Record-setter Cogburn will stand at WinStar after retiring

WinStar Farm has entered a partnership with Clark Brewster, William and Corrine Heiligbrodt and Lindy Farms to acquire the breeding rights to Grade 1 winner and North American record-setter Cogburn, who will stand at WinStar upon his retirement from racing. The 5-year-old son of leading stallion Not This Time is his sire’s chief earner this year.

Cogburn was an electrifying winner of the Grade 1 Jaipur during the Belmont Stakes racing festival at Saratoga on June 8, where he set a North American record for 5 1/2 furlongs on turf.

In the Jaipur, a win-and-you’re-in for the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint, Cogburn smashed the 5 1/2-furlong record over Saratoga’s turf course. He vied for the early lead down the backstretch, getting an opening quarter in 21.33 seconds. After a half-mile split of 43.07, Cogburn flew home to prevail by 3 1/2 lengths after leading at every point of call. His final time of 59.80 seconds easily eclipsed the previous North American record of 1:00.21 set in 2019. The sparkling effort earned him a 111 Beyer Speed Figure from Daily Racing Form.

“There are not many times in life you get to stand the fastest horse in the world,” said Elliott Walden, president, CEO and racing manager of WinStar Farm. “I was in awe of his performance in the Jaipur, and his balance and conformation are spectacular. I think horses are fast if they breeze five furlongs in 59 and change. He ran 5 1/2 furlongs that fast. Being by up-and-coming stallion Not This Time and having graded-level form on the dirt as well, I can’t be more excited. I want to thank Bill and Clark for the opportunity to acquire his standing rights along with Lindy Farm. Bill has a great 2-year-old program, and that will help lead to Cogburn’s future success as a stallion.”

Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen said of Cogburn’s accomplishment in the Jaipur, “I’ve had some of the fastest horses in the world, some of the fastest horses of all time, and he’s still the first one I’ve ever had run 5 1/2 furlongs in under a minute.”

Cogburn entered the Jaipur off an impressive victory in the Turf Sprint (G2) at Churchill Downs on May 4, where he recorded a 102 Beyer for a similar front-running win. He also won last year’s Troy (G3) at Saratoga.

“I wanted a farm to stand him that I could do business with and support him with my program,” said Bill Heiligbrodt. “I have had many fast horses over the years, but Cogburn is as fast as anyone. I can’t wait to breed mares to him, and Clark and I stayed in to help launch his stud career.”

Cogburn has proven his ability on dirt, turf and synthetic. He sold as a 2-year-old to Brewster for $150,000 out of the 2021 OBS spring sale after breezing a quarter-mile over the synthetic surface in 20 3/5 seconds, the fastest time by a colt at that distance in the sale’s under-tack preview.

In addition to his graded-stakes victories on turf, Cogburn finished a close second in the 2022 Chick Lang (G3) on dirt at Pimlico after setting all the pace in that six-furlong fixture. A precocious juvenile, Cogburn broke his maiden at Churchill Downs in his second start, winning in front-running fashion by 4 1/4 lengths in 1:09.79 for six furlongs.

“We have had tremendous success with No Nay Never in Europe with Cogburn’s profile, fast on dirt and fast on turf,” said Frank Antonacci of Lindy Farms. “I thought it was a great opportunity.”

For his career, Cogburn has won eight of 14 starts and has amassed earnings of $1,237,730. Bred in Kentucky by Bellary Bloodstock, Cogburn is produced from the stakes-winning Saintly Look mare In a Jif, who is the dam of three winners from as many starters. Cogburn’s prolific sire, Not This Time, a son of Giant’s Causeway and a half-brother to Liam’s Map, stands for $150,000. A top 10 general sire in 2023, Not This Time is represented by Eclipse Award winners Epicenter, champion 3-year-old colt of 2022, and Up to the Mark, champion turf male of 2023.

A stud fee for Cogburn will be announced at a later date.