BY AVALYN HUNTER

Ocala Stud’s Gretzky the Great is the only top-level son of Kentucky Derby presented by Yum! Brands (G1) winner and leading sire Nyquist currently at stud in North America. He is standing his third season and offers an excellent combination of performance, conformation and pedigree at a very reasonable fee.

The winner of three of four starts as a juvenile, Gretzky the Great nailed down his signature win in the 2020 Summer Stakes (G1) at Woodbine, covering a mile on firm turf in a solid 1:34.53. He won two other stakes over sprint distances and retired having won or placed in seven of his eleven starts with earnings of $379,866.

Although Gretzky the Great’s biggest successes were on the turf and at a mile or less, his pedigree shows plenty of high-level talent on dirt and around two turns. A half-brother to Ba Dee Yah (by Nyquist’s sire, champion juvenile Uncle Mo), a stakes winner on the Fair Grounds main track, he is out of stakes-placed Pearl Turn, by Bernardini, now one of the hottest broodmare sires on the market. She in turn is out of Turn Me Loose (by Kris S.), a half-sister to 2007 Churchill Downs Stakes (G2)-winner Saint Anddan (by A.P. Indy). This versatile family has produced stakes winners equally over dirt and turf surfaces.

Physically, Gretzky the Great is typical of his male line and bears resemblance to fellow Ocala Stud stallion Adios Charlie—a son of Uncle Mo’s sire, Indian Charlie—and a reliable sire in his own right. Powerfully made with a downhill build, Gretzky the Great is distinguished by a straight, strong hind leg, contributing to a smooth, efficient stride.

“Gretsky the Great is a beautiful horse who represents tremendous value based on his race record and pedigree,” Ocala Stud General Manager David O’Farrell said. “He’s stamping his babies with his physical traits and we are optimistic that they will come to hand and run early as he did.”

Gretzky the Great stands the 2025 season for $3,000.

Return to the April 30 issue of Wire to Wire