Gun Runner

Overview

Candy Ride (ARG) - Quiet Giant, by Giant's Causeway
Fee: $250,000 LFSN
Height: 16.1 ½
Entered Stud: 2018
Submit Mare
Nicking

Hall of Fame Inductee
10 Grade 1 Winners
14 Millionaires
#2 on the Sire List for 2024

Top 2 among General Sires in 2025 in multiple categories.

2025 racing: Santa Anita Handicap (G1) winner and Pegasus World Cup (G1) runner-up LOCKED; Mineshaft S. (G3) winner, New Orleans Classic S. (G2) second, and Alysheba S. (G2) third HALL OF FAME; Houston Ladies Classic (G3) winner and Azeri S. (G2) third RECHARGE; Essex H. (G3) winner RED ROUTE ONE; Kentucky Cup Classic S. (G3) winner Arlington S. (G3) winner and Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1) second MERCANTE; Mucho Macho Man S. winner GUNS LOADED; Sunland Park Oaks S. winner and Fantasy S. (G2) second RUNNIN N GUNNIN; 4 1/2-length $150,000 Horseshoe Indianapolis H. winner and Busanda S. winner RUNNING AWAY; Western Canada S. winner and Turf Paradise Derby second WOOD CEILING; Toboggan S. second RUNNINSONOFAGUN; Top Flight S. winner HEADLINE NUMBERS; Aristides S. (G3) second WORLD RECORD; Phoenix Gold Cup S. and Kendrick Inaugural S. second Ruggs; Summertime Oaks (G3) second and Santa Ysabel S. (G3) third Howin; Obeah S. second GUN SONG; Sunland Park Oaks S. second Enchanting; New Orleans Classic S. (G2) third SIERRA LEONE; San Vicente S. (G2) third BULLARD; Lake Ouachita S. third DIMATIC; Swale S. third Gunmetal; American Pharaoh Overnight S. third Bendoog; Hot Springs S. third Perfect Force; Majestic Overnight S. third Absinthe; etc.

2025 sales: Sire of the OBS March 2-Year-Olds In Training Sale topper, who sold for a record-breaking $3 million. Other juveniles sold for $1.45 million, $750,000, $550,000, $550,000, etc.

2024 racing: SIERRA LEONE, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1), Blue Grass S. (G1) and Risen Star S. (G2), second in the Kentucky Derby (G1) and Jim Dandy S. (G2), and third in the Belmont Stakes (G1) and Travers (G1); GUN PILOT, first in the Churchill Downs S. (G1), second in the Forego S. (G1), $175,000 Eclipse S., and third in the True North S. (G2); VAHVA, first in the Derby City Distaff (G1) and Chicago S. (G3), second in the Madison S. (G1) and third in the Ballerina S. (G1); SOCIETY, winner of the Ballerina H. (G1), second in the Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Sprint (G1), and third in the Chicago S. (G3); GUN SONG, winner of the Black-Eyed Susan S. (G2) and Cathryn Sophia S. and second in the Cotillion S. (G1), Mother Goose (G2), and Monmouth Oaks (G2); LOCKED, winner of the Cigar Mile H. (G2); WORLD RECORD, winner of the Amsterdam S. (G2); BULLARD, winner of the Bob Hope Stakes (G3); IL MIRACOLO, winner of the Ghostzapper S. (G3), second in the Philip H. Iselin S. (G3), and third in the Gulfstream Park Mile (G2) and Alysheba S. (G2); RUNNINSONOFAGUN, winner of the Bold Ruler S. (G3) and third in the $150,000 Gravesend S.; SHOTGUN HOTTIE, winner of the Allaire DuPont Distaff S., second in the Fleur de Lis S. (G2) and Shuvee S. (G2) and third in the Locust Grove (G2); CHATALAS, winner of the Indiana Oaks (G3); RECHARGE, winner of the $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks; UNLOAD, winner of the $100,000 Governor’s Cup and third in the Downs at Albuquerque H.; INTRICATE, second in the Rachel Alexandra S. (G2) and the Monomoy Girl Overnight S., and third in the Coaching Club American Oaks (G1).; RED ROUTE ONE, winner of the New Orleans Classic S. (G2), second in the Louisiana S. (G3), and third in the Oaklawn H. (G2); CANDY AISLE, winner of the Borderplex S. and runner up in the $250,000 Sunland Park Oaks; Bolzy, second in the Fayette S. (G2); Perfect Shot, second in the Silverbulletday S. and third in the Rachel Alexandra S. (G2); Bendoog, second in the Suburban S. (G2); Deviletta, second in the $125,000 Island Fashion S. and third in the Iowa Oaks; Imperial Gun, second in the $200,000 Bathhouse Row S. and third in the Sir Barton S.; Absinthe, second in the $200,000 Dig a Diamond S.; Dimatic, second in the West Virginia Derby (G3) and Texas Derby; Life Talk, second in the $170,000 Seneca Overnight S.; DISARM, third in the Jockey Club Gold Cup (G1); RED RUN, third in the John B. Connally Turf Cup S. (G3); Dreamlike, third in the Blame S. (G3); Counterspy, third in the Monmouth Cup (G3); Chatalas, third in the $170,000 Seneca Overnight S.; Wonder Ride, third in the Cathryn Sophia S.; Sea Runner, third in the Del Mar Juvenile Fillies Turf; Contrabandist, third in the Jean Lafitte S.; etc.

