Multiple Grade I winner and millionaire Tale of Ekati will stand the 2010 breeding season at Darby Dan Farm for his owner and breeder Charles Fipke. Tale of Ekati retired with career earnings of $1,182,992.  He will be available for inspection starting September 22 at the Darby Dan stallion open house which runs from 3-7 pm.

His stud fee will be $15,000 due when the foal stands and nurses.  “Based on the global downturn, we have set a stud fee for Tale of Ekati that allows breeders access to a top class stallion prospect at a fair price.  We feel this will ensure that he receives the best book of mares possible in his first years at stud,” said farm owner John Phillips.  In addition, Mr. Fipke will be offering a number of complimentary seasons to Tale of Ekati.  Details of the program will be announced in the near future.

Tale of Ekati (Tale of the Cat —Silence Beauty, by Sunday Silence) scored his biggest victory in the 2008 Wood Memorial (gr. I) for trainer Barclay Tagg where he wore down juvenile Champion War Pass for the win.  After his Wood Memorial victory Tale of Ekati closed in the stretch to finish fourth in the Kentucky Derby.  His three year old campaign also included wins in the GI Cigar Mile and the GII Jerome.

At two, Tale of Ekati showed brilliance from his first start at Belmont where he crushed his rivals by more than 8 lengths.  He went on to capture the GII Futurity Stakes at Belmont later that year and finished his two year old year with a solid fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile.

“Tale of Ekati was foaled and raised at Darby Dan, and it is exciting to stand him for Mr. Fipke.  He has a beautiful female family and was a solid racehorse.  Mr. Fipke has committed to support Tale of Ekati with some of his exceptional broodmares and we will breed home team mares to him as well,” commented John Phillips.