Mastery to stand at Claiborne Farm when racing career is over

Although a decision has yet to be reached on the future of unbeaten Mastery’s racing career, a deal has been inked to stand him at historic Claiborne Farm in Paris, Ky., upon his eventual retirement.

Mastery, a Grade 1 winner as a juvenile, improved his career mark to 4 for 4 by winning the Grade 2 San Felipe Stakes by 6 3/4 lengths on March 11 at Santa Anita. However, the post-race celebration was short lived, as he was pulled up past the wire and vanned off. Radiographs revealed a condylar fracture to his left front leg, and he underwent surgery two days later.

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Trainer Bob Baffert said that Mastery will remain in his barn for at least a month, and that a decision on whether he races again will be made in about three months, when the injury has healed.

"Right now our main concern is to make sure he's comfortable and happy," Baffert said.

Mastery, a son of Candy Ride, races for Everett Dobson’s Cheyenne Stables. Candy Ride has several young sons at stud who have sired stakes winners, and Mastery’s female family also points to stud success. The colt is a half-brother to stakes winner Clear Sailing. Their dam is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Jump Start, now a perennial leading sire in Pennsylvania. His extended family includes the prominent sire Miswaki.

“Clearly, his pedigree and race record make him an exciting stallion prospect,” Claiborne’s Bernie Sams said. “He’s in good hands and has a bright future no matter what.”