Antony Beck's Gainesway Farm has purchased an interest in defending GI Breeders' Cup Mile winner Karakontie (Jpn) (Bernstein–Sun Is Up {Jpn}, by Sunday Silence) from the Niarchos family, and will stand him in Kentucky upon his retirement from racing. Conditioned by Jonathan Pease, the bay annexed the G3 Prix La Rochette and G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere as a juvenile, and added the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French 2,000 Guineas) as a sophomore last year before capping off his season with a fast-finishing victory in the BC Mile at Santa Anita in November. Most recently third in the G1 Prix du Moulin de Longchamp Sept. 13, the 4-year-old will go for back-to-back Miles at Keeneland Oct. 31. He currently boasts earnings of $1,967,099 from a record of 11-5-2-1.
“Gainesway's founder, John Gaines, transformed the stallion business through a bold vision to bring European imports to the farm,” said Beck. “His vision paid handsome dividends with such significant stallions as Riverman, Green Dancer, Irish River, and Blushing Groom. Each of these imports, like Karakontie, won the French 2,000 Guineas. Other prominent winners of that stallion making race were Caro, Shamardal and Kingmambo himself. Karakontie validated his European form with his sensational victory on Breeders' Cup day. We are excited to add him to our roster and delighted to be doing it with the Niarchos family.”
Karakontie's third dam is the great Miesque, a dual Breeders' Cup Mile winner herself and the dam of the aforementioned Kingmambo.
“I am delighted that Karakontie is going to stand at Gainesway Farm,” offered Maria Niarchos-Gouazé. “We believe his truly international bloodlines combine to make him a most exciting stallion prospect who we look forward to supporting strongly.”
Karakontie's stud fee will be announced after the Breeders' Cup, which will likely be his last on-track appearance.
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