STAGE RAIDER – New for 2025

Owner-breeder John Gunther, and daughter Tanya Gunther have retired their homebred STAGE RAIDER (2018) (Pioneerofthe Nile – Stage Magic by Ghostzapper) to Pope McLean’s Crestwood Farm in Lexington, Kentucky for the 2025 breeding season.  STAGE RAIDER is half-brother to 2018 Triple Crown winner, and leading sire JUSTIFY the#1 third crop sire; already the sire of over 30+ stakes winners; headed by two Champions, including G1 winners CITY OF TROY, OPERA SINGER, and RAMATUELLE.

“My dad and I really believe in this horse, and we are excited to start him on his new stallion career. Being a half-brother to international sire sensation JUSTIFY, a great physical, combined with the brilliance he showed early in his career, gives him a license to be a high-class sire. The genetics are there for greatness, considering PIONEEROF THE NILE sired a Triple Crown winner, and his dam STAGE MAGIC produced a Triple Crown winner who is now an elite sire!” said Tanya Gunther

STAGE RAIDER was a TDN rising star breaking his maiden in his 2^nd start at Keeneland by an astonishing 10-3/4 lengths. Showing versatility on dirt from 7-9 furlongs, he posted 5-triple digit speed figures, winning the R.A. Cowboy Jones Stakes at 1-mile, and was 2^nd in the 1-mile Ack Ack G3. A winner in top company at Saratoga, Belmont, and Keeneland, he won or placed in 8 of his 18 starts amassing earnings of $423,370.

“It is an honor to partner with the Gunthers on STAGE RAIDER. They have an incredibly impressive resume as the breeders of Grade-1 winners, including the likes of  JUSTIFY, FIRST SAMURAI, MO TOWN, TAMARKUZ, VINO ROSSO, STAY THIRSTY and WITHOUT PAROLE. We believe that working together, STAGE RAIDER has a tremendous chance to be a top sire!” said Pope McLean Jr. of Crestwood Farm.

STAGE RAIDER will stand for $6,500 Live Foal (Payable Stands and Nurse), and a limited lifetime breeding right program will be available. He will be available for inspection starting in November. Please contact Crestwood Farm at 859-252-3770.