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| Staff Writer |
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Quality Record National Treasure, a son of Quality Road, has been retired to Spendthrift Farm in Kentucky, where he will stand for an introductory fee of US$40,000. The three-time Group One winner, trained throughout his career by Bob Baffert, amassed earnings of US$5,578,000 during a stellar racing career that saw him capture the Preakness Stakes, Pegasus World Cup and Metropolitan Handicap.
Classic Success and Beyond The US$500,000 Saratoga yearling purchase made an immediate impact at two, winning on debut at Del Mar before placing in the Gr.1 American Pharoah Stakes behind Cave Rock. His juvenile campaign concluded with a creditable third in the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Juvenile behind champion Forte. His defining moment came at three when landing the Gr.1 Preakness Stakes, defeating Kentucky Derby victor Mage. He nearly added another Breeders' Cup success when finishing a nose second to Horse of the Year Cody's Wish in the Gr.1 Dirt Mile.
Bred by Peter Blum, National Treasure hails from the Medaglia d'Oro mare Treasure, herself dam of stakes winner Ultimate and Group One-placed Pirate. His immediate family includes Group One winners Well Chosen and Leofric, along with 2023 Canadian champion three-year-old filly Elysian Field.
Ned Toffey, Spendthrift general manager, said: "National Treasure comes to Spendthrift with the credentials to become an important sire, and we are very excited for him to enter the next chapter in his already tremendous career. This horse was precocious enough to place in a very competitive Breeders' Cup Juvenile, he's an American classic winner at 3, and he was one of the top older horses this year with wins in premier races like the Pegasus World Cup and the Met Mile. National Treasure was fast, possessed tremendous grit, and is an exceptionally good-looking colt with outstanding sire power and pedigree—a truly special package."
SF Bloodstock's Tom Ryan added: "National Treasure was one of the most consistent and reliable horses I have ever worked with. In addition to his elite race record—competing in 13 grade 1 races over 28 months—he completed 75 published workouts in California, demonstrating an insatiable appetite for training. His physical makeup contributed to his longevity: he is very streamlined—almost light—but possesses great power and efficient motion with a high cruising speed. It's unfortunate that we missed the chance for a third Breeders' Cup appearance due to the bruised foot. It was just bad timing. We are very proud that he will now begin his stallion career at the famed Spendthrift Farm."
His intended final start in the Gr.1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Del Mar was scuppered by a minor foot bruise following his runner-up effort in the Gr.1 California Crown Stakes at Santa Anita Park in September.