2024 yearlings sold for $2,200,000, $1,900,000, $1,700,000, $1,500,000, $1,500,000, etc. 2024 foals sold for up to $1,863,355 and juveniles sold for up to $725,000. 2024 in-foal mares sold for $1,700,000, $1,500,000, etc.

#1 General Sire of 2023 by G1SH, %GSH, and %SH.

2023 racing: ECHO ZULU, winner of the Ballerina H. (G1), the Honorable Miss S. (G2) and the Winning Colors S. (G3) and the co-fastest horse of 2023 with a 112 Beyer; GUNITE, 3-time stakes winner in 2023, including the Forego S. (G1) and placed in the Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1); LOCKED, winner of the Breeders’ Futurity (G1); CHATALAS, winner of the Chandelier S. (G2), second in the Blue Norther S., and third in the Starlet S. (G2); VAHVA, winner of the Raven Run S. (G2), Charles Town Oaks (G3), and placed in the Victory Ride S. (G3); INTRICATE, winner of the Golden Rod S. (G2); LIFE TALK, winner of the Demoiselle (G2); RED ROUTE ONE, winner of the West Virginia Derby (G3) and the Bath House Row S., runner-up in the Rebel S. (G2), the Oklahoma Derby (G3), the Southwest S. (G3), and third in the $300,000 Zia Park Derby; SHOTGUN HOTTIE, winner of the Molly Pitcher S. (G3) and the Lady’s Secret S.; DISARM, winner of the Matt Winn S. (G3) and runner-up in the Travers S. (G1) and the Louisiana Derby (G2); SOCIETY, winner of the Chicago S. (G3) and placed in the Madison S. (G1); IL MIRACOLO, winner of the Smarty Jones S. (G3), second in the Fayette S. (G2), and third in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and Clark S. (G1); WICKED HALO, winner of the Twin Bridges S., Dream Supreme S., and the Matron S., runner-up in the Derby City Distaff S. (G1); ARI OAKLEY, winner of the Bold Ego H.; CANDY AISLE, 4 1/4-length winner of the Manzano S. and winner of the $100,000 Zia Park Princess S.; Bendoog, runner-up in the Al Maktoum Challenge R3 (G1); Wonder Ride, runner-up in the Spinaway S. (G1); Guns n’ Graces, runner-up in the Davona Dale S. (G2); RED RUN, placed in the Brooklyn S. (G2); Sierra Leone, second in the Remsen S. (G2) by a nose; RUNNINSONOFAGUN, runner-up in the Tom Fool H. (G3); Dreamlike, placed in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1) and Wood Memorial S. (G2); Pulchitrude (JPN), placed in the Flower Cup (G3); Grand Love, placed in the Honeybee S. (G3); Risk It, placed in the Iroquois (G3); etc.

