STALLION
OF THE WEEK
JULY 22
by James Scully
Cozzene still going strong at 24
COZZENE (Caro [Ire]) had his first graded winner of 2004 when
Star Over the Bay recorded a wire-to-wire score in Sunday’s
Sunset H. (G2) at Hollywood Park, and the 24-year-old stallion
also did very well this week in the sales ring, fetching the
second highest price of $825,000 during the Fasig-Tipton Kentucky
Yearling Sale for a son. Cozzene is the Stallion of the Week.
A tremendous race horse, Cozzene captured the 1985 Breeders’
Cup Mile (G1) and was named champion turf horse that season. He
was bred in Florida by owner Tartan Stables (John Nerud) and
earned $978,152 from a 24-10-5-5 line. The gray is out of the
unraced Prince John mare Ride the Trails, who is also the dam of
Busher H. winner and multiple Grade 1-placed Mochila (In Reality),
Del Mar Oaks (G2) heroine Movin’ Money (Dr. Fager) and stakes
queen Ivy Road (Dr. Fager).
Cozzene entered stud at Gainesway following his Breeders’ Cup
score and has sired 15 crops of racing age. His accomplishments
include four champions, 11 millionaires and 29 graded winners.
Many offspring share his affinity for the turf. Breeders’ Cup
Turf (G1) victor Tikkanen, Arlington Million (G1) winner Star of
Cozzene, multiple Japanese champion Admire Cozzene, Eclipse S. (Eng-G1)
winner Environment Friend, Grade 1 heroine Gaviola, multiple Grade 2
winner Maxzene and Canadian champions Cozzene’s Prince, Hasten to
Add and Santa Amelia are among Cozzene’s progeny who have
excelled on the grass.
However, his runners aren’t limited to the turf. Alphabet Soup
won six stakes over the main track before capturing the 1996
Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1). Running Stag began his career racing
on the grass in Europe but proved much better on dirt, winning
the Mass ‘Cap (G2), Brooklyn H. (G2) and Saratoga Breeders’ Cup H.
(G2) in America. Mizzen Mast was effective going long or short on
the main track, winning the seven-furlong Malibu S. (G1) and 1 1/8-mile
Strub S. (G2).
Cozzene was the leading sire in 1996. As a broodmare sire, his
daughters have produced multiple Grade 1 winner Toccet (Awesome
Again), Group 1 hero and sire Pivotal, Canadian champion
Chopinina and Grade 2 winner Megans Bluff.
Now 24, Cozzene stood for $60,000 live foal at Gainesway this
year. He had an 86 percent fertility rate and covered
approximately 55 mares