Great Notion and Friesan Fire have emerged as leaders in Maryland’s sire ranks following the pensioning and death of the state’s titan, Not For Love. Their reign continued in 2018, as they were again the leading general sires by earnings.
Central Banker made a stellar debut with his first runners in 2018, not only finishing as New York’s leading freshman sire by a wide margin, but leading all juvenile sires in the state and ranking in the top 10 nationally among freshmen.
There were five New York-bred Grade/Group 1 winners in 2018 in a banner year for the state program – and two of those winners are by stallions currently standing in New York.
A strategy of bringing highly sought-after bloodlines to New York and making them available at a reasonable price point in the regional market has proven wildly successful for Sequel Stallions over the last two decades.
With two solid newcomers set to join Jump Start in Pennsylvania, a competitive stallion market looms in coming years for the Keystone State.
No matter the location, Northview Stallion Station seems to have the market cornered when it comes to first-year stallions in the Mid-Atlantic region for 2019.
Bucchero, a multiple graded stakes winner, is an anticipated addition to the Florida stallion ranks this year as the first son of Kantharos to enter the market.
First Dude had something of a star-crossed career. The dual classic-placed runner was among the most respected performers of his division, but suffered a frustrating string of narrow defeats in major events. He finally broke through with his first Grade 1 victory – but was promptly forced into retirement by an injury. First Dude's progeny are now taking the sting out of the situation by carrying on their sire's obvious talent.
Champion Songbird delivered her first foal, a filly from the first crop of champion Arrogate, early Monday morning at Timber Town Farm in Kentucky.
Awesome Again and English Channel aren't just represented in Gulfstream Park's rich Pegasus World Cup races this weekend, they're represented in double, offering each twice the chance to get a leg up in the 2019 sire races.
