Pensioned sire and Grade 1 winner Stephen Got Even dies

Grade 1 winner and sire Stephen Got Even has died, Lane's End Farm in Versailles, Ky., reported on Tuesday. The 23-year-old stallion spent his entire stud career at his birthplace of Lane's End, and continued to reside there after being pensioned following the 2015 season.

Stephen Got Even, a son of legendary Lane's End sire A.P. Indy, was bred by the farm's William S. Farish with W.S. Kilroy. They sold him for $325,000 to Steve Hilbert at the 1997 Keeneland July yearling sale, and he was sent to trainer Nick Zito. Stephen Got Even won three of his first four starts, including a 2 1/2-length win in the Grade 2 Galleryfurniture.com Stakes at Turfway Park to stamp him as a classics prospect. He contested all three legs of the 1999 Triple Crown, finishing 14th in the Kentucky Derby, fourth in the Preakness Stakes, and fifth in the Belmont Stakes.

After a freshening, Stephen Got Even returned to compete against older horses, winning a Saratoga allowance, finishing third in the Woodward Stakes, and fourth in the Jockey Club Gold Cup. He won the 2000 Donn Handicap at Gulfstream for his Grade 1 score, but that turned out to be the final start of his career. An injury forced his retirement later that season, and he retired to Lane's End.

Stephen Got Even sired Stevie Wonderboy, who won the 2005 Breeders' Cup Juvenile and earned divisional Eclipse Award honors that season. Stephen Got Even was also represented by dual classic-placed Grade 1 winner First Dude and Grade 1 winner I Want Revenge. First Dude has developed into one of Florida's leading sires.

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