Sire Malibu Moon has unique place among Derby starters

Unbeaten Arkansas Derby winner Magnum Moon will be chasing the ghost of Apollo on Saturday evening – and also chasing a double for sire Malibu Moon.

Of the 14 stallions likely to be represented by Kentucky Derby starters, only Malibu Moon has sired a Derby winner. That was Orb in 2013.

“He is our premier stallion forever,” said B. Wayne Hughes, who stands Malibu Moon at his Spendthrift Farm. “He’s getting a little older now, so it would be very nice for him to have one more Derby winner.”

Nineteen stallions have been represented by two or more Kentucky Derby winners, most recently the late Maria’s Mon, sire of Monarchos (2001) and Super Saver (2010).

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Adena Springs’s Awesome Again (sire of Kentucky Derby starter Bravazo), Hill ‘n’ Dale’s Curlin (Good Magic, Solomini, Vino Rosso), Darley’s Medaglia d’Oro (Bolt d’Oro, Enticed), and Gainesway’s Tapit (Hofburg) have all sired classic winners, but are seeking their first Kentucky Derby win. Curlin is seeking a personal Triple Crown of sorts, as he is the sire of 2016 Preakness Stakes winner Exaggerator and 2013 Belmont Stakes winner Palace Malice. Exaggerator ran second in the Derby.

Tapit has been represented by three Belmont Stakes winners in Tonalist (2014), Creator (2016), and Tapwrit (2017), making him one of just five stallions to sire three or more winners of the oldest and longest American classic.

Medaglia d’Oro’s Hall of Fame daughter Rachel Alexandra won the Preakness during her 2009 championship campaign, while Awesome Again’s Oxbow won the 2013 edition of the middle jewel.