Adena Springs stalwart sire Awesome Again retired from covering duty

Frank Stronach's first homebred Canadian Classic winner and sire of multiple champions Awesome Again has been retired from stud duty, according to Adena Springs.

The 25-year-old son of Deputy Minister has 18 crops to race that have earned more than $95.4 million in purses and include 66 black-type winners and 38 Graded/Group winners.

He has sired three champions - Ghostzapper, 2004 Horse of the Year and champion older horse; Ginger Punch, 2007 champion older mare; and Nominee, a multiple champion in Trinidad and Tobago.

"He's just so strong. And that's what I tell people he passes on: the heart. As small as he is, he's got a big heart"

Read Michele MacDonald's feature on the great horse published earlier this year

His 14 Grade 1 winners won a combined 32 Grade 1 stakes, led by Game On Dude, who captured eight races at the highest level.

Proving his longevity, Awesome Again was represented in the American Classics this year by Belmont Stakes winner Sir Winston.

On the track, Awesome Again won one of the most memorable editions of the Breeders' Cup Classic in 1998 at Churchill Downs.

"I don't think you'll ever see as strong a field that he beat in 1998 in the Breeders' Cup Classic, with eight Grade 1 winners and six of those multiple Grade 1 winners," said Bill Drury, Adena Springs Kentucky's stallion manager.

"He is still my signature horse and will continue to be treated like the champion he is. Anytime people come by for shows, he is the first one we bring out and they still marvel at his condition even though he is 25 years old."

Awesome Again's last foals were born this year.

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