Country Grammer retired, will stand at WinStar Farm
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Country Grammer, whose multiple Grade/Group 1 wins included the 2022 Dubai World Cup, has been retired and will begin his stud career next year at WinStar Farm.
The 4-year-old son of Tonalist will debut for a fee of $10,000, the farm announced Thursday evening. Country Grammer retires with earnings of $14,921,320, behind only champions Arrogate and Gun Runner among North American-based horses.
“Being a Grade 1 winner on the biggest stage in Dubai, beating 24 individual Grade 1 winners in his career, and being the third-highest earner of all time, Country Grammer makes for a special stallion prospect,” Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm, said in a press release.
Country Grammer began his career for owner Paul Pompa Jr. and trainer Chad Brown, winning twice from his first six starts, including the Grade 2 Peter Pan in 2020. Following Pompa's death, his stock was dispersed, and the colt was purchased for $110,000 by WinStar at the 2021 Keeneland January horses of all ages sale. Zedan Racing and the micro-share group Commonwealth later bought in.
Country Grammer went on to win another three graded/group stakes and finished second in six others, four at the top level, for new trainer Bob Baffert. He won the Grade 1 Hollywood Gold Cup in 2021; took the Dubai World Cup early the following year; and captured the Grade 2 San Antonio last December.
Country Grammer joins classic-placed graded stakes winner Two Phil's as new stallions announced at WinStar for 2024. More of the incoming class of 2024 at major Kentucky farms will likely be unveiled in the coming weeks, as outfits begin to solidify their plans in the activity surrounding the Breeders' Cup and November breeding stock sales.
The only other new stallion officially announced in Kentucky to date is Grade 2 winner and Grade 1-placed Pappacap, who will stand at Walmac Farm for a $12,500 fee. Other 2024 newcomers around the country to date are Finneus at Lovacres Ranch in California; and Invader and Vindictive at Pegasus Stud in New Jersey.