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Spendthrift Farm has acquired the breeding rights to National Treasure, a multiple group one winner. National Treasure achieved an impressive victory last year in the Gr.1 Preakness Stakes and most recently triumphed in the US$3 million Gr.1 Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes at Gulfstream Park.
"National Treasure is the kind of stallion prospect we all look for because he possesses every quality that excites you about his potential to become an important sire," said Spendthrift's general manager Ned Toffey. "He was precocious enough to place in a very good Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he's an American classic winner at 3 and now a leading older horse at 4. National Treasure is fast, has tremendous heart, and he's a very good-looking colt with exceptional sire power and pedigree. We are thrilled to partner with the 'Avengers' team on his future stallion career, and we wish them the best of luck on what could be a special year ahead for National Treasure."
National Treasure, the top horse in the older division, began the year with a bang, thanks to the support of SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Robert Masterson, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan. He kicked off the season with a 114 Equibase Speed Rating in the Pegasus World Cup, which is only a fraction below the 115 he secured as a close runner-up in the 2023 Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
"He's just going to get better and better," trainer Bob Baffert said after the Pegasus win. "And he's a fighter. That's a huge quality you want to see in a horse."
National Treasure was purchased for US500,000 as a yearling at Fasig-Tipton's 2021 The Saratoga Sale. He made his debut at the age of two, winning over Practical Move, who went on to become a grade 1 winner, at Del Mar. In his second race, he finished second to Cave Rock in the Gr.1 American Pharoah Stakes at Santa Anita Park. He then went on to Keeneland and finished third to eventual 2YO champion Forte in the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
National Treasure is sired by Quality Road and he became his sire's first classic winner in the 2023 Preakness at Pimlico Race Course, defeating Gr.1 Kentucky Derby winner Mage. He ended his sophomore season with a close second-place finish, losing by a nose to eventual Horse of the Year Cody's Wish in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile.
"National Treasure is an exceptional colt and his tenacity and appetite for racing are immense," said Tom Ryan of SF Racing. "Winning the Preakness was epic, and his performance in the Breeders' Cup, where he laid his body on the line against the Horse of the Year, showed that we have a serious horse on our hands.
"National Treasure's efficiency at a high speed is one of his weapons. He's very light on his feet. His Pegasus running style brought on a new dimension that gives him options going forward. He's a beautiful, streamlined specimen. We think breeders will love him, and his pedigree is well-rounded and deep, giving him a chance to become a household name for Spendthrift. We are extremely proud of him," Ryan added.
National Treasure comes from a long line of well-developed horses, with his breeder Peter Blum being instrumental in their success. His lineage can be traced back to his sixth dam Mono, who raced in the mid-1960s. National Treasure has proven to be a successful earner, with a current total of US$3,322,000. While his future race plans are yet to be determined, his impressive pedigree and track record make him a horse to watch.