Shakespeare to stand for $20,000

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Hill 'n' Dale Farms in Lexington will stand Grade 1-winning millionaire Shakespeare in 2008 for a $20,000 stud fee.

Shakespeare, a 6-year-old son of Theatrical, came back from a tendon injury to capture the Grade 1 Woodbine Mile in September. But he reinjured the tendon in his left foreleg soon afterward and was retired from racing almost two weeks ago.

Shakespeare began his racing career with trainer Bill Mott, with whom he won five consecutive races, including the Grade 1 Joe Hirsch Turf Classic and the Grade 2 Belmont Breeders' Cup Handicap in 2005. He ended that skein with the only loss of his career, finishing 12th in the 2005 Breeders' Cup Turf.

Sent to Kiaran McLaughlin this year after recovering from his torn tendon, Shakespeare came back to win an allowance race at Saratoga before returning to Grade 1 form in the Woodbine Mile. He retires with 7 wins from 8 starts and earnings of $1,293,780.

Shakespeare was bred by Frank Justice's Dell Ridge Farm, which raced him in company with William Schettine. He is out of the Grade 1-winning That's a Nice mare Lady Shirl, who also is the dam of Grade 3-placed stakes winner Fantastic Shirl.