Spendthrift Farm acquires breeding rights to Wicked Strong.

Spendthrift Farm in Lexington, Ky. has acquired the breeding rights to Grade 1 winner Wicked Strong, who will be retired at the end of the current racing season to begin at stud in 2016.

The 4-year-old son of Hard Spun will stand for $10,000 under the standard “stands and nurses” contract, as well as under the “Share the Upside” program, requiring breeders to breed a mare to Wicked Strong in 2016 and 2017 and produce two live foals to earn a lifetime breeding right. The fees are subject to change pending race results through the rest of the year, including a scheduled start in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, but commitments are being honored prior to that race.

“Wicked Strong is a Grade 1 winner by one of Danzig’s best sons at stud, and you would be hard-pressed to find a better physical from the Danzig line,” said Spendthrift Farm general manager Ned Toffey. “He’s an exceptional-looking horse and full of class and quality. We believe he’ll be extremely popular with breeders, especially through our ‘Share The Upside’ program, and we’re excited about his chances in the Breeders’ Cup.”

Wicked Strong has won three of 18 starts for earnings of $1,934,460, highlighted by wins in the Grade 1 Wood Memorial Stakes and Grade 2 Jim Dandy Stakes. He has placed in five additional graded stakes, including runner-up efforts in the Grade 1 Travers Stakes and Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes, and a third place finish in the Grade 1 Woodward Stakes. The colt also finished fourth in the 2014 Kentucky Derby and Belmont Stakes.

Jimmy Jerkens trains Wicked Strong for owner Centennial Farms.

Bred in Kentucky by William Lynn, Wicked Strong is out of the winning Charismatic mare Moyne Abbey, who is the dam of four winners from as many foals to race. His extended family includes Grade 2 winner Class Kris, and Grade 3 winners Gulch Approval and Rusty Slipper.