WinStar Partners on Cogburn Breeding Rights

WinStar Farm has entered a partnership with Clark Brewster, Bill and Corinne 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 farm announced July 10. 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 $500,000 Jaipur Stakes (G1T) during the Belmont Stakes Racing Festival at Saratoga Race Course June 8, where he set a North American record for 5 1/2 furlongs on turf. In the Jaipur, a Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In qualifier for the $1 million Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint (G1T), Cogburn ran a :21.33 opening quarter and :43.07 half-mile. Leading at every point of call, he won by 3 1/2 lengths in :59.80 and eclipsed the previous North American record of 1:00.21 set in 2019. His performance produced a 115 Equibase Speed Figure.

“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.”

The breeding rights deal was brokered by Bradley Weisbord of BSW/Crow Bloodstock. 

Racing 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 May 4 in the $600,000 Twin Spires Turf Sprint Stakes (G2T) at Churchill Downs, where he recorded a 106 ESF in a similar front-running win. He also won last year’s Troy Stakes (G3T) 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. Brewster bought him for $150,000 at the 2021 Ocala Breeders’ Spring Sale of 2-Year-Olds in Training, where he breezed a quarter-mile over a synthetic surface in :20 3/5, the co-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 Stakes (G3) on dirt at Pimlico Race Course after setting all the pace in that six-furlong fixture. A precocious juvenile, Cogburn broke his maiden on Churchill Downs’ main track 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.”

To date, Cogburn has won eight of 14 starts and has amassed earnings of $1,237,730. Bellary Bloodstock bred Cogburn in Kentucky out of the Saintly Look stakes winner In a Jif , who is the dam of three winners from as many starters. Not This Time is a son of Giant’s Causeway and a half brother to Liam’s Map   who stands at Taylor Made Stallions for $150,000. Among the top 10 general leading sires of 2023, Not This Time has sired Eclipse Award winners Epicenter  , champion 3-year-old colt of 2022, and Up to the Mark  , the champion turf male of 2023.