Roman Ruler (USA)
March 20, 2002– January 25, 2017
Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) x Silvery Swan (USA), by Silver Deputy (CAN)
Family 8-h
March 20, 2002– January 25, 2017
Fusaichi Pegasus (USA) x Silvery Swan (USA), by Silver Deputy (CAN)
Family 8-h
The mating that produced Roman Ruler defied conventional wisdom, as he was inbred 2x4 to Mr. Prospector at a time when inbreeding to the star Claiborne sire was still a new thing. Apparently, it didn’t hurt him. One of the highest-rated 2-year-olds of his crop, he trained on to be a Grade 1 winner at 3. He was also a successful sire, especially in Argentina, where his early death was a great loss to breeders.
Race record
10 starts, 5 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, US$1,220,800
2004:
2005:
Assessments
Rated at 124 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American 2-year-old males of 2004, 2 pounds below co-highweights Declan’s Moon (the official champion) and Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (USA-G1) winner Wilko and tied with Afleet Alex for third.
As an individual
A handsome dark bay or brown ridgling with prominent withers, Roman Ruler was strongly made. He had a deep, well-laid shoulder and strong hindquarters, but his hocks were somewhat out behind him. He had a history of quarter cracks during his racing days and was forced to miss the Triple Crown series by foot trouble. He showed marked determination in a drive but tended to loaf if he got to an uncontested lead. Trainer Bob Baffert characterized him as having “a great mind.”
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Roman Ruler has sired 863 winners (65.7%) and 77 stakes winners (5.9%) from 1314 named foals of racing age.
Sire rankings
Per El Turf (www.elturf.com):
Per the Stud Book Argentino (www.studbook.org.ar):
Per the Stud Book Uruguayo (https://www.studbook.com.uy):
Notable progeny
Artemis Agrotara (USA), Caldine (ARG), Daniel Boone (ARG), Fragotero (ARG), Homeboykris (USA), Imagen de Roma (ARG), Le Blues (ARG), Lenovo (ARG), Leo Ruler (ARG), Magical Touch (ARG), Proud Ruler (ARG), Roman Rosso (ARG), Romana Ruler (CHI), Ruler on Ice (USA), Tarsilia (ARG), Zacatlan (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Holy Joy (ARG), Lobelius (CHI), Luna Cautiva (CHI), Ola Perfecta (PER), Rammel (ARG)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Roman Ruler was bred by Needham/Betz Thoroughbreds, Liberation Farm, and Ashford Stud. He was owned by Fog City Stable (William Bianco and David Shimmon) after being sold for US$500,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September yearling sale. He was trained by Bob Baffert. John Sikura of Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm bought into the colt after his win in the Haskell Invitational Handicap, and Roman Ruler entered stud in 2006 at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms. He began shuttling to Haras Vacación in Argentina for the Southern Hemisphere season beginning in 2008 and was sold to Haras Vacación for permanent stud duty in Argentina in February 2016. He died there of complications of colic and laminitis in January 2017.
Pedigree notes
Roman Ruler is inbred 2x4 to two-time American champion sire Mr. Prospector and 4x5 to the great international sire Northern Dancer; he is also inbred 5x5 to five-time American champion sire Nasrullah, a champion sire on the English/Irish list as well. He is a half brother to 1990 Cigar Mile Handicap (USA-G1) winner El Corredor (by Mr. Greeley) and to 2001 Reeve Schley, Jr. Stakes (USA-G3) winner Silver Tornado (by Maria’s Mon). Roman Ruler is also a half brother to Spun Silver (by Grand Slam), dam of multiple stakes winner Sirenusa (by Tiznow), and to So Spirited (by Favorite Trick), second dam of Grade 3 winner Informative.
Roman Ruler’s dam Silvery Swan never raced and was first bred as a 2-year-old. She is a half sister to multiple listed stakes winner Seducer (by Housebuster), dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Seducer’s Song (by Unbridled’s Song), and to restricted stakes winner Swift and Classy (by Clever Trick), dam of Grade 3 winner Rydilluc (by Medaglia d’Oro) and multiple stakes winner Gold Wonder (by Golden Missile). She was produced from Sociable Duck, whose sire Quack (by T. V. Lark) equaled the 10-furlong world record in the 1972 Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap and won the Californian Stakes (USA-G1) in 1973 and 1974.
Sociable Duck is a stakes-placed full sister to Sitting Duck, dam of stakes winners Musco Duck (by Muscovite) and Sejm’s Lunar Star (by Sejm). Produced from the stakes-placed Never Bend mare Unsociable, Sociable Duck is also a half sister to stakes winner Raised Socially (by Raise a Native) and to Ching Ching (by Raise a Cup), dam of listed stakes winner Uluvitnunoit (by Evansville Slew) and restricted stakes winner Royal Ching (by Royal Roberto). In addition, Sociable Duck is a half sister to Coast Along (by Coastal), second dam of Grade 3 winner Like Now
Books and media
A Blood-Horse video showing Roman Ruler as a promising young stallion at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyCMrh7rIb8.
Fun facts
Last updated: January 3, 2025
Race record
10 starts, 5 wins, 2 seconds, 1 third, US$1,220,800
2004:
- Won Norfolk Stakes (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Santa Anita)
- Won Best Pal Stakes (USA-G3, 6.5FD, Del Mar)
- 2nd Del Mar Futurity (USA-G2, 7FD, Del Mar)
2005:
- Won Haskell Invitational Handicap (USA-G1, 9FD, Monmouth)
- Won Dwyer Stakes (USA-G2, 8.5FD, Belmont)
- 2nd Goodwood Breeders' Cup Handicap (USA-G2, 9FD, Santa Anita)
- 3rd Travers Stakes (USA-G1, 10FD, Saratoga)
Assessments
Rated at 124 pounds on the Experimental Free Handicap for American 2-year-old males of 2004, 2 pounds below co-highweights Declan’s Moon (the official champion) and Bessemer Trust Breeders’ Cup Juvenile (USA-G1) winner Wilko and tied with Afleet Alex for third.
