Gun Runner, Arrogate resume rivalry at breeding stock sales

Gun Runner and Arrogate were tied together on the racetrack as rivals. Both champions entered stud earlier this year in Kentucky, and both will be represented by their first mares in foal offered at the Fasig-Tipton and Keeneland November breeding stock sales.

Arrogate ripped onto the scene with a 13 1/2-length victory in the 2016 Travers Stakes – with Gun Runner third – establishing a track record of 1:59.36 for the 1 1/4-mile race that began his march to the 3-year-old title. He went on to edge Horse of the Year California Chrome by a half-length in the Breeders’ Cup Classic and to win the inaugural Pegasus World Cup. He then made an improbable last-to-first move to run down Gun Runner in the Dubai World Cup.

That race marked the last victory for Arrogate but the final loss for Gun Runner, who proceeded to win five consecutive Grade 1 races to conclude his career. That included the 2017 Breeders’ Cup Classic over Arrogate to lock up Horse of the Year honors, and the Pegasus World Cup in January.

The day after the Pegasus, Gun Runner, a son of Candy Ride, shipped to Three Chimneys Farm, where he stood for an advertised fee of $70,000 in his first season. He covered 171 mares, according to The Jockey Club’s Report of Mares Bred. His mares in foal who will be offered for sale in the coming weeks include Remembered, dam of Grade 1 winner Bowie’s Hero; Grade 3 winner Carolyn’s Cat, dam of Grade 3 winner Mufajaah; Shananies Song, dam of Grade 2 winner Favorable Outcome and stakes winner Bellamentary; Grade 3 winner Hightap; graded-placed stakes winners Puca and Quezon; and stakes winners Kenda, Street Surrender, and Tap It All.

Arrogate, a son of the late Unbridled’s Song, retired to owner Juddmonte’s farm in Kentucky following the Breeders’ Cup and was this year’s most expensive new stallion, standing for $75,000. Arrogate covered an outstanding book of 143 mares, including champion Songbird. His mares who will come to public auction this month include stakes-placed Lucas Street, the dam of Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Sprint winner Wavell Avenue; Maggie McGowan, dam of Grade 1 winner Denman’s Call; Uchitel, dam of Grade 3 winner Suddenbreakingnews; Last Kitten, dam of stakes winners Leadem In Ken and Prissy; Grade 2 winner Nicole H; Grade 1-placed Money’soncharlotte; and graded-placed Bodacious Babe, Delicate Lady, Flash Forward, Flatter Up, Midnight on Oconee, My Dear Venezuela, and Perfect Pic.