On Friday, March 15, Blue Chip Farms announced that Hall of Fame pacing stallion will stand his final season in North America in 2024.
After much consideration, and in consultation with Blue Chip Farms’ veterinarian Dr. Herb Burns and Dr. Andrew Grierson from Woodlands Stud, the decision was made to make 2024 the last year Bettors Delight will serve shuttle between North America and New Zealand. He will remain in New Zealand thereafter, and Woodlands Stud will provide him a home for life.
"Bettors Delight has been a phenomenal stallion with sire earnings of almost a half billion dollars worldwide," said the farm in a release. "This year will mark his 23rd year at stud and he is still breeding a commercial book of mares. He has consistently performed in the breeding shed and, through his progeny on the track, earned a tremendous return for everybody involved. There has never been a stallion of his age of any breed to serve one commercial book, much less two, per year. But now at 26 years of age, it is time to give special thought to his future. He has given us his all and owes us nothing.
"With the mild climate, and the single season stallion duty, it is our hope Bettors Delight continues to age gracefully," the statement continued. "'The King' deserves to live out his life in comfort and dignity."
Bettors Delight stands in Ontario at Winbak Farm in association with Blue Chip Farms.
(with files from Blue Chip Farms)