Spendthrift Farm to stand Omaha Beach at conclusion of career

Spendthrift Farm has reached a deal to stand Omaha Beach, the likely favorite in this year's Kentucky Derby, upon his retirement from racing.

Omaha Beach is a son of popular international sire War Front, the most expensive stallion in North America with an advertised stud fee of $250,000. The colt races for owner Rick Porter's Fox Hill Farm, which privately purchased him as a yearling after he was a buyback at the Keeneland September yearling sale. He will continue to race in Porter's colors.

:: DRF BREEDING LIVE: Real-time coverage of breeding and sales

“We believe Omaha Beach is one of the best stallion prospects to come around in recent years and see him as a big part of the future at Spendthrift," Spendthrift owner B. Wayne Hughes said in a release issued by the farm on Tuesday morning. "He is truly a rare package – elite looks, pedigree, sire power, speed, class, you name it. He has everything and we feel the best is yet to come for him.

“We also think the best is yet to come for Spendthrift, and it is important to us that we continue to bring in premier stallion prospects of the likes of Bolt d’Oro and Omaha Beach to help shape our future."

Omaha Beach emerged from his maiden win to defeat previously unbeaten champion juvenile Game Winner in a division of the Rebel Stakes in March. He then returned to Oaklawn Park to win the Arkansas Derby, stamping himself as a Kentucky Derby favorite. He arrived at Churchill Downs the following week, and Spendthrift Farm staff have been on hand in recent days to watch him train, including last Saturday when he turned in his final breeze for the Derby.

Omaha Beach, is out of the Seeking the Gold mare Charming, making him not only a half-brother to Eclipse Award champion juvenile filly Take Charge Brandi, but from the immediate family of two young stallions. Charming is out of multiple Grade 1 winner and Broodmare of the Year Take Charge Lady, who is the dam of Eclipse Award champion Will Take Charge and Grade 1 winner Take Charge Indy. Will Take Charge finished fifth on last year's freshman sire earnings list and is the sire of this year's Fair Grounds Oaks third-place finisher Sweet Diane and Lecomte third-place finisher Manny Wah. Take Charge Indy, who will be represented by Long Range Toddy in the Kentucky Derby, sired last year's Louisiana Derby winner Noble Indy and Gulfstream Oaks winner Coach Rocks.