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Shackleford to stand at Darby Dan Shackleford, last year's Grade 1 Preakness Stakes winner, will stand stud at John Phillips' Darby Dan Farm in Lexington, Kentucky, following the 2012 racing season. The four-year-old multimillionaire is currently pointing for the Grade 1 Carter Handicap at Aqueduct on April 7, with the Breeders' Cup as a year-end goal before retiring to Darby Dan for 2013. "Shackleford possesses all of the qualities needed to be a top stallion, and we're delighted that he will start his much-anticipated stallion career at Darby Dan next season," Darby Dan general manager Robert Hammond said. "He's an impressive physical specimen from a great female family, and if you look at recent winners of the Preakness, no other American classic has produced more champions and successful stallions in the modern era than the Preakness." Trained by Dale Romans, Shackleford was the leading three-year-old money earner and an Eclipse Award finalist in 2012 after placing in the Grade 1 Florida Derby, Grade 1 Haskell Invitational, Grade 1 Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile and Grade 2 Indiana Derby. "Shackleford is a special horse," Romans said. "It's rare to find a horse with true sprinter speed that has the ability to carry that speed a classic distance and have the success he's had. My favorite thing about him is that he's tough as nails and a true pro. He was durable and genuine enough to dance all of the big dances last year and earn more money than any other three-year-old." Shackleford has earned $1,985,803 to date for owners and breeders Mike Lauffer and Bill Cubbedge. "We couldn't be more excited about Shackleford's future at stud after racing, and we feel like Darby Dan is a perfect fit," Lauffer said. "Darby Dan is a farm that is on the move, and John Phillips and his experienced team are doing a terrific job at building on the farm's great tradition of standing stallions. We look forward to supporting Shackleford with our own mares and at the sales throughout his stud career." By Grade 1 winner Forestry, Shackleford hails from the top producer Oatsee, by Unbridled, and is a half to Grade 1 winner Lady Joanne, multiple Grade 3 winner Baghdaria and the stakes-placed Stephanoatsee. Darby Dan will also be a minority owner in Shackleford for the remainder of his racing career. A stud fee will be announced upon retirement at the end of the season.
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