Graded Stakes Winner Fort Bragg to Stand in Louisiana

Graded stakes winner Fort Bragg, a 5-year-old son of multiple leading North American sire Tapit, will enter stud next year for a partnership at Robicheaux Ranch near Breaux Bridge, La. Bred in Kentucky by SF Bloodstock and Henry Field Bloodstock out of the Shanghai Bobby stakes winner March X Press, Fort Bragg was a highly regarded yearling who sold for $700,000 during the 2021 Fasig-Tipton Kentucky October Yearling Sale to SF Racing and Starlight Racing. He went on with trainers Bob Baffert and Tim Yakteen to win or place in four graded stakes for an ownership group that also included Madaket Stables, Stonestreet Stables, Jay Schoenfarber, Waves Edge Capital, and Catherine Donovan. Fort Bragg defeated future grade 1 winner Saudi Crown by a nose in the Dwyer Stakes (G3) and won the 6-furlong St. Matthew Overnight Stakes by 1 1/2 lengths at Churchill Downs in 1:08.04. He also ran second by a neck in the Pat Day Mile Stakes (G2) and was a close third to multiple grade 1 winner Dr. Schivel and future grade 1 winner Speed Boat Beach in the Santa Anita Sprint Championship Stakes (G2). He was retired with a 5-3-3 record from 17 starts and earned $596,915. A partnership, known as Round Potrero, acquired Fort Bragg privately after he was bought back on a final bid of $220,000 during this year's Keeneland November Horses of Racing Age session, where he was consigned by ELiTe. "Fort Bragg is a big, correct, and athletic horse that we always felt was one race away from getting a grade 1," said Round Potrero in a statement. "With a bit better luck, he'd be standing in Kentucky. We were very impressed with his win in the St. Matthews and his time in the Dwyer, going 6 furlongs with Saudi Crown in 1:08 at Belmont Park." Fort Bragg will be available to both Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse breeders. He will stand for $1,700 with a live foal stands and nurses guarantee for Thoroughbred mares and $700 plus Robicheaux's standard booking fee for Quarter Horse mares. "Louisiana has a strong regional program that we want to participate in," stated Round Potrero. "Good horses tend to attract attention from serious horsemen, regardless of the discipline. He is standing in a horsemen's market, one of the strongest pools of horsemen in the nation, and it is a regional program that is growing and focused on producing runners." Round Potrero is also offering a unique incentive by providing complimentary Thoroughbred seasons to breeders who are 35 or younger. "We really want to incentivize younger breeders to get involved and nurture the next generation of horse owners," stated Round Potrero. "We are doing partnerships with younger people who are new to the game and getting into both disciplines, Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse racing. Breeding is expensive and is a long process from foaling to weaning to breaking and training. We want to give them an opportunity at a quality stallion that could launch their breeding careers."