Canadian Classic winner and top sire Awesome Again (Deputy Minister–Primal Force, by Blushing Groom {Fr}) has been retired from stud duty at age 25. It was first reported by the Blood-Horse Wednesday.
Trained by Pat Byrne, the Adena Springs hombred won nine of 12 career races for earnings in excess of $4.3 million. Winner of the Queen's Plate and GII Jim Dandy S. during his sophomore season, he was undefeated at four, winning all six starts, including the GI Breeders' Cup Classic, GI Whitney S., GII Stephen Foster H., GII Saratoga Breeders' Cup and GIII Hawthorne Gold Cup. He was an Eclipse Award finalist that season.
A resident of Frank Stronach's Adena Springs through his illustrious stallion career, Awesome Again is responsible for 66 black-type winners, 38 at the group/graded level, and a trio of champions from 18 crops of racing age. The Canadian-bred's most notable runner was 2004 Horse of the Year and champion older horse Ghostzapper. Trained by Hall of Famer Bobby Frankel, the half-brother to GISW and leading sire City Zip (Carson City) won nine of 11 career starts for earnings over $3.4 million. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012, Ghostzapper registered the fastest GI Breeders' Cup Classic victory in history, winning in 1:59. The sire of five champions himself, Ghostzapper also stands at Adena Springs.
Additionally, Awesome Again sired 2007 champion older mare Ginger Punch, also campaigned by Stronach and trained by Frankel, and Nominee, a multiple champion in Trinidad and Tobago. Included among Awesome Again's 14 Grade I winners on dirt are GI Preakness S. winner Oxbow, trained by Hall of Famer D. Wayne Lukas; this season's GI Belmont S. victor Sir Winston; in addition to eight-time Grade I-scorer Game on Dude, who notably earned three wins in the GI Santa Anita H. throughout his career. Also an influence as a broodmare sire, Awesome Again's daughters have produced 70 black-type winners and six Grade I winners, including champion older horse Accelerate (Lookin At Lucky).
With a total of 20 foal crops to his credit, Awesome Again's final foals were produced this season.
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