I’ll Have Another is the fourth Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes winner to be retired to the farm. The other three are Silver Charm (1997 winner, arrived 2014), War Emblem (2002 winner, arrived 2015), and Charismatic (1999 winner, arrived 2016).
Bred by Harvey Clarke, who died in 1997, I’ll Have Another, who is by Flower Alley-Arch’s Gal Edith, by Arch, was foaled at Brookdale Farm in Versailles, Ky., on April 1, 2009.
Trained by Doug O’Neill his entire career, I’ll Have Another began racing as a 2-year old in 2011. He won his first start, a maiden special weight race at Hollywood Park on July 3, but did not finish in the money in his other two starts that year. The chestnut colt came out much stronger as a 3-year old in 2012 and punched his ticket into the 138th Kentucky Derby Presented by Yum! Brands (G1) at Churchill Downs with wins in the Robert B. Lewis Stakes (G2), and the Santa Anita Derby (G1).
In the Derby, I’ll Have Another defeated race favorite, Bodemeister, by 1-1/2 lengths. Following that win, he headed to Pimlico for the Preakness Stakes (G1), and chased down Bodemeister in the stretch to win by a neck.
I’ll Have Another then travelled to New York for the Belmont Stakes (G1) where he was going to attempt to become the first Triple Crown winner since Affirmed won it in 1978. But, it was not to be, as he had to be scratched from the race due to a leg injury and was retired.
I’ll Have Another finished the year with an undefeated record of four wins in four starts, and $2,629,600 in earnings. He closed the books on his career with five wins, one second, and $2,693,600 in earnings in seven starts. In addition, at the end of the year, he was named 2012 Eclipse Award Winner as Champion 3-Year Old Colt.
Upon his retirement, I’ll Have Another was sold for $10 million to the Hokkaido-based Big Red Farm in Japan and began his stud career there in 2013. He remained there through 2018, then returned to the United States and stood at Ballena Vista Farm in Ramona, Calif. from 2019 to 2020, before moving to Reddam’s Ocean Breeze Ranch in Bonsall, Calif. from 2021 to 2024.
He was pensioned in 2024 and Reddam decided to send his champion to Old Friends for his retirement.
Old Friends thanks the hard work and dedication of Mary Greene producing this video.