by Mitchel Skolnick, for Bluestone Farms

The owners of Always A Virgin have announced that their outstanding son of Western Ideal has been retired and an agreement has been made with Jeff and Maria King of Victory Hill Farm to stand the stallion for the 2009 breeding season.

“The slots fueled Indiana Sires Stakes program provides a very attractive and very supportive environment for a top-rated horse to come to Indiana,” comments Jeff King.

Conservative estimates for the Indiana Sires Stakes program put it at $9 million for the foals of 2010. Based on early receipts from the slots, however, it appears the number may be significantly greater.

Trained by Joe Holloway throughout a banner 3-year-old season, Always A Virgin won 13 of 20 starts in 2007 and $1,022,703. He won the Messenger Stake and Cane Pace, both in stakes record time, along with the New Jersey Sires Stakes Final, Holmes, Bluegrass and Battle of Brandywine. He also won eliminations of the Cane, Messenger, Meadowlands Pace, Little Brown Jug and Breeders Crown.

He paced to his record 1:48.4 at the Meadowlands with a :27.1 last quarter and he defeated every 3-year-old pacer of his generation.

“Always A Virgin’s outstanding looks, conformation and versatility as a racehorse — whether it be his early speed, late-closing burst or his ability to adapt to any size racetrack — will make him an excellent choice as a sire,” says Joe Holloway.

Always A Virgin brings the potential to produce Grand Circuit quality colts and fillies to the exciting Indiana Stakes program and he represents a unique opportunity for breeders on a national level.

Always A Virgin will stand the 2009 season at an introductory fee of $3,500.