Former O'Brien Award winner Artspeak has a new base of operations for 2025, one of three stallions headed to Canada's newest stud farm.
Winbak Farm has announced that Artspeak p, 2, 1:50.2; 3, 1:47.4 ($1,770,980), will stand at Kingsmen Equine in Milton, Prince Edward Island.
“We believe that Artspeak should be a great option for Maritime breeders,” said Pat Woods, Winbak Farm of Canada Manager. “We are excited to work with Kingsmen Equine, by having them stand Artspeak, and wish them the best of luck as they develop their breeding operation.”
Artspeak, a career winner of 14 races from 27 starts, was the O’Brien and Dan Patch Two-Year-Old Colt Pacer of the Year Award winner in 2014. He was the richest performer in his freshman division.
The son of Western Ideal out of The Art Museum won multiple Grand Circuit stakes that are now classified as Grade 1 and 2 stakes.
At two, Artspeak won the Metro Pace and Governor's Cup, divisions of the Nassagaweya Stakes and Bluegrass Stakes as well as a New Jersey Sire Stakes division and the final.
“Artspeak is still to date the best two-year-old I’ve sat behind,” said driver Scott Zeron. “He was easy to drive and very versatile.”
At three, Artspeak won the Tattersalls Pace, taking his lifetime mark of 1:47.4 at The Red Mile, as well as an elimination of the Breeders Crown (second in the final) and Max Hempt Memorial (second in final), division of the Simcoe Stakes and New Jersey Sire Stakes division and final.
Artspeak is the sire of 213 race winners, including 56 in 1:53 or faster. He is the sire of 63 winners of $100,000+ and averages $69,675 per starter.
He is the sire of Pennsylvania Fair Stakes winner Seth Hanover, p, 1:52h ($463,987), multiple Grand Circuit stakes and Ontario Sires Stakes Gold winner Magical Arthur, p, 3, 1:50.3s ($432,960), Blue Chip Matchmaker Series leg winner Intothemysticmoon, p, 1:50.3s -'23 ($388,102), and Pennsylvania Fair Stakes winner Bipbopnallie, p, 1:51f ($354,560).
“Artspeak is the perfect missing piece for the Maritime provinces,” said Ashley MacDonald, Kingsmen Equine Manager. “Not only does he have beautiful conformation and rocket-like acceleration, he has proven that his offspring can handle any size track.”
Artspeak will stand for $2,000 at Kingsmen Equine in Milton, P.E.I. The farm’s location is the former Meridian Farms. For more information, call 613-581-7292 or visit kingsmenequine.com.
“His ability to produce racehorses is a standout quality that breeders and trainers should take advantage of,” said MacDonald. “I am very excited and honoured to get such an opportunity and would like to thank team Winbak for the support and mentorship.”
In addition, Kingsmen Equine is also adding trotting stallion Marseille and pacing stallion Carlisimo to its roster for 2025.
Marseille, a son of Muscle Hill out of Order By Wish, is the 2019 Earl Beal Jr. Memorial champion and winner of $518,285 with a mark of 1:51.4 taken at The Meadowlands as a three-year-old. He will stand for a stud fee of $2,000.
Carlisimo is a multiple stakes winner in the Maritimes and Ontario with career earnings of $431,635 and a mark of 1:50 taken as a six-year-old at Pocono Downs. The Shadow Play-Putnam MacKenzie son will stand for a fee of $1,000.
(With files from Winbak Farm)