Coolmore purchases half-interest in Maximum Security

Maximum Security will begin 2020 with a new part-owner and a guaranteed place to live upon retirement.

Coolmore, the racing arm of Susan Magnier, Derrick Smith, and Michael Tabor, has purchased half-interest in the racing and breeding rights of Maximum Security, co-owner Gary West confirmed via text. Upon retirement, Maximum Security will stand at Ashford Stud, the breeding arm of Coolmore’s operation, in Kentucky. He will join Triple Crown winners American Pharoah and Justify, who also stand at Ashford.

“I can confirm that Coolmore has purchased a half-interest in both the racing and breeding rights of Maximum Security,” Gary West, who owns and bred Maximum Security with his wife, Mary, wrote in a text Tuesday night. “There will be no other announcements until Maximum Security is retired.”

Maximum Security, who will continue to be trained by Jason Servis, is expected to race at least through his 4-year-old season.

“There is no specific expiration date on Max’s racing career,” West texted. “That is something Coolmore and I will discuss at a later date.”

Representatives of Coolmore declined to comment on their involvement with Maximum Security.

Maximum Security, who was disqualified from first place in the Kentucky Derby due to alleged interference nearing the top of the stretch, won three other Grade 1 stakes in 2019 and is the leading contender for an Eclipse Award in the 3-year-old male division. Maximum Security concluded his 3-year-old campaign with a convincing 3 1/2-length victory in the Grade 1 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct on Dec. 7. His earlier Grade 1 victories included the Florida Derby at Gulfstream Park in March and the Haskell at Monmouth Park in July.

Maximum Security, a son of New Year’s Day, has won 7 of 9 starts. The only race he did not cross the finish line first in was the $150,000 Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park, where he was beaten by King for a Day.

Maximum Security is being pointed to the $20 million Saudi Cup on Feb. 29, West confirmed. Though Maximum Security went 4 for 4 at Gulfstream Park in 2018-19, he is unlikely to run in the Pegasus World Cup Invitational on Jan. 25 after The Stronach Group slashed the purse from $9 million to $3 million.

Following his victory in the Cigar Mile, Maximum Security remained in New York until the vetting process was completed. He was flown to South Florida on Dec. 20 and has taken up residence in Servis’s barn at the Palm Meadows training center.