Big Blue Kitten to Calumet Upon Retirement
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Big Blue Kitten, a three-time grade I winner and the morning-line favorite for the Arlington Million (gr. IT) Aug. 15 at Arlington International Racecourse, will take up stud duty at the end of his racing career at Calumet Farm near Lexington, it was announced Aug. 13.
Ken and Sarah Ramsey's 7-year-old son of Kitten's Joy comes off a second victory in the United Nations Stakes (gr. IT) at Monmouth Park (he first won the race in 2013) and also counts the 2013 Sword Dancer Invitational (gr. IT) among 14 instances of winning or placing in graded stakes.
Big Blue Kitten will stand alongside 2013 Arlington Million winner Real Solution , also a Ramsey homebred by Kitten's Joy.
"Calumet has a healthy appreciation for Kitten's Joy, whom we consider to be one of the preeminent young stallions in the world today," said Calumet Farm manager Eddie Kane. "Kitten's Joy's dominant genetic superiority has kept him atop the leading sire list since his third crop of runners. He sired an unprecedented 25 stakes winners last year and was number one on the general sire list the year before, with 24 stakes winners. He throws precocious quality runners that stay sound as mature horses. This is a sire line we believe will significantly contribute to Calumet's legacy."
Bred in Kentucky out of the Unaccounted For mare Spent Gold, Big Blue Kitten currently has earnings of $2,090,830 with a 13-7-4 record from 27 starts.