Quality Road poised for big Breeders' Cup

Quality Road had a career year in 2017 as the sire of two Eclipse Award champions – Abel Tasman, who won the Kentucky Oaks and finished second in the Breeders’ Cup Distaff, and Caledonia Road, who won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies. His momentum has continued this year, and he could have an even more stellar showing at this Breeders’ Cup.

Quality Road is the sire of multiple Grade 1 winner Bellafina, the favorite for the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies; and Abel Tasman has returned to be a multiple Grade 1 winner this season and a prominent contender for the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Grade 1 winner City of Light is expected to start in the Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile, while stakes winner Stillwater Cove is set for the inaugural Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Quality Road’s résumé this season also includes the likes of Grade 1 winners Salty and Spring Quality. He ranks eighth among living stallions on Daily Racing Form’s Beyer Sire Performance Standings based on progeny figures meeting or exceeding the benchmark of 90 or higher, with 36 such figures. Topped by a 107 turned in by City of Light, he has four runners who have earned Beyers of 100 or higher, tying him for fifth in that regard.

Quality Road’s stud fee has more than doubled to $150,000 for 2019 at Lane’s End, placing him among America’s elite stallions. His son City of Light will stand alongside him at Lane’s End, and his fee will be announced following the Breeders’ Cup and could therefore rise depending on the results. Quality Road’s progeny and mares in foal cataloged for the upcoming mixed sales in Kentucky – including Caledonia Road and Salty, both entered at Fasig-Tipton November – also could benefit from catalog updates.