Alpha retired to Sequel Stallions in New York

Multiple Grade 1 winner Alpha has been retired from racing and will make his stallion debut in 2015 at Becky Thomas’ Sequel Stallions in Hudson, N.Y., for an advertised fee of $8,500.

The 5-year-old son of Bernardini finished his career with six wins in 22 starts over four seasons of racing for earnings of $1,815,667. He was trained by Kiaran McLaughlin.

Alpha’s won the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes and also scored a dead-heat win in the Travers Stakes. In addition, he won in the Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes, the Grade 3 Withers Stakes, and the listed Count Fleet Stakes. He finished second in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial and Champagne Stakes and competed in the 2012 Kentucky Derby.

“No other stallion son of Bernardini has won more Grade 1s and with a physical and pedigree to match, we have no doubt he will thrive in New York,” said Charlie Boden, Darley America’s head of sales. “He has a better race record than Tapit, and we certainly hope he will be as good.”

Campaigned as homebred by Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum, Alpha is out of the English stakes-winning Nijinsky II mare Munnaya, who is the dam of 10 winners from 13 foals to race. Alpha is a sibling to French Group 3-placed stakes winner Mystic Melody, Grade 2-placed Lavender Sky, U.A.E. Group 3-placed Numaany, and French stakes-placed Yaya.

Alpha is from the family of Canadian champion Key to the Moon, Kentucky Oaks winner Seaside Attraction, Grade 1 winner Gorgeous, and Grade 3 winner Hiaam.

“We are committed to New York and they have the best regional breeding program in the U.S.,” Boden said. “Our stallions have received great support there and Alpha has the record to suit.”