Cupid to Stand at Ashford in 2018

Cupid | Benoit Photo

Cupid (Tapit–Pretty 'n Smart, by Beau Genius) will stand at Coolmore's Ashford Stud in Kentucky for 2018, the farm announced Thursday. A $900,000 Keeneland September yearling, the Bob Baffert trainee was a three-time Grade II winner last year at three, and scored a career highlight this term when taking the GI Gold Cup at Santa Anita decisively May 27. He is being pointed to next Friday's GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile. He has earned $1.7 million from a record of 12-6-1-0 to date on behalf of Michael Tabor, Mrs. John Magnier and Derrick Smith.

“We loved Cupid as a yearling and he has developed into a smashing horse just like you would have hoped,” Coolmore America Manager Dermot Ryan said. “He's a quality individual with plenty of size and great balance and the pedigree and race record to match. He's an exciting prospect.”

Out of the graded stakes-placed Pretty 'n Smart, Cupid is a half-sister to MGSW Heart Ashley (Lion Heart), GSW Ashley's Kitty (Tale of the Cat) and SW Indianapolis (Medaglia d'Oro). Coolmore's M.V. Magnier paid a sale-topping $2.7 million for a full-sister to Cupid at this year's Keeneland September Yearling Sale.

While Cupid's stud fee will be announced at a later date, Coolmore did announce it's 2018 Kentucky roster and the majority of its stud fees for next year. Champion Classic Empire (Pioneerof the Nile), who was retired last week, will command a fee of $35,000. Triple Crown winner American Pharoah (Pioneerof the Nile)'s fee will remain private, while Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie)'s fee was lowered slightly to $125,000.

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