Winner of 11 Stakes – Three of Them Grade 1 – And a GSW Each Year He Raced
Displayed Class, Speed and Soundness En Route to Banking $2,185,834
Ocala, FL / December 21, 2022 – Red Oak Stable (Stephen P. Brunetti) and Madaket Stable’s (Sol Kumin) Mind Control, winner of the Grade 1 $750,000 Cigar Mile at Aqueduct in New York on December 3rd in the final start of his career, will stand stallion duty at Rockridge Stud in New York under the management of Irish Hill Farm, Dutchess Views Stallions, and Rockridge Stud.
The son of multiple Grade 1 winner Stay Thirsty, out of the stakes winning mare Feel That Fire, will stand his initial season for $8,500 live foal, stands, and nurses. Mind Control enters the New York stallion ranks as one of the most accomplished race horses to stand stud in the state in recent history. Mind Control won the Hopeful Stakes (G1) as a 2YO and the H. Allen Jerkens (G1) as a 3YO at Saratoga. He finished his career in grand fashion winning the prestigious Cigar Mile (G1).
“We are excited and looking forward to standing Mind Control at Rockridge Stud,” said Red Oak Stable racing manager Rick Sacco. “There was considerable interest from stud farms in the U.S., Japan and the Middle East, but given that his three Grade 1 victories were on the NYRA circuit, we believe Rockridge Stud in the state of New York is the perfect place for Mind Control to begin his stallion career.
“Ultimately, Stephen Brunetti wanted the horse to stand in the U.S. Sol Kumin agreed, a deal was struck with Rockridge Stud, Irish Hill Farm, and Dutchess Views Stallions, and a partnership was formed,” said Sacco.
Mind Control will serve stallion duty as the property of Rockridge Stud, Irish Hill Farm, Dutchess Views Stallions, Hidden Lake Farm, and Waldorf Farm as well as Red Oak Stable and Madaket Stable.
“This is a significant development for Rockridge Stud, Irish Hill Farm, Dutchess Views Stallions, and for the breeding industry in New York,” added owner/operator Lere Visagie. “Getting this group of partners together to support Mind Control gives us a phenomenal opportunity to make him the most successful stallion to ever stand in the state.”
“I’m extremely proud of everything Mind Control accomplished on the race track,” said Brunetti. “I’ve been breeding horses for 25 years and he’s the best one I’ve ever bred. From a breeding perspective, Mind Control has excellent conformation and size. He displayed fierce courage, he hails from a strong and active female family, and he won Grade 1 races from seven furlongs to one mile.”
“He’s a warrior! There aren’t a lot like him and they are a lot of fun,” Kumin told Bloodhorse. Mind Control has won eight graded stakes races since Kumin purchased a one-third share of him after his maiden special weight win as a two-year-old for Madaket Stable, which includes New York Mets owner Steve Cohen. “He’s been an amazing horse to be a part of. He’s such a cool horse. He’ll be missed,” said Kumin.
Mind Control recorded victories in five of his final nine career starts beginning with his tally in Belmont Park’s $250,000 John A. Nerud Stakes (G2) at seven furlongs on July 4, 2021 and culminating with his valiant victory over Grade 1 winners Got Her Number and White Abbario in the Cigar Mile (G1) on December 3, 2022.
“It was not only great for him to go out on a win, but for him to do it in the style that defines his character in fighting off challenges from the Florida Derby winner on the inside and the American Pharoah winner on the outside,” trainer Todd Pletcher told NYRA. “It was three Grade 1 winners battling it out across the track. Mind Control showed that signature move of his where he puts his head in front and won’t be denied.”
Sacco described Mind Control’s final career start as almost like a movie ending. He went out on top with a hard-fought Grade 1 victory in New York. “It was a fitting end to his impressive racing career and it was awesome that Johnny V came in from California to ride Mind Control in his final race. We’re very proud of the horse, our breeding program, and the Red Oak Farm operation led by Barry Dolan. I just want to congratulate Todd and his entire team and to remember the excellent job my brother Gregg did with Mind Control earlier in his career winning two Grade 1 races,” concluded Sacco.
