BY LAURIE ROSS
Florida’s leading sire for six consecutive years, Ocala Stud’s Khozan (Distorted Humor–Delta Princess, by A.P. Indy) represents one of the rare opportunities for breeders to access proven elite bloodlines in the Sunshine State, combining champion sire power with one of the most accomplished female families in North America.
AT THE RACES
Bred by Adena Springs in Kentucky, Khozan attracted attention from the outset. He passed through the auction ring twice, first selling for $350,000 to Hartley/DeRenzo Thoroughbreds as a Fasig-Tipton Saratoga Select Yearling Sale. The following spring, he was consigned by the same operation to the Fasig-Tipton Florida March Select Sale, where his physical presence and pedigree prompted Al Shaqab Racing to secure him for $1 million.
Placed in the care of Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher, Khozan debuted on Jan. 24, 2015 at Gulfstream Park and wasted little time announcing his talent. In a seven-furlong maiden special weight, he drew off impressively to score by three and three-quarter lengths, earning an Beyer Speed Figure of 102.
He returned over the same surface on Feb. 22, stretching out to one mile in a first condition, $75,000 optional claiming event, and delivered an even more dominant display. Khozan overwhelmed his competition, winning by 12 3/4 lengths.
With two emphatic victories from two appearances, he quickly became one of the most talked-about prospects of his division and was thrust into early consideration for the Besilu Stables Florida Derby (G1).
Unfortunately, that momentum was cut short when Khozan sustained a sesamoid injury in his final work prior to the Florida Derby, bringing his promising racing career to an abrupt end after just two starts. Though brief, his time on the track left a lasting impression and set the stage for expectations that would soon carry over to the breeding shed.
PEDIGREE
Few colts arrive with expectations like Khozan, whose lineage blends elite sire power with one of the most productive female families of the modern era, all wrapped in a notably athletic package.
Ocala Stud’s David O’Farrell describes Khozan as “a really cool horse to be around—just a pro in every sense,” a sentiment that mirrors both his pedigree and his physical presence.
Khozan is a son of 2011 leading sire Distorted Humor, one of North America’s most influential stallions, renowned for transmitting speed, versatility and competitive toughness. His progeny are known for tactical speed and the ability to sustain their run.
The depth of Khozan’s pedigree is further underscored by his female family, which features two Reine-de-Course mares within the first three generations, and four of his first five dams are black-type earners.
Surprisingly, Delta Princess (A.P. Indy – Lyphard’s Delta, by Lyphard) was snubbed as a Keeneland September yearling, failing to meet the $120,000 reserve set by her breeder, Palides Investments N. V. Inc., but was sold privately to Saud bin Khaled. She quickly proved her worth on the track.
Racing primarily over the lawn from a mile to a mile-and-one-eighth. Delta Princess captured her debut by eight lengths, then added victories in the Beaugay Handicap (G3), Locust Grove Handicap (G3) and Mint Julip Handicap (G3). In all, Delta Princess earned $740,918 in 30 starts before trotting off to the breeding shed.
Delta Princess proved an exceptional broodmare. Her second foal, Royal Delta (Empire Maker), became one of the most accomplished race mares of her generation, earning three Eclipse Awards as 2011 Champion 3-Year-Old Filly and Champion Mare in 2012 and 2013. Royal Delta was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2019.
Sadly, Royal Delta bore only one foal, Delta’s Royalty (Ire), by Galileo (Ire), who later produced listed-placed Noble Dynasty with Kingman (GB). She currently has a 2-year-old filly, Royal Victoria, by Into Mischief.
Beyond Royal Delta, Delta Princess continued to demonstrate remarkable depth as a producer, with additional offspring achieving graded success on the racetrack:
- Delta Prince (Street Cry) — Winner of the 2019 Grade 1 Maker’s Mark Mile, earning $1,174,170.
- Crown Queen (Smart Strike) — Winner of the 2014 Grade 1 Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup and the Grade 2 Lake Placid Stakes; later produced stakes-winner Queens Empire (Ire) (Empire Maker) and Grade 3-placed Royal Majesty (GB) (Frankel [GB]).
- Carnival Court (Street Sense) — A three-quarter sister to Royal Delta who finished third in the 2013 Grade 1 Alabama Stakes and later produced 2019 Virginia Oaks-heroine Carnival Colors (GB) (Distorted Humor).
The strength of the family continues through Khozan’s second dam, Lyphard’s Delta (Lyphard), who produced Delta Princess’s full sister Grade 1-winner Indy Five Hundred, and Italian Group 1-winner Biondetti (Bernardini). The third dam, Proud Delta, was crowned 1976 Champion Older Mare, cementing this as a family steeped in championship class.
STUD CAREER
Khozan’s brilliance on the racetrack was brief, but expectations followed him seamlessly into his stud career. He entered stud at Journeyman Stud in 2016 and quickly made his presence felt, dominating the 2019 First Crop Sire standings and going on to become Florida’s leading sire from 2020 to the present.
In 2025, the margin was decisive as he amassed more than $6.1 million in progeny earnings, double the total of his nearest Florida rival and ranking second among all North American sires standing outside Kentucky.
Remarkably, Khozan is the only Florida stallion to earn a sixth consecutive title as leading sire.
“He’s very consistent. He’s been a leading sire in the state multiple times,” O’Farrell said. He’s honest, proven and reliable. He’s a stalwart stallion in our barn right now and continues to produce solid runners, including stakes horses.”
His progeny have succeeded on an international stage, including Airbus, winner of the Polla de Potrillos (G1) in Peru; and Jasper Robusto, a dual stakes winner in Japan.
In North America, Foggy Night captured the 2023 Grade 3 Delaware Oaks and the Cathryn Sophia Stakes at Parx Racing, and was second in the Grade 2 Monmouth Oaks while compiling $493,450 in 16 starts.
Another standout, Background, has earned $564,135 in 41 starts, including a victory in the Grade 3 Longacres Mile Handicap, and continues to compete successfully on the Midwest circuit.
Closer to home, seven-furlong specialist Shaq Diesel has made 26 starts while earning $425,535 as a multiple stakes winner.
Khozan’s next generation continues to shine, led by Khozalite, who dominated the 2025 Affirmed division of the FTBOA Florida Sire Stakes by four lengths.
Khozan transferred to Ocala Stud in 2025 and stands the 2026 breeding season for $6,000 live foal, offering Florida breeders access to proven performance, elite pedigree, and sustained sire power.
Return to the January 20 issue of Wire to Wire
