By Christie DeBernardis
The China Horse Club has bought into early GI Breeders' Cup Classic favorite and two-time Eclipse winner California Chrome (Lucky Pulpit–Love the Chase, by Not For Love), Taylor Made Farm announced Friday afternoon. The 5-year-old is owned by California Chrome LLC, which includes original co-owner/co-breeder Perry Martin and Taylor Made, where he will stand upon his retirement.
“We've been talking to [the China Horse Club] for a while and it didn't seem like we could ever decide on what to do,” Duncan Taylor told the TDN Friday. “Finally, we basically sold one of Perry Martin's shares. He has sold a few of them recently. He owns about 40% of the horse and he wants to get down to less than that. We are trying to get people who will support the horse with good mares, so when he does retire we will be able to get him the kind of book he deserves. We were very happy to have those guys join the syndicate. Those are the kind of people we need.”
The China Horse Club tweeted: “Very pleased to join ownership in California Chrome heading into BC & [GI] Pegasus [World Cup] events. A champion. Thanks to all owners.”
Named Horse of the Year and champion 3-year-old colt of 2014 after wins in the GI Kentucky Derby and GI Preakness S., California Chrome is a perfect six-for-six in 2016. The Art Sherman pupil became North America's richest Thoroughbred after a sensational victory in the G1 Dubai World Cup and most recently scored impressive victories in the GI TVG Pacific Classic and GI Awesome Again S. The flashy chestnut heads into the Nov. 5 Breeders' Cup Classic with a record of 24-15-3-1 and earnings of $13,432,650.
“He's going to work [Saturday], working 5/8 at Los Alamitos,” Taylor said of the Classic favorite. “That will be his last work, so hopefully things will go good and he will be ready.”
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