Arkansas Derby (G1) winner Angel of Empire has been retired and will join the roster at Taylor Made Stallions for the upcoming breeding season. He will stand for $7,500 S&N. Breeders will have an opportunity to earn a lifetime breeding right to the earner of more than $1.4 million.
"Angel of Empire is an A-plus physical with a great mind to match," said his trainer Brad Cox. "He was one of the best 3-year-olds of his crop, danced every dance, and brought his 'A' game every time."
Racing for Albaugh Family Stables, Angel of Empire competed exclusively in stakes at 3. Under confident handling from jockey Flavien Prat in the $1.25 million Arkansas Derby in 2023 at Oaklawn Park, Angel of Empire swept into contention on the far turn of the 1 1/8-mile fixture. He gained command into the stretch and powered home to score by a romping 4 1/4 lengths, earning 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby (G1).
Angel of Empire entered the Arkansas Derby off a decisive win in the $400,000 Risen Star Stakes (G2) at Fair Grounds Race Course & Slots. In winning his graded stakes debut, Angel of Empire displayed gusto, charging between horses in the stretch to win the 1 1/8-mile test going away from subsequent Kentucky Derby runner-up Two Phil's .
On the strength of his Arkansas Derby and Risen Star victories, Angel of Empire was sent off as the favorite in the 149th running of the $3 million Kentucky Derby (G1) at Churchill Downs. In a game and determined effort on the first Saturday in May, Angel of Empire rallied strongly to finish a fast-closing third behind Mage and Two Phil's. He ran a career-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure in the Derby, a figure he equaled in the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) two starts later. Making what would be the final start of his career in the Jim Dandy, Angel of Empire finished a close third to 2022 champion 2-year-old male Forte and eventual grade 1 winner Saudi Crown in a troubled trip.
"We're very excited to stand Angel of Empire alongside our other stallion at Taylor Made, Not This Time," said Jason Loutsch of Albaugh Family Stables. "Similar to him and Thousand Words, another promising young sire we campaigned, Angel of Empire is a tremendous physical who excelled over the classic distances while still being a precocious 2-year-old. We will support him in the launch of his stallion career and are excited to get started."
While Angel of Empire, a son of 2016 champion 2-year-old male Classic Empire, thrived over a route of ground, he was precocious enough to break his maiden on debut in August of his 2-year-old season, winning a one-mile maiden special weight at Horseshoe Indianapolis. All told, Angel of Empire hit the board in seven of nine lifetime starts, banking $1,489,375.
"Angel of Empire is as good-looking of a first-year sire you will see this year, and in this commercial market, big and pretty sells," said Travis White, director of sales for Taylor Made Stallions. "An impressive debut winner at 2 who developed into a grade 1-winning 3-year-old and the favorite for the Kentucky Derby, Angel of Empire is a horse that will provide breeders real value with the opportunity for a significant return on their investment."
