Gunite (Gun Runner–Simple Surprise, by Cowboy Cal), a two-time Grade I winner and runner-up behind champion Elite Power (Curlin) in Saturday's GI Breeders' Cup Sprint at Santa Anita, has been retired from racing and will stand at Coolmore America's Ashford Stud for 2024. His fee has been set at $35,000.
Trained by Steve Asmussen, the Winchell Thoroughbreds homebred defeated the aforementioned two-time Breeders' Cup Sprint winner in this summer's GI Forego S. at Saratoga. Gunite also won the GI Hopeful S. during his 2-year-old season and the GII Amsterdam S. at three, both at Saratoga. His loaded resume also includes a close second to Elite Power in this summer's GI Alfred G. Vanderbilt H., a runner-up finish in the 2022 H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. and a third-place finish in this year's G1 Dubai Golden Shaheen.
“Gunite is extremely important to horse racing in the current climate,” Asmussen said. “He was Gun Runner's first starter for us in April of his 2-year-old year and ran six times in his juvenile campaign and won the Grade I Hopeful at Saratoga. He then travelled to California to work with the brilliant Echo Zulu because he is the only thing that I had that could be comparable company for her, and he won four stakes races at Churchill, Keeneland and Saratoga. As a 4-year-old, he then travelled to Saudi Arabia and Dubai and competed at the highest level and returned to the U.S. to beat his rival Elite Power in the Grade I Forego S. at Saratoga. He is a very special horse to race at the level he has for as long as he has and do it consistently.”
Asmussen added, “I'm a walking infomercial for Gunite. I apologize in advance. I am such a huge fan of his. The story of Gunite is so unique as in the first crop of Gun Runners, in Laredo, I laugh at it to myself because you want Gun Runner to do well, and you're nervous as to whether they'll be any good when they're yearlings. They all look good, but we all know how looking good and running can be different. And looking around the barn at my dad's place over the holidays at the Gun Runners, and Gunite's out of a nice precocious family we've had success with, and I immediately identify him as the Gun Runner you're going to come out with. He was our first starter for Gun Runner, in April of his 2-year-old year. He ends up running six times as a 2-year-old, second in the Saratoga Special, wins the Hopeful at Saratoga, and I reward him off of six runs and a Grade I win at Saratoga by taking him to California because I don't want to change Echo Zulu's workmate leading into the Breeders' Cup. So not only does he have the six runs as a 2-year-old, he's got three stiff works with her, because he's the only thing good enough to work with her leading up the Breeders' Cup, and then as a 3-year-old, he wins three stakes, at Churchill, Keeneland, and another graded stake at Saratoga. And then as a 4-year-old, he goes to Saudi, Dubai, wins another Grade I at Saratoga against Elite Power, finishes off 21 races with 17 firsts and seconds at the highest level, running I believe a 2 3/4 Rag in the Breeders' Cup Sprint, and is enough horse to pass the regulatory veterinarian scenario that we're racing under now. That's how important a horse to racing he is now. He's unbelievable. Needless to say, I am a huge fan of his. He's still running 3 Rags at this stage of his career. Incredilble.”
What qualities will make him a good stallion?
“First and foremost, his ability,” Asmussen said. “He's obviously got a tremendous amount of ability. He's extremely attractive. He's very correct. He's unbelievably sound. He is everything horse racing needs right now. For me, he's got tremendous balance. He's very smooth. He's a very athletic horse, smooth as can be, great balance. He looks a picture from all angles. Just great constitution. Always a tremendous appetite, no matter where in the world he is, day before the race or the day after. He's very strong mentally and physically. Unbelievably honest. Extremely straightforward, has a ton of confidence about him, not overly aggressive, but always, always capable if needed. How important he is under the current climate is what's amazing. Six runs as a 2-year-old, starting in April racing at that level, running his fastest he's ever run on his 21st run, on seven or eight different surfaces at the highest level.”
Owner/breeder Ron Winchell added, “Like many of the Gun Runners, Gunite got better and better throughout his racing career and gave us many great days. We also raced his first and second dams and they were both stakes winners at Saratoga. Gunite has retired sound and I very much look forward to supporting him at stud.”
“He was unusual in that he was top class at two, three and four, he was one of the best sprinters in the country and had top Beyer figures of 108 at both Saratoga and Churchill,” said Ashford's Director of Sales Charlie O'Connor. “He's a very good-looking horse and we can't wait for breeders to see him.”
Gunite retires with a record of 21-9-8-2 and earnings of $2,493,009.
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