Pioneerof the Nile to stand at Vinery

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Zayat Stables' dual Grade 1 winner Pioneerof the Nile has retired to stud to Vinery here in Lexington, owner Ahmed Zayat announced Wednesday.

A 3-year-old Empire Maker colt, Pioneerof the Nile was Zayat's first homebred to race. He won the Grade 1 CashCall Futurity and finished third in the Breeders' Futurity, also Grade 1, at 2. This year, he won the Santa Anita Derby en route to the Triple Crown races. He finished second behind Mine That Bird in the Derby but ran 11th in the Preakness, in what was his last race.

Earlier this year, he won the Grade 2 Robert B. Lewis and San Felipe stakes.

Pioneerof the Nile retires with 5 wins in 10 starts and earnings of $1,634,200. He is out of the stakes-winning Lord at War mare Star of Goshen who also is the dam of Grade 2-placed Forefathers.

Pioneerof the Nile will be syndicated, but Zayat retains 50 percent.

"We plan to support him in all ways that we can," Zayat said.