Bishops Bay and Stronghold, two new stallions for Kentucky in 2027

The son of Uncle Mo will join Taylor Made Stallions at a fee of $12,500, while the Santa Anita Derby (G1) winner will begin his new career chapter at Walmac Farm. Both enter the stud ranks with top-level race records and deeply attractive pedigrees

LEXINGTON, Kentucky.— The Kentucky stallion market continues to add prominent names ahead of the 2027 breeding season. Bishops Bay (Uncle Mo), one of the top milers in the United States in recent times, and Stronghold(Ghostzapper), winner of the Santa Anita Derby (G1), have been retired from racing and will embark on their stud careers at Taylor Made Stallions and Walmac Farm, respectively.

Bishops Bay will stand for an introductory fee of $12,500 live foal guaranteed—an attractive price tag for a horse that won 11 of his 18 starts while accumulating $2,875,080 in earnings.

“He is an imposing son of Uncle Mo with incredible natural speed that he could sustain through a mile. Those are precisely the attributes we look for in a stallion prospect,” explained Travis White, CEO of Taylor Made Stallions.

His racing record was defined by remarkable consistency, finishing first or second in 16 of his 18 outings and securing six graded stakes victories. Over 1600 meters, he captured five of seven starts, all in graded company.

Among his crowning achievements was a victory in the Cigar Mile Handicap (G2), stopping the clock in 1:34.62. He also added victories in the Philip H. Iselin Stakes (G3) and the Ack Ack Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs, which proved to be his final career appearance.

At 3, he finished runner-up by a mere head to Arcangelo (Arrogate) in the Peter Pan Stakes (G3) prior to that rival's triumph in the Belmont Stakes (G1).

Bred by WinStar Farm, Bishops Bay is out of Catch My Drift (Posse), making him a half-brother to Catching Freedom (Constitution), winner of the Louisiana Derby (G2) and third-place finisher in the Preakness Stakes (G1).

His entry into the stallion ranks further extends the growing influence of Uncle Mo as a sire of sires, joining a lineup that already features Nyquist, Yaupon, and Golden Pal.

Meanwhile, Stronghold will join the roster at Gary Broad's Walmac Farm, with his stud fee to be announced in the near future.

Bred and campaigned by Eric Waller and Sharon Waller, the son of Ghostzapper established himself among the leaders of his crop with victories in the 2024 Sunland Park Derby (G3) and the Santa Anita Derby (G1), prevailing in the latter after a thrilling stretch duel with Imagination.

Trained by Phil D'Amato, he also finished second to Nysos in the Bob Hope Stakes (G3) and chased home Raging Torrent (Maximus Mischief) when second in the Malibu Stakes (G1).

This season he returned to top form by taking the Triple Bend Stakes (G3) over 1400 meters by 2 1/2 lengths in 1:21.36.

Stronghold retires with 5 wins and 7 second-place finishes from 16 career starts, accumulating $1,354,700 in earnings.

His pedigree adds another layer of commercial appeal: he is by Ghostzapper out of Spectator (Jimmy Creed), winner of the Sorrento Stakes (G2) and runner-up in the Santa Anita Oaks (G1).

“Stronghold demonstrated precocity, class, and consistency throughout his entire campaign. His physical presence combined with his stallion line offers a very compelling package for breeders,” Broad highlighted.

Offering distinct profiles backed by proven race records, Bishops Bay and Stronghold enter an increasingly competitive market where speed, graded-stakes performance, and strong maternal lines remain the cornerstone criteria for success.