Girvin Relocated to Airdrie Stud

Top five North American freshman sire Girvin will be relocated to Airdrie Stud for the 2023 breeding season after starting his stud career at the O'Farrell family's Ocala Stud. Airdrie is a partner in the 8-year-old son of Tale of Ekati with Brad and Misty Grady's Grand Oaks Farm, which raced the grade 1 winner; and with Ocala Stud. Girvin has sired 12 winners from his first 23 starters, which include Saratoga Special Stakes (G2) winner Damon's Mound and Devious Dame, who won the Astoria Stakes by 5 1/4 lengths. "We had great belief in Girvin's potential as a stallion, but just as importantly, we knew that every partner was going to be pulling in the same direction to give him the greatest possible chance," said Airdrie's Bret Jones. "Ocala Stud has done a fantastic job both supporting and promoting the horse and the commitment that Brad has made has been extraordinary. He deserves every bit of good luck that comes his way. As for Girvin, he's been tipping his hand since his first foals hit the ground. He throws beautiful babies, had a monster juvenile sales season, and I think his 2-year-olds have been as impressive on the track as any first-season stallion in America. He's giving every indication that he can be a big-time Kentucky stallion, and we couldn't be more excited about him." Girvin's number of black-type stakes winners to date trails only Ashford Stud's Justify, and Girvin is one of four freshman sires—along with Bolt d'Oro, Good Magic, and Justify—to be represented by a graded stakes winner. His success on the track follows a strong juvenile sales season, when 40 of his 43 offerings sold for an average of nearly $92,000, which is more than 12 times his $7,500 introductory fee his first year at stud. Bred in Kentucky by Bob Austin and John Witte, Girvin raced for trainer Joe Sharp throughout a career highlighted by wins in the betfair.com Haskell Invitational Stakes (G1), Twinspires.com Louisiana Derby (G2), and Risen Star Stakes (G2). He was retired to Ocala Stud with a 4-3-0 record from 10 starts and earnings of $1,624,392. West Bloodstock brokered the partnership for his stallion career. "When Bobby Dodd and I first bought Girvin, he was a beautiful, strong colt, that looked fast," said Brad Grady. "As a yearling, Mr. Beau Lane told Bobby and I that we had a serious horse and explained his depth of pedigree in a way that two rednecks could understand. Bobby was always high on Girvin and gave him the accolades of a freak. He had a minor setback as a 2-year-old that kept us from pinhooking him. We had the chance to race him, and he took us on the ride of a lifetime that we will never forget. "It was a very easy decision to support him for both Misty and I, and when we got a glimpse of his first foals, we knew we did the right thing for him and us. He has more than blessed our family. We are grateful to Airdrie Stud and Ocala Stud for supporting Girvin, and giving him the best possible chance for success." Girvin is out of the Malibu Moon daughter Catch the Moon, making him a half brother to multiple grade 1-placed, graded stakes winner, and multi-millionaire Midnight Bourbon, and graded stakes winners Cocked and Loaded and Pirate's Punch. Girvin is at Airdrie and available for viewing.