2023 sales: 2YOs sold for $2,200,000, €543,210 (in Dubai), $525,000, $450,000, $400,000, etc. Yearlings sold for $1,250,000, $1,200,000, $1,150,000, $1,000,000, $850,000, $800,000, $775,000, $650,000, $650,000. Weanlings sold for $750,000, $470,000, $410,000, $400,000, etc. In-foal mares sold for up to $1.8 million.

#1 Sire of 3-Year-Olds in 2022—$13,423,330 in progeny earnings

#1 General Sire of 2022 by %G1SWs, %GSWs, %BTWs, %G1SHs, %GSHs, %BTHs

2022 racing: TAIBA, winner of the Malibu S. (G1), the Santa Anita Derby (G1), and the Pennsylvania Derby (G1); CYBERKNIFE, winner of the Arkansas Derby (G1), the Haskell S. (G1), and the Matt Winn S. (G3), runner-up in the Travers S. (G1), placed in the Pennsylvania Derby (G1); EARLY VOTING, winner of the Preakness S. (G1) and the Withers S. (G3); SOCIETY, winner of the Cotillion S. (G1) and the Charles Town Oaks (G3); GUNITE, winner of the Amsterdam S. (G2) and runner-up in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. (G1); ECHO ZULU, winner of the Fair Grounds Oaks (G2) and the Dogwood S. (G3); WICKED HALO, winner of the Raven Run S. (G2), the Tepin S. and the Leslie’s Lady Overnight S.; SIXTYTHREECALIBER, winner of the Comely S. (G3) and the Seneca Overnight S.; RUNNINSONOFAGUN, winner of the Bold Ruler S. (G3) and runner-up in the Dwyer S. (G3), placed in the H. Allen Jerkens Memorial S. (G1); etc.

2022 sales: Yearlings sold for $2,300,000, $1,500,000, $1,400,000, $1,200,000, $1,150,000, $1,100,000, $1,050,000, etc.; Weanlings sold for $675,000, $625,000, $550,000, $550,000, $490,000, $425,000, $400,000, etc. 2YOs sold for $600,000, $525,000, $485,000, $400,000, etc.

Champion First-Crop Sire by every category—set a new record for progeny earnings by a first-crop sire: over $4.3 million

#1 Sire of 2YOs in 2021 by earnings, BTWs, GSWs, G1Ws, G1Hs, and wins

31 first-crop juvenile winners, including: undefeated Eclipse Champion 2-Year-Old Filly ECHO ZULU, winner of the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1), Frizette S. (G1) and Spinaway S. (G1) and earned a 92 Beyer in her debut; GUNITE, winner of the Hopeful S. (G1) and runner-up in the Saratoga Special (G2); PAPPACAP, winner of the Best Pal S. (G2) and runner-up in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) and American Pharoah (G1); WICKED HALO, winner of the Adirondack S. (G2) and placed in the Debutante S.; etc.

2017 Horse of the Year and Champion Older Male

Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) Champion

Capped his brilliant career with a dominating win in the world’s richest race, the $16 million Pegasus World Cup (G1)

Retired with earnings of $15,988,500

Race Record

Age	Starts	1st (SW)	2nd (sp)	3rd (sp)	Earnings
2	3	2	0	0	$66,920
3	9	4 (4)	2 (2)	2 (2)	$1,970,880
4	6	5 (5)	1 (1)	0	$6,950,700
5	1	1 (1)	0	0	$7,000,000
	19	12(10)	3(3)	2(2)	$15,988,500

At 2: Won

A maiden special weight at Churchill Downs (8f in 1:37.83 by ¾ lengths, defeating Gametown, Gray Sky, Blame the Caddie, My Majestic Flight, Paschal, Hint of Roses, Arcus)

An allowance at Keeneland (8.5f in 1:44.69 by 2 lengths, defeating Uncle Jerry, Rafting, Bandwidth, One Fine Dream, Meeteetse Fly, Smart Moon, He’s From Queens)

