Destin to Sequel Stallions New York

Destin , a full brother to grade 1 winner and top sire Creative Cause , will stand at Sequel Stallions New York for 2019. The 5-year-old son of three-time leading sire Giant's Causeway will have a fee of $6,500 live foal stands and nurses.

Destin, who raced for Twin Creeks Racing Stables and Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, will stand as the property of Gainesway, Twin Creeks, Eclipse, and Sequel.

"I look forward to working with Gainesway Farm, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, as well as Twin Creeks Farm in standing Destin at Sequel Stallions New York," said Becky Thomas of Sequel New York. "Creative Cause was a special horse for me, having bought him as a yearling in addition to having stood Freud , the King of New York, at stud for so many years. I am truly Giant Causeway's No. 1 fan. Destin's good looks and pedigree are certain to get the breeders' attention."

Destin won five of 15 starts, placed four times, and earned $947,800. A nose away from being a classic winner in the 2016 Belmont Stakes Presented by NYRA Bets (G1), he won three graded stakes, including a record-setting performance as a 3-year-old in the Lambholm South Tampa Bay Derby (G2) when he ran 1 1/16 miles in 1:42.82.

One start before the Tampa Bay Derby, Destin scored in the Sam F. Davis Stakes (G3) and later ran sixth in the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1). He finished third in Saratoga Race Course's Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) just after his Belmont Stakes effort. At 4, Destin won the 1 3/4-mile Marathon Stakes Presented by TAA (G2) during Del Mar's Breeders' Cup World Championship meet.

"Unlucky not to be an American classic winner, Destin showed off plenty of talent and class. He is a deserving stallion prospect," trainer Todd Pletcher said. "New York should feel lucky to get him."

Destin is out of grade 1 millionaire Dream of Summer, who won the 2005 Apple Blossom Handicap (G1) over a field that included Hall of Fame member Ashado. She is a multiple graded-stakes winning, graded-stakes producing mare with more than $2.3 million in progeny earnings. Destin is also a full brother to recent Rood and Riddle Dowager Stakes (G3T) winner Vexatious, as well as a half brother to black-type-placed producer Taboo.

"Twin Creeks has had a huge amount of success with perennial leading New York stallion Mission Impazible . After considering many opportunities, we felt like we wanted to follow the leader in New York in Twin Creeks, Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners, and Sequel New York," said Gainesway Farm's Antony Beck.

"We are committed to quality mare support for this stallion," Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners' Aron Wellman said. "We are very excited about our first real venture not only in New York but a mare venture of any kind. It is a no-brainer to follow (Twin Creeks') Randy Gullatt due to the success of Mission Impazible."

"Having participated in the New York program for a while now, and having learned what works, I believe Destin is the perfect fit," Gullatt said. "I am very excited about this horse. Destin's beautiful body, great bone, and ability to go a distance of ground will be an easy match for much of the mare population. Destin's turn of foot was very impressive when setting a track record in the Tampa Bay Derby. I think New York is a perfect fit based on the influence Giant's Causeway has had on both turf and dirt. We are very excited about the team and support that Destin will have getting started as a stallion."