BY AVALYN HUNTER
If versatility is part of the plan for a breeding program, a breeder need look no further than Ocala Stud to find Colonel Liam. A three-time Grade 1 winner on turf, Colonel Liam offers a dirt-oriented pedigree and physical as well as evidence of both precocious speed and two-turn ability.
Colonel Liam is the top runner sired by 2015 Woodward Stakes (Grade 1) and Las Vegas Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile (G1)-winner Liam’s Map, a horse whose pedigree is steeped in Florida bloodlines.
A son of 1995 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) winner and 2017 American champion sire Unbridled’s Song (a son of Tartan Farms Corp.-bred, 1990 Kentucky Derby (G1) winner and champion 3-year-old male Unbridled), Liam’s Map is out of Grade 3-winning Florida-bred Miss Macy Sue, also the dam of current top stallion Not This Time (by Giant’s Causeway). Sired by Trippi, a scion of Harry Mangurian’s breeding program, Miss Macy Sue is out of the Florida-bred Yada Yada, a daughter of the good Florida sire Great Above and a mare inbred 2×3 to Tartan’s two-time American champion sprinter Ta Wee.
Amazement, the dam of Colonel Liam, brings classic ability to pair with the miler speed provided by Liam’s Map as her sire is 2006 Preakness Stakes (G1)-winner Bernadini, the champion 3-year-old male of his year. A half-sister to Japanese stakes-winner Red Raven (by Smart Strike), Amazement is out of 2004 Diana Handicap (G1)-winner Wonder Again (by the good Roberto stallion Silver Hawk), a full sister to 1997 Japanese champion juvenile male Grass Wonder. This female line traces back to Soaring, an important broodmare for Darby Dan Farm.
Although Colonel Liam did not make it to the races until his sophomore year, he was fast and precocious enough to turn in a quarter mile in :20.80 at the 2019 Ocala Breeders’ Sales Spring Sale where he was consigned by Ciaran Dunne’s Wavertree Stables. That speed contributed to his $1.2 million purchase price from Robert and Lawana Low, which also reflected an outstanding physical.
(Colonel Liam’s Under Tack Video)
Showing the grit often associated with Darby Dan horses, Colonel Liam battled to a maiden win on dirt in a Gulfstream Park maiden special weight despite being bumped and checked. He was switched to turf in his third start and made good use of his naturally high cruising speed to win and keep winning over the grass. A two-time winner of the Pegasus World Cup Invitational Stakes (G1) (2021/2022), he also won the 2021 Old Forester Bourbon Turf Classic (G1) at Churchill Downs, the Muniz Memorial Classic Stakes (G2) at the Fair Grounds and the Tropical Park Derby (Listed) at Gulfstream.
He ended his career with seven wins and a third from twelve starts and earnings of $1,812,565.
“Colonel Liam has a great record on grass, but he’s bred for dirt and his build shows the angles of a dirt horse,” Ocala Stud’s David O’Farrell said. “He’s got good bone and a nice hip and is passing those on to his foals—they all look like little Colonels. We anticipate him being a really versatile sire who can work with a wide variety of mares.”
Colonel Liam is standing the 2025 season for $6,500 stands and nurses.
Return to the February 12 issue of Wire to Wire
