Cogburn (Not This Time–In a Jif, by Saintly Look), who most recently won the GI Jaipur Stakes at Saratoga in North American-record time, will stand at WinStar Farm upon his retirement. The Central Kentucky nursery has entered a partnership with the ownership group of the 5-year-old, which includes Clark Brewster, William and Corinne Heiligbrodt and Lindy Farms, to acquire the breeding rights to Cogburn, his sire’s chief money spinner in 2024.
“There are not many times in life you get to stand the fastest horse in the world,” said Elliott Walden, president, CEO, and racing manager of WinStar Farm. “I was in awe of his performance in the Jaipur and his balance and conformation are spectacular. I think horses are fast if they breeze five furlongs in :59 and change. He ran 5 1/2 furlongs that fast.
“Being by up-and-coming stallion Not This Time and having graded level form on the dirt as well, I can’t be more excited,” Walden continued. “I want to thank Bill and Clark for the opportunity to acquire his standing rights along with Lindy Farm. Bill has a great 2-year-old program, and that will help lead to Cogburn’s future success as a stallion.”
Bred in Kentucky by Bellary Bloodstock and trained by Steve Asmussen, Cogburn exhibited plenty of talent on the main track to begin his career, winning three times from eight starts while finishing runner-up in the GIII Chick Lang Stakes and Bachelor Stakes as a 3-year-old. But he has stepped up to a different level with a switch to the turf, having tasted defeat just once in six appearances.
After taking out a pair of turf sprint stakes at Lone Star Park, the bay defeated future GI Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Nobals (Noble Mission {GB}) in last year’s GIII Troy S. over a rain-affected turf course at Saratoga last August. Highly impressive off the bench in the GII Turf Sprint Stakes on the Kentucky Derby undercard May 4, Cogburn was scintillating in the Jaipur, setting fractions of :21.33 and :43.07 before stopping the timer in :59.80. That broke the previous North American record of 1:00.21 set in 2019 and earned him a lofty 111 Beyer Speed Figure.
Cogburn has amassed a record of 8-2-0 from 14 starts and earnings to date of $1,237,730.
“I wanted a farm to stand him that I could do business with and support him with my program,” said Bill Heiligbrodt. “I have had many fast horses over the years, but Cogburn is as fast as anyone. I can’t wait to breed mares to him, and Clark and I stayed in to help launch his stud career.”
Added Lindy Farms’ Frank Antonacci: “We have had tremendous success with No Nay Never in Europe with Cogburn’s profile: Fast on dirt and fast on turf. I thought it was a great opportunity.”
A stud fee will be announced at a later date. Bradley Weisbord of BSW/Crow Bloodstock brokered the deal on behalf of the connections.
