Roman Ruler, Zensational to remain in Argentina

Roman Ruler and Zensational, both former residents of Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Lexington, Ky., will remain at their respective Southern Hemisphere farms in Argentina to continue their stud careers.

Both stallions have been frequent shuttlers to the Southern Hemisphere since entering stud, and have foals of racing age in South America. Roman Ruler, a 14-year-old Fusaichi Pegasus ridgling, will remain at Haras Vacacion in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Zensational, a 10-year-old Unbridled’s Song ridgling, will stand at Haras La Pasion, also in Buenos Aires. Neither stallion covered mares in 2015 in Kentucky, according to statistics from The Jockey Club.

Entering stud in 2006, Roman Ruler has sired eight crops of racing age, with 470 winners and combined progeny earnings of more than $34.7 million. He is the sire of 2011 Belmont Stakes winner Ruler on Ice, Grade 1 winners Artemis Agrotera and Homeboykris, Grade 2 winner Rule, Grade 3 winner Roman Threat, and Grade 1-placed stakes winner General a Rod.

In the Southern Hemisphere, Roman Ruler’s top runners include two-time Argentine champion Caldine, Group 1 winner Lenovo, and Group 2 winners Interdetto and Emmanuel.

“Roman Ruler did fantastic down there,” said Hill ‘n’ Dale stallion manager Aidan O’Meara. “He came out screaming with multiple Group 1 winners in his first couple crops down there, so they really wanted to keep him down there. He’d gotten a little lighter up here popularity-wise, and it just ended up being the best decision to leave him down there.”

Roman Ruler won five of 10 starts during his racing career for earnings of $1,220,800, highlighted by wins in the Grade 1 Haskell Invitational Stakes and the Grade 2 Norfolk Stakes, Dwyer Stakes, and Best Pal Stakes.

Zensational entered stud in 2010 and has sired four crops of racing age, with 113 winners and progeny earnings in excess of $6.2 million.

His top runners include Grade 3 winner Pure Sensation, and stakes winners Zensational Bunny, Hollywood Hideaway, Seriously Silver, and Z Smoking Gun. Zensational’s Southern Hemisphere foals are led by Argentine 1000 Guineas-placed Mantis Religiosa.

“Zensational’s first 2-year-olds did pretty decent down there, and he’s been popular enough down there, so he’s going to stay there going forward,” O’Meara said.

Zensational won eight of five starts and earned $669,300, including the Grade 1 Bing Crosby Stakes, Pat O’Brien Stakes, and Triple Bend Handicap.