As an individual
A handsome dark bay or brown ridgling with prominent withers, Roman Ruler was strongly made. He had a deep, well-laid shoulder and strong hindquarters, but his hocks were somewhat out behind him. He had a history of quarter cracks during his racing days and was forced to miss the Triple Crown series by foot trouble. He showed marked determination in a drive but tended to loaf if he got to an uncontested lead. Trainer Bob Baffert characterized him as having “a great mind.”
As a stallion
According to statistics compiled by The Jockey Club, Roman Ruler has sired 863 winners (65.7%) and 77 stakes winners (5.9%) from 1314 named foals of racing age.
Sire rankings
Per El Turf (www.elturf.com):
- Led the Argentine general sire list in 2018, 2019, and 2021; 2nd in 2014, 2015, and 2020; 3rd in 2016; 6th in 2017; 10th in 2013.
Per the Stud Book Argentino (www.studbook.org.ar):
- Led the Argentine general sire list in 2018, 2019, and 2021; 2nd in 2014, 2015, and 2020; 4th in 2016; 6th in 2017.
- 9th on the Argentine broodmare sire list in 2024.
Per the Stud Book Uruguayo (https://www.studbook.com.uy):
- 9th on the Uruguayan general sire list in 2018.
Notable progeny
Artemis Agrotara (USA), Caldine (ARG), Daniel Boone (ARG), Fragotero (ARG), Homeboykris (USA), Imagen de Roma (ARG), Le Blues (ARG), Lenovo (ARG), Leo Ruler (ARG), Magical Touch (ARG), Proud Ruler (ARG), Roman Rosso (ARG), Romana Ruler (CHI), Ruler on Ice (USA), Tarsilia (ARG), Zacatlan (USA)
Notable progeny of daughters
Holy Joy (ARG), Lobelius (CHI), Luna Cautiva (CHI), Ola Perfecta (PER), Rammel (ARG)
Connections
Foaled in Kentucky, Roman Ruler was bred by Needham/Betz Thoroughbreds, Liberation Farm, and Ashford Stud. He was owned by Fog City Stable (William Bianco and David Shimmon) after being sold for US$500,000 at the 2003 Keeneland September yearling sale. He was trained by Bob Baffert. John Sikura of Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm bought into the colt after his win in the Haskell Invitational Handicap, and Roman Ruler entered stud in 2006 at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms. He began shuttling to Haras Vacación in Argentina for the Southern Hemisphere season beginning in 2008 and was sold to Haras Vacación for permanent stud duty in Argentina in February 2016. He died there of complications of colic and laminitis in January 2017.
Pedigree notes
Roman Ruler is inbred 2x4 to two-time American champion sire Mr. Prospector and 4x5 to the great international sire Northern Dancer; he is also inbred 5x5 to five-time American champion sire Nasrullah, a champion sire on the English/Irish list as well. He is a half brother to 1990 Cigar Mile Handicap (USA-G1) winner El Corredor (by Mr. Greeley) and to 2001 Reeve Schley, Jr. Stakes (USA-G3) winner Silver Tornado (by Maria’s Mon). Roman Ruler is also a half brother to Spun Silver (by Grand Slam), dam of multiple stakes winner Sirenusa (by Tiznow), and to So Spirited (by Favorite Trick), second dam of Grade 3 winner Informative.
Roman Ruler’s dam Silvery Swan never raced and was first bred as a 2-year-old. She is a half sister to multiple listed stakes winner Seducer (by Housebuster), dam of multiple Grade 3 winner Seducer’s Song (by Unbridled’s Song), and to restricted stakes winner Swift and Classy (by Clever Trick), dam of Grade 3 winner Rydilluc (by Medaglia d’Oro) and multiple stakes winner Gold Wonder (by Golden Missile). She was produced from Sociable Duck, whose sire Quack (by T. V. Lark) equaled the 10-furlong world record in the 1972 Hollywood Gold Cup Handicap and won the Californian Stakes (USA-G1) in 1973 and 1974.
Sociable Duck is a stakes-placed full sister to Sitting Duck, dam of stakes winners Musco Duck (by Muscovite) and Sejm’s Lunar Star (by Sejm). Produced from the stakes-placed Never Bend mare Unsociable, Sociable Duck is also a half sister to stakes winner Raised Socially (by Raise a Native) and to Ching Ching (by Raise a Cup), dam of listed stakes winner Uluvitnunoit (by Evansville Slew) and restricted stakes winner Royal Ching (by Royal Roberto). In addition, Sociable Duck is a half sister to Coast Along (by Coastal), second dam of Grade 3 winner Like Now
Books and media
A Blood-Horse video showing Roman Ruler as a promising young stallion at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JyCMrh7rIb8.
Fun facts
- Roman Ruler narrowly avoided disaster in his first stakes race, the Best Pal Stakes, as Wetherly broke down and fell in front of him as he was beginning his rally. (The unfortunate colt broke a leg and had to be euthanized.) Fortunately for Roman Ruler, he was able to avoid his fallen rival and went on to win.
Last updated: January 3, 2025