At 3: Won

Clark H. at Churchill Downs (G1, 9f in 1:48.50, by 2 ¾ lengths, defeating Breaking Lucky, Shaman Ghost, Hoppertunity, Hawaakom, Effinex, Noble Bird, Are You Kidding Me, Prayer for Relief, Mr. Z) [WATCH RACE]

Risen Star S. at Fair Grounds (G2, 8.5f in 1:43.94, defeating Forevamo, Mo Tom, Candy My Boy, Zapperini, In Equality, Tom’s Ready, Its All Relevant, Bistraya, Airoforce, Uncle Walter) [WATCH RACE]

Louisiana Derby at Fair Grounds (G2, 9f in 1:51.06, by 4 ½ lengths, defeating Tom’s Ready, Dazzling Gem, Mo Tom, Forevamo, Candy My Boy, Greenpointcrusader, Conquest Windycity, Uncle Walter, Battery) [WATCH RACE]

Matt Winn S. at Churchill Downs (G3, 8.5 in 1:41.12, by 5 ¼ lengths, defeating Gray Sky, Texas Chrome, Virtual Machine, Yo Carm, Cutacorner) [WATCH RACE]

At 3: 2nd

Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita Park (G1, 8f, to Tamarkuz, defeating Accelerate, Dortmund, Tom’s Ready, Point Piper, Vyjack, Runhappy, Texas Chrome)

Pennsylvania Derby at Parx (G2, 9f, to Connect, defeating Wild About Deb, My Man Sam, Awesome Slem, Nyquist, Exaggerator, Cupid, Summer Revolution, Discreet Lover, Sunny Ridge, Hit It Once More)

At 3: 3rd

Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs (G1, 10f, to Nyquist and Exaggerator, defeating Mohaymen, Suddenbreakingnews, Destin, Brody’s Cause, etc.)

Travers S. at Saratoga (G1, 10f, to Arrogate and American Freedom, defeating Gift Box, Governor Malibu, Connect, etc.)

At 4: Won

Breeders’ Cup Classic at Del Mar (G1, 10f in 2:01.29, by 2 ¼ lengths, defeating Collected, West Coast, War Story, Arrogate, Gunnevera, Churchill (IRE), Mubtaahij (IRE), War Decree, Pavel, Win The Space) [WATCH RACE]

Woodward S. at Saratoga (G1, 9f in 1:47.43, by 10 ¼ lengths, defeating Rally Cry, Neolithic, War Story, Discreet Lover) [WATCH RACE]

Whitney S. at Saratoga (G1, 9f in 1:47.71, by 5 ¼ lengths, defeating Keen Ice, Breaking Lucky, War Story, Discreet Lover, Tu Brutus (CHI), Cautious Giant) [WATCH RACE]

Stephen Foster H. at Churchill Downs (G1, 9f in 1:47.56, by 7 lengths, defeating Honorable Duty, Breaking Lucky, Hawaakom, Stanford, Texas Chrome, Mo Tom, Bird Song) [WATCH RACE]

Razorback H. at Oaklawn Park (G3, 8.5f in 1:40.97, by 5 ¾ lengths, defeating Hawaakom, Domain’s Rap, Goats Town, Smack Smack, Blue Tone) [WATCH RACE]

At 4: 2nd

Dubai World Cup at Meydan (G1, 10f in 2:02.15, to Arrogate, defeating Neolithic, Mubtaahij (IRE), Awardee, Hoppertunity, Keen Ice, Lani, etc)

At 5: Won

Pegasus World Cup Invitational at Gulfstream Park (G1, 9f in 1:47.41, by 2 ½ lengths, defeating West Coast, Gunnevera, Fear the Cowboy, Seeking the Soul, Stellar Wind, Collected, Sharp Azteca, Giant Expectations, War Story, Singing Bullet, Toast of New York) [WATCH RACE]

At 4: Won

By: Alan Porter

“Horse of the Year, Champion Older Horse and an earner of almost $15,000,000, Gun Runner has made one of the most explosive starts to his career of any stallion in living memory.”

