LISBON, Iowa (Feb. 4, 2020) – For the third consecutive year, Native Ruler was named winner of the Stallion Division by the Iowa Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association, it was announced on Monday.
The 16-year-old son of Elusive Quality was pensioned to Unbridled Spirits Thoroughbred Retirement Ranch in Lisbon, Iowa, in July of 2019 by his owner Maggi Moss.
“He was a classic racehorse, and an amazing success on the track and as a stallion,” Moss said. “He did his jobs with dignity and everything that was asked of him. With all that Ruler gave me, being able to give him a safe and secure retirement at Unbridled is the ultimate reward. I’m eternally grateful to (Unbridled Spirits Executive Director) Tina Norris for providing him with the happiness that every horse deserves.”
Last year, Native Ruler’s top progeny collected over $580,000 in earnings, led by Zella Rose ($135,361) and Scrutinizer ($94,129). To date, Zella Rose is also her sire’s all-time leading performer, both for career wins (12) and earnings ($396,988). Scrutinizer, who has made over $367,000, also has three stakes wins at Prairie Meadows to his credit.
During his six-year career on the track, Native Ruler posed for pictures 17 times from 41 starts, including 10 sprint stakes triumphs at six different racetracks, which helped produce $712,296 in earnings.
After being claimed from Kenneth and Sarah Ramsey for $25,000 in December of 2007, by trainer Chris Richard for Moss, Native Ruler reeled off four straight wins for his new connections and went on to win seven more times in 31 total races for the Moss/Richard team.
Native Ruler’s final year of racing came in 2011, during which he posted three wins and hit the board eight times in his nine starts. He was then retired to stud duty at Abraham’s Equine Clinic in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he stood for eight years. During his breeding seasons, Native Ruler sired 47 starters and 24 winners of 59 races.
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Unbridled Spirits Thoroughbred Retirement Ranch is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization that is in good standing with the Internal Revenue Service and the Secretary of State of Iowa. Founded in 2012, and located in Lisbon, Iowa, Unbridled Spirits is currently home to 31 retired equines and is the only off-the-track Thoroughbred sanctuary in the Midwest. In 2019, Unbridled Spirits received grants from both Equus and After the Finish Line
