and finishing third in the Kentucky Derby (G1) as one of the race favorites. As a 2-year-old, Zandon broke his maiden at six furlongs on debut at Belmont Park before finishing runner-up by a nose to eventual classic winner Mo Donegal in the Remsen Stakes (G2) at Aqueduct Racetrack in just his second start. This year, Zandon has finished second in the Metropolitan Handicap (G1) and Whitney Stakes (G1), and the striking dark bay colt is being pointed for the Sept. 30 Woodward Stakes (G2) at Belmont. He has earned $1,920,000 for owner Jeff Drown. He breezed Saturday for trainer Chad Brown at Belmont.
Zandon wins the 2022 Blue Grass Stakes at Keeneland
Arabian Lion, a 3-year-old, roared onto the scene this spring with an emphatic win in the Woody Stephens Stakes (G1) at Belmont, earning a gaudy 109 Beyer Speed Figure—the second-fastest performance by a sophomore in 2023 based on those speed figures. Before that, the powerfully built chestnut son of Justify won the Sir Barton Stakes around two turns on Preakness Day at Pimlico Race Course, and he’s amassed earnings of $497,600 to date for owner Zedan Racing Stables. He most recently breezed Sept. 11 at Del Mar for Baffert.
Stud fees for all three horses will be announced at the end of their respective racing careers.
Arabian Lion heads into the winner’s circle after winning the Woody Stephens at Belmont Park
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
