Strong Contender relocates to Indiana

Grade 2 winner and sire Strong Contender has relocated to stand at R Star Stallions at RichWine in Anderson, Ind., for the 2015 breeding season. His introductory fee at R Star will be $3,000.

The 11-year-old Maria's Mon horse, who entered stud in 2007, most recently stood at Hallmarc Stallions in Ocala, Fla., where his fee was also $3,000.

“We believe this stallion will do well in Indiana,” R Star Stallions’ Leigh Ann Hopper said. “[His progeny] are proven winners amongst great company.”

Strong Contender was a multiple Grade 2 winner as a 3-year-old, capturing the Super Derby and Dwyer Stakes. He also finished third in the Haskell Invitational and Blue Grass Stakes, both Grade 1 events. In total, he won 4 of 8 career starts – only missing the board once – for earnings of $618,000.

At stud, Strong Contender is represented by 66 winners from 97 starters from five crops of racing age, with combined progeny earnings of $4,153,988. His runners are led by multiple Grade 3 winner Grand Contender, who is entered in Saturday’s Delta Mile; and Awesome Fire, who won the Wonder Where Stakes, third leg of the Canadian Triple Tiara. Strong Contender is represented by additional stakes winners Miss Da Point, Lady Contender, and Soleil Du Nord.

Out of the stakes-placed Dynaformer mare Kopenhagen, Strong Contender is a half-brother to stakes-placed winner Batalha.