Perennial leading sire Tapit is relatively early in the legacy-building process of becoming a sire of sires. The Gainesway stallion’s oldest foals are 13, the oldest foals by his first sons at stud are 7, and many of his best sons, including his three Belmont Stakes winners, have nascent careers. However, he is already showing promise in this regard, with sons including Tapizar, the sire of champion Monomoy Girl.

Sea Hero, whose three Grade 1 victories included the 1993 Kentucky Derby, has died, the Turkish Jockey Club confirmed on Friday. The pensioned Polish Navy horse was 29.

At the time of his death, Sea Hero was the oldest living Kentucky Derby winner. That status now falls to 1994 victor Go For Gin, who has resided at the Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington since 2011.

Triple Crown winner American Pharoah heads into the summer racing season with momentum, getting his first stakes winner on Saturday in Europe.

Maven won the Group 3 Prix du Bois on Saturday at Chantilly in France for trainer Wesley Ward, known for his talented and well-traveled juveniles. Earlier that day, the American Pharoah colt Monarch of Egypt had finished second in the Group 2 Railway Stakes on the Irish Derby undercard at The Curragh for Aidan O’Brien.

Avie’s Flatter
Flatter – Avie’s Empire, by Empire Maker
Bred in Ontario by Tall Oaks Farm

Queen’s Plate favorite Avie’s Flatter, Canada’s Sovereign Award champion 2-year-old male of 2018, has a pedigree replete with stamina on his side as he heads to the Canadian classics.

The superstar Australian mare Winx has been matched with Australian sire I Am Invincible for her first mating, her connections have announced.

Blue Point, who turned in the superb accomplishment of winning two Group 1 races at the Royal Ascot meeting last week, has been retired. He will enter stud in the 2020 season at Darley’s Dalham Hall Stud in Newmarket, England.

Blue Point, by Shamardal, had already been slated to retire at the end of this season for 2020.

The North American 2-year-old auction season has wrapped up, and the major summer race meetings at Del Mar and Saratoga, which traditionally unveil standout juveniles, are on the horizon. Many of this season’s top lots are in training with an eye toward those race meets – including the three top-priced juveniles of the season.

Rising Star
Ghostzapper–Purple Trillium, by Seeking the Gold
Bred in Ontario by William D. Graham ($325,000 Keeneland September yearling purchase by Fox Hill Farm)

Queen’s Plate hopeful Rising Star will attempt to give his sire a third winner of the first leg of the Canadian Triple Crown.

It is far too early in the 2-year-old racing season to predict who will claim the freshman sire title in a strong group led by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah. However, the Florida-based Khozan is off to a flying start.

The late Scat Daddy’s best sons, including Triple Crown winner Justify, have come to stud in the last two years, but those already with young runners on the track are setting the bar high.