Leading Kentucky general sire by progeny earnings and stakes wins

When looking back on the year Tapit and his progeny had in 2014, the only problem is finding a place to start.

Perhaps it’s best to start with his runners. The 14-year-old son of Pulpit was represented by his third Eclipse Award winner in the champion 3-year-old filly Untapable, whose four Grade 1 victories included the Kentucky Oaks and the Breeders’ Cup Distaff. Tapit also picked up his first American classic when Tonalist won the Belmont Stakes.

Leading Kentucky juvenile sire by earnings and average earnings
Leading Kentucky general sire by winners

For all he has achieved at stud, there were a few accomplishments Giant’s Causeway had yet to check off his list. He was able to cross one off in 2014.

Leading Kentucky general sire by stakes winners
Leading Kentucky juvenile sire by stakes winners (tie)
Leading Kentucky turf sire by earnings, winners,  stakes winners, and stakes wins

Success can be a moving target.

On the sire list, Kitten’s Joy fell from first to third by total progeny earnings in 2014, a year removed from the season that made him a household name.

By just about any other measure, it was the best season Kitten’s Joy has had as a sire.

Leading Kentucky freshman sire by earnings and average earnings
Leading Kentucky turf sire by average earnings

It was a competitive season for freshman sires, with a deep group battling it out in the division. In the end, Quality Road, himself a multiple Grade 1 winner, prevailed atop the earnings list, thanks to runners who excelled over a variety of surfaces and distances.

Leading Kentucky broodmare sire by earnings

Since the modern Thoroughbred was crafted into existence some 300 years ago, numerous prominent sires have contributed their DNA as genetic building blocks. Ultimately, though, only a handful could be termed true game changers: Eclipse, Lexington, Hyperion, Nearco, Bold Ruler, Northern Dancer, Mr. Prospector – individuals of such profound influence, they altered the landscape of the sport itself. These days, few would argue against the late Storm Cat’s inclusion on that elite list of breed-shaping sires.

Leading Kentucky juvenile sire by winners
Leading Kentucky freshman sire by winners, stakes winners (tie), and stakes wins

Lookin At Lucky was a champion as a juvenile, and improved enough the following season to bring home a second title.

If his progeny take after their sire, it could be an exciting year for the young stallion.

Leading Kentucky general sire by average earnings

Into Mischief is a young stallion with many years remaining in the breeding shed, but he is already putting himself in elite company.

Leading Kentucky sire by synthetic earnings

Opportunities to race on synthetic surfaces have dried up quickly in North America, with Santa Anita, Del Mar, and Keeneland replacing their main tracks with dirt and Hollywood Park closing its doors in recent years.

With no North American Grade 1 races scheduled on all-weather surfaces for 2015, Candy Ride likely will serve as the bookend among Kentucky’s leading sires during the era of elite-level synthetic-surface racing.

Leading Kentucky juvenile sire by stakes winners (tie) and stakes wins
Leading Kentucky synthetic sire by stakes winners (tie) and stakes wins

As Stormy Atlantic begins to settle into his 20s, he remains a stallion for the young at heart.

Since his first foals hit the track in 2002, runners by Stormy Atlantic, a 21-year-old son of Storm Cat, have shown a knack for starting fast as juveniles. That trend continued last year, as Stormy Atlantic led all Kentucky sires by 2-year-old stakes wins and stakes winners.

It started out promisingly enough for Road Ruler, a son of Unbridled’s Song, back on the first day of 2005. Racing for Padua Stables and George Bolton, and trained by Steve Asmussen, the gray colt won his debut at Fair Grounds by a neck.

It is a long way from a winner’s circle picture with the jockey wearing silks of major owners to life in Burnt Prairie, Ill., population of 52 – 0 percent urban, 100 percent rural. But that is the road Road Ruler has taken. And it has worked out surprisingly well for the horse.