Taiba, Gun Runner’s 3-time G1-winning son, sires first foal

Spendthrift Farm’s Taiba, Gun Runner’s only 3-time Grade 1-winning son to date, sired his first reported foal this week when a colt was born late Monday, January 6th at Castleton Lyons in Lexington.

Bred by Castleton Lyons & Kilboy Estate, the chestnut colt is out of the Exaggerator mare Wecallherqueenmary, whose dam is a full sister to the late leading sire Speightstown.

“He’s a good foal, a lot of quality. He looks athletic and more like Taiba than the mare. Very good shoulder and hip, powerful forearm and a lot of bone. We’re very happy with him,” said Pat Hayes of Castleton Lyons.

Taiba was a leading 3-year-old in 2022 and finished second in the Eclipse voting for 3-Year-Old Male after dominant wins in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and Malibu Stakes (G1). A $1.7 million 2-year-old purchase by owner Zedan Racing Stables, the talented chestnut broke his maiden on debut by 7 ½ lengths at Santa Anita, stopping the clock in 1:09 4/5 for six furlongs and earning a gaudy 103 Beyer Speed Figure, putting the performance among the fastest maiden wins this century.

Taiba returned five weeks later to win the 1 1/8-mile Santa Anita Derby in his second start, earning a 102 Beyer and a berth into the Kentucky Derby (G1) as the fastest 3-year-old going into the coveted Run for the Roses. He went on to win the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby at 1 1/8 miles before finishing on the board behind Flightline in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Keeneland, earning a career best 110 Beyer at the 1 ¼-mile distance.

Taiba closed out his career with a fast victory in the Malibu at Santa Anita, turning back to 7 furlongs to dominate his rivals while earnings a 106 Beyer – giving him triple-digit Beyers in all but one lifetime performance, from six furlongs to 1 ¼ miles.

Taiba, who retired to Spendthrift with earnings of $2,356,200, bred 200 mares in his first book in 2024. He is set to stand his second season for a fee of $30,000 S&N.

For more information about Taiba, please contact Des, Mark, Brian or Daniel at 859-294-0030, or visit SpendthriftFarm.com.