Spendthrift Farm’s Arabian Lion, Justify’s only Grade 1-winning son on dirt, sired his first reported foal this week when a filly was born Thursday at Jim and Pam Robinson’s Brandywine Farm in Paris, Ky.
Bred by Brandywine from one of their top families, the chestnut filly is out of the Street Boss mare Champagne Sparkle, a full sister to Grade 1 winner Danza and half to Grade 1-winning millionaire Majestic Harbor.
“We are thrilled. This is a strong foal with great bone, leg and substance,” said Pam Robinson. “A deep chestnut with a beautiful blaze. Correct and solid as a rock. We had to double check to be sure it was a filly and not a colt. She comes from a great family. Pretty special.”
Campaigned by Zedan Racing Stable, Arabian Lion broke his maiden on debut as a 2-year-old at Santa Anita, running six furlongs in 1:09.78.
As a 3-year-old, the chestnut colt stretched out around two turns to capture the Sir Barton Stakes on the Preakness undercard at Pimlico, earning a 103 Beyer Speed Figure, according to Daily Racing Form. In his next start he turned back to seven furlongs to score a breakout performance in the storied Woody Stephens (G1) on Belmont Stakes day, winning with a time of 1:21.70. His Beyer of 109 was the fastest by a Grade 1-winning 3-year-old in 2023.
Arabian Lion was retired to Spendthrift as Triple Crown winner Justify’s only Grade 1 winner at stud with earnings of $498,100.
Out of stakes-placed Distorted Humor mare Unbound, Arabian Lion hails from one of the Phipps’s top families as his third dam is the great race mare and producer Personal Ensign.
Arabian Lion proved to be one of the most popular first-season stallions in 2024, covering a full book of 178 mares. He is set to stand his second season for a fee of $20,000.
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