Violence Pensioned from Commercial Stud Duty Due to Fertility Issues

The son of Medaglia d'Oro, who also left his mark in Argentina, will continue as a private stallion at Newtown Anner Stud; he is the sire of Forte, Fiel Amigo, and other prominent G1 winners

PARIS, Kentucky (Special for Turf Diario).— An important chapter has come to a close for Violence, one of the stallions that managed to excel in the United States over the past decade and who also wielded a significant influence on Argentine breeding, in a piece of news that, paradoxically, broke on the very same day as his sire's death. At 16 years of age, the son of Medaglia d'Oro has been retired from commercial stud duty at Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa due to fertility issues, though he will have the opportunity to continue serving a limited number of mares at Newtown Anner Stud.

The decision was confirmed by John Sikura, owner of Hill 'n' Dale, who explained that the stallion's semen quality had declined substantially, negatively impacting his conception rates.

“His semen quality and fertility dropped substantially. We tried absolutely everything, consulted with specialists, but we reached a point where we couldn't be fair to our clients and shareholders. He is a wonderful horse and it is very disappointing,” Sikura noted.

This new phase will be made possible thanks to Steve Marshall, who owned Violence during his racing career under the banner of Black Rock Stables, and bloodstock agent Hanzly Albina, who agreed to acquire him from his previous partners.

The stallion will be relocated to Maurice and Samantha Regan's farm, where he will face a far less demanding schedule.

“He is essentially retired as a commercial stallion, but we have an agreement to cover a few of our own mares. Maybe we will, maybe we won't. We will see how things evolve,” explained Albina, who described the venture as a project driven more by passion than commercial necessity.

Violence was originally purchased for $600,000 at the 2011 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Bred by Dell Ridge Farm, he is out of Violent Beauty (Gone West), a granddaughter of champion Sky Beauty (Blushing Groom).

Trained by Todd Pletcher, he was one of the premier American 2-year-olds of 2012, an undefeated season in which he captured the CashCall Futurity (G1) and the Nashua Stakes (G2). At age 3, he finished second to Orb (Malibu Moon) in the Fountain of Youth Stakes (G2), but a fractured sesamoid brought a premature end to his racing career.

His stud success materialized rapidly. In 2017, he topped the freshman sire standings by total winners, with 32, and shared the lead by black-type winners. A year later, he dominated the second-crop sire rankings.

To date, his progeny have accumulated earnings exceeding $69.1 million, with 57 stakes winners worldwide, including 22 graded stakes victors.

His most prominent runner was Forte, Champion 2-Year-Old Colt in the United States in 2022, winner of the Breeders' Cup Juvenile (G1), the Hopeful Stakes (G1), the Claiborne Breeders' Futurity (G1), and later the Florida Derby (G1).

His legacy is further fortified by G1 winners Dr. Schivel, Mullikin, No Parole, and Volatile, all of whom have transitioned to stud careers.

For Argentine turf enthusiasts, Violence holds a particularly familiar name. Over four shuttle seasons, he stood at Haras La Pasión, leaving behind a crop spearheaded by Fiel Amigo, Champion 2-Year-Old Colt of 2021 and a multiple G1 winner. Additionally, he sired fellow G1 victor Dandy del Barrio as well as stakes winners Che Maga, Tarsino, Grantland, Marshall Patrol, Shy Cubana, Far Away Love, and Albanesi, among others.

His international influence remained evident in 2026, recording five new stakes winners, including Obliteration, Drew's Gold, Outlaw Kid, Playful, and Violence and Peace.

Now, away from the demands of full books and commercial commitments, Violence will have a chance to extend his reproductive career under specialized conditions.

It is a partial farewell for a stallion who transformed a brief racing career into a trajectory of enormous significance in global thoroughbred breeding.