An unexpected retirement can put a horse behind the eight ball in the process of securing a stud deal, attracting breeders, and assembling a strong book of mares. That is the case for more than two dozen stallions debuting in North America this season whose retirements were announced after Dec. 1 – some well after that.
Triple Crown winner American Pharoah got off to a fast start in his stud career with a number of strong turf runners, including 2019 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint winner Four Wheel Drive, who helped him to the freshman sire title. American Pharoah has continued his success and is now off to a fast start in 2022 with three graded stakes winners since the turn of the calendar – all on dirt.
Grade 3 winner Speightster, who arrived in Canada last month to continue his stud career, was euthanized Sunday after suffering an irreparable injury to a hind leg in his stall.
When the Eclipse Awards are presented Thursday night at Santa Anita, Essential Quality will be spending a quiet evening at his birthplace, Darley's Jonabell Farm in Lexington, Ky., while continuing to prepare for his upcoming first season at stud, with breeding sheds set to open in the coming week in Kentucky.
Alphabet Soup, the upset winner of the 1996 Breeders' Cup Classic, was euthanized Friday at Old Friends in Georgetown, Ky., after battling chronic kidney disease. At the time of his death, the 31-year-old son of Cozzene was the oldest living Breeders' Cup Classic winner.
Into Mischief has amply rewarded his late owner B. Wayne Hughes's optimism throughout his career. A Grade 1 winner in Spendthrift's colors, he has gone on to be a record-setting three-time leading sire for the historic farm, bringing it a Kentucky Derby victory and building a legacy of his sons and grandsons now joining him in the barn.
Too Much Bling, a perennial leading sire in Texas, was again the leading stallion with state-sired progeny in 2021. He'll have more competition moving forward.
Broodmare of the Year Leslie's Lady, whose legacy continues to impact racing through son Into Mischief, died early Monday at her longtime home, Clarkland Farm in Lexington, Ky. The daughter of Tricky Creek was 26.
The first several months of a new year are always full of foaling announcements, particularly anticipated arrivals for new stallions. The incoming stallions of 2021 – whose resulting first crops are arriving now, roughly 11 months later – were led by 2020 Horse of the Year Authentic.
Halladay, the winner of the Grade 1 Fourstardave Handicap at Saratoga in 2020 and two other stakes, has been retired to stud at Harris Farms in Coalinga, Calif., it was announced earlier this week.
