Vinery moving Benny the Bull to Kentucky

Benny the Bull, 2008’s champion sprinter, will move from Vinery’s Florida farm to its Lexington, Ky., headquarters, his owner, Greg James, has announced.

An 8-year-old Lucky Lionel horse, Benny the Bull stood at Vinery Florida in 2010 and 2011, his first two years at stud. His fee this year was $3,000.

“Benny the Bull was a true champion with brilliant speed,” James said. “I have been a big supporter of him since his retirement and plan to continue with 20-plus mares. He has some really outstanding first foals on the ground this year, so we’re excited about his potential stud career in central Kentucky.”

Benny the Bull won 9 of 20 starts, including all four of his races in his 2008 championship season. His Grade 1 victories were in the 2008 Dubai Golden Shaheen and 2007 De Francis Memorial Dash, and he also won the 2008 True North and Smile Sprint Handicaps, both Grade 2, as well as two ungraded stakes. Benny the Bull earned more than $2.3 million.

Benny the Bull is out of the stakes-winning Birdonthewire mare Comet Cat.