Elmazeed to stand in Colorado after selling for $1,500

Elmazeed, a winning Bernardini ridgling, will debut at stud in 2016 at Rushton’s Farm in Holly, Colo., after selling as a stallion prospect for $1,500 at the Keeneland January sale of horses of all ages.

The 5-year-old raced once, winning a six-furlong maiden special weight at Belmont on May 16 by 5 3/4 lengths. Kiaran McLaughlin trained Elmazeed for Shadwell Stables, which bought the horse for $675,000 at the 2012 Keeneland September yearling sale.

Farm owner Temple Rushton said the price point for a son of prominent commercial sire Bernardini, along with Elmazeed’s impressive debut, were the major factors behind the purchase.

“I run a lot of horses [in Colorado], and I’ve got some broodmares,” Rushton said. “I had a Distorted Humor horse that colicked and died on me the first day of January [young stallion Heisman], so I’m looking for another stud.”

Bred in Kentucky by Fred Hertrich III, Elmazeed is out of the winning Dixie Union mare Come Together, who has had one winner from two foals to race. His extended family features Grad 1 winner Stormello; Grade/Group 2 winners My Best Brother and All Bar One; and Grade/Group 3 winners The Pamplemousse, Reserve Your Heart, and Gala Award.