California Chrome Will Not Shuttle to Chile for 2019

Taylor Made Stallions' two-time Horse of the Year California Chrome  is getting a break from his shuttle schedule this year and will not ship for the third year of a three-year arrangement with Sumaya Stud near Santiago, Chile.

"The economy in Chile is not as strong as it was during those first two years, there has been a management change at the farm, and the horse has just bred five seasons back to back," said Ben Taylor, vice president of Taylor Made Stallions, where the dual classic winner and seven-time grade/group 1 winner retired to stud in 2017 at a fee of $40,000. "After all the parties discussed the issues, it was decided it was in the best interest of the horse to give him a break this year."

Taylor said by all other measures the son of the late Lucky Pulpit is doing great.

"His libido is good, and he was breeding well this season," he said.

California Chrome bred 145 mares his first season and has 98 live foals (68%) in his first crop, who are yearlings of 2019. During his first season in Chile, he reportedly bred 110 mares. Back in the U.S. for 2018, he bred 133 mares and, according to Taylor Made, bred 143 mares this year while achieving his highest in-foal percentage so far. 

Five of California Chrome's first-crop yearlings have been cataloged in The July Sale, Fasig-Tipton's selected yearling sale July 9 in Lexington, Ky. Denali Stud as agent is offering a colt out of Stayclassysandiego (Hip 62); Joe Dodgen as agent is offering a colt out of Our Fantene (Hip 350); Taylor Made Sales Agency is offering a colt out of Beholden (Hip 141) and a filly out of Wildcat Lily (Hip 109); and Valkyre Stud as agent is offering a filly out of Exchange Funds (Hip 205).

Retired as the second-richest racehorse based in North America with $14,752,650 in earnings, California Chrome grabbed headlines in 2014 with a five-race winning streak that included the Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) and the Preakness Stakes (G1). His Triple Crown bid fell short with a fourth-place finish in the Belmont Stakes (G1). California Chrome made only two starts at 4, including a second in the Dubai World Cup Sponsored by Emirates Airline (G1), but came back swinging hard at 5 when he won the Dubai World Cup and four graded stakes. He was honored with Horse of the Year titles in 2014 and 2016.

California Chrome stood for $35,000 this year.