Sabercat to stand at Averett Farm in Louisiana

Grade 3 winner Sabercat has been retired from racing and will debut at stud in 2015 at Averett Farm in Loranger, La., for an advertised fee of $3,500.

The 6-year-old son of Bluegrass Cat finished his career with three wins in 23 career starts for earnings of $898,662 racing for Winchell Thoroughbreds and trainer Steve Asmussen.

Sabercat is best known for winning the Grade 3, $1 million Delta Downs Jackpot Stakes in 2011 and running in the following year’s Kentucky Derby. He also won the listed Garden State Stakes at Monmouth Park and finished in the money in the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby and Grade 2 Oaklawn Handicap.

“He won the Delta Jackpot in Louisiana and most of the horsemen in Louisiana are familiar with him,” said Rodney Mitchell of Averett Farm. “He handles himself really well. He’s just got a classy way about him. We’re very pleased with him.”

Bred in Kentucky by Lantern Hill Farm, William J. Punk Jr., and Lighthouse Group, Sabercat is out of the unraced Forty Niner mare Miner’s Blessing, whose eight winners from nine foals to race also include stakes winner Olivine. He was purchased by Ron Winchell of Winchell Thoroughbreds for $120,000 at the 2010 Keeneland September yearling sale.

The stallion’s extended family includes Grade 3 winner Deputation and Grade 1-placed stakes winner Conquistadores.