Mill Ridge Farm is pleased to announce they have a new stallion prospect for 2023 in last year's Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint winner, Aloha West, owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trained by Wayne Catalano.
From the Fappiano family, this son of Hard Spun is out of Island Bound, a daughter of Speightstown who won the six furlong Grade 3 Winning Colors at Churchill Downs. Aloha West himself very much resembles this side of his family with the speed of Speightstown and his physical quality and presence. Also, the granddam is a daughter of A.P. Indy, and this provides a wonderful pedigree blend of Danzig through Hard Spun, Gone West through Speightstown, and A.P. Indy. These are three of the most influential sire lines today.
Aloha West was initially owned by Gary West and trained by Bob Baffert, and his early training suggested he might be 'one of his best 2-year-olds'. He was injured prior to his first start and when he resumed training his 3-year-old year, Wayne Catalano was his trainer. With his first start in February of his 4-year-old year a winning one, Aloha West went on to make eight more starts in 2021, including a win in the Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint over Champion Jackie's Warrior. He is looking to defend his title in this year's Breeders' Cup Sprint.
This history of brilliance in training also resembled that of Speightstown who showed promise as a 3-year-old and was injured and missed his entire 4-year-old season before returning as a 6-year-old and winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint. With the speed Aloha West demonstrated winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint, and influence from Speightstown and the Fappiano family, as well as his physical good looks, we expect he will be attractive to commercial breeders.
Mill Ridge waited a long time after champion sires Diesis and Gone West to retire Breeders' Cup winner Johar and Oscar Performance. To stand another Breeders' Cup winner in Aloha West is a great addition to the farm. He will be located in the Gone West's stallion barn and paddock.
“We are so excited to announce Aloha West as our next Mill Ridge stallion. With his will to win, pedigree blend and outstanding physical presence, we believe breeders will be drawn to him. We think he has an opportunity to contribute to our breed,” said Price Bell, Mill Ridge general manager.
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