COUNTERFORCE, leading freshman stallion in British Columbia last season and sire of both Saturday’s Stakes’ winners at Hastings, is on the move.

The son of Smart Strike, who has stood at Jack Bennett’s Road’s End Farm near Abbotsford since he was brought to B.C. by Canadian Thoroughbred Horse Society (CTHS) director Paul Caravetta, is set to begin covering duties at Steen and Cathy Reggelsen’s Stride Away Thoroughbreds near Armstrong, B.C., from 2024.

The Reggelsens, who previously stood successful sire VALUE PLUS, are delighted to welcome COUNTERFORCE, who is currently the leading second-season stallion in all of Canada.

Cathy Reggelsen said: “He’s a lovely horse, with a magnificent pedigree. He came out firing as a freshman last year and that’s certainly continued this season.”

“He’s producing athletic-looking horses with good temperaments and we can’t wait to show him off to potential breeders. We’re very excited to have him here and hope to continue the great start made with him by Jack Bennett.”

The move, according to Caravetta, is solely due to Jack Bennett’s impending retirement later this year.

“I’m so grateful to Jack,” Caravetta explained. “He’s such a knowledgeable man and he is totally responsible for the horse’s success. I’m delighted he’s going to Steen and Cathy, but he wouldn’t be moving anywhere if Jack hadn’t been retiring later this year.”

COUNTERFORCE enjoyed a bonanza weekend, siring Ross McLeod Stakes winner LUCKY FORCE and River Rock Casino Stakes winner AIR FORCE. The young stallion’s already impressive pedigree page was also given another huge boost in the shape of Saturday’s Belmont Stakes’ winner, ARCANGELO (Arrogate). The winner of the third jewel in the Triple Crown is out of MODELING (Tapit), a half-sister to Counterforce’s dam, ACHIEVING (Bernardini).

A fee for COUNTERFORCE’s 2024 season will be confirmed at a later date.

N. Reid