Centennial Farms' grade 1 winner and useful sire Wicked Strong has been pensioned and will live the rest of his days at the farm in Ipswich, Mass., the Little family announced Sept. 13.
Wicked Strong is a 13-year-old son of Hard Spun out of the winning Charismatic daughter Moyne Abbey. William Lynn bred the colt in Kentucky and then sold him through Three Chimneys Farms' consignment at the 2012 Keeneland September Yearling Sale for $375,000 to Centennial Farms.
Originally named Moyne Spun, Centennial renamed the colt in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing in April 2013. More meaningfully, the farm pledged to donate a percentage of his earnings to the One Fund, a charity set up to assist those who had been affected by the tragedy. The Little family said that pledge and the exciting ride Wicked Strong would eventually give the Centennial-run partnership group that owned him, would be one of the most rewarding Centennial has ever been involved in.
Wicked Strong joined trainer Jimmy Jerkens at Belmont Park in June 2013. He broke his maiden in his second career start by two lengths and in his next start finished third by less than a length in the 2013 Remsen Stakes (G2) behind Honor Code and Cairo Prince . The colt had a rough start to his 3-year-old campaign but regrouped by the early spring to capture the 2014 Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) by 3 1/2 lengths and went on to finish a respectable fourth in the Kentucky Derby (G1). He also finished fourth in the Belmont Stakes (G1) before winning the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2). Wicked Strong looked all the winner in the 2014 Travers Stakes (G1) but got pipped at the wire by a nose by a hard-charging V. E. Day. Centennial's star would not win another stakes but he placed in four more stakes, including a second in the 2015 Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1) and third in the 2015 Woodward Stakes (G1).
Wicked Strong retired with a 3-4-3 record from 19 starts and earned just shy of $2 million.
Throughout his racing career, Wicked Strong gained a loyal following from the Boston community that contributed to a sizable cheering section at Suffolk Downs for simulcasting whenever the colt ran. His performances raised more than $34,000 for the One Fund and generated more donations from the publicity surrounding the pledge. Centennial describes Wicked Strong as "unquestionably one of the most popular horses to carry Centennial's famed red and tan colors in the organization's 42-year history."
Wicked Strong retired to stud at Spendthrift Farm near Lexington in the fall of 2015, where he stood for five years and then was relocated to Dr. William Solomon's Pin Oak Lane Farm in New Freedom, Pa.
As a stallion, he sired 200 winners that were led by 2020 Remsen Stakes winner Brooklyn Strong and group 2 winner Wicked Crane. He sired five other black-type winners, including multiple Puerto Rico champion Wicked Runner.
Over the summer, the decision was made to pension Wicked Strong, who was gelded and returned to Spendthrift Farm. While other options were considered for his future, the Little family said nothing felt as right as bringing him back to its Massachusetts farm.
"We couldn't be happier to bring Wicked Strong home," said Don Little Jr. "He provided us with some of the greatest memories of our lives and we can't wait to spend the rest of his life spoiling him and thanking him … and maybe hopping aboard. Our thanks to everyone at Spendthrift Farm and Pin Oak Lane Farm for prioritizing his well-being over the years and for coordinating with us to give us this opportunity."
Spendthrift general manager Ned Toffey is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he also played football.
"Ned's ties to Massachusetts always made it feel particularly appropriate to have Wicked at Spendthrift and he was instrumental in this process," added Little.
Wicked Strong joins fellow former Centennial runners and stakes winners Mihos and Securitiz in the barn overseen by Holly Little, filling a stall formerly occupied by multiple graded stakes-placed Convocation, lost earlier this summer to laminitis.
"Convocation was a true character who we miss dearly. While he will never be replaced, it's hard not to see a bit of fate in the timing of everything. Caring for the 'Ipswich Gang,' has been my sweat, dedication, and commitment year-round, and I'm thrilled to welcome Wicked to the group," said Holly Little.
Wicked Strong will be allowed to settle in to his new home before any decisions will be made regarding hosting visitors.
Centennial Farms, owned by Don Little Jr., Peter Horvitz, and Margaret O'Meara, are fervent advocates for responsible aftercare, an ethos shared by the partners involved with each horse. Each partnership is set up with funding for a separate, interest-bearing aftercare account strictly for the use of any Centennial horse past or present who may need assistance or as a donation to a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance-accredited organization. Centennial also regularly supports a number of TAA-accredited organizations, including Old Friends, Racing For Home, ReRun, Second Stride, Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation, and Turning For Home.
