Rich Strike , winner of the 2022 Kentucky Derby (G1), is settling in at his new home at Mountain Springs Farm in Eastern Pennsylvania where he will enter stud this year at $6,500.
The 6-year-old son of Keen Ice attracted a crowd of about 120 people Jan. 11 during an open house at the farm owned by Rich Miller, who is a member of the syndicate that now owns the stallion.
"According to the Pennsylvania Horse Breeders, we had one of the largest stallion shows they've ever had," said Miller. "We have people who didn't make the show who are specifically coming to see him over the next couple of days. He is a very nice, balanced horse, and I think there is some opportunity for him here in Pennsylvania."
The strength of the Pennsylvania-bred program, the racing opportunities throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, and the strength of Mountain Springs' stallion roster are the main reasons the ownership group focused on Mountain Springs near Palmyra, Pa., to launch Rich Strike's stud career.
"I think we have him at a price point where the everyday breeder involved in state-bred programs can get a piece of a Kentucky Derby winner," said Kevin Bitler, the owner of Finger Lakes Bloodstock who brokered the stallion deal. "I think he is going to fit in the Mid-Atlantic because people can take advantage of the PA-bred program but also send their horses to Delaware to be Delaware-certified or be Virginia-certified, too. I think he is going to be an exciting horse."
Bitler said unquestionably the other stallions on Mountain Springs' roster made it a top candidate to stand Rich Strike. The farm stands Enticed (Medaglia d'Oro ) and Uptowncharlybrown (Limehouse), the second- and third-leading active Pennsylvania sires, respectively, by 2024 Northern Hemisphere progeny earnings.
"You have Uptowncharlybrown, who in the last two years has generated nearly $2 million in stallion awards, and you have a horse like Enticed going from Kentucky to Pennsylvania, you want to be next to that type of horse," Bitler said.
Also entering stud this year at Mountain Springs is Alejandro, a winning son of Curlin out of Rachel's Valentina, the grade 1-winning daughter of 2009 Horse of the Year Rachel Alexandra. He is standing for $1,500.
Rich Strike retired with a 2-1-3 record from 14 starts and earned more than $2.5 million. Bred by Calumet Farm, the stallion is out of grade 3 winner and 2005 Canadian champion 3-year-old filly Gold Strike, a daughter of prominent broodmare sire Smart Strike. Gold Strike also is the dam of grade 2 winner Llanarmon (Sky Mesa ) and the granddam of grade 1-placed, multiple grade 3 winner Neecie Marie (Cross Traffic ).
