Legendary horse Gun Runner’s colt, Sierra Leone, delivered a dramatic come-from-behind victory in the $1 million Grade 1 Whitney Stakes on August 2 at Saratoga Race Course, headlining a stacked Whitney Day card. Facing a competitive field of nine that included top contenders like Fierceness and White Abarrio, the colt broke last but remained composed under Flavien Prat. Trainer Chad Brown, who had long dominated Saratoga’s stakes schedule, had always only coveted the Whitney until now.
This victory finally filled the gap on his resume, giving him one of the few missing pieces in his Saratoga legacy. It also earned Sierra Leone a guaranteed berth in the Breeders’ Cup and firmly established the colt as a standout in the older horse division. Sierra Leone surged through the stretch, flying past his rivals in the final furlong to win by a full length over Highland Falls. He covered the 1 1/8 miles on a fast main track in 1:48.92, delivering both a career-defining performance and a satisfying moment of redemption for his connections.
It was a big lesson and a moment of joy for trainer Chad Brown. He was proud of Sierra Leone. But Siera Leone’s victory was inevitable. It was bound to happen someday. Gun Runner’s genes are a lethal weapon in the sport. But you know, one more foal of Gun Runner has hit the horse racing market with a massive 7-figure deal.
The 2017 Horse of the Year, Gun Runner, continues to make waves through his offsprings. On August 4, during the opening session of The Saratoga Sale, yet another offspring of Gun Runner stole the spotlight when he sold for a staggering $2.7 million. Cataloged as Hip 37, the colt was the subject of a fierce bidding war that ended with Ron Winchell, Gun Runner’s co-owner and a prominent industry figure, emerging as the winning bidder.
Bred for success and boasting an exceptional pedigree, the eye-catching yearling drew heavy interest from top buyers gathered inside the historic Humphrey S. Finney Pavilion. As the price soared, anticipation filled the room before Winchell’s final bid sealed the deal. His investment not only reinforced his enduring faith in Gun Runner’s prowess as a sire. It also delivered one of the most talked-about moments of the night, setting an early tone of excitement for the remainder of the sale.
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