Publisher

Connections

Owner: King, Gus and Estate of Brereton C. Jones
Breeders: Brereton C. Jones
Trainer: Steven M. Asmussen
Jockey: Flavien Prat

Publisher: 2025 Kentucky Derby Contender Profile

Publisher, a 3-year-old colt by American Pharoah out of Indian Pride, heads into the 2025 Kentucky Derby with a strong second in the Arkansas Derby (G1) (1:50.04 over 1 1/8 miles), earning 40 Derby points. Despite being a maiden, his consistent placings and 70 total points secure his spot. With a pedigree featuring Pioneer of the Nile and Proud Citizen, Publisher seeks to win the Kentucky Derby as a maiden with a longshot chance for victory on May 3, 2025, at Churchill Downs.

Pedigree

Publisher
├── Sire: American Pharoah
│   ├── Sire: Pioneer of the Nile
│   └── Dam: Littleprincessemma (by Yankee Gentleman)
└── Dam: Indian Pride
    ├── Sire: Proud Citizen
    └── Dam: Ms Cornstalk (by Indian Charlie)

1st Generation Pedigree

• Sire: American Pharoah
  American Pharoah, a son of Pioneer of the Nile, is the 2015 Triple Crown winner, sweeping the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes, and also won the Breeders’ Cup Classic that year, earning Horse of the Year honors. Standing at Ashford Stud for $60,000 in 2025, American Pharoah has sired graded stakes winners like 2023 Kentucky Derby winner Mage (via a Curlin mare), though his offspring have had mixed results at the top level. His influence often imparts stamina and versatility, ideal for classic distances like the Derby’s 1 1/4 miles.
• Dam: Indian Pride
  Indian Pride, by Proud Citizen, is a stakes-winning mare who earned $245,000, with her best win in the 2016 Shine Again Stakes at Saratoga over 7 furlongs. She’s a half-sister to Canadian champions Biofuel and Tu Endie Wei, adding class to her lineage. Indian Pride has produced Publisher as her most notable foal to date, and her pedigree through Proud Citizen blends speed with middle-distance ability.

2nd Generation Pedigree

• American Pharoah’s Parents (Publisher’s Paternal Grandparents)
  American Pharoah’s sire is Pioneer of the Nile, as you confirmed, a son of Empire Maker who finished second in the 2009 Kentucky Derby and sired two Eclipse Award-winning 2-year-olds, including American Pharoah and Classic Empire. Pioneer of the Nile, who died in 2019, was a leading sire of stamina-oriented runners. American Pharoah’s dam is Littleprincessemma, by Yankee Gentleman, a modestly successful mare who earned $34,000 but produced American Pharoah as her standout foal, adding a speed element through her Storm Cat lineage.
• Indian Pride’s Parents (Publisher’s Maternal Grandparents)
  Indian Pride’s sire is Proud Citizen, a son of Gone West who finished second in the 2002 Kentucky Derby and won the 2003 Lexington Stakes (G2) at 1 1/16 miles. Proud Citizen, who died in 2020, sired 15 graded stakes winners, including 2010 Kentucky Oaks winner Blind Luck, and his progeny often show speed with some stamina. Indian Pride’s dam is Ms Cornstalk, by Indian Charlie, a stakes-placed mare who earned $112,000 and finished third in the 2007 Miss Preakness Stakes at 6 furlongs. Indian Charlie, a leading sire, adds speed to this line, with his progeny including 2008 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies winner Indian Blessing.

Additional Notes on Publisher’s Pedigree

• Paternal Line (American Pharoah): Pioneer of the Nile, by Empire Maker, brings stamina—his progeny like American Pharoah and Classic Empire excelled at classic distances, with American Pharoah’s Triple Crown sweep in 2015 showcasing his ability at 1 1/4 miles and beyond. Littleprincessemma, via Yankee Gentleman (a Storm Cat son), adds speed, though her family is more modest—her dam, Exclusive Rosette, was unplaced, but the Storm Cat influence can spark brilliance.
• Maternal Line (Indian Pride): Proud Citizen, by Gone West, offers a mix of speed and stamina—his second in the 2002 Kentucky Derby shows he could handle 1 1/4 miles, and his daughters have produced runners like 2012 Santa Anita Oaks winner Willa B Awesome. Ms Cornstalk, by Indian Charlie, reinforces speed—Indian Charlie sired sprinters like Indian Blessing, but his daughters have produced classic runners like 2016 Belmont Stakes winner Creator (via a Tapit mare).
• Pedigree Fit for the Derby: Publisher’s pedigree is well-suited for the 1 1/4-mile Derby distance. American Pharoah and Pioneer of the Nile provide proven stamina, while Proud Citizen and Indian Charlie add enough speed to keep him competitive in the early stages. His Arkansas Derby runner-up finish (1:50.04 at 1 1/8 miles) suggests he can stretch out, though his maiden status raises concerns about his ability to close the deal against top competition.

Publisher’s Race Record