By far and away the most successful cross for Candy Ride and his sons has been with Storm Cat line mares. Gun Runner, himself is bred on that cross, as he is out of a mare by Giant’s Causeway, a son of Storm Cat. Inbreeding to Storm Cat has been extremely successful, and is proving so for Gun Runner, six of his stakes winners having a duplication of that horse.

Gun Runner’s Champion Two-Year-Old daughter, Echo Zulu, is out of a mare by Menifee, a son of Harlan, also sire of Harlan’s Holiday, who is represented by Into Mischief, Majesticperfection and Shanghai Bobby, and is himself sire of the second dam of Gun Runner graded winner Wicked Halo. Gun Runner’s grade one winning son, Gunite, is out of a mare by Cowboy Cal, who is by Gun Runner’s own broodmare sire, Giant’s Causeway. Giant’s Causeway also appears as sire of the second dam of Gun Runner stakes winner, Concept, so this invites mares by such as Eskendereya, Creative Cause, First Samurai, Not This Time and Shamardal.

Multiple graded stakes winning and grade one placed Pappascat is out of a mare by Scat Daddy (by a son of Hennessy, also sire of Henny Hughes, the broodmare sire of a Candy Ride line stakes winner).

Candy Ride and sons have enjoyed exceptional success with mares by Forest Wildcat, and there is also a stakes winner by a son of Candy Ride out of a mare by D’Wildcat, a son of Forest Wildcat, and Forest Wildcat is also sire of Wildcat Heir. There are two graded winners by Candy Ride out of mares by Storm Cat son Forestry. He could be introduced through daughters of Shackleford (who looks particularly appealing) or Discreet Cat. Other likely Storm Cat sources that are already proven under Candy Ride include Tale of the Cat (sire of Lion Heart; grandsire of Kantharos), Stormy Atlantic and Yankee Gentleman.

The cross with mares by Tapit has already provided Gun Runner with graded stakes winner Wicked Halo and stakes winners Red Run and Society. Tapit can be introduced through such as Constitution and Frosted.

Tapit is by Pulpit, and stakes winner Optionality is by Gun Runner out of a mare by Pulpit, and there is also a Candy Ride grade one winner out of a mare by Pulpit son, Stroll. Gun Runner also has a stakes placed horse out of a mare by Pulpit son, Sky Mesa.

Pulpit is by A.P. Indy out of a mare by Mr. Prospector and therefore bred on an identical cross to Flatter (sire of Upstart), who is the broodmare sire of Candy Ride’s multiple grade one winner Taiba, and to Malibu Moon, the broodmare sire of Gun Runner stakes winner Shotgun Hottie. This also suggests mares by similarly-bred A.P. Indy sons such as Congrats (brother to Flatter) and Mineshaft (sire of Dialed In – out of a Storm Cat mare – and Discreetly Mine). It would also be worth considering mares by A.P. Indy sons Bernardini (bred very similarly to Tapit), Take Charge Indy, Jump Start (out of a Storm Cat mare) and Majestic Warrior.

Candy Ride and sons have enjoyed tremendous success crossed over mares from the Mr. Prospector line, and Gun Runner’s multiple grade one winner, Cyberknife is out of a mare by Flower Alley, a son of Distorted Humor (sire of Jimmy Creed and Maclean’s Music). There is also a stakes winner by Candy Ride out of a mare by Fusaichi Pegasus, who is bred on the same cross as Distorted Humor.

Gun Runner is inbred to Fappiano, a pattern that has worked very well for Candy Ride and his sons. The inbreeding in Gun Runner is far enough back to permit a third strain and Gun Runner has sired graded stakes winner, Wicked Halo, and stakes winners Red Run, Shotgun Hottie and Society, who all have Fappiano through Unbridled.

