By Elaine Belval

I’ll Have Another was a convincing winner of the G2 Robert B. Lewis S. at Santa Anita last weekend to become the first major stakes winner from Flower Alley’s second crop. The young sire now appears to have a classic contender for the second straight year, after his daughter, the G1 winner Lilacs and Lace, ran in the 2011 Kentucky Oaks.

Flower Alley won the G2 Lane’s End S. and was a classic contender himself, finishing unplaced in Giacomo’s Kentucky Derby. He later won the G2 Jim Dandy S., the G1 Travers S.—defeating Bellamy Road and Roman Ruler—and ran second in the G1 Breeders’ Cup Classic to Horse of the Year Saint Liam.

Flower Alley is a son of leading sire Distorted Humor. His dam Princess Olivia is a winner by Lycius who was sold to Japan a few years after foaling Flower Alley, and she has since produced a GSW and a GSP horse in that country. Princess Olivia is a direct female descendant of the elite mare Goofed—the fifth dam of Flower Alley—best known as the dam of champion and chef-de-race Lyphard (by Northern Dancer). Interestingly, with her sire Lycius out of a Lyphard mare, Princess Olivia is 4 x 4 to Goofed.

Retired to Three Chimneys Farm for the 2007 season, Flower Alley offered breeders an intriguing pedigree. Both his sire and dam are bred on a Mr. Prospector/Northern Dancer cross, making him inbred 3 x 3 to Mr. Prospector and 4 x 4 to Northern Dancer.

Flower Alley’s best runners include Lilacs and Lace and Bouquet Booth (no inbreeding), My Wandy’s Girl and Jam’n Jackson (inbred to Mr. Prospector), and I’ll Have Another (inbred to Danzig).

With his oldest foals just four-year-olds, Flower Alley is off to a solid start at stud. He has 70% starters (not including two-year-olds of 2012), over 50 individual winners, and five SWs (including three GSWs). His progeny average almost $30,000 in earnings.

I’ll Have Another was bred by Harvey Clarke, is owned by J. Paul Reddam, and is trained by Doug O’Neill. He broke his maiden at Hollywood Park in July in his first start, then finished second in the G2 Best Pal S. at Del Mar the next month. The colt was unplaced in his third start, Saratoga’s G1 Hopeful S. in September. The Robert Lewis was I’ll Have Another’s first race since the Hopeful, and after his successful comeback, he will be pointed to the G1 Santa Anita Derby on April 7th.

Flower Alley continues to stand at Three Chimneys Farm in Kentucky, where his 2012 fee is $7,500.

He took a career record of four wins from six starts to stud at Vinery in 1994, and with his first crop racing at two in 1997 he was crowned the champion freshman sire. His best runners include G1 winners Gayego, Elloluv, and Mandy’s Gold, but it wasn’t enough to keep him in Kentucky. He currently stands at Bar None Ranches in Alberta, Canada, and has shuttled to both Australia and Brazil where he’s sired SWs.

Gilded Time was sired by Timeless Moment, a son of champion and leading sire Damascus. But, by the late 1990’s, the Damascus sireline was on the wane, and today there isn’t much representation here. But Gilded Time, through two regional sons, is helping to keep this line alive.

This weekend, the Gilded Time sire Early Flyer was represented by stakes winner Sword Trick (winner of the Groovy S. at Sam Houston in Texas). He is owned and bred by Clarence Scharbauer, Jr. and trained by Bret Calhoun. Gilded Time’s Old Topper was represented by Take Me Away Today (winner of the El Paso Times S. at Sunland). Take Me Away Today is owned and bred by Tommy Town Thoroughbred and trained by Johnnie Nall.

Old Topper is a foal of 1995 and part of the reason Gilded Time was leading freshman sire of 1997. He won two of seven starts at two, including the G3 Best Pal S. at Del Mar, and placed in three additional races, including the G2 Del Mar Futurity. He won three additional stakes at three, including the G3 Pat O’Brien H., defeating older sprinters.

He retired to stud in California and has proven to be an attractive option for California breeders since 2001. Aside from a cross to Nearctic in his fifth generation, Old Topper is free of Northern Dancer, Bold Ruler, and Raise a Native blood.

