Breeders' Cup Classic (G1) winner Sierra Leone will race next year as a 4-year-old, Coolmore America announced in a social media post Nov. 7.
His owners—Peter Brant, Brook Smith, and Coolmore-affiliated interests—had taken the days after the Breeders' Cup Classic to assess and formally announce his future.
In addition to his effectiveness as a racehorse, which has earned him a 4-3-2 record in nine starts and earnings of $6,008,000, Sierra Leone holds immense value as a stallion prospect. He is an in-demand 3-year-old son of Gun Runner , one so well bred and striking that he sold at auction as a yearling for $2.3 million.
Coolmore wrote on X that "Sierra Leone arrived in Kentucky on Monday and is now enjoying some time off at Ashford Stud, where he will rest and recharge before returning to the track."
Coolmore thanked trainer Chad Brown and his entire team "for all their hard work and unwavering belief in 'Sierra,' particularly his work rider Kriss Bon, his groom Edgar Orantes Payeras, and Chad's assistant trainer Baldo Hernandez."
The farm indicated no definitive race plans for Sierra Leone have been established.
The owners of Sierra Leone are thrilled to announce that he will be racing as a 4-year-old. After a remarkable 3-year-old campaign, Sierra Leone arrived in Kentucky on Monday and is now enjoying some time off at Ashford Stud, where he will rest and recharge before returning to… pic.twitter.com/l2yaAQUZzH
— Coolmore America (@coolmoreamerica) November 7, 2024
Sierra Leone's return at age 4 means that the top two Breeders' Cup Classic finishers will return to race in 2025. Owner Mike Repole of Repole Stable previously announced that Classic runner-up Fierceness would race as a 4-year-old.
They are expected to be joined in action next year by Mystik Dan, who beat Sierra Leone and the Japanese-trained Forever Young in a photo finish in the Kentucky Derby (G1).
