Pedigree Query

Darley Buys Interest in Distorted Humor


Fresh on the heels of adding grade I winner Any Given Saturday to its growing list of stars, Sheikh Mohammed's Darley has purchased a number of shares in Any Given Saturday's sire, Distorted Humor. A 14-year-old syndicated son of Forty Niner, Distorted Humor stands at Bill Casner and Kenny Troutt's WinStar Farm near Versailles, Ky.

"Darley's involvement will further enhance Distorted Humor's legacy as a great sire," said Doug Cauthen, WinStar president.

Distorted Humor, who sired the earners of $6.7 million last year, is on his way to an even bigger year. He is represented by the earners of $6.4 million and 19 stakes winners, just one fewer than for all of last year. His 2007 fee was $225,000.

"He's a horse we're excited about," said Darley chief operating officer Dan Pride. "He's a stallion we've been supporting by buying his yearlings and breeding our mares to him."

Any Given Saturday, who was bred by Racehorse Management, a WinStar division, races for WinStar in partnership with Satish and Anne Sanan's Padua Stables. The 3-year-old colt is being aimed for the Oct. 27 Breeders' Cup Classic - Powered by Dodge (gr. I), after which Darley will take ownership.

When asked whether the purchase of the breeding rights in Distorted Humor was tied into the deal to secure Any Given Saturday, Pride said, "It was purely coincidental."

Distorted Humor, out of the Danzig mare Danzig's Beauty, has sired 59 stakes winners, including 2003 Kentucky Derby (gr. I) winner and champion Funny Cide and additional 2007 grade I winner Hystericalady.

Distorted Humor will continue to stand at WinStar.

http://breeding.bloodhorse.com/viewstory.asp?id=40654

Indychase wrote:Yeah, no one was freaking out when Coolmore bought into Storm Cat.