Queen's Plate 2021 pedigree profile: Weyburn

Weyburn

Pioneerof the Nile – Sunday Affair, by A.P. Indy

Bred in Ontario by Chiefswood Stables

Weyburn, winner of the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes and most recently second to Mandaloun in the Pegasus Stakes at Monmouth Park, debuts as the favorite on Daily Racing Form’s Queen’s Plate Watch for 2021. The Chiefswood Stables homebred boasts a stellar pedigree, being from a sireline that has had major classic success and from a female family that has produced multiple champions.

The late Pioneerof the Nile, runner-up in the 2009 Kentucky Derby, was by 2003 Belmont Stakes winner Empire Maker, in turn a son of 1990 Kentucky Derby winner Unbridled. Pioneerof the Nile lived up to his classic potential by siring 2015 Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, as well as 2014 Preakness Stakes third-place finisher Social Inclusion and 2017 Preakness runner-up Classic Empire.

This sireline is also responsible for American classic winners Always Dreaming, Birdstone, Grindstone, Mine That Bird, Red Bullet, and Summer Bird, among other major route performers.

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Unraced Sunday Affair, a full sister to stakes winner Million Seller, has already produced multiple Grade 3-winning sprinter Yorkton and stakes-placed Nipigon. Million Seller’s granddam is multiple Grade 1 winner Maplejinsky, who in turn is out of champion Gold Beauty, making her a half-sister to champion Dayjur.

Maplejinsky launched a prolific branch of this successful family in her own right. She is best known as the dam of Hall of Fame racemare Sky Beauty, winner of the filly triple crown and a champion. Maplejinsky’s daughters and granddaughters are also responsible for the likes of Breeders’ Cup Distaff winner Pleasant Home, multiple Grade 1 winners Pine Island and Point of Entry, and Grade 1 winners Guarana, Tale of Ekati, and Violence.