Spendthrift Secure Breeding Rights to Kentucky Derby Contender Rock Your World

Media Release - Thursday April 29

Spendthrift Farm has secured the breeding rights to undefeated Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner and Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Rock Your World, it was announced Thursday.

Rock Your World – the second choice on the morning line for Saturday's coveted $3 million Run for the Roses at Churchill Downs – will stand stud at the historical Lexington-based farm upon his retirement from racing.

Advertisement

“We are really excited about Rock Your World and thankful to the Hronis family, Michael Talla, and John Sadler for allowing us to be a part of the horse’s promising future,” said Ned Toffey, Spendthrift General Manager.

“Rock Your World has a wonderful combination of sheer talent, pedigree and sire power, and he’s an imposing physical specimen which you would expect from a $650,000 yearling. We were especially taken by the brilliance he displayed in the Santa Anita Derby in his first start on the dirt, and think he has a great shot to show that again in the Kentucky Derby and beyond.”

Trained by John Sadler, Rock Your World began his racing career on New Year’s Day, winning on debut at six furlongs before stretching out around two turns to win the one-mile Pasadena S. in his second start – both coming over the Santa Anita turf course. Earlier this month, the son of Candy Ride (Arg) asserted himself as a serious contender for the Kentucky Derby with a powerhouse 4 ¼-length victory in the $750,000 Santa Anita Derby in his first start on the dirt.

He stopped the clock in 1:49.17 for 1 1/8 miles over a fast local main track, earning a 100 Beyer – the only triple-digit Beyer earned among this year’s Kentucky Derby field.

Rock Your World enters the Derby 3-for-3 with earnings of $546,600 for owners Hronis Racing and Talla Racing, which acquired the bay colt as a yearling for $650,000 at the annual Keeneland September sale with bloodstock agent David Ingordo signing the ticket.

Rock Your World is out of the multiple stakes-winning Empire Maker mare Charm the Maker. His first three dams are all multiple stakes winners or graded stakes winners.

“We are excited about of our relationship with Spendthrift Farm on such a special horse like Rock Your World,” said Kosta Hronis of Hronis Racing. “It is hard to argue with the success they’ve had when it comes to standing premier stallions, and we are hopeful we can accomplish a lot with this colt before we retire him to stud.”

“We are thrilled to have a horse like this,” added Michael Talla. “Hopefully, Rock Your World will be the son to carry on the Candy Ride sire line, and I can’t think of a better place than Spendthrift for him to get the opportunity to do that.”

Rock Your World will break from post 15 and will be ridden by Joel Rosario in the Derby. Before traveling to Louisville last Sunday, he breezed five furlongs in 59.20 seconds on Apr. 24 at Santa Anita in his final serious work in preparation for Saturday.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Beaufort Downs Celebrate Stakes Success with Platinum Diamond
A pedigree close to the hearts of Beaufort Downs has added another black-type strike to the North Canterbury farm’s roll of honour.
Consecutive Wins For Lucky Vega’s I’m Lucky Two
Off the back of an impressive two length victory over 1000m at Toowoomba at the end of June, the month between runs didn’t pose any issues as the Michael Nolan trained Lucky Vega (IRE) gelding I’m Lucky Two stepped out over 870m to win once again.
Closer Look at Written Tycoon – The Golden Crop Delivers
The sun might be setting on the stud career of Written Tycoon, but he’s not going into the twilight years quietly and is set to be crowned Champion Australian 3YO Sire this season, which is probably something predicted by many when he got the opportunity of a lifetime to cover at Arrowfield Stud for one season in 2020.
Sires With Winners - Saturday July 26
Here is the full list of 86 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Stallion Shares in Cool Aza Beel Offer Rare Opportunity via Magic Millions Virtual Sale
Breeders will have a timely chance to invest in one of Australia’s most exciting young stallions next week, with two individual stallion shares in Cool Aza Beel to be offered via the Magic Millions Virtual Sale on Tuesday, August 5.
Another G1 Triumph for Aga Khan Stud Bred Gelding
Aga Khan Studs don’t race a lot of geldings, but one that they do is Calandagan, who made it back to back G1 wins overnight when beating a select field in a tactical battle to win the Group I King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (1m4f) at Ascot.
Fifth Winner For Hanseatic As Audio Pop Cam Wins
With four jumpouts under her belt, winning the last three, Tony and Calvin McEvoy's Hanseatic filly Audio Pop Cam was too good for her rivals, starting favourite to win the Unox Casa Maiden Plate (1100m) at Pakenham with ease.
Two New SW's for Too Darn Hot
Too Darn Hot is set to be crowned Champion Australian Second Season Sire and is headed back to Darley Australia this spring at a fee of $275,000 and overnight he produced two new stakes-winners in the UK and Ireland.
Sires With Winners - Sunday July 27
Here is the full list of 54 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Monday July 28
Here is the full list of 23 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.