Candy Ride and sons have also particularly well when crossed over Unbridled. Out of mares by Empire Maker (sire of Pioneerof the Nile and Bodemeister; grandsire of American Pharoah, Classic Empire and Cairo Prince) there are two graded winners, including grade one winner Separationofpowers. There are five graded winners, including grade one winners Gift Box and Leofric, by Candy Ride and sons out of mares by Unbridled’s Song. Out of mares by sons of Unbridled’s Song there is a grade one winner out of a mare by First Defence, a graded winner out of mare by Songandprayer, and stakes winners out of mares by Political Force and Rockport Harbor. Other sources of Unbridled’s Song include Liam’s Map, Arrogate, Cross Traffic, Midshipman, Songandaprayer, Old Fashioned, Zensational, Even The Score, Dunkirk and Half Ours and Buddha. Unbridled could also be brought in through Broken Vow. It could also be worth considering introducing Fappiano through Quiet American, the grandsire of Midnight Lute, and Rubiano, sire of Burning Roma and Too Much Bling.

The cross of Candy Ride and sons with mares from the Gone West branch has produced such as grade one winner Vekoma (out of mare by Speightstown, the sire of Munnings), and three stakes winners out of mares by Mr. Greeley, also inviting Grand Slam, Elusive Quality (sire of Quality Road and Smarty Jones) and Proud Citizen. From other branches of the Mr. Prospector line, Candy Ride sired one of his best runners, Twirling Candy, out of a mare by Mr. Prospector son, Chester House; he has a grade one winner out of a mare by Silver Ghost, and a grade two winner out of a mare by Street Cry (sire of Street Sense and Street Boss); there is a graded winner out of a mare by Curlin (by Smart Strike); a graded winner out of a mare by Seeking the Gold (sire of Mutakddim, Petionville and Cape Town); and a stakes winner out of a mare by Kingmambo (sire of Lemon Drop Kid).

Gun Runner’s Preakness Stakes (G1) hero, Early Voting, is out of a mare by Tiznow, from the Relaunch branch of the In Reality line, and there is a trio of stakes winners, two graded by Candy Ride and sons out of Successful Appeal mares, from the Valid Appeal branch of In Reality.

Gun Runner’s stakes winner Concept is out of a mare by Cindago, a son of Indian Charlie. This suggests that mares by Uncle Mo (sire of Nyquist), and other sons of Indian Charlie, including Adios Charlie and Liaison. This is a branch of the Caro line, which could also be brought in through Mizzen Mast.

Candy Ride has enjoyed success with the Halo line mares, and mares carrying Devil’s Bag and Saint Ballado, whose sister Champion Glorious Song is in the pedigree of Gun Runner would be a positive. There is also a Candy Ride stakes winner out of a mare by Southern Halo, the sire of More Than Ready (who is sire of grade one winners Funtastic and Buster’s Ready from the immediate family of Gun Runner). From the Roberto branch of Hail to Reason there are also two stakes winners by Candy Ride out of mares by Arch (sire of Blame). Gun Runner also has stakes winner Sixtythreecaliber out of a mare by Include, a son of Broad Brush.

			CRYPTOCLEARANCE (USA)
		RIDE THE RAILS (USA)
			HERBALESIAN (USA)
	CANDY RIDE (ARG)
			CANDY STRIPES (USA)
		CANDY GIRL (ARG)
			CITY GIRL (ARG)
Gun Runner
			STORM CAT (USA)
		GIANTS CAUSEWAY (USA)
			MARIAH’S STORM (USA)
	QUIET GIANT (USA)
			QUIET AMERICAN (USA)
		QUIET DANCE (USA)
			MISTY DANCER (USA)

Overview

Hall of Fame Inductee
10 Grade 1 Winners
14 Millionaires
#2 on the Sire List for 2024

Pedigree

Race Record

At 2: Won

At 3: Won

At 3: 2nd

At 3: 3rd

At 4: Won

At 4: 2nd

At 5: Won

Videos

Progeny Photos

News

Gun Runner

Overview

Hall of Fame Inductee 10 Grade 1 Winners 14 Millionaires #2 on the Sire List for 2024

Pedigree

Race Record

At 2: Won

At 3: Won

At 3: 2nd

At 3: 3rd

At 4: Won

At 4: 2nd

At 5: Won

Videos

Progeny Photos

News

Hall of Fame Inductee
10 Grade 1 Winners
14 Millionaires
#2 on the Sire List for 2024