Kentucky Derby Winter Book Favorite VIOLENCE, by Medaglia d’Oro, retires to Hill ‘n’ Dale

Violence, the heavy winter book favorite for the Kentucky Derby, a horse that ESPN described as “...the perfect racehorse,” has been retired from racing and will take up stud duty at John G. Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms in Lexington, KY.

Consigned as a yearling by Hill ‘n’ Dale Sales Agency, Violence sold for $600,000 as the second highest priced yearling for his sire, Medaglia d’Oro, in 2011. Donato Lanni, Director of Bloodstock Services at Hill ‘n’ Dale, described him as the best-looking yearling he saw in 2011. “I really recruited him hard,” Lanni commented. “I knew buyers would love him and they did.”

“Violence was the consummate professional with a perfect temperament and unlimited potential,” said Trainer Todd Pletcher. “This was a really, really good horse.”

Making his debut at Saratoga, Violence flashed his brilliance as the 4-5 favorite, with a determined win going 7 panels.  He followed that victory with an effortless triumph in the Grade 2 Nashua Stakes at a mile at Aqueduct winning by 2 lengths, cementing his status among racing insiders as perhaps the most talented juvenile of his generation.  In somewhat of a bold and unorthodox move for Trainer Todd Pletcher, Violence shipped cross country to compete on the artificial surface at Hollywood Park where he effortlessly annexed the $750,000 Grade 1 CashCall Futurity, showcasing his versatility, determination and class.  His only defeat came in the Grade 2 Fountain of Youth where he ran a valiant second after three-quarters in 1:08 4/5 while sustaining a career ending injury.

“We are very excited to be partnering with John Sikura and Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms,” said owner Steve Marshall of Black Rock Stables.  “The Hill ‘n’ Dale facilities are second to none, and John has a reputation for making stallions.  They have a world-class broodmare band, launched Violence’s sire, Medaglia d’Oro, and have a high profile customer base and sales agency.  As difficult as it was to see his racing career end so abruptly, we are now looking forward to Violence becoming an outstanding sire extending his dominance on the racetrack to the breeding shed.”

Hill ‘n’ Dale President, John G. Sikura, commented, “This family has been producing Grade 1 Winners for over three decades at all distances and on all surfaces. This versatility will suit a great cross section of mares.  Violence was an undefeated Grade 1 Winner at two, and showed so much courage in finishing second in the Fountain of Youth while sustaining an injury.  He is a great horse to look at, and possesses all the traits of an outstanding sire prospect - precocity with classic ability, physicality and a huge pedigree.  What we saw of him talent-wise was just the tip of the iceberg. He was absolutely a top-class horse.  We are adding a really exciting sire prospect to our roster.”