Messier to stand at Rockridge Stud in 2025

Multiple graded stakes winner and Grade 1-placed Messier will take up stud duties in 2025 at Rockridge Stud in Hudson through a deal brokered by Matt Bowling of Bowling Bloodstock.

The 5-year-old son of Empire Maker out of the Smart Strike mare Checkered Past will stand for $5,000 LFSN and a limited number of shares are available.

The Sam-Son Farm homebred was purchased at the Fasig-Tipton Selected Yearling Showcase by Donato Lanni on behalf of SF Bloodstock, Madaket Stables and Starlight Racing for $470,000 – the highest-priced Empire Maker sold that year.

Second in his debut at 2, he broke his maiden in his second start in a maiden special weight, winning by 6 1/2 lengths. Messier’s next start was the Grade 3 Bob Hope, where he bested Forbidden Kingdom by 3 1/2 lengths, followed by a second-place finish in the Grade 2 Los Alamitos Futurity

Messier’s best race came in his 3-year-old debut – a resounding victory in the Grade 3 Robert B. Lewis by 15 lengths to earn a 103 Beyer. He secured his place in the Grade 1 Kentucky Derby with a second-place finish behind Taiba in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Derby. Messier returned to top form with a runner-up finish in this year’s Excelsior Stakes at Aqueduct in March, followed up a few weeks later with a win in the Grade 3 Westchester at the Belmont at the Big A meeting.

Messier retired with a record of 4-5-1 in 15 starts and earnings of $593,690.

“Messier was an exceptionally athletic colt with a very high cruising speed,” said SF Racing’s Tom Ryan. “He won graded stakes races at ages 2 and 3 and again at age 5. His performance in the Bob Lewis was outstanding, stopping the clock at 1:42.4 and winning by 15 lengths with a 103 Beyer. He is an exciting addition to the stallion ranks in New York.”

Messier joins Americanrevolution, Chewing Gum, Disco Partner, Mind Control, Slumber and War Dancer for the 2025 season at Rockridge Stud.

For more information, contact Erin Robinson (859) 421-7531.

Source URL: https://www.nytbreeders.org/news/2024/11/22/messier-to-stand-at-rockridge-stud-in-2025/

---