Papa Clem’s first winner comes in Northern California

The first winner for Grade 2 winner and freshman sire Papa Clem came on Aug. 1 at the Sonoma County Fair, when Hirschy rallied to win a maiden special weight race by three-quarters of a length.

The 2-year-old dark bay or brown colt completed the five-furlong race in :58.85 to win his debut start over a fast dirt track. Homebred in California by co-owner Thomas Weyand Bachman, Hirschy is out of the winning Wild Again mare Flashy, who has produced four winners from five foals to race, including Grade 2-placed winner Nacho Saint.

Papa Clem stands at Legacy Ranch in Clements, Calif., for an advertised fee of $6,500. His initial crop consists of 47 juveniles.

The 7-year-old son of Smart Strike established himself on the Kentucky Derby trail with runner-up finishes in the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis Stakes and Louisiana Derby, then cemented himself as a leading contender with a win in the Grade 2 Arkansas Derby. He finished fourth in Mine That Bird’s Derby, less than a length behind runner-up Pioneerof the Nile.

The following year, Papa Clem opened his 4-year-old campaign with a victory in the Grade 2 San Fernando Stakes, but an ankle injury led to his retirement shortly after that effort. Papa Clem was campaigned during his racing career by owner/breeder Bo Hirsch and was trained by Gary Stute.

Papa Clem retired with three wins in 13 career starts for earnings of $1,121,190.

A product of the Hirsch family breeding program, Papa Clem is out of the Grade 1-winning Belong To Me mare Miss Houdini, who is the dam of three winners from four foals to race, also including stakes-placed winner Magical Victory. Papa Clem’s second dam is dual Grade 1 winner Magical Maiden.