It's a brand new year and for all horses a significant random birthday. For those in the breeding business, January 1 marked the physical date that weanlings become yearlings and such advance just one step closer to their purpose of becoming full-fledged racehorses. The long journey is something breeders are all too familiar with, yet at the same time the buzz and optimism continues to build. At Diamond Creek Farm, 2026 marks the first yearlings from the 2023 Horse of the Year Confederate. Shaun Laungani, Diamond Creek's Vice President, has a solid view of the first crop of the Diamond Creek-bred stallion. "That's all we're talking about these days at Diamond Creek," Laungani said of Confederate. "We've got 23 (yearlings) on the farm, and that's made it a lot different for me to get an overview. In the past I'd have to go to other farms." Laungani not only has the numbers but the perspective. "He's been bred to a lot of different crosses but for the most part he's produced good-looking and leggy horses like he was," Laungani said. While still a long way away from yearling sales, Laungani has the dual function of monitoring the progress of horses Diamond Creek will retain for training and others that will be prepared for the fall auctions as they move on to new homes with the prospect of stakes racing in 2027. "He got an outstanding book of mares, and we've supported him strongly in his second and now this his third year," Laungani said when speaking about the commitment to Confederate that is generally implied - but doesn't always live up to expectations - when a farm stands a stallion. In the case of Confederate, a son of Sweet Lou, the first crop is loaded with many of the sport's elite maternal families, as well as some of the most accomplished race mares and broodmares. With 23 to view on a regular basis as they advance from weanlings to yearlings, Laungani has already picked out three of his favorites from the group and they are all future pacing colts. "My favorite at this point would have to be a colt out of Bree Hanover," said Laungani, referring to a horse called Icarus. "This is the first foal from a mare we paid a lot for ($225,000 in 2023), and she's a full sister to Boudoir Hanover out of Bedroomconfessions." The farm purchased Bree Hanover with the hopes that they were on to a budding superstar maternal line. "We have two maternal lines that we believe are in the top one percent on the pacing side," said Laungani, while referring to the families of Blood Diamond and Western Montana specifically. The goal of the farm is to maintain full ownership of all foals that come from that vibrant tree, with the belief they will become the sport's next superstars. Of course, within the mix are fillies that will eventually become broodmares. With Bree Hanover the possibility exists to expand to a third family that Diamond Creek retains. Laungani also pointed to another Diamond Creek homebred in the first foal from the Downbytheseaside-sired homebred mare Charleston. His name is Investment and, along with his stunning appearance, is a direct example of the farm doubling down, if you will, on a great maternal family. Charleston, in addition to earning $774K on the racetrack and taking a sub-1:50 mark, also happens to be a half-sister to Geothermal, the dam of Confederate. ► Sign up for our FREE DRF Harness Digest Newsletter Not all of the 23 yearlings at Diamond Creek are owned by the farm, and Laungani wasn't shy to point out that among his favorites is a colt with a royal pedigree owned by Thomas and Scott Dillion. Oxford Rebel is the second foal from the $1.3 million-winning mare Blue Diamond Eyes, herself with a 1:47 2/5 mark taken as a sophomore. Blue Diamond Eyes is also a full sister to the 2024 Metro Pace champion Fallout. While Confederate's chances for success are in some ways bound by Diamond Creek's support, there's a solid chance that outside mares bred to the former Horse of the Year will have an impact as well, not just this yearling season but as 2-year-olds in 2027. That's because there is a who's who of top-quality mares with offspring from his initial crop. It's hard not to be bullish when you look at just a small group from the hundred or so registered foals. Cannae Cammie, the dam of 2021 Horse of the Year Test Of Faith, has her first colt from the Sweet Lou-stallion line after enjoying success with both American Ideal and Art Major primarily, as well as Somebeachsomewhere. The $2.1 million multiple Dan Patch Award winner Lyons Sentinel's first foal is a filly named Kountry Lynn. Many breeders are excited about the prospects of breeding Sweet Lou-sired stallions to Somebeachsomwhere-sired broodmares, and Lyons Sentinel fits that description as a daughter of Somebeachsomewhere's most prolific stallion Captaintreacherous. Pedigree and performance go together when singling out a broodmare for future success, and with that in mind Mikala, a daughter of Always B Miki, seems to have a bright second career heading her way following some major accomplishments on the racetrack. Mikala defeated Test Of Faith in the 2023 Dorothy Haughton at the Meadowlands, and Pickets Charge, her first foal, is a colt by Confederate. Mikala also happens to be a mare with impeccable bloodlines, with her dam Shes Some Treasure a full sister to Captaintreacherous. The $1.7 million winner Kissin In The Sand's third foal and first along the Sweet Lou stallion line is named Dixie Highway. Given the rugged racing career of the 2020 Breeders Crown Open Mares Pace winner, perhaps the third time is the charm with the melding of Confederate's blood on the stallion side. The 2023 Breeders Crown Open Mare champion Max Contract's first foal is a Confederate colt entitled Kramer. With that pedigree there's more chance for a future champion than a "Stupid, Hipster Doofus" you would have to believe. It will be fascinating to see what's ahead for Confederate as his first crop inches a step closer to the yearling sales and beginning the process of becoming racehorses. Looks can be deceiving and results matter most. Laungani, while optimistic, recognizes that not all stallions are instant successes. "It took a few years for Sweet Lou," said Laungani of Confederate's sire that now is the sport's leader. Looking at the current landscape there are a host of Sweet Lou's sons currently on the market, hoping to at least in some way emulate his success. Guarantees do not exist but as Laungani pointed out, numbers make a difference, and the farm is committed to supplying Confederate with another full book of mares this year, giving him the best chance possible to achieve the goal.