Photo:

Scott Serio / Eclipse Sportswire

Angel of Empire, winner of the Grade 1 Arkansas Derby in 2023, was retired and will join the roster at Taylor Made Stallions for the upcoming breeding season. The 4-year-old will stand for $7,500 standing and nursing. Breeders will have an opportunity to earn a lifetime breeding right to the earner of more than $1.4 million.

“Angel of Empire is an A+ physical with a great mind to match,” said his trainer Brad Cox. “He was one of the best 3-year-olds of his crop, danced every dance, and brought his A game every time.”

Racing for Albaugh Family Stables, Angel of Empire competed exclusively in stakes at 3. Under confident handling from jockey Flavien Prat in the $1,250,000 Arkansas Derby at Oaklawn, Angel of Empire swept into contention on the far turn of the 1 1/8-mile fixture. He gained command into the stretch and powered home to score by 4 1/4 lengths, earning 100 qualifying points for the Kentucky Derby.

Angel of Empire entered the Arkansas Derby off a decisive win in the Risen Star (G2) at Fair Grounds. In winning his graded-stakes debut, Angel of Empire displayed gusto, charging between horses in the stretch to win the 1 1/8-mile test going away from subsequent Kentucky Derby runner-up Two Phil’s.

On the strength of his Arkansas Derby and Risen Star victories, Angel of Empire was sent off as the favorite in the 2023 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Angel of Empire rallied strongly to finish a fast-closing third behind Mage and Two Phil’s while gaining on the leaders with every stride. He ran a career-best 104 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form in the Derby, a figure he equaled in the Jim Dandy (G2) two starts later. That was Angel of Empire’s final career start, and he finished a close third to Grade 1 winners Forte and Saudi Crown in a troubled trip.

“We’re very excited to stand Angel of Empire alongside our other stallion at Taylor Made, Not This Time,” said Jason Loutsch of Albaugh Family Stables. “Similar to him and Thousand Words, another promising young sire we campaigned, Angel of Empire is a tremendous physical who excelled over the classic distances while still being a precocious 2-year-old. We will support him in the launch of his stallion career and are excited to get started.”

In addition to his accomplished sophomore season, Angel of Empire, a son of champion Classic Empire, was precocious and versatile. Although he thrived over a route of ground, he broke his maiden on debut as a 2-year-old, winning a one-mile maiden special weight. All told, Angel of Empire hit the board in 7-of-9 lifetime starts, banking $1,489,375.

“Angel of Empire is as good-looking of a first-year sire you will see this year, and in this commercial market, big and pretty sells,” said Travis White, director of sales for Taylor Made Stallions. “An impressive debut winner at 2 who developed into a Grade 1-winning 3-year-old and the favorite for the Kentucky Derby, Angel of Empire is a horse that will provide breeders real value with the opportunity for a significant return on their investment.”