In his eight crops, Old Topper has sired an impressive 75% starters to foals, 56% winners to foals and 19 SWs. His progeny average almost $40,000 in earnings. His best runners include California champion Sierra Sweetie. Old Topper’s best runners fit California very well, being primarily sprinters and early developers with many winning stakes at two (almost 50% of his SWs are two-year-old SWs). Old Topper finished sixth on the 2011 California leading sire list, with $2.1 million in progeny earnings.

Old Topper stands at Tommy Town Thoroughbred and his 2012 fee is $3,500.

Son Early Flyer wasn’t quite as precocious as Old Topper, winning a maiden and placing in the Golden Bear S. in two starts at two. But, like most Gilded Time progeny, he was a successful sprinter – winning the G2 San Vicente and placing in the G1 Frank De Francis Memorial Dash at three.

He retired to stud in Texas in 2004, and like Old Topper, proved to be an attractive option. Early Flyer is completely free of Nearctic, Bold Ruler and Raise a Native blood.

In five crops, Early Flyer has sired 74% starters, 53% winners and eight SWs, including Texas champion Formal Flyer. His progeny average almost $35,000 in earnings. And like Gilded Time and Old Topper, they run early and prefer shorter distances. Early Flyer finished third on the Texas general sire list in 2011, with $1 million in progeny earnings.

Early Flyer stands at Valor Farm and his 2012 fee is $2,500.

By Elaine Belval

The loss of Overbrook Farm and W. T. Young was a big one for the Thoroughbred industry. And Kentucky lost a promising sire when Jump Start moved to Pennsylvania in 2010.

Over the weekend, San Pablo won the Shots Are Ringing S. at Aqueduct for owner Burning Sands Stable, LLC, breeder Dan Bearden and trainer Todd Pletcher. It was the second consecutive stakes race San Pablo has won at the Aqueduct winter meeting of 2011/12 for his connections. The gelding has now won five of seven starts and been on the board in all seven races. The comment line for the Shots Are Ringing states that San Pablo “…won for fun.” And this same weekend, the Bob Baffert-trained GSW Prayer for Relief finished third in the G2 San Fernando S. at Santa Anita.

Jump Start proved an atypical A.P. Indy. He was out early, in June, and won the G2 Saratoga Special before an injury ended his career in October. He was a son of GSP Steady Cat (by Storm Cat) from the family of leading sire Miswaki. He retired to Overbrook Farm for a very modest $5,000 fee. He proved both popular (with over 70 named foals) and successful (with seven SWs). That first crop included the GSWs Sir Whimsey, Jump On In, Bold Start, and Assessment. His second crop was even larger (almost 100 foals) and included the immensely successful G1 winner Rail Trip. And Jump Start hasn’t slowed down since.

While Jump Start has been much more precocious than the average A.P. Indy, he is siring more like A.P. Indy. Of his 25 SWs, only five have won a stakes at two. And, so far, only a fraction of his earnings has come from turf performers. But his progeny tend to be a bit speedier than A.P. Indy’s – proving most successful at seven-to-nine furlong distances. Overall, Jump Start sires 50% winners and 6% SWs (and 30% of his SWs are GSWs). His progeny average almost $70,000 in earnings.

So, his move was a loss to Kentucky but a major gain for Pennsylvania. Jump Start was the state’s leading sire in 2011 after finishing second in 2010. And with San Pablo and Prayer for Relief continuing their successful ways in 2012, it seems Jump Start will be a major factor in Pennsylvania this year.

Jump Start stands at Northview Pennsylvania for a 2012 fee of $10,000.

By Elaine Belval

With only four days left in 2011, there isn’t a lot of time left for stallions to impress or improve their year-end statistics.

On December 18th, the two-year-old filly Good Deed won the Letellier Memorial S. by an easy three lengths for owner/breeder the Klein family and trainer Steve Margolis. She has now won three of four lifetime starts. Good Deed is the eighth SW for her sire, Broken Vow, in 2011.

Broken Vow as a racehorse was a bit of a late bloomer. He was unraced at two, but won all of his starts at three, including the Sir Barton S. (on the Preakness S. undercard). However, he truly came into his own at four, winning five of 10 starts (and placing in another four). He won the G2 Philip Iselin H. and placed in the Gulfstream Park H. that year. Along with an excellent race record, Broken Vow traces in female family to the elite mare Self Control (the family of G1-winning champions Open Mind, Peaks and Valleys, Forever Together, etc.). He retired to stud for a very modest $10,000 in 2002, proving popular (with almost 100 foals in his first crop) and successful, with seven SWs from that group, led by G1 winner Unbridled Belle, GSW Private Vow and G2-placed Les Ry Leigh.  He followed with eight SWs, including G1 Cotton Blossom, in his next crop.

