The trotter Kings County has officially been retired and will start his first breeding season in 2025. The eight-year-old stallion will stand at Bluff Country Equine in Minnesota.
Kings County 2, 1:52.3, 1:51.4f ($555,496) is now the fastest and richest son of Muscle Hill to stand stud in Minnesota. Early in his career, racing for Lindy Farms, he won major Grand Circuit stakes at age two, including divisions of the International Stallion Stakes and Champlain Stakes. Though an injury sidelined his three-year-old season, Kings County returned as an older trotter, demonstrating his durability. He later raced for Anthony MacDonald and Thestable.ca, setting track records in Ohio at both Scioto Downs and Dayton Raceway. He also holds the co-track record at The Meadows as the fastest older stallion trotter.
Purchased for $210,000 as a yearling, Kings County’s pedigree enhances his appeal in the growing Minnesota breeding program. He is by Muscle Hill, the sire of progeny that have earned over $114 million, and out of the Conway Hall mare Brooklyn. His full brother, a Muscle Hill colt, was the highest-priced yearling at the 2023 Harrisburg sale, fetching $600,000.
"Kings County was a standout for us," said MacDonald. "He was all class and never seemed to tire. His record-breaking performances and his family's success make him an exciting addition to the Minnesota breeding scene."
Jeff Fought of Cornerstone Stock Farm echoed the excitement, stating, "Minnesota has been great for us with our pacing stallion Gulf Shores, so we’ve been searching for a trotting stallion of equal calibre. Kings County fits the bill as a stakes winner, fast at both two and as an aged horse, with an exceptional pedigree."
A $40,000 King of Minnesota Bonus Program has been introduced for those breeding to Kings County. Breeders will be eligible for a $20,000 bonus if a foal from the 2025 season wins a Minnesota Harness Racing freshman divisional championship in 2028, with separate awards for colt and filly trotters.
Kings County recently passed his fertility test and will stand for a fee of $2,000, or $1,750 for multiple mares. Foals will be eligible for Minnesota and California programs, as well as Breeders Crown nominations.