SUMMERFIELD, FL (352today.com) – A $2.3 million purchase by White Birch Farm’s Peter Brant and M.V. Magnier at the Fasig-Tipton Saratoga August Sale, Sierra Leone impressed with his presence and confident demeanor. At Oak Ridge Training Center, David Scanlon recalled, “When he arrived (at Oak Ridge), he was well-minded and had a nice presence about him…he always had the nice, big, loping stride.”
Building a Future Star
The colt debuted late in his 2-year-old season at Aqueduct, winning on first asking. He then placed second to eventual 2024 Belmont Stakes winner Dornoch in the 2023 Remsen Stakes. Trainer Chad Brown said, “He came to me highly regarded…He basically handed him off to me exactly where he said he had him…He was right.”
All three Horse of the Year finalists—Thorpedo Anna, Sierra Leone, and Fierceness—share Ocala-area connections, with Fierceness broken at Ocala Stud. This underscores the region’s impact on producing top-level talent.
Straight No Chaser: Sprint Champion
Straight No Chaser claimed the 2024 Breeders’ Cup Male Sprint, becoming the only Breeders’ Cup winner sold at a 2-year-old auction. Purchased for $110,000 by MyRacehorse.com from Williston’s Paul Sharp at the 2021 Fasig-Tipton May Eastern Sale, the 5-year-old earned the Eclipse Award as outstanding male sprinter.
“It’s always an honor to be recognized and being at the top of your class with an Eclipse Award,” said Sharp. “I guess at the end of the day, we’re as good as the horses that we get sent. We’ve been very fortunate to have good horses in our hands. We’re real thankful for our clients. We’re really happy about it.”
Eddie Woods Stables: Producing Champions
Eddie Woods Stables in Ocala prepared two Eclipse champions: Citizen Bull (2-year-old male) and National Treasure (older male). Both are trained by Hall of Famer Bob Baffert and part-owned by Stonestreet Stable’s Barbara Banke.
“It means a lot to Stonestreet to have these two fantastic colts,” said Banke. “National Treasure is going to stud and we think he’ll be very successful…Citizen Bull, the sky’s the limit. We have a 3-year-old year to look forward to. Eddie’s (Woods) is fabulous. I was just in Ocala this morning (Jan. 23, 2025) freezing, looking at some very spectacular 2-year-olds.”
Derby Dreams for Citizen Bull
Citizen Bull is already among the early favorites for the 2025 Kentucky Derby. His success reflects Ocala’s proven reputation for developing future stars, from potential classic winners to champion sprinters. With several standouts continuing their careers, racing fans can expect more thrilling performances in the months ahead.
Whether it’s Sierra Leone targeting the Saudi Cup or Citizen Bull aiming for the Kentucky Derby, these champions will carry Ocala’s proud legacy to racing’s biggest stages in 2025.