Passion for Gold, Godolphin Group 1 winner, to stand in Chile

Passion for Gold, a Group 1 winner in France for Sheikh Mohammed al-Maktoum’s Godolphin operation, has been sold to begin his stallion career at Jose Luis Gatica’s Haras Puerta de Hierro in Chile, Racing Post reports.

The 6-year-old son of Medaglia d’Oro retired from racing at the end of his 2011 campaign, following a career where he won three of seven races for earnings of $268,125.

\His marquee victory came in the French Group 1 Criterium de Saint Cloud, which he won by six lengths. Passion for Gold also won the Tapster Stakes in England and finished third to Breeders’ Cup Turf winner St. Nicholas Abbey in the Irish Group 2 Juddmonte Beresford Stakes.

Bred in Kentucky by Roy and Gretchen Jackson, Passion for Gold is out of the Grade 2-winning Thunder Gulch mare C’est l’ Amour, who produced four winners from six to race. His notable family members include Grade 2 winner Madeo, stakes winners L’Amour Toujours and Passion Flower, and Grade 1-placed steeplechase horse Banjo Man.

Passion for Gold was a $125,000 purchase by Yeomanstown Stud at the 2008 Keeneland September yearling sale, and then was then pinhooked at the 2009 Tattersalls Craven breeze-up sale for about $407,180, selling to Richard O’Gorman Bloodstock.

Passion for Gold will become the first son of Medaglia d’Oro to stand in South America. He joins Neko Bay, Mash One, Kappa King and Pavarotti on the Haras Puerta de Hierro stallion roster.

"We're very thankful to Darley for the opportunity to purchase such an outstanding champion as Passion for Gold," said bloodstock agent Chad Schumer, who brokered the deal. "He will be well supported by some of the leading breeders in Chile and we are currently fielding offers for a Northern Hemisphere lease."