Mr Speaker retires to stud at Lane's End

Grade 1 winner Mr Speaker has been retired from racing and will debut at stud in 2016 at Lane’s End in Versailles, Ky., for an advertised fee of $10,000.

The 4-year-old son of Pulpit finished his ontrack career with six wins in 18 starts for earnings of $1,247,544, highlighted by wins in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby Invitational Stakes, the Grade 2 Commonwealth Cup Stakes, and the Grade 3 Lexington Stakes and Dania Beach Stakes. Shug McGaughey trained Mr Speaker for owner Phipps Stable.

“We’re very fortunate to add a prospect like Mr Speaker to our roster,” said Will Farish of Lane’s End. “He, like our other new stallions this year, is an outstanding individual.”

Homebred in Kentucky by Phipps Stable, Mr Speaker is out of the Grade 2-placed Unbridled mare Salute, whose three foals to race are all winners.

His second dam is Hall of Famer Personal Ensign, putting Mr Speaker in the same family as champion Storm Flag Flying, Grade 1 winners My Flag, Miner’s Mark, and Traditionally, Grade 2 winners Parading and Interactif, Grade 3 winners Animal Spirits, Ocho Ocho Ocho, Divine Oath, and Seeking the Title, and Grade 1-placed Our Emblem.

“I’ve been very lucky to train for Mr. Phipps for a long time,” said McGaughey. “Through that time, I’ve trained most of this family. Mr Speaker has the same kind of class, quality, and ability as the rest of that family. It’s remarkable how many good horses have developed from Personal Ensign.”

Mr Speaker will stand as the property of a syndicate.