2022 FRESHMAN SIRE PICK: Justify
2023 FRESHMAN SIRE PICK: Omaha Beach
2024 FRESHMAN SIRE PICK: Vekoma
2025 FRESHMAN SIRE PICK: Charlatan
BEST VALUES, $10,000 – $15,000
1. KARAKONTIE ($15,000, GAINESWAY, KY)
One of the best $15,000 sires to come along in quite some time. At this price point, it’s rare for nearly half of a sire’s stakes winners to earn those credentials in graded events. Not sure it’s ever been accomplished prior to Karakontie. One of the best sources on the planet for elite types that can run beyond eight furlongs.
2. KANTHAROS ($10,000, HILL ‘N’ DALE FARMS, KY)
You might not see them running on the first Saturday in May, but on the other 364 days… they’re putting up big numbers in sprints and middle-distance events on all surfaces. Unless you’re looking to win marathons, if you get the physical compatibility right, the sky is the limit when investing in Kantharos.
3. HIGHLAND FALLS ($10,000, DARLEY, KY)
We don’t often mention first year sires, but an exception had to be made for Highland Falls as he brings as strong a resume to the table as we’ve ever seen for a $10,000 fee. A talented Grade 1 winner that won/placed in 11 of his 13 starts. Sired by an icon… and out of one of the best mares to come along in decades. His overall resume is epic.
4. MIDSHIPMAN ($15,000, DARLEY, KY)
Surprising commercial viability for a sire at this stage of his career, and we all know his prowess as a sire of racehorses. In addition to those accolades, he’s turning into a more than formidable broodmare sire with 10% stakes winners from starters and a healthy AEI of 1.83.
5. BUCCHERO ($12,500, IRONHORSE STALLIONS, NY)
More than just a regional sire. Gets exceptionally nice physical specimens that have shown they can compete on the national stage despite a paltry 1.02 Comparable Index. Should have no problem being the dominant force in New York for the foreseeable future.
BEST VALUES, $7,500 AND UNDER
1. MO TOWN ($7,500, ASHFORD STUD, KY)
By a sire that seldom misses as a sire-of-sires, Mo Town’s early stakes production has been solid with a healthy dose of graded types without being carried by his mares. Predictably however, the commercial market is slow to catch on. A prudent choice for mares requiring an infusion of size.
2. JIMMY CREED ($7,500, SPENDTHRIFT FARM, KY)
A terrific conduit for the legendary influence of Distorted Humor. Across the board, his numbers substantiate just how useful he can be for astute breeders who understand what type of mares work well with him, and equally important, the types that don’t.
3. SLUMBER ($7,500, ROCKRIDGE STUD, NY)
Five stakes winners, including two U.S. graded stakes winners, from just 34 starters with very little help from the mares sent his way (1.02 Comparable Index). Should be a juggernaut in the New York program in the coming years, though clearly able to get elite types in open company as well.
4. PROMISES FULFILLED ($2,500, WINSTAR FARM, KY)
Despite being one of the best physicals in all of central Kentucky, the market didn’t support a son of Shackleford with the best of mares (.91 Comparable Index). But in spite of this, Promises Fulfilled has quietly put up exceptional numbers. Progeny are winning at a 23% clip and he’s improving his mares by over 48%.
5. COAL FRONT ($4,000, RED RIVER FARMS, LA)
If you can get past the geography and examine his numbers objectively, Coal Front is capable of being more than just a regional sire. The vast majority of his stakes horses earned their stripes in open company and he certainly did it on his own relative to his .96 Comparable Index. Should be the dominant force in Louisiana for years to come.