Cozzene

STALLION

OF THE WEEK

JULY 22

by James Scully

Cozzene still going strong at 24

COZZENE (Caro [Ire]) had his first graded winner of 2004 when

Star Over the Bay recorded a wire-to-wire score in Sunday's

Sunset H. (G2) at Hollywood Park, and the 24-year-old stallion

also did very well this week in the sales ring, fetching the

second highest price of $825,000 during the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky

Yearling Sale for a son. Cozzene is the Stallion of the Week.

A tremendous race horse, Cozzene captured the 1985 Breeders'

Cup Mile (G1) and was named champion turf horse that season. He

was bred in Florida by owner Tartan Stables (John Nerud) and

earned $978,152 from a 24-10-5-5 line. The gray is out of the

unraced Prince John mare Ride the Trails, who is also the dam of

Busher H. winner and multiple Grade 1-placed Mochila (In Reality),

Del Mar Oaks (G2) heroine Movin' Money (Dr. Fager) and stakes

queen Ivy Road (Dr. Fager).

Cozzene entered stud at Gainesway following his Breeders' Cup

score and has sired 15 crops of racing age. His accomplishments

include four champions, 11 millionaires and 29 graded winners.

Many offspring share his affinity for the turf. Breeders' Cup

Turf (G1) victor Tikkanen, Arlington Million (G1) winner Star of

Cozzene, multiple Japanese champion Admire Cozzene, Eclipse S. (Eng-G1)

winner Environment Friend, Grade 1 heroine Gaviola, multiple Grade 2

winner Maxzene and Canadian champions Cozzene's Prince, Hasten to

Add and Santa Amelia are among Cozzene's progeny who have

excelled on the grass.

However, his runners aren't limited to the turf. Alphabet Soup

won six stakes over the main track before capturing the 1996

Breeders' Cup Classic (G1). Running Stag began his career racing

on the grass in Europe but proved much better on dirt, winning

the Mass 'Cap (G2), Brooklyn H. (G2) and Saratoga Breeders' Cup H.

(G2) in America. Mizzen Mast was effective going long or short on

the main track, winning the seven-furlong Malibu S. (G1) and 1 1/8-mile

Strub S. (G2).

Cozzene was the leading sire in 1996. As a broodmare sire, his

daughters have produced multiple Grade 1 winner Toccet (Awesome

Again), Group 1 hero and sire Pivotal, Canadian champion

Chopinina and Grade 2 winner Megans Bluff.

Now 24, Cozzene stood for $60,000 live foal at Gainesway this

year. He had an 86 percent fertility rate and covered

approximately 55 mares