A P Valentine retired for infertility

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Coolmore Stud has retired its first-year stallion A P Valentine because of infertility, according to a report on the Thoroughbred Times online edition.

Coolmore notified breeders earlier this month that A P Valentine, who was standing his first year at stud at Coolmore's North American division Ashford Stud in Kentucky, had failed to impregnate at least 20 of his first 21 mares.

There were no indications of what plans would be made for A P Valentine's future.

A P Valentine stood for an advertised 2002 stud fee of $15,000.

He is a 4-year-old A. P. Indy stallion out of the Alydar mare Twenty Eight Carats. Bred by the late W.S. Kilroy, A P Valentine sold at the 1999 Fasig-Tipton Saratoga yearling sale, where basketball coach Rick Pitino's Celtic Pride Stable bought him for $475,000. The colt went on to win the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes at 2, and Coolmore bought the breeding rights to him after that victory for a reported $15 million to $17 million.

A P Valentine finished second in the Preakness and Belmont Stakes last year. He retired at 3 with a career record of 13-3-2-2 and earnings of $864,170.

A P Valentine is a half-brother to stakes-winner Summer Bet, who is by Summer Squall.