In a move that goes against the grain of the North American harness racing industry, the connections of Father Patrick have decided to both breed and race the trotting superstar in 2015.

Marvin Katz, one of the colt's co-owners, confirmed the news on Wednesday morning. The consensus decision was reached by the connections on Tuesday, taking into consideration the rule imposed by racetrack owner Jeff Gural that required stallions race at four before having offspring eligible to some of harness racing's most lucrative events.

"It was the consensus of the group that we wanted to attempt a different approach than had been experienced with Captainteacherous," Katz told Trot Insider. "It's certainly a model that's been used in Europe, and (trainer) Jimmy Takter's familiar with that.

"We carefully considered all the options and it seemed to be the most viable approach: to breed in a limited fashion and continue to bring back to race to fulfill the requirements of the rule."

Katz told Trot Insider that the breeding book to Father Patrick would be limited to around 60 mares, and that many of those mares would be ones owned by Father Patrick Stable's owners. Thus, a limited amount of breedings would be commercially available. Katz noted that the colt's breeding base would be Diamond Creek Farm's Pennsylvania location in Wellsville, PA. A stud fee has yet to be determined.

Father Patrick (Cantab Hall - Gala Dream) leads North America in earnings with $1.47 million and boasts 11 wins and three seconds from his 15 seasonal starts. Lifetime, his resume boasts 21 wins and four seconds from 26 starts and more than $2.2 million banked.

He will look to pad those totals on Thursday in the Matron Stakes at Dover Downs. Father Patrick is harness racing's fastest three-year-old ever on a five-eighths mile track by virtue of his 1:50.2 world record at Mohegan Sun Pocono earlier this year.