Pope McLean's Crestwood Farm announced Oct. 20 it has added multiple graded stakes winner Il Miracolo to its 2026 roster. The millionaire son of leading sire Gun Runner was bred in Kentucky by Willow Oaks Stable and campaigned by Alexandres Investments. Gun Runner is ranked third on the general leading sires list by earnings through Oct. 20, and is the sire of 11 career grade 1 winners, including three in 2025.
"We are excited to announce Il Miracolo at Crestwood Farm," McLean said. "Having a son of Gun Runner who was a precocious maiden winner at the age of 2 and went on to win graded stakes at the age of 3 and 4 shows the durability and the quality racehorse Il Miracolo was throughout his career. Il Miracolo displayed ability against some of the best of his generation, and he possesses a strong physical presence with size, substance, and presence that we believe will impress breeders."
Il Miracolo showed natural speed and talent breaking his maiden in front-running fashion going 1 mile at 2, winning a maiden special weight at Gulfstream Park by 5 1/2 lengths. At 3, Il Miracolo was a top-three finisher in five stakes, four graded stakes, including a victory in the 2023 Smarty Jones Stakes (G3). He followed that effort with a third place finish in the $1 million Pennsylvania Derby (G1). As a 4-year-old, Il Miracolo won or placed in four graded stakes, including a victory in the Ghostzapper Stakes (G3). He retires winning or placing in eight graded stakes races, with $1,137,135 in earnings from 23 starts. He is one of 15 millionaires sired by Gun Runner.
"Il Miracolo was a multiple graded stakes winner and an exceptional athlete who proudly represented us on the world stage in Dubai," trainer Antonio Sano said. "He was a remarkable horse in every way—talented, determined, and completely sound. Training him was a true privilege. He will always hold a special place in my career."
Il Miracolo is out of the graded-placed winner Tapit's World, a daughter of Tapit who is out of the grade 2 winner and multiple stakes producer Higher World (Peaks and Valleys). Tapit's World is a half sister to multiple graded-placed winner Conquest Curlinate (Curlin ), who ran a close second in the 2015 Peter Pan Stakes (G2).
Il Miracolo will stand for a fee of $7,500 live foal (payable stands and nurse).
