Harness: Lazarus to retire from racing and begin dual hemisphere stud career

Taylor Made Stallions announced today that international superstar Lazarus, Q 1:48 3/5 - BT 1:46 3/5, New Zealand's greatest and most accomplished racehorse of all time, has been retired from racing and will start his North American stud career at Deo Volente Farms in New Jersey for a North American fee of $10,000.

Named New Zealand Horse of the Year twice, three-year-old Pacer of the Year, four-year-old Pacer of the Year and five-year-old Pacer of the Year, as well as Australasian Grand Circuit Champion for two years, Lazarus compiled an international race record of 51 starts, 37 wins 8 seconds 4 thirds 2 unplaced races with lifetime career earnings of $4,125,988 in true racing dollars (no conversions), making him the richest standardbred stallion in history to stand at stud anywhere in the world.

A multiple Stakes Winner at 2, the precocious Lazarus flashed his brilliance as a juvenile winning 6 times from 8 starts, pacing the fastest 2 year old mile ever down under in 1:52 4/5 with a final quarter 25 1/5.

Bred on Australasia's golden cross, being by breed-defining stallion Bettor's Delight out of a Christian Cullen mare, Lazarus has eight crosses to Meadow Skipper in his five generation pedigree similar to Sweet Lou, McWicked, Foiled Again and Anndrovette. Noted pedigree expert Bob Marks commented, “Lazarus has an All-American pedigree, for all intents and purposes he could have been bred and foaled in North America. Given his precocity and All-American pedigree, there is no reason to conclude that he won’t perform like a great American stallion, and represent the logical extender of the Cam Fella line.”

Lazarus was a 15 time Group 1 winner, establishing 5 track records in New Zealand and another 3 records in Australia. Sent to race in North America, Lazarus won the $325,000 Dan Patch in his North American stakes debut. The mile went in 1:48 4/5. His next U.S. stakes victory would come in the $177,000 Hoosier Park Pacing Derby where he also paced the mile in 1:48 4/5.

Perhaps his greatest performance on U.S. soil came at the Red Mile. The mighty Lazarus, parked the entire mile much of it without cover, finished in 1:46 3/5 while gaining at the wire. This made believers of those in attendance of his extraordinary talent. Lazarus' trainer, Hall of Famer Jimmy Takter, stated in an interview with Michael Guerin, "His (Lazarus') official time, if you were to have it on him, he did break the world record,” (as Yannick Gingras was forced wide and to check while going for the lead at the first turn). “This is just a great, great horse. I urge breeders to breed their top mares to him,” added Takter.

"We were so fortunate to have raced such an extraordinary talent as Lazarus,” said Duncan Taylor. “We are extremely pleased that he is standing at Deo Volente Farms in New Jersey. His sire Bettor’s Delight has truly been a breed shaper and a renewable annuity. Our expectations are that Lazarus will follow in his sire’s footprint."

Mike Gulotta, CEO of Deo Volente Farms, added “Lazarus is arriving in New Jersey at the beginning of our renaissance. Both the legalization of sports betting and the expected financial support from our State Government will result in a revitalization of Standardbred racing in this State and a positive environment for Lazarus. Just as Lazarus was raised from the dead, so too will New Jersey Racing”

Shares in Lazarus are now becoming available at the rate of $50,000 per share with payment options. Share owners will be entitled to two breedings per year in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2022 with one breeding per year thereafter. Additionally, North American shareholders will share in Southern Hemisphere revenues.

-edited release (Bob Marks for Taylor Made Stallions/Deo Volente)