Even entering his third breeding season, which is historically the toughest for any stallion, there is still tremendous buzz and excitement surrounding New Jersey pacing stallion Lazarus N.
Lazarus N (Bettor’s Delight-Bethany) Q1:48.3 – BT 1:46.3 ($3,070,095) was named New Zealand Horse of the Year twice – at ages 3 and 4 and 5 year old Pacer of the Year, as well as Australasian Grand Circuit Champion for two years, and compiled and impressive International race record of 51 starts with 37 wins, 8 seconds, 4 thirds, with only 2 unplaced races.
Lazarus N has been as impressive in the breeding shed as he was on the racetrack and has attracted some high profile mares to his 2019 and 2020 book, including Worldly Beauty p, 1:49.3M ($1,900,255); Rocklamation p, 1:48.3M ($2,277,384); Odds on Stephanie, sister to Captaintreacherous p, 1:47.1 M ($3,148,657); Artstopper, dam of Always B Miki p, 1:46.0M ($2,715,368); Shake It Miki, sister to Always B Miki; and West Side Glory, dam of See You At Peelers p, 1:49.2f ($1,573,260), Western Silk, p, 3, 1:50.1 ($1,679,347).
Mark Purdon, who trained Lazarus N in New Zealand, had only high praise for his superstar: “It felt like he was almost human. He was so intelligent. Even in training he had a tremendous will to please you, if you wanted him to go the half in 57 he would do it. Lazarus was the perfect combination of tenacity, will to win, and gait. I think he is going to be a great stallion.”
North American trainer Jimmy Takter had gushing compliments for Lazarus. “He was a really strong fighter, so much stamina and class, and also just a real sweet boy to be around.” Takter said, “If he hadn’t gotten sick three times after he arrived it is hard to imagine what he would have done here in the States. I’m 100 per cent sure he would have scraped up everything here.”
Takter said he is extremely positive about about one of Lazarus’ first-crop yearlings. “We have a Lazarus filly out of West Side Glory that I really love. She is stunning, absolutely marvelous looking.” “He is a great horse. I am not sure people are aware just how good he is…. He is going to do very well as a stallion. I am quite sure about that.”
Gordon Banks of Enviro Stables has owned some great racehorses over the last several decades. He said that he thinks very highly of Lazarus N. “Lazarus is just one of those special horses of the last 20-30 years. Incredibly game and had a big will to win,” said Banks. “He would sit parked two or three wide for an entire trip and still be fighting to win” Banks went on to say that “it is really unfortunate that when he arrived in the United States he was at the tail end of his racing career. America did not get to see him at his best.”
Mike Gulotta, CEO of Deo Volente Farms said, “We are extremely happy with all of our Lazarus first-crop yearlings, but there are two that are especially promising. We have an incredible looking colt out of Worldly Beauty, and a super nice Rocklamation filly.”
Deo Volente’s farm manager Fidencio Cervantez echoed Gulotta’s thoughts when he said, “I am pleased with all of our Lazarus N yearlings, but I think we have a Worldly Beauty colt that is going to be very special.”
Lazarus N offspring will essentially own the rejuvenated and richer New Jersey Sire Stakes Program. He will clearly be the leading pacing stallion in New Jersey in 2021 as there is very little competition for him on the pacing side in the state.