Lazarus, one of the greatest Standardbreds in the history of the Down Under racing scene, is on his way to North America.
According to an article by the Otago Daily Times, the career winner of $3.8 million in purses has been purchased by a North American syndicate. An article by the New Zealand Herald has identified the buyers as the Taylor brothers’ Taylor Made Stallions, which has mainly focused on Thoroughbred breeding and yearling preparation for the last three decades. Although both of the reports offer speculative numbers in terms of a purchase price, the specific financials behind the deal have not been announced.
Lazurus, who is expected to ship to North America on May 24, could compete in a few races over the Red Mile and at Pocono in the Breeders Crown, according to the New Zealand Herald. The five-year-old would have to be supplemented to the ‘Crown’ if he is to be pointed there.
The reports state that while it isn’t rare for North American stallions to shuttle back and forth between Down Under and home, it is rare to see a Down Under stud shuttling between the two broad venues. Details in regard to where Lazurus will stand have yet to be announced.
"He is a five-year-old and he is going to get every opportunity in the world to become a leading stallion,” co-owner Phil Kennard told the Otago Daily Times, adding that, "Although we were reluctant to see him sold, there is that part of it to see lots of little Lazaruses running around."
Lazarus, pictured winning the New Zealand Trotting Cup (Photo courtesy Photosport / NZ Herald)
Trained by Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen, Lazurus (Bettors Delight-Bethany) has won 35 of his 45 career starts and has also placed on nine occasions. The bulk of his $3.8 million in career earnings have come via wins in the New Zealand Cup (twice), Inter Dominion, Hunter Cup, Victoria Cup, Chariots of Fire, Messenger, Taylor Mile, New Zealand, Northern and Victoria Derbys, Harness Jewels (two-year-old), and in his sires stakes final (three-year-old).
"We were reluctant sellers,” Kennard said. “We really wanted him racing here to focus on his third (New Zealand) Cup (campaign) and let the harness racing New Zealand public see it.
"It is a major disappointment that we are not going to see that, but with what Mark (Purdon) was telling us with where the horse was at, we took his advice, and a couple of the parties were a little bit indifferent about carrying on and running the risk with him (next) season."
(With files from the Otago Daily Times and the New Zealand Herald)
This is such awesome news
This is such awesome news that I (and probably many fans) have been waiting to hear. This horse is such a monster. Watch his 2017 Interdominion race for an idea of what kind of champion we are going to have here. Something for the open ranks again to be excited about. There are a lot of very good and fast horses right now but not a standout great one. This horse should be that one. Even if you search his loss a couple months ago where they went 146:4 down under he was 3 wide most of the race and was still charging.
Such a monster.
I remeber a few months ago, there was a North American horse with the same name that won at Dover I believe, and it made the SC website and I clicked as I knew it couldn't have been this horse as he had just competed in that 46 mile.
Well now reality, I am sure there will be plenty of headlines now that he is coming. Can't wait for the summer racing.
All the best of luck to his connections