Soldat to stand at Woodford Thoroughbreds

Grade 2 winner Soldat has been retired from racing and will stand the 2014 breeding season at John Sykes’ Woodford Thoroughbreds near Ocala, Fla.

The 5-year-old son of War Front was campaigned during his racing career by a partnership led by Harvey Clarke and W. Craig Robertson III, and he was trained by Kiaran McLaughlin. A stud fee for Soldat will be announced at a later time.

After finishing second in his first two starts, Soldat broke his maiden in the Grade 3 With Anticipation Stakes at Saratoga. He followed with a runner-up finish in the Grade 3 Pilgrim Stakes, then wrapped up his juvenile campaign with another second-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf.

Soldat then turned his focus to the main track for his sophomore campaign, with sights on a run at the Triple Crown races. His season was highlighted by a win in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth Stakes, and he eventually finished 11th in the 2011 Kentucky Derby.

Soldat raced once in 2013, finishing a close fourth in the Grade 3 Hal’s Hope at Gulfstream in January. He retired with four wins in 12 career starts for earnings of $622,760. While his most notable win came on the dirt, the horse was most consistent on the turf, finishing first or second in four of five starts.

Bred in Kentucky by Brookfield Stud, Soldat was purchased by Clarke, the breeder of dual classic winner I’ll Have Another, at the 2009 Keeneland September yearling sale for $180,000. He was the first foal out of the unraced Coronado’s Quest mare Le Relais who has produced two winners from as many foals to race, also including stakes-placed winner My Selection.