Dubai World Cup Winner Hit Show to Stud at Lane's End

Group 1 winner Hit Show will enter stud at Lane's End Farm for the 2027 season and stand for $10,000, the farm announced Nov. 6. A graded stakes winner at 3-6, the son of prominent Candy Ride (ARG) made his biggest impact when he stepped onto the global stage at 5 and led an American-trained 1-2 in the 2025 Dubai World Cup (G1), winning by a half-length over Mixto and leaving top international runner Forever Young (JPN) in third. The talented field of international runners, included nine graded stakes winners, five of which are grade/group 1 winners such as Walk of Stars (GB), Ushba Tesoro (JPN), and Rattle N Roll. Hit Show became the 20th grade 1 winner for Candy Ride, who continues to grow his reputation as a sire of sires thorough Gun Runner, Vekoma, and Twirling Candy. "He has been all class throughout his entire career. I'm just very proud of Hit Show and his consistency. And to win the Dubai World Cup in the fashion he did was special," said trainer Brad Cox. Bred and originally campaigned by Gary and Mary West, Hit Show debuted at 2 winning a Keeneland maiden special weight by 5 1/4 lengths. He then started his 3-year-old season with a 5 1/2-length win in the Withers Stakes (G3) and followed with a second in the Wood Memorial Stakes (G2), missing by just a nose. He went on to finish a respectable fifth in the Kentucky Derby (G1). At 4, Hit Show strung together a series of graded stakes victories at three different tracks, beginning with a win in the West Virginia Governor's Stakes (G3). He was then acquired by Wathnan Racing prior to his next start in the Lukas Classic Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs, which he won and earned a 100 Beyer Speed Figure and 110 Equibase Speed Figure. Hit Show's third consecutive graded stakes victory of 2024 came in the Fayette Stakes (G2) at Keeneland. Following his Dubai World Cup win, Hit Show returned to the United States and scored a repeat win in the Fayette Stakes in 2025. His résumé also includes victories in the 2025 Louisiana Stakes (G3). and the Feb. 14 Mineshaft Stakes (G3). "Winning the grade 1 Dubai World Cup on the international stage in the old gold and peacock blue was a very proud moment for Wathnan Racing. But what defined Hit Show was his toughness, consistency over the years and his soundness," said Case Clay, U.S. racing manager for Wathnan Racing. "He won 12 races and over $9.5 million, including eight graded stakes. We're excited to see him pass along these important traits to his offspring." Hit Show retires with 12 wins (eight in graded/group stakes), four triple-digit Beyers, seven wins with triple-digit ESFs, and lifetime earnings of $9,566,058 from 29 starts. Hit Show is out of 2017 Black-Eyed Susan Stakes (G2) winner and multiple graded stakes-placed Actress (Tapit). A homebred for the Wests, Actress is a daughter of 2009 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Milwaukee Appeal, who won the Woodbine Oaks, ran third in the Queen's Plate Stakes, and was second in the Prince of Wales Stakes in 2009. In the U.S., Milwaukee Appeal ran second in the 2009 Alabama Stakes (G1) and 2010 Spinster Stakes (G1). "There is no doubt that Candy Ride has been a breed-shaping stallion for this industry and has left an indelible mark with multiple successful sons at stud, including our own Twirling Candy," said Lane's End president Bill Farish. "The opportunity to bring another son of Candy Ride here to Lane's End to continue that legacy is very exciting."