WinStar acquires Cogburn breeding rights

Grade 1 winner Cogburn will stand at WinStar Farm upon his eventual retirement from racing.

WinStar announced on Wednesday that it has entered into a partnership with racing owners Clark Brewster and William and Corrine Heiligbrodt, and a new partner in Lindy Farms, to acquire the breeding rights to 5-year-old Cogburn, who is by Not This Time.

The deal was brokered by Bradley Weisbord of BSW/Crow Bloodstock. A stud fee will be announced at a later date.

“I wanted a farm to stand him that I could do business with and support him with my program,” Bill Heiligbrodt said in a release. “I have had many fast horses over the years, but Cogburn is as fast as anyone. I can’t wait to breed mares to him, and Clark and I stayed in to help launch his stud career.”

Millionaire Cogburn was Grade 3-placed on the dirt earlier in his career, but took off when switched to turf in 2023. He won three stakes last season, highlighted by the Grade 3 Troy at Saratoga where he defeated eventual 2023 Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint winner Nobals and 2022 BC Turf Sprint winner Caravel.

This year, Cogburn has won both his starts, taking the Grade 2 Twin Spires Turf Sprint at Churchill Downs before a dazzling performance in the Grade 1 Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga.

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He dominated the Jaipur by 3 1/2 lengths, sizzling 5 1/2 furlongs in 59.80 seconds, eclipsing the previous North American record of 1:00.21 set in 2019. He earned a 111 Beyer Speed Figure.

“There are not many times in life you get to stand the fastest horse in the world,” WinStar's Elliott Walden said in the release. “I was in awe of his performance in the Jaipur, and his balance and conformation are spectacular. I think horses are fast if they breeze five furlongs in 59 and change. He ran 5 1/2 furlongs that fast. Being by up-and-coming stallion Not This Time and having graded level form on the dirt as well, I can’t be more excited."

Along with support from WinStar and his racing owners, Cogburn will get additional support from Frank Antonacci's Lindy Farms, which is excited about his international appeal. Not This Time has emerged as the leading heir in the U.S. to European Horse of the Year Giant's Causeway.

“We have had tremendous success with No Nay Never in Europe with Cogburn’s profile: Fast on dirt and fast on turf,” Antonacci said. “I thought it was a great opportunity.”

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