from David James Bloodstock/Empire Stallions

Empire Stallions, one of Australia’s premier breeding establishments, has announced the addition of Kenneth J p,4,1:49.3f ($1,562,007) to its 2009-10 stallion lineup.

Kenneth J was an exceptional 2-year-old, winning seven stakes races from 11 starts, while earning $421,990. His most prestigious win at 2 was in a $93,000 International Stallion Stake division during Grand Circuit week in Lexington. Winning from post eight in 1:50.3, Kenneth J became the fastest winner in the 40-year history of this 2-year-old classic. He also won the coveted $150,000 New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions Final and was named the New York 2-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year.

Kenneth J accumulated eight stakes wins and six placings as a sophomore, while earning $936,137 at 3. His wins included the elimination and final for the $133,000 Empire Breeders Classic — both in track record times of 1:52.2f and 1:51f, respectively, over Tioga’s five-eighths-mile track. Kenneth J’s performance in the $478,000 Gold Rush Stake resulted in another track record, winning over Monticello’s half-mile oval in 1:52.1h. He captured three New York Sire Stakes over three different half-mile tracks, set two new track records and won his second straight $150,000 New York Sire Stakes Night of Champions Final. For his efforts, Kenneth J was voted New York’s top 3-Year-Old Pacing Colt as well as Horse of the Year.

Kenneth J returned at four to win multiple open and invitational events including a 1:49.3 victory at Harrah’s Chester — just one-fifth of a second off Jenna’s Beach Boy’s world record of 1:49.2 set in 1996. He retired at the end of the season with 18 wins from 49 lifetime starts, with earnings of more than $1.5 million.

Kenneth J’s service fee for the 2009-10 season has been established at A$4,000, including GST, and is Vicbred, Breeders Crown, Bathurst Gold Crown, NSW State Bred and Breeders Challenge eligible.