His success has continued “unbroken” since then. Broken Vow’s most accomplished runner in terms of G1SWs is Sassy Image, a contender for Champion Filly Sprinter after victories in the G1 Princess Rooney and Humana Distaff this year. Broken Vow has been a consistent source of quality for years. He sires 73% starters, 56% winners, 15% two-year-old winners, and a solid 6% SWs. His starters have average earnings over $60,000.  And Good Deed is not the only two-year-old SW Broken Vow has this season, as Lady Cohiba won an eight-furlong stakes at Aqueduct in November.

Broken Vow’s runners show incredible versatility. He has seven two-year-old SWs, 10 turf SWs, and five artificial surface winners. As a side note, all three of his G1 winners are fillies (Unbridled Belle – Beldame; Cotton Blossom – Acorn S.; and Sassy Image). That is sure to change!

Broken Vow stands for $25,000 in 2012 at Pin Oak Stud.

By Elaine Belval

It can be a devastating blow when a stallion dies young, as was the case with 17-year-old Carson City, who died in 2004. He was one of the better sons of Mr. Prospector at stud and has just under 100 SWs to his credit. But, luckily, Carson City has left behind several sons who are more than proving their worth, including City Zip and leading Louisiana sire Good and Tough. But, this past week has belonged to son Pollard’s Vision.

On Tuesday, December 6th, the consistent Il Villano took his second stakes for owner Chuck Russo, breeder Vossfeld Bloodstock and trainer Susan Crowell. He won the six-furlong Southampton S. on the artificial surface at Parx by five lengths after winning on dirt at Aqueduct. On Saturday, December 10th, Pollard’s Boy won his first stakes, taking the Pennslyvania Nursery Stakes by 2 1/2 lengths for owners Thomas McClay and Mohns Hill Farm, breeder Denise McHenry-Dommel and trainer Bernard Houghton.

Pollard’s Vision, as a racehorse, was atypical for Carson City, best known as a sire of precocious runners and sprinters. Pollard’s Vision did make six starts at two (including a stakes placing), but he showed his best form at three and four. He made 11 starts at three, winning or placing in nine of them. He had victories in the G2 Illinois Derby and G3 National Jockey Club H. at four. He also placed in the G1 Pimlico Special to Eddington (defeating Funny Cide).

Without a Grade 1 victory to his credit, Pollard’s Vision stood for a modest $7,500 and attracted well over 100 mares his first season.

His first crop now  has eight SWs, led by the mercilessly talented Blind Luck — winner of six G1 races. And Pollard’s Vision is showing the versatility as a sire that Carson City’s best sons have. Six of his SWs have won stakes at two, and he has two winners on the artificial and one on the turf. And his runners have a very impressive median earnings of $15,000.

With Pollard’s Vision’s solid numbers, he will not have to depend on Blind Luck to keep his name in the news. His 2012 fee is still a modest $12,500 at Wintergreen Stallion Station.

By Elaine Belval

One of the last G1 races on the European racing calendar was Sunday, October 30: the Criterium International for two-year-olds at one mile on the turf. It was won by French Fifteen, owned by Raymond Tooth, bred by Gilles and Aliette Forien, and trained by Nicolas Clement. He is the first SW for his freshman sire Turtle Bowl. Earlier this year, French Fifteen won the listed Criterium de l’Ouest at the French regional track of Craon. Previous winners of this last G1 include Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe winners Dalakhani and Bago. It’s too early to say how good French Fifteen is, but he has five wins in seven starts having come out at Chantilly on May 2.

French Fifteen is by the stallion Turtle Bowl. Turtle Bowl won seven of 21 starts in four seasons of racing. He won the G1 Prix Jean Prat and placed in the G1 Prix d’Ispahan and Prix Fresnay to Manduro. He also finished third in the G1 Queen Anne S. at Royal Ascot. He showed himself to be a consistently top class horse at the mile distances in France and England.

