Fierceness will make her farewell in the Classic before beginning her next chapter at Ashford Stud

A three-time G1 winner and Champion 2-year-old, he will join Coolmore America’s stallion roster in Kentucky

Fierceness, a mare of quality and class / BENOIT PHOTO

MIDWAY, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario)— Champion Fierceness, pride of Mike Repole and one of the standout performers in U.S. racing in recent years, will retire following his run in this year’s Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) to begin his stud career at Ashford Stud, Coolmore America’s base in Kentucky, starting in 2026.

Bred and owned by Repole, Fierceness displayed extraordinary talent from the start. He debuted with a sensational win at Saratoga, pulling away by more than 11 lengths, earning TDN Rising Star honors. Just weeks later, in only his third start, he captured the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (G1) at Santa Anita, solidifying his title as Champion 2-Year-Old Male with a commanding 6¼-length victory.

His dominance continued in his three-year-old campaign, storming home in the Florida Derby (G1) by more than 13 lengths, and later returning to Saratoga to win both the Jim Dandy Stakes (G2) and the Travers Stakes (G1), the latter in one of the most demanding editions in recent memory. In that race, he left behind notable rivals such as Thorpedo Anna (Fast Anna), Sierra Leone (Gun Runner), and Dornoch (Good Magic), affirming his class and devastating turn of foot.

Already established as an elite runner, Fierceness closed his three-year-old season with a brilliant second in the Breeders’ Cup Classic (G1) at Del Mar, trailing champion Sierra Leone while finishing ahead of multiple G1 winners. He returned to the track in 2025 with the same competitive spirit, capturing the Alysheba Stakes (G2) in record time and the Pacific Classic (G1) over standout colt Journalism (Curlin), reaffirming his class before returning to Del Mar’s marquee stage.

“Fierceness isn’t just a racehorse—he’s part of the family. He represents everything we’ve built and believe in at Repole Stable,” said an emotional Mike Repole. “He’s a G1 winner at 2, 3, and 4, a Breeders’ Cup champion, Eclipse Award winner, and a horse with heart, courage, and extraordinary talent.”

From Coolmore, Dermot Ryan added, “His record speaks for itself: Champion 2-year-old, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, and G1 victor across three consecutive seasons. He’s an exceptional horse, physically imposing, from a young and promising family, and a product of an enormously successful sire line.”

A maternal half-brother to Wood Memorial Stakes (G1) winner Outwork (Uncle Mo), Fierceness follows in the footsteps of another great Repole-Coolmore champion, Uncle Mo (Indian Charlie), sharing origins and philosophy. With his genetics, racing record, and presence, his arrival at Ashford Stud promises to open a new high-profile chapter in North American breeding.