Pioneering looking Brazil-bound

Overbrook Farm stallion Pioneering appears headed to Brazil. A group of breeders is close to signing a deal to purchase the 16-year-old Mr. Prospector stallion for stud duty at Haras Castelo.

"We have entered into an agreement," confirmed Overbrook adviser Ric Waldman, who added that the deal is likely to be done before the end of June.

In a May 22 report, the Brazilian online publication Raia Leve listed the buyers as a consortium of eight Brazilian breeding concerns: Haras das Estrelas, Haras Nacional, Haras Rio de La Plata, Haras Monte Parnaso, Stud Capitao, Stud Eternament e Rio, Fazenda Modesir, and Santa Escolastica.

Pioneering is still at Overbrook in Lexington, Ky., where he has stood since his first year at stud in 1997. Waldman said Pioneering continues to cover mares. Pioneering's fee is advertised as $3,500 this year.

Pioneering is out of the Secretariat mare Terlingua, making him a half-brother to Overbrook's famed leading sire Storm Cat, who was pensioned in 2008. Pioneering also is a half-brother to multiple graded winner Chapel of Dreams.

Pioneering has sired such stakes-winners as Grade 1 winner Behaving Badly, Grade 3 winners Danthebluegrassman and Pioneer Boy, and others. He also has sired a number of accomplished overseas winners, led by Puerto Rican Horse of the Year Triano, Mexican Horse of the Year Canoa, and two-time Jamaican champion Quiet Strength.