Grade I winner Free Drop Billy (Union Rags–Trensa, by Giant's Causeway) has been retired from racing and will begin his stud career at B. Wayne Hughes's Spendthrift Farm as part of the nursery's “Share the Upside” program in 2019.
“Free Drop Billy is a great-looking horse with a proven sire's pedigree, and he was a dominant Grade I winner and leading 2-year-old of his crop,” said Ned Toffey, general manager at Spendthrift. “He ticks a lot of significant boxes, especially for a stallion prospect in his spot in the market. We believe he's a terrific value that breeders are really going to like, and we're excited to stand him.”
The Share The Upside fee for Free Drop Billy will be $10,000 for one year, however, breeders must also breed a mare in 2020 on a complimentary basis. After the breeder has a live foal in 2020, pays the stud fee, and breeds a mare back, he or she will earn a lifetime breeding right beginning in 2021. For breeders not interested in the Share The Upside program, Free Drop Billy will be offered for $10,000 on a standard stands and nurses contract.
Racing for Albaugh Family Stables and trainer Dale Romans, Free Drop Billy was second in the GIII Sanford S. and GI Hopeful S. before an emphatic four-length victory in the GI Claiborne Breeders' Futurity. He was second in this year's GII Holy Bull S. and third in the GII Toyota Blue Grass S. and GIII Gotham S. On the board in seven of 11 starts, Free Drop Billy retires with two wins and earnings of $662,470.
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