Aloha West to Stand at Mill Ridge Farm in 2023

Mill Ridge Farm will welcome a new stallion prospect for 2023 in 2021 Qatar Racing Breeders' Cup Sprint (G1) winner Aloha West. Owned by Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners and trained by Wayne Catalano, Aloha West is preparing to defend that victory in this year's edition of the Sprint Nov. 5 at Keeneland. From the Fappiano family, Aloha West is a 5-year-old son of Hard Spun—Island Bound, by Speightstown. Island Bound won the 2012 Winning Colors Stakes (G3), a six-furlong sprint at Churchill Downs. Mill Ridge notes that Aloha West resembles this side of his family with the speed of Speightstown and his physical quality and presence. Also, the granddam is a daughter of A.P. Indy, and this provides a wonderful pedigree blend of Danzig through Hard Spun, Gone West through Speightstown, and A.P. Indy—three of the most influential sire lines today. "We are so excited to announce Aloha West as our next Mill Ridge stallion," said Mill Ridge general manager Price Bell. "With his will to win, pedigree blend, and outstanding physical presence, we believe breeders will be drawn to him. We think he has an opportunity to contribute to our breed." Initially owned by Gary West and trained by Bob Baffert, Aloha West's early training suggested he might be one of Baffert's best 2-year-olds. Unfortunately, he was injured prior to his first start. After winning his career debut at 4 at Oaklawn Park and finishing fifth in an allowance for the Wests and trainer Wayne Catalano, Aloha West was sold privately to Eclipse Thoroughbred Partners. Aloha West went on to make seven more starts in 2021 capped by his Breeders' Cup Sprint victory over Dr. Schivel with champion sprinter Jackie's Warrior checking in sixth. This history of brilliance resembles that shown by Speightstown, who at age 6 won the Breeders' Cup Sprint. With the speed Aloha West demonstrated winning the Breeders' Cup Sprint, and influence from Speightstown and the Fappiano family, as well as his physical good looks, Mill Ridge expects he will be attractive to commercial breeders. Mill Ridge notes that it waited a long time after champion sires Diesis and Gone West to welcome 2003 John Deere Breeders' Cup Turf (G1T) winner Johar. The farm currently stands 2016 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf (G1T) winner Oscar Performance. Mill Ridge noted that to stand another Breeders' Cup winner in Aloha West is a great addition to the farm. He will be located in the Gone West stallion barn and paddock. Mill Ridge did not specify a stud fee for Aloha West in its Oct. 28 announcement. Many farms await results from Breeders' Cup participants before finalizing fees.