NEW CATEGORIES ADDED WEEKLY
2022 FRESHMAN SIRE PICK: Justify
2023 FRESHMAN SIRE PICK: Omaha Beach
2024 FRESHMAN SIRE PICK: Vekoma
2025 FRESHMAN SIRE PICK: Charlatan
BEST VALUES, $60,000 AND UP
1. WAR FRONT ($75,000, CLAIBORNE FARM, KY)
No sire gives you a better chance of raising a graded stakes horse than War Front. His progeny are talented, tenacious, versatile, and beautifully balanced individuals… and his stakes percentages are a throwback to his legendary sire.
2. INTO MISCHIEF ($250,000, SPENDTHRIFT FARM, KY)
Given what his progeny are bringing at public auction, those with the means should be lined up to the state line for seasons. In 2023 and 2024, Into Mischief registered 25 seven-figure transactions as a sales sire… and we all know how he dominates American racing. His current stud fee is an absolute gift to breeders.
3. CURLIN ($225,000, HILL N DALE FARