Stud Muffin retired, headed to Akindale Farm

Stud Muffin, a popular stakes-winning New York-bred gelding, was retired from racing after being purchased privately by a group that included prominent Thoroughbred owner Maggi Moss.

The 8-year-old gelding was shipped on Saturday morning from Belmont Park to Akindale Farm in Pawling, N.Y., where Stud Muffin will take up residence alongside the likes of multiple stakes winner Evening Attire, his brother Tacticianor, Callmetony, and the stakes winner Hotstufanthensome.

Stud Muffin, a son of Raffie’s Majesty, won 14 races from 59 starts, his biggest win coming in the $250,000 Empire Classic at Belmont Park in 2008 when trained by David Duggan. He also won the Noble Nashua Stakes in 2008 and had 18 seconds or thirds. Stud Muffin earned $671,865.

Bred by Majesty Stud and trained initially by Dominic Galluscio, Stud Muffin became a popular commodity at the claim box, having been taken nine times for $163,000. Owner Bruce Golden and trainer David Jacobson took him three times in a nine-month period in 2011.

Stud Muffin, who won 7 of 15 races in 2011, was claimed by Peter Chin for $14,000 in March 2012. Chin, who said the horse had some issues, never raced the gelding and sold him privately to Naipaul Chatterpaul and his brother. Stud Muffin never was able to regain his form and was well beaten in his last five races.

In addition to Moss, others who contributed to the purchase of Stud Muffin were Emily Shields of Simhorsereacing.com and a few behind-the-scenes personnel at TVG.