Sire Apollo Pensioned

The successful sire Apollo (TB), 25, has been pensioned from stallion duties and has returned to Vessels Stallion Farm at Bonsall, California, to enjoy retirement.

“He’ll live out his days here," said Vessels farm manager Kevin Dickson. "He’s a cool horse, and we’re glad to have him home. He’s done enough for us, so we’ll give him his rest, and let him live out his days here in Southern California as a happy horse.”

The Thoroughbred stallion is by Falstaff out of the Tumble Wind mare Tumble Along. He raced 23 times from 1990-1994, including racing in France, and earned $354,475. He is a multiple stakes winner and equaled the 5 1/2 furlong world record of 1:01.5.

"Apollo was a tremendous racehorse," Dickson said. "Scoop (Frank Vessels III) went out and found this horse. In addition to (Apollo's) record, once Scoop saw the horse physically, he stepped out of the box and thought the horse would work well with Quarter Horses -- and he was absolutely right."

As a sire, Apollo (TB) has from 14 crops to race has sired 207 winners from 378 starters and the earners of more than $7.9 million. He has sired 29 stakes winners, and is the sire of champion Old Habits ($680,966) and champion and broodmare of the year Apollitical Time ($904,242), dam of 2010 world champion Apollitical Jess ($1,399,831).

Other major winners include Giorgino ($318,854), One More Habit ($272,510), Metallic Lion ($263,045), Apollos Favorite ($240,754), Apollos Ten Bears ($205,635), Docs Apollo ($158,316), Apollos Firestorm ($151,298), Whole Lot Of Karma ($139,525), Ride With The King ($136,335), Dash On A Mission ($120,448), Valentino De Lao ($116,977), Apollos First Down ($113,684), Shy Anns Trust ($109,071), I Ought To Be First ($108,305), Doreme Fasolasi Win ($102,805) and Apollo Rocks ($102,195).

As a broodmare sire, Apollo’s all-time earnings reach $4,709,991 from 204 starters and 110 winners (including 16 stakes winners).

His Thoroughbred progeny include 98 winners, including five stakes winners, and earnings of more than $5.9 million.

Apollo most recently stood at Joneson Ranch at Shawnee, Oklahoma.