Strong Contender, multiple grade-two winner of the Super Derby and Dwyer Stakes with earnings of $618,000, will stand his first season at Stonewall Stallions in Versailles, Ky. The son of leading sire Maria’s Mon defeated Lawyer Ron by a length in the Super Derby and won the Dwyer by seven-and-three-quarter lengths. Strong Contender retires with a record of four wins from eight starts for owner John Oxley.

Trained by John Ward Jr., Strong Contender won the 2006 Dwyer Stakes (G2) and Super Derby (G2) and finished third in the Toyota Blue Grass Stakes (G1), Haskell Invitational Handicap (G1), and Peter Pan Stakes (G2).

"He had as much natural ability as any horse I've ever trained," Ward said.

The $800,000 Keeneland two-year-old in training purchase from the consignment of Murray Smith is the second foal out of the multiple stakes-placed Dynaformer mare Kopenhagen. He will stand for $10,000.