Pioneerof the Nile's fee more than doubles for 2016

Pioneerof the Nile, the sire of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, will stand for at least $125,000 in 2016, WinStar Farm of Versailles, Ky., announced on Monday. The amount is more than double the Empire Maker stallion's 2015 advertised fee of $60,000.

WinStar announced stud fees earlier than normal to allow breeders, with a signed contract including mare name, to lock in fees that may rise following the Breeders' Cup on Oct. 30-31 at Keeneland. At least eight stallions on the farm's roster will have progeny participating in the weekend - with American Pharoah making the final start of his career in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

“We believe that announcing fees early presents an opportunity for breeders to have the chance at realizing some great value, particularly in the stallions that have serious contenders in this year’s biggest Breeders’ Cup races," WinStar president and CEO Elliott Walden said. "So for the first time, WinStar is offering pre-Breeders’ Cup fees on all stallions,” Walden added. “All fees are at the lowest they will be, so we believe it’s a real opportunity to lock in a stud fee that only has the chance to go up after Oct. 29."

Perennial leading sires Distorted Humor and Speightstown are each initially advertised at $100,000 - with the latter's fee a bump from $80,000 in 2015.

WinStar adds two new Grade 1 winners to its roster for 2016 in Carpe Diem ($25,000) and Daredevil ($12,500).

WinStar Farm's initially-advertised 2016 roster and fees are as follows:

Artie Schiller $10,000
Bellamy Road $7,500
Bodemeister $30,000
Carpe Diem $25,000
Colonel John $7,500
Congrats $20,000
Daredevil $12,500
Distorted Humor $100,000
Drosselmeyer $10,000
Fed Biz $12,500
Gemologist $15,000
Hold Me Back $5,000
More Than Ready $50,000
Overanalyze $10,000
Paynter $20,000
Pioneerof the Nile $125,000
Revolutionary $7,500
Sidney's Candy $10,000
Speightstown $100,000
Super Saver $55,000
Take Charge Indy $17,500
Tiznow $60,000