Winbak Farm of New York is proud to announce that 2019 Canadian Pacing Derby Final Winner and Commodore Barry Invitational Winner, Courtly Choice, p, 2, 1:53.1h; 3, 1:47.1 -'18 ($1,342,254), will be the newest addition to its impressive 2020 lineup.
Courtly Choice will be retired after racing in the TVG Final on Saturday at The Meadowlands.
“Winbak Farm is excited to add Courtly Choice to the 2020 roster,” said Noelle Duspiva, Winbak Farm New York manager. “Courtly Choice has the pedigree and performance needed to produce top stakes winners.”
Courtly Choice has a Hall of Fame pedigree. He is the son of 2019 Hall of Fame Inductee, Art Major. His dam, Lady Ashlee Ann, was inducted in the Living Hall of Fame for her prodigy, before ‘Courtly’ was born. He is a half-brother to Betterthancheddar, p, 2, Q1:55.3s; 3, 1:49.1s; 1:48f ($1,635,364), Ashlee’s Big Guy, p, 2, 1:53; 3, 1:51.2; 1:50.4f ($978,168), and Artists View, p, 2, Q1:55; 3, 1:50.4; 1:49.4 ($795,750).
“Courtly Choice’s half-brother, Betterthancheddar, has proven himself a quality stallion in 2 countries and now Courtly Choice will have the chance to add the family legacy,” said Duspiva.
After briefly thinking about retiring Courtly Choice after his three-year-old season, his owners decided to have him return to the races at 4. At 4, Courtly Choice went toe to toe with the best open pacers and won the 2019 Canadian Pacing Derby, 2019 Commodore Barry Invitational and a division of the Graduate series.
“Courtly Choice returning to the races at 4 proved that he could compete against the best of the best pacers in North America,” said Blake Macintosh, trainer. “He was also able to join the exclusive Millionaires club and paced in 1:51 or faster 17 times.”
At age three, Courtly Choice won the Empire Breeders Classic elimination and final, Little Brown Jug final, Max Hempt Memorial consolation, Meadowlands Pace elimination and final, North America Cup consolation, and two New York Sire Stakes legs. He was second in one of the Little Brown Jug eliminations.
“Courtly Choice was all heart when he won the Little Brown Jug final in 1:49.4,” said Blake MacIntosh. “In fact, his win made the headlines as a ‘rally for the ages.’ He showed consistent speed and was a pleasure to train. I look forward to his future crop and I know that his heart will pass on to his offspring.”
In the Little Brown Jug final, Courtly Choice proved he was the top three-year-old pacing colt, as he defeated Dorsoduro Hanover, Lather Up, Hayden Hanover, This Is The Plan and Done Well.
Courtly Choice set the three-year-old colt track record at Tioga Downs when he won the Empire Breeders Classic final in 1:48.3.
When Courtly Choice won the Meadowlands Pace final in 1:47.1, he beat Dorsoduro Hanover, Stay Hungry, Thinkbig Dreambig and Nutcracker Sweet.
At age two, Courtly Choice equaled the Saratoga track record for two-year-old colt pacers when he won a New York Sire Stakes leg in 1:53.1h. He also won the New York Sire Stakes consolation.
“Courtly Choice is a very handsome individual with a maternal family that is proven to produce productive stallions,” said Garrett Bell, Winbak Farm General Manager. “We plan on booking some of our best mares to him this season.”
Courtly Choice will stand at Winbak Farm of New York for $6,000. For more information call 845.778.5421 or visit winbakfarm.com.
Breeding shares are available. For syndicate information, contact Garrett Bell, Winbak Farm General Manager, at 410-885-3059 or by email at Garrett.Bell@winbakfarm.com.