Gio Ponti retired, to stand for $20K

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Gio Ponti, the three-time champion who finished fourth in Saturday’s Breeders’ Cup Mile, has been retired and will stand at Castleton Lyons, the Lexington farm that also raced him. He will have a fee of $20,000 in his first stud season.

Castleton Lyons will make Gio Ponti, a 6-year-old, available for inspection between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. during the Keeneland November sale, which is to run through Nov. 17.

Gio Ponti’s fee will be payable Nov. 1.

“We are delighted to welcome Gio Ponti back home to the farm where he was bred and raised,” Shane Ryan the president of Castleton Lyons, said. “The horse has had an amazing racing career with seven Grade 1 wins, three Eclipse Awards, and in the money 23 out of 29 lifetime starts.”

Gio Ponti retires with a record of 12-10-1 from 29 starts and earnings of $6,169,800.

Ryan said Gio Ponti retires sound.