Spendthrift Farm's Taiba , Gun Runner 's only three-time grade 1-winning son to date, sired his first reported foal this week when a colt was born Jan. 6 at Castleton Lyons near Lexington.
Bred by Castleton Lyons and Kilboy Estate, the chestnut colt is out of the Exaggerator mare Wecallherqueenmary, whose dam is a full sister to the late leading sire Speightstown.
"He's a good foal, a lot of quality. He looks athletic and more like Taiba than the mare. Very good shoulder and hip, powerful forearm and a lot of bone. We're very happy with him," said Pat Hayes of Castleton Lyons.
Bred in Kentucky by Bruce Ryan, Taiba was a $1.7 million purchase by agent Gary Young on behalf of owner Zedan Racing Stables at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Florida Select 2-Year-Olds in Training Sale. Beginning his career at 3 with Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert, Taiba became a leading 3-year-old in 2022 and finished second in the Eclipse voting for champion 3-year-old male after dominant wins in the Santa Anita Derby (G1), Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and Malibu Stakes (G1). He was also runner-up in the Haskell Stakes (G1) and was third behind Horse of the Year Flightline in the Breeders' Cup Classic (G1).
Taiba, who retired to Spendthrift with earnings of $2,356,200, bred 200 mares in his first book in 2024. He is set to stand his second season in 2025 for a fee of $30,000.
This press release has been edited for content and style by BloodHorse Staff.
