Kitten’s Joy to move to Hill ‘n’ Dale

Kitten’s Joy, North America’s leading sire by general progeny earnings in 2013 and a perennial leading turf sire, will relocate to Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Lexington, Ky., after owner John G. Sikura purchased a 50 percent interest in the horse.

The 16-year-old son of El Prado arrives at Hill ‘n’ Dale on Monday, and will stand for an advertised fee of $60,000. He previously stood at the Ramsey Farm in Nicholasville, Ky., where he was advertised in 2017 for $100,000.

Ken and Sarah Ramsey, who bred Kitten’s Joy, raced him, and initially stood him at stud, will maintain the remaining 50 percent interest in the stallion. Kitten’s Joy currently sits second behind Unbridled’s Song among North America’s leading sires by 2017 general progeny earnings.

“The decision to sell an interest in our prized colt and move him to another farm was a heart-wrenching decision,” Ken Ramsey said. “As a family, we unanimously decided to move the stallion to Hill 'n' Dale.

“It was not a matter of money, as we received higher offers from other farms,” he continued. “John Sikura is operating on an international level and has developed a reputation of being second to none in the stallion business. This horse is my family's legacy. We couldn't be more pleased with turning the reins over to Hill 'n' Dale to write the next chapter in his career."

The deal puts to rest industry-wide speculation around the stallion after Ken Ramsey said in late September that he was considering options to refocus the marketing of Kitten’s Joy following dissatisfaction with his yearlings’ reception at auction. Options Ramsey pondered at the time included moving the stallion to Europe, taking on domestic partners, or simply keeping the same course.

“I think it’s a great win for American breeders for him to stay here and to not have gone to Europe,” Sikura said. “I think it would have been an indictment of the industry, it would have been short-sighted, and we would have regretted the loss. We shouldn’t forfeit this market. There’s no reason to. We used to lead this market, and there’s no reason we can’t lead it again.”

Hill ‘n’ Dale’s share in the stallion will be syndicated among a diverse group of breeders, both domestic and international, and Sikura said he would support Kitten’s Joy with some of his farm’s top mares, both already in the band and ones that will be purchased at the upcoming mixed sales.

“I tried to buy Kitten’s Joy, I believe it was three years ago,” Sikura said. “I approached Ken Ramsey and made a very strong offer, which I think other people did as well. I realize he was right to turn everybody down at the time and put the final touches on having this horse be America’s leading turf sire for four consecutive years.

“Now, we’ve gotten to the point where I thought we had a compelling argument that including leading international breeders and having a strategy to commercialize the horse was a sound one, and this was the time to do it if you’re going to do it,” Sikura continued. “It was all facilitated by his comments that he felt an under-appreciation for the yearlings. The lid came off and everybody started calling. I know they had several very important suitors, and we feel very fortunate and gratified that the Ramsey family finally chose Hill ‘n’ Dale.”

Kitten’s Joy has sired nine crops of racing age since entering stud in 2006, with 585 winners and combined progeny earnings in excess of $75.1 million. He has been North America’s leading sire by progeny turf earnings every year since 2013, and he leads this year’s standings by more than $3.3 million.

His leading runners include champion Big Blue Kitten, two-time Breeders’ Cup winner Stephanie’s Kitten, Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner Oscar Performance, Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint winner Bobby’s Kitten, English Group 1 winner Hawkbill, and U.S. Grade 1 winners Real Solution, Divisidero, Sadler’s Joy, Kitten’s Dumplings, and Admiral Kitten.

On his own regard, Kitten’s Joy won 9 of 14 starts for earnings of $2,075,791, and he was named champion turf male of 2004.

"We bred to race, not for the commercial market, and we have enjoyed the ride, the trophies and the titles that came with that decision,” Ramsey said. “We established an iconic brand in this horse. Hill 'n' Dale Farm is a world leader in commercial sales. We agreed that he will not shuttle, and we've been assured that the family can visit at any time. It is agreed that upon retirement, he will return to the farm to receive the respect he has earned and that a champion deserves."

Kitten’s Joy was one of just four North American stallions to cover 200 or more mares during the 2016 breeding season, and his first foals bred on the $100,000 stud fee were 2-year-olds of 2017.

“The pipeline is full,” Sikura said. “He’s had full books of mares, and every year they’ve been better and better. We think as good as he’s been, he can be even better.”

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