Gainesway has acquired the breeding rights to multiple grade 1 winner Muth , the farm announced Oct. 28. The son of Good Magic will stand at the Lexington farm upon his retirement from racing.
Bred by Don Alberto, Muth was a $2 million 2-year-old purchase from Top Line Sales during the Ocala Breeders' Sales March 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale by agent Donato Lanni on behalf of Zedan Racing Stables. He is trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert.
Muth broke his maiden with a front-running, 8 3/4-length victory in his debut start at Santa Anita Park. He won the American Pharoah Stakes (G1) by 3 3/4 lengths in 1:42.45, the fastest time since American Pharoah won the race (formerly the Frontrunner Stakes) in 2014. Muth finished the season with a runner-up effort in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1).
Muth began his 3-year-old campaign right where he left off, winning the first three starts of the season. He was a 2 3/4-length winner in the San Vicente Stakes (G2) at Santa Anita before shipping to Oaklawn Park to win the Arkansas Derby (G1) by two lengths over a field that included future Kentucky Derby (G1) winner Mystik Dan. He followed his Arkansas Derby win with a victory in the Shared Belief Stakes by two lengths at Del Mar.
Muth is the only son of Good Magic to become a grade 1 winner at 2 and 3, replicating the accomplishment of his sire. He is out of the winning Uncle Mo mare Hoppa, who has also produced stakes-placed winner Claire's Charm (Violence ). His immediate family includes New Zealand 2012 champion 2-year-old filly Rollout the Carpet, group 1 winner War Command (War Front ), and graded/group stakes winners Wandering Star and Naval Officer.
Good Magic is the second-leading North American third-crop sire by progeny earnings, as of Oct. 28, and is co-ranked on top by number of graded stakes winners (five) with leading sire Justify and Oscar Performance . Good Magic and Justify also are tied by number of grade 1 winners this year with three apiece.
"The natural speed shown by Muth as a grade 1-winning 2-year-old and his ability to carry that speed to a grade 1 victory over 1 1/8 miles at 3 is very impressive," said Gainesway general manager Brian Graves. "Muth's looks are exactly what you would expect of a $2 million purchase by Bob and Donato."
Muth has compiled a 5-2-0 record from eight starts and earned nearly $1.58 million. He is being pointed toward a start in the Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile (G1).
A stud fee will be announced upon his retirement.
