Mountain View Farm announced Aug. 15 that multiple grade 2 winner and grade 1 performer Imagination will enter stud at the Gansevoort, N.Y., farm for the 2027 breeding season. His introductory stud fee will be announced at a later date.
The accomplished son of leading sire Into Mischief is expected to run in the Sept. 27 Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2) followed by the Oct. 31 Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) before relocating to Mountain View Farm. He will stand as the property of a syndicate managed by Mountain View Farm.
Trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert, Imagination has established himself as one of the nation's top dirt performers, finishing on the board in 12 of 18 career starts and earning more than $2.2 million. In 2026, he has averaged nearly $319,000 in earnings per start for owners SF Racing, Starlight Racing, Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Bashor Racing, Robert Masterson, Waves Edge Capital, Catherine Donovan, and Tom Ryan.
Imagination captured the $2 million Riyadh Dirt Sprint (G2) Feb. 14 at King Abdulaziz Racecourse, rallying powerfully from near the back of the field to defeat an international group of elite sprinters. The victory earned him an automatic berth in the Breeders' Cup Sprint.
His résumé also includes victories in the 2024 San Felipe Stakes (G2) and the 2025 Santa Anita Sprint Championship. He finished second in the 2024 Santa Anita Derby (G1) and the 2025 Breeders' Cup Sprint, while also placing third in the 2024 Shared Belief Stakes.
"Imagination is the kind of horse who could easily stand at a leading farm in Kentucky," Mountain View Farm's David Cannizzo said.
"He has everything breeders look for: an exceptional pedigree, tremendous ability, versatility, durability, and elite performances against some of the best horses in the world. Bringing a horse of this caliber to Mountain View Farm gives New York breeders access to a truly national-level stallion while allowing them to take advantage of one of the strongest and most rewarding breeding incentive programs in the country. We believe he has the pedigree, race record, and commercial appeal to make an important impact on the New York breeding industry." Cannizzo added.
Bred in Kentucky by Peter E. Blum Thoroughbreds, Imagination is by perennial leading sire Into Mischief and out of the graded stakes-winning Empire Maker daughter Magical Feeling. He was purchased for $1.05 million by Donato Lanni, agent for SF Bloodstock, Starlight Racing, and Madaket Stables, out of Bridie Harrison's consignment at the 2022 Keeneland September Yearling Sale.
Magical Feeling is also the dam of 2023 Monmouth Oaks (G3) winner Occult and stakes winners Exulting and Magical. Imagination's female family includes grade 1 winners Golden Ticket and Well Chosen, giving him a deep and proven pedigree to complement his outstanding racing credentials.
Additional information regarding Imagination's syndicate, stud fee, and breeding opportunities will be announced following his arrival at Mountain View Farm.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
