Dogwood Stable and Three Chimneys Farm in Lexington, KY, have announced the sale of 50 percent of Palace Malice to Three Chimneys, in a scenario that may see the Belmont Stakes/Metropolitan Mile winner go back in training for 2015, but ultimately stand at stud at Three Chimneys, according to Cot Campbell, Dogwood Stable President.
“Breeders who had expressed interest were asked to submit bids on the horse to the Stoll Keenon Ogden law firm, in Lexington on September 19. The somewhat unexpected and unique nature of the Three Chimneys offer was very enticing to us,” Campbell said.
“Four straight graded stakes wins by Palace Malice in 2014 were followed with an uncharacteristic performance in the Whitney Stakes (G1) in early August. The colt, by Champion Curlin out of Palace Rumor, was found to have a bone bruise in his left hind cannon bone. This eliminated the chance to race him further this year. However, Dr. Larry Bramlage of Rood and Riddle felt he would heal perfectly with several months of inactivity, and could race as a five-year-old.
“Palace Malice will be examined by a panel of vets on November 15 and if he is 100 percent racing sound to the satisfaction of Three Chimneys and Dogwood, he will be shipped to Dogwood’s barn in Aiken, South Carolina, and prepared for another campaign with Todd Pletcher, his trainer throughout his career. Upon retirement from racing, Three Chimneys will acquire full ownership of the horse,” Campbell said.
Palace Malice would race in the name Three Chimneys Farm/Dogwood Stable, and in Dogwood colors.
“We have done business with Three Chimneys for many years, have a high regard for the outfit, and we are impressed with the fire power of the new leadership under Gonçalo Torrealba. This joint ownership between Dogwood and Three Chimneys allows the owners of the four shares in Dogwood’s Palace Malice partnership to take a fair bit of money off the table, and still look forward to racing a horse that has had only 17 starts, and will not have his fifth birthday until May 2,” Campbell said.
Gonçalo Torrealba said, “We are enthusiastic and hopeful about this collaboration with Mr. Campbell and the Palace Malice partners – it is clear that Dogwood has done an exceptional job managing Palace Malice’s career to date, and to join them on this journey is exciting. To be involved with the leading son of a two-time Horse of the Year, who demonstrated amazing versatility to win a races like the Metropolitan Mile and the Belmont Stakes, is what Three Chimneys is all about.”
Palace Malice’s career earnings stand at $2,676,135 from 17 starts in three years. He has seven wins (six in graded stakes), four seconds and a third. Highlights of his career include a pair of GI wins in the Belmont Stakes and Metropolitan Handicap; a trio of G2’s – Jim Dandy Stakes, Gulfstream Park Handicap and the New Orleans Handicap; and a win in the G3 Westchester Stakes. He holds the highest Beyer of 2014 up to one mile and is the top older male on DRF’s Watchmaker Watch.
