Leofric to Enter Stud in New York at Rockridge Stud
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Photo: Coady Photography
Leofric wins the 2018 Clark Handicap at Churchill Downs
Leofric, a grade 1-winning son of Candy Ride , will enter stud next year at Rockridge Stud near Hudson, N.Y., the farm announced Sept. 26.
"Candy Rides, especially in New York, do very well," said Lere Visagie, the owner/manager of Rockridge. "He fits the mare population, and he's an attractive horse that people will like when they see him. He is very correct in front and very balanced. He's a gray, so he's not your typical Candy Ride, but I think people will be taken aback by his scope and balance."
Bred in Kentucky by Peter Blum Thoroughbreds, Leofric is out of the unraced Unbridled's Song mare Lady Godiva, a half sister to multiple graded stakes winner Multiple Choice (Mt. Livermore) and stakes-placed multiple stakes producer Proposal (Mt. Livermore). Leofric's second dam, Lady of Choice (Storm Bird), is a half sister to grade 1 winner and grade 1 producer Well Chosen (Deputy Minister) and grade 3 winner In Contention (Devil's Bag). The family has also produced grade 2 winner and sire Academy Award, graded stakes winners Statuette and Good Mood, and group 1-placed stakes winner Tomahawk.
Woodford Racing bought Leofric for $330,000 at the 2014 Keeneland September Yearling Sale out of Dromoland Farm's consignment. The colt was raced in Woodford Racing's name for three starts and was then offered as a racing prospect at the 2016 Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale, where Liz Crow with BSW Bloodstock bought him for $100,000 out of the Lane's End consignment.
Leofric ended up with Steve Landers Racing and trainer Brad Cox, who made him a winner at Oaklawn Park in his first start of 2017. The colt won two more times that year in allowance company and then signaled he was ready to step up, finishing third in a minor stakes near the end of the year at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots.
The 2018 racing season was his breakout year. At 5, he never finished off the board in seven starts and added three graded stakes victories to his record: the Clark Handicap Presented by Norton Healthcare (G1), Hagyard Fayette Stakes (G2), and West Virginia Governor's Stakes (G3). He also finished third in the Woodward Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), missing second by a nose to Gunnevera. He retired with an 8-1-3 record out of 14 starts and earned $951,040.
Leofric will stand as property of a syndicate, and a limited number of shares are available. His 2020 fee will be $7,500.