The connections of two-time O'Brien Award winner Tattoo Artist have announced that the stallion will have a new home for the 2025 breeding season.

Winbak Farm of Canada and the Tattoo Artist Syndicate announced on Monday, Oct. 7 that Tattoo Artist, p, 2, 1:52s; 3, 1:48.2s; 1:47.1s ($3,272,258) will be standing in Ontario next year.

“Tattoo Artist always gave it his all and he didn’t have to be prompted,” said owner Eric Cherry. “He knew what to do and didn’t need any special kind of trip because he always knew where the wire was.”

Tattoo Artist won 40 of his 96 starts and finished second 19 times. He won on every size track (half-mile, five-eighths of a mile, seven-eighths of a mile and mile) while setting many track and stakes records.

“He gave us so many thrills, but probably the biggest was the victory over a stellar field in the Canadian Pacing Derby,” said Cherry. “He came first-over from seventh and paced his back half in :52.1 to get up to win -- it still gives me goosebumps.”

Tattoo Artist is out of Breeders Crown winner Stylish Artist, p, 2, 1:52.4f; 3, 1:51 ($940,022), and his half-sister Shabby Chic, p, 2, 1:55.2h; 3, 1:54.1h ($233,650), was Delaware Filly of the Year. He is also from the same maternal line as Idyllic, p, 2, 1:51s; 3, 1:50f ($1,313,241), and[EW1]  Idyllic Beach, p, 2, 1:50.3s ($$1,252,272). He is the fastest and richest son of his sire, Hes Watching, p, 2, 1:50f; 3, 1:46.4 ($$1,129,215). 

While racing, he paced his last quarter in :25.4 or faster 10 times. He won O’Brien Awards as the 2020 Three-Year-Old Pacing Colt of the Year and 2023 Older Pacing Horse of the Year.

At two, he won two Ontario Sires Stakes Gold legs and the Super Final. At three, Tattoo Artist won five Ontario Sires Stakes Gold legs and a Simcoe Stakes division. He finished second in the North America Cup to Tall Dark Stranger.  Additional victories that highlighted his career include winning the Breeders Crown elimination, Canadian Pacing Derby elimination and final, Dayton Pacing Derby, Joe Gerrity Jr. Memorial and Jim Ewart Memorial.

“Tattoo Artist is a handsome individual who had many jaw-dropping victories in his career,” said Pat Woods, Winbak Farm of Canada Manager. “He will be a great option for many Ontario breeders.”

Tattoo Artist’s first crop will foal in 2025. The seven-year-old stallion stood his first season in New Jersey in 2024.

“We look forward to working with Tattoo Artist and hand-selecting some of our best mares to breed to him,” said Jack Burke, Winbak Farm General Manager. 

Tattoo Artist will stand for $7,500. 

If breeders have any questions, call Winbak Farm of Canada at 905-838-2145 or email [email protected].

(With files from Winbak Farms)