Turtle Bowl’s sire is Dyhim Diamond. Dyhim Diamond raced in Germany and France with victories in G3 company in both countries. He had limited success as a stallion (with just four black type earners) and is now at stud in Spain. Dyhim Diamond is by the Northern Dancer stallion Night Shift. Night Shift was one of the last sons of Northern Dancer at stud. This long-time Coolmore Stud resident sired over 80 SWs including G1 winners In the Groove, Creaking Board, Nicolette, and Listening. While the Night Shift branch is not as well-known as the Danzig or the Sadler’s Wells branch of Northern Dancer, this line has had success and representatives include the current Irish stallion Azamour (11 SWs in three crops of racing age).

While Turtle Bowl’s sireline is a bit obscure, his female family is one of Europe’s best. His fourth dam is the SW Cherry, bred by the Prince Aly Khan in France. His third dam is the stakes-placed Shahinaaz, bred by the current H. H. the Aga Khan. This family includes G1 winners Kartajana, Khariyda, and Caerlina, and multiple GSWs. His second dam is the winner Kamiya, also bred by the Aga Khan. Kamiya was a “disappointing” producer for the Aga Khan and was sold. Turtle Bowl’s dam, Clara Bow, was bred by Marystead Farm. But, she proved a valued addition to the Cherry family. She has eight winners, four black type performers and three Graded stakes winners (all three Group/Grade 1 capable).

Turtle Bowl, with his excellent race record, female family and acclaimed good looks, was given a chance at stud despite being a son of Dyhim Diamond. He has stood at Haras de la Reboursiere et de Montaigu in France for €5,000. With French Fifteen in his first crop, certainly more can be expected from this sire. And another branch of the immortal Northern Dancer lives on for another generation.

By Elaine Belval

Darley at Jonabell announced in early October that leading Australian sire Lonhro would be standing the 2012 season at Darley in one of the first reverse-shuttles from Australia.

Lonhro represents a truly Australian sireline. His sire is the great Australian racehorse Octagonal. For those who have never seen him run, Octagonal was a true freak of nature. He won 14 of 28 starts, including 10 G1 races. A truly brilliant and versatile runner, Octagonal won races from 5.5 furlongs to 12 furlongs (1100 to 2400 meters). His dam was the legendary producer Eight Carat (dam of five G1 winners), but Octagonal was clearly her best performer.

Octagonal was by Zabeel, the legendary sire of Australasia. Zabeel has stood his entire career at Cambridge Stud in New Zealand. He has 41 Group (Grade) 1 winners in his remarkable career that includes well over 100 SWs. Zabeel himself is by the transplant Sir Tristram, a modest racehorse in Europe but a stallion who transformed Australasian breeding.

Lonhro is from Octagonal’s first crop. It might be argued he was a better racehorse than his sire. A winner of 26 of 35 starts, Lonhro won 11 Group 1 races at distances from seven to 10 furlongs (1400 to 2000 meters). He won the prestigious Caulfield S. twice (leading European middle distance performer So You Think won the race in 2010 before leaving for Ireland). Lonhro was a G3 SW at two at 5.5 furlongs, a winner of the 8-furlong, G1 Caulfield Guineas at three and a multiple G1 winner at four and five.

Lonhro retired to stud in 2004, with his first runners in 2007. From that first crop, he already has 11 SWs, led by G1 winner Beaded (winner of the prestigious six-furlong sprint, the Doomben 10,000). Lonhro was the leading sire in Australia for the racing season that ended in July 2011. Left in his wake were perennial leading Australian sires Redoute’s Choice and Encosta de Lago, along with High Chaparral (the sire of So You Think) and More Than Ready.

Lonhro has over 30 SWs, with three G1 winners (at six, seven and eight furlongs).  Lonhro shows signs of siring slightly more speedy offspring that his sire or grandsire. The majority of his SWs are winning at six and seven furlongs and just one winner at 10 furlongs (the SW Sainthood – who also won a stakes at seven furlongs). This proclivity should serve him well in the United States.

Lonhro well be a welcome addition to the stallion ranks in the US and breeders should take a close look at this stallion.  Darley should be commended for taking this bold step.

By Sid Fernando

Elaine Belval’s post (see below this post) on Scat Daddy was prescient: The Ashford sire had this third consecutive Graded Stakes winner in three weeks this past weekend. At present he currently leads all freshman sires by progeny earnings and Graded Stakes winners, with Darley’s Hard Spun in second place.

But in a strange twist, did you know that three of the leading four first-crop sires—Scat Daddy, Hard Spun, and Hat Trick—have NO stakes winners on dirt? Read my commentary in today’s Thoroughbred Times TODAY newsletter for more on this, by clicking here (see Page 5).