Various names emerge atop early sire lists

Through the first quarter of a racing season unlike any other, the sire standings are a list unlike any other. The global COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the $12 million Dubai World Cup, but the $20 million Saudi Cup got in its inaugural running before the pandemic began to upend the racing calendar. As a result of that, the traditional rankings of stallions by earnings tell a very different story than lists compiled using other metrics, such as stakes performers and Daily Racing Form’s exclusive Beyer Sire Performance Standings.

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As of Monday, New Year’s Day (standing at Shadai Stallion Station in Japan) was atop the earnings list by a wide margin, boasting a bankroll of $10,360,092 to $4,720,685 for the top U.S.-based sire, Midnight Lute (Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm). However, $10 million of New Year’s Day’s earnings came from his champion Maximum Security’s victory in the Saudi Cup. Moreover, just eight days later, Maximum Security’s trainer, Jason Servis, was indicted by federal authorities on charges related to doping horses. The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia announced Monday that it would not distribute the purse payments until it has concluded its own investigation into the matter.

Midnight Lute is the sire of champion Midnight Bisou, who earned $3.5 million when second in the Saudi Cup. Midnight Lute does have another graded stakes winner this season in Midcourt, winner of the Grade 2 San Pasqual and third in the Grade 1 Santa Anita Handicap.

Adjusting the earnings list to account only for North American earnings, thereby removing the Saudi Cup’s influence, brings some different names to the top. Into Mischief (Spendthrift Farm), the nation’s leading general sire, leads with a bankroll of $3,562,923, followed by Munnings (Coolmore’s Ashford Stud) with $2,439,317 and Uncle Mo (Ashford) with $2,365,028. Into Mischief, Munnings, and Uncle Mo each has five graded stakes winners this season, as does perennial leading sire Tapit (Gainesway).

Into Mischief has two contenders on the Kentucky Derby trail in unbeaten Authentic, winner of the Grade 2 San Felipe and Grade 3 Sham Stakes, and Mischevious Alex, winner of the Grade 3 Swale Stakes sprinting before stretching out to win the Grade 3 Gotham Stakes. Into Mischief’s other three graded stakes winners this season are Grade 2 Pan American Stakes winner Bemma’s Boy, Grade 3 Bayakoa Stakes winner Go Google Yourself, and Grade 3 Canadian Turf winner Sombeyay. Into Mischief’s quality is further borne out by the Beyer Sire Performance Standings, as he leads the way with 15 individuals to record Beyer Figures of 90 or higher. Authentic, Bemma’s Boy, and Sombeyay lead the way for their sire, each earning a figure of 98 this season.

Munnings is early in building a career year, as he is live on the Kentucky Oaks trail with Grade 2 Rachel Alexandra Stakes and Silverbulletday Stakes winner Finite; Bonny South, who defeated Finite in the Grade 2 Fair Grounds Oaks; and Venetian Harbor, who won the Grade 2 Las Virgenes. Munnings also is the sire of Grade 3 Razorback Handicap winner Warrior’s Charge and Grade 3 Fred W. Hooper winner Phat Man.

Uncle Mo had a leading contender on the Oaks trail in Grade 1 winner Bast, who started this season with a win in the Grade 2 Santa Ynez but was subsequently retired with an injury. Uncle Mo had another standout waiting in the wings in Donna Veloce, who won the Grade 3 Santa Ysabel. Uncle Mo also is live on the Derby trail with Grade 2 Risen Star division winner Modernist, third in the Louisiana Derby, and Grade 2 Tampa Bay Derby winner King Guillermo. Uncle Mo’s fifth graded winner this season is Grade 3 Megahertz winner Caressa.

Tapit’s most prominent classics hopeful is Grade 3 Lecomte winner and Risen Star division runner-up Enforceable. Tapit also is the sire of graded stakes winners in Grade 2 Inside Information winner Pink Sands, Grade 3 Endeavour winner Jehozacat, Grade 3 Mineshaft winner Silver Dust, and Grade 3 Tropical Turf winner Tusk.