Valid Expectations, a multiple Grade 3 winner and Texas’ all-time leading sire by earnings, died at age 22.

The son of Valid Appeal had been living as a pensioner from commercial stud duty at Mt. Brilliant Farm in Lexington, Ky. since 2013 after previously residing at Lane’s End Texas. Valid Expectations spent his final years at Mt. Brilliant covering polo mares after owner Greg Goodman bought out partners Bob and Lee Ackerley, Joe Archer, Bob and Janice McNair, and Will Farish.

Pioneerof the Nile, the sire of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, will stand for at least $125,000 in 2016, WinStar Farm of Versailles, Ky., announced on Monday. The amount is more than double the Empire Maker stallion's 2015 advertised fee of $60,000.

Grade 3 winner Major Gain has been retired from racing and will stand the 2016 season at McMahon of Saratoga Thoroughbreds in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., for an advertised fee of $2,500 live foal, with other options available.

The 7-year-old son of More Than Ready won 3 of 21 starts for earnings of $161,115, highlighted by a win in the Grade 3 Arlington-Washington Futurity and a third-place finish in the Grade 2 Kentucky Jockey Club Stakes. He first raced for breeders Gary and Mary West and trainer Wayne Catalano, then later for owner and trainer Louie Roussel III.

Ballena Vista Farm in Ramona, Calif., has revealed the advertised fees for its 2016 stallion roster, led by Bluegrass Cat, who will stand his second season in the Golden State after relocating from New York.

Bluegrass Cat, a 12-year-old son of Storm Cat, will stand for a special pre-season fee of $6,500, keeping him steady with his 2015 rate.

Grade 1 winner Competitive Edge will make his stallion debut in 2016 at Ashford Stud in Versailles, Ky., for a fee to be announced at a later time.

The 3-year-old son of Super Saver won 4 of 7 career starts for earnings of $519,280, highlighted by wins in the Grade 1 Hopeful Stakes, Grade 3 Pat Day Mile Stakes, and non-graded Tamarac Stakes. Todd Pletcher trained Competitive Edge for owners Nancy Favreau, Kathy Psoinos, and Michael Tabor. The latter party bought into the colt after his 10 1/4-length debut win at Saratoga.

All through the 1980s, when I was general manager of William du Pont III’s Pillar Stud, we always were on the lookout for stakes-winning mares, even with relatively modest pedigrees. As disciples of Joe Estes, who conclusively demonstrated in the 1940s and 1950s that stakes-winning mares were by far the most successful producers, we always were happy to pay modest prices for mares of proven ability.

Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm in Lexington, Ky. has released the advertised fees for its 2016 stallion roster.

Two-time Horse of the Year Curlin, who relocates to Hill ‘n’ Dale after seven years at Lane’s End Farm, is likely to command the group’s highest fee, which will be announced at a later time. Hill ‘n’ Dale acquired a 20 percent stake in the 11-year-old son of Smart Strike, who stood for $35,000 in 2015, earlier this year.

Grade 1 winner Daredevil has been retired from racing and will debut at stud in 2016 at WinStar Farm in Versailles, Ky. for a fee to be determined later.

The 3-year-old son of More Than Ready ends his on-track career with two wins in five career starts for earnings of $424,600, highlighted by a win in the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes and a runner-up effort in the Grade 2 Swale Stakes.

Multiple Grade/Group 1 winner Secret Circle, who was retired over the summer, will make his debut at stud at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms in Lexington, Ky. for an advertised fee of $5,000 stands and nurses or $7,500 payable out of proceeds.

The 6-year-old son of Eddington finished his on-track career with eight wins in 16 starts for earnings of $3,670,790, highlighted by wins in the 2013 Breeders’ Cup Sprint at Santa Anita and the Group 1 Dubai Goldan Shaheen at Meydan.

Spendthrift Farm has released its 2016 advertised fees for the 25 horses that comprise the operation’s Kentucky roster.

Malibu Moon, sire of 2013 Kentucky Derby winner Orb, will once again serve as Spendthrift’s cornerstone stallion, with his fee remaining unchanged from its 2015 level at $95,000.

Into Mischief will stand for $45,000 after being advertised at $30,000 in 2015, while Temple City’s rate will increase from $12,500 to $15,000.