Into Mischief seeking more history in Kentucky Derby

Into Mischief has already firmly written himself into the history of the American stallion ranks, with his six consecutive sire titles the most in more than a half-century. Now, he is looking to write another chapter as the first stallion since the 1950s to sire three Kentucky Derby winners, which would tie him for the all-time record.

Standing at Spendthrift Farm, Into Mischief sired his first classic winner when eventual Horse of the Year Authentic took the pandemic-delayed 2020 Derby. The following spring, Into Mischief’s son Mandaloun crossed the line second by a half-length to Medina Spirit but was later elevated to first due to Medina Spirit’s disqualification for a medication violation.

Into Mischef’s representatives in this year’s Kentucky Derby are Eclipse Award champion 2-year-old male Citizen Bull and Florida Derby runner-up Sovereignty. The other stallions to sire three Kentucky Derby winners are Virgil, with Vagrant (1876), Hindoo (1881), and Ben Ali (1886); Falsetto, with Chant (1894), His Eminence (1901), and Sir Huon (1906); Sir Gallahad III, with Triple Crown winner Gallant Fox (1930), Gallahadion (1940), and Hoop Jr. (1945); and Bull Lea, with Triple Crown winner Citation (1948), Hill Gail (1952), and Iron Liege (1957).

Into Mischief’s sixth leading sire title in 2024 marked the most consecutive titles for a North American stallion since the great Bold Ruler led the list for seven straight years, from 1963-69. Bold Ruler claimed an eighth title posthumously in 1973, the year his son Secretariat dominated the Triple Crown. Bold Ruler is tied with the pre-Civil War stallion Glencoe for the second-most North American sire titles all-time, trailing only the great Lexington, whose career spanned the Civil War while he rolled to an incredible 16 titles.

:: DRF Kentucky Derby Package: Save on PPs, Clocker Reports, Betting Strategies, and more.