Grade I winner Danza (Street Boss–Champagne Royale, by French Deputy) has been retired from racing and will stand the 2016 breeding season at Spendthrift Farm as part of the nursery's Share the Upside Program. The handsome chestnut, third in the 2013 GII Saratoga Special S., won last year's GI Arkansas Derby before concluding his career with a third-place effort in the GI Kentucky Derby. On the board in all five lifetime starts, he retires with two wins and earnings of $866,428.
“We are excited about the opportunity to stand such a talented Grade I winner as Danza,” said Spendthrift owner B. Wayne Hughes. “Simply put, he was one of the best racehorses of his crop, and showed it at both two and three. His tremendous looks match the ability, and I invite breeders to come out to the farm to see him. We believe he'll be well-received, particularly through our Share The Upside Program.”
Danza was trained by Todd Pletcher on behalf of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Taylor Made's Shannon Potter brokered the deal between Eclipse and Spendthrift.
“Danza was a sensationally gifted racehorse with the courage to match his natural talent, and he took our racing partners to the top of the mountain,” said Aron Wellman, President of Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. “He's an imposing physical specimen, and we are delighted that Spendthrift has put their faith in him. The team at Spendthrift is second to none, and we have every confidence Danza will have a legitimate opportunity to succeed at stud in Kentucky.”
Out of stakes-placed Champagne Royale, Danza is a half-brother to GI Gold Cup at Santa Anita winner Majestic Harbor (Rockport Harbor).
The Share The Upside fee for Danza will be $5,500 stands and nurses, and breeders will earn a lifetime breeding right to the 4-year-old after breeding a mare in each of the first two years, producing two live foals, and paying both stud fees at $5,500 each on a stands and nurses basis. Danza's 2016 fee on a traditional, one-time contract will be $4,000 stands and nurses.
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