Eskendereya


Eskendereya is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse and current sire.

Background

Eskendereya was sired by Giant's Causeway, a son of North America's one time leading sire Storm Cat. Bred in Kentucky by Sanford Robertson, Eskendereya was a $250,000 Keeneland September purchase. His dam is Aldebaran Light, who is a daughter of champion Seattle Slew. Aldebaran Light is also the dam of Group I winner Balmont. Eskendereya is owned by Zayat Stables, and was trained by Todd Pletcher.

Racing career

Eskendereya made his career debut on turf at Saratoga, rallying from off the pace to finish second. He followed that with a victory in the Pilgrim Stakes.
On February 20, 2010, Eskendereya took the lead entering the final turn and pulled away for an 8½-length victory in the Grade II Fountain of Youth Stakes, beating favorite Buddy's Saint. This win made Eskendereya one of the early favorites for the Kentucky Derby. On April 3, 2010, Eskendereya won the Wood Memorial Stakes by 9¾ lengths, essentially repeating his dominating performance in Florida. This made him the Kentucky Derby favorite. However, it was announced on April 25 that Eskendereya would be pulled out of the Kentucky Derby after he sustained a leg injury. He did not race again.

Retirement to stud

Eskendereya entered stud in 2011 at Taylor Made Stallions in Nicholasville, Kentucky. His starting stud fee was $30,000 live foal. In 2013 his stud fee was lowered to $17,500.
In September 2015, it was announced that Eskendereya had been sold and would stand in Japan for the 2016 season, standing at the Shizunai Stallion Station.
Eskendereya's most successful progeny to date include Mitole, winner of the 2019 G1 Forego Stakes, the G1 Metropolitan Handicap the G1 Churchill Down Stakes and the G1 Breeders' Cup Sprint.
Mor Spirit, winner of the Metropolitan Handicap, Robert B. Lewis Stakes, Los Alamitos Futurity, Essex Handicap, and Steve Sexton Mile; Isabella Sings, winner of the Mrs. Revere Stakes, Eatontown Handicap, Endeavour Stakes, and My Charmer Handicap; and Eskenformoney, Winner of 2016 Rampart Stakes. Eskendereya has also sired several listed stakes winners that have each won over $100,000 in purse money.

Pedigree