Speedy stakes winner Loubet has been retired and the son of Sweet Lou will stand stud in 2024.
Indiana will be getting its first son of Sweet Lou as Loubet p,2,1:49.3 ($161,738) will stand at Premier Acres in Middlebury, Indiana next year.
Lightly raced due to an injury at two during a qualifier, Loubet (Sweet Lou - Atsallrite Hanover) raced just four times in his freshman season, winning three. He concluded his season by winning the Kindergarten final at The Meadowlands in 1:49.3, with a last quarter in :25.3.
A deal was recently struck between his ownership group and breeder Jeff Fought to bring him to Indiana.
“I was as excited about Loubet as a three-year-old as I’ve ever been with any horse," said trainer Ron Burke. "He won his last race at two [the 2022 Kindergarten] in 1:49.3, last quarter in :25.3. He’s got a different gear, he’s special, but unfortunately fought injuries at three. In a three-year-old class dominated by Sweet Lous, I truly believe he was capable of being at the top. We will breed some of our mares to Loubet and can’t wait to bid on his yearlings. I think he’ll be an exciting, fresh option for the state of Indiana.”
Loubet’s sire Sweet Lou is enjoying a banner year, with the likes of sophomores Confederate, Its My Show and Cannibal, as well as freshman phenoms like Geocentric and My Girl EJ. As of mid-October, Sweet Lou leads all sires of sophomore pacers in North America in earnings and average earnings per foal.
With regards to standing Loubet in Indiana, Fought added, “I’ve been on the lookout for the right son of Sweet Lou to bring to Indiana for some time now. I actually live on Burke’s training track in Florida so I get an inside look at virtually every Lou that Ronnie and his crew have. It was apparent very early on the talent Loubet has, and I’m grateful to part-owner Mark Weaver for helping bring this horse to the Hoosier State.”
Syndication is underway and a limited number of syndicate shares are available, with share purchasers being entitled to two free breedings per share for the first three years Loubet stands at stud. For details, contact either Jeff Fought with Cornerstone Stock Farm at 260-463-1649 or Dennis Bontrager with Premier Acres at 260-585-4927.
(with files from Cornerstone Stock Farm)