Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Forte
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Forte
Nicole RussoFeb 01, 2023
Kentucky Derby pedigree profile: Forte
The 2022 racing season continued to showcase the power of the partnership, with potential champions such as Flightline, Nest, Forte, and other major runners being campaigned in partnership. That theme of teaming up continues into a number of facets of the industry nationwide, including the Ohio stallion ranks.
At age 23, Stroll hasn't slowed down at all. The Grade 1 winner and successful sire continues to flourish as a leading sire in his adopted home state of Iowa, standing for Iowa State University's equine program in Ames. But the big man now has a few new stablemates on campus to help carry the load.
The ranks of elite turf sires are in a period of major change, both in North America and Europe, with the loss of several titans in recent years. Emerging as a leader of the group is War Front, a stallion popular on both sides of the Atlantic. The flagship of the Claiborne Farm roster, War Front is the leading living turf sire by earnings in North America, with several other stallions also emerging as horses to keep an eye on in the coming years.
Into Mischief claimed his fourth straight North American sire title in 2022 while again breaking his own single-season earnings mark. At this point, he may best be compared to some of the legends of the industry.
Bucking a national trend, Indiana was one of a few states that had an increase in mares bred in 2022, showing a response to a robust statebred program that has contributed major economic activity to the state.
Ghaaleb claimed his second consecutive Illinois sire title, and third overall, in 2022, outdistancing his closest competitor while doing so.
North America's leading sires are a diverse cast. The 10 earnings leaders on the general sires list for 2022 represent eight different farms, with stud fees ranging from $10,000 to $250,000. They range in age from 9 to 25, and in accomplishment from champion juveniles to horses unraced at 2 who became champions as older horses. Two stallions on this list share something very important in common, though.
Sustained excellence has been a theme of Curlin's career, first as a multi-time champion on the racetrack and now as one of North America's established elite stallions.
Broodmare of the Year Sweet Life has died at age 27. The announcement was made by Lane's End Farm, where Pam and Marty Wygod's homebred daughter of Kris S. had resided since 2008.