Max Player Enters Stud at Annestes Farms in New Jersey

Max Player , a grade 1-winning millionaire who placed in the 2020 Belmont Stakes (G1), will enter stud next year at George Hall's Annestes Farms near Middletown, N.J. He will stand for $5,000.

"I spend a lot of time in New Jersey, and Monmouth has always been my home track," Hall said about the decision to stand the 6-year-old son of Honor Code  in the Garden State. "I hope Max Player becomes a good option for New Jersey breeders."

Max Player was retired in June with a 4-1-2 record from 16 starts and earnings of $1,551,266.

Hall bred Max Player out of the Not For Love stakes winner Fools in Love. The horse won his first graded stakes at 3 in the Withers Stakes (G3) and started in all three COVID-19-scrambled Triple Crown races of 2020. After placing in the Belmont, he finished third in the Travers Stakes (G1) that was run that year between the Belmont and Kentucky Derby (G1). At 4 he won the Jockey Club Gold Cup Stakes (G1) and Suburban Stakes (G2).

"He's been very sound throughout his whole career," said Hall.

Max Player helped launch a new fractional ownership venture initially called SportBLX Thoroughbreds, which was co-founded by Hall, who is a hedge fund executive, with Joseph De Perio.

Shareholders in the venture, now called Annestes Thoroughbreds, have the option to stay in during Max Player's stud career or liquidate their shares prior to his first season, according to Hall.