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Aurelius Maximus Retired to Stud in Louisiana

The son of Pioneerof the Nile will stand for $2,000.

Aurelius Maximus

Aurelius Maximus

Courtesy Stonestreet Stables

Grade 2-placed Aurelius Maximus has been retired from racing and will enter stud in 2021 at Jay Adcock's Red River Farm in Coushatta, La., it was announced today. The deal was brokered by Andrew Cary of Cary Bloodstock.

The 5-year-old son of Pioneerof the Nile will stand in a partnership that includes Stonestreet Stables, George Bolton, and Peter Leidel, who raced the colt, with Nathan Granger.

"Aurelius Maximus is the most exciting horse to retire to Louisiana for many years," said Cary. "His combination of impeccable pedigree, gorgeous conformation, and top-class ability on the racetrack make him a very tantalizing prospect for breeders in the Southwest."

"We're very excited to get a horse of such talent and grit—not to mention his great looks. We're just as excited to partner with one of the premier ownership groups in the industry in Stonestreet Stables, Mr. Bolton, and Mr. Leidel," said Granger.

Aurelius Maximus showed top ability from the outset, breaking his maiden at Belmont Park by 7 3/4 lengths in his second career start. He was then fourth in the Champagne Stakes (G1) behind grade 1 winners Complexity  and Code of Honor. Sidelined afterwards, he returned with two dominant allowance victories at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots and Churchill Downs, including a win over future grade 1 winner Bodexpress . He was then beaten a neck by Mr Freeze  in the Hagyard Fayette Stakes (G2) at Keeneland after a difficult trip.

Aurelius Maximus was conditioned for his final four races by Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen who commented: "Aurelius Maximus was an amazing physical. He was super athletic and had tremendous heart. If his foals look like him, he'll make an outstanding sire."

"Aurelius Maximus is among the most talented horses we've ever had at Stonestreet," said Stonestreet Stables bloodstock adviser John Moynihan, who purchased Aurelius Maximus privately as a 2-year-old. "He had legitimate grade 1 ability, a ton of natural speed, and has an awesome physical to go with it."

Aurelius Maximus is one of seven winners produced by the grade 3 winner La Reina, who also produced grade 2 winner Chief Havoc (Giant's Causeway) and grade 3-placed Special Event (Arch). La Reina is a half sister to grade 1 winner and sire Brahms (Danzig) and to stakes winner Olympic (Danzig). This is the high-class female family of grade 1 winners Queena, Too Chic, Chic Shirine, Somali Lemonade, and Verrazano.

Aurelius Maximus will stand for $2,000 live foal, with consideration to approved mares.