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Aurelius Maximus
Grade 2-placed Aurelius Maximus (Pioneerof the Nile – La Reina, by A.P. Indy) has been retired from racing and will enter stud in 2021 at Jay Adcock’s Red River Farm in Coushatta, Louisiana. The deal was brokered by Andrew Cary of Cary Bloodstock.
The horse will stand in a partnership between Nathan Granger and Stonestreet Stables/George Bolton/Peter Leidel, who raced the colt.
“Aurelius Maximus is the most exciting horse to retire to Louisiana for many years. His combination of impeccable pedigree, gorgeous conformation and top-class ability on the racetrack make him a very tantalizing prospect for breeders in the southwest,” said Cary.
Granger added, “We’re very excited to get a horse of such talent and grit – not to mention his great looks. We’re just as excited to partner with one of the premier ownership groups in the industry in Stonestreet Stables, Mr. Bolton and Mr. Leidel.”
Aurelius Maximus showed top ability from the outset, breaking his maiden at Belmont Park by 7 ¾ lengths in his 2nd career start. He was then 4th in the Champagne S. (G1) behind G1 winners Complexity and Code of Honor. Sidelined afterwards, he returned with two dominant allowance victories at Fair Grounds and Churchill Downs, including a win over future Grade 1 winner Bodexpress. He was then beaten a neck by Mr Freeze in the Hagyard Fayette S. (G2) at Keeneland after a difficult trip.
Aurelius Maximus was conditioned for his final four races by Hall of Fame trainer Steve Asmussen who commented, “Aurelius Maximus was an amazing physical. He was super athletic and had tremendous heart. If his foals look like him, he’ll make an outstanding sire.”
Stonestreet Stables bloodstock advisor John Moynihan, who purchased Aurelius Maximus privately as a 2-year-old, concurred: “Aurelius Maximus is among the most talented horses we’ve ever had at Stonestreet. He had legitimate Grade 1 ability, a ton of natural speed, and has an awesome physical to go with it.”
Aurelius Maximus is one of 7 winners produced by the Grade 3 winning La Reina, who also produced Grade 2 winner Chief Havoc (Giant’s Causeway) and Grade 3-placed Special Event (Arch). La Reina is a half-sister to Grade 1 winner and sire Brahms (Danzig) and to SW Olympic (Danzig). This is the high-class female family of Grade 1 winners Queena, Too Chic, Chic Shirine, Somali Lemonade, Verrazano, etc.
Aurelius Maximus stands for a fee of $2,000. His first foals are two-year-olds of 2024.
Racing Info
