from Kentuckiana Farms

Lexington, KY — Kentuckiana Farms has announced that world champion Art Official p,3,1:47 ($2,082,885), by Art Major-Naughty Shady Lady-Falcon Seelster, will stand the 2010 breeding season at Kentuckiana Farms of Pennsylvania, located at Walnridge Farm of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania.

Kentuckiana Farms will serve as Stallion Manager and, along with Dr. Rich Meirs, will manage his breeding career. Art Official retires to stud duty after a spectacular racing career as the fastest and richest son of the highly successful sire Art Major.

“We are very excited about this opportunity to work with Joe Muscara and his family to bring Art Official to Pennsylvania,” says Bob Brady, owner and General Manager of Kentuckiana Farms. “We are confident that Art Official will carry his athletic ability into his new career at stud. Not only did Art Official possess the extreme tactical speed inherent in most successful stallions, he provides a great opportunity for breeders in the lucrative Pennsylvania program. He is the perfect outcross stallion for the many Western Hanover mares and Western Hanover–line mares and is a great value relative to his competition. Art Official is a perfect fit for the market.”

Art Official retires to stud having earned his world champion status on both a half-mile and mile track and has career earnings of $2,082,085. Along with Somebeachsomewhere and Lis Mara, Art Official is one of only three horses in history to pace two winning miles in better that 1:48 (1:47 at 3 and 1:47.4 at 4). Throughout his career, Art Official paced 15 miles in under 1:50 and had 18 career wins at an average time of 1:50.4 — winning six in sub-1:50.

Art Official is owned by Joseph Muscara, who also owns the extremely successful sire Mach Three (sire of Somebeachsomewhere and Australasian star Auckland Reactor) and newly-retired stallion for 2010 Mister Big — Older Pacer of the Year in 2007 and 2008 ($4,087,257).

The 2010 service fee for Art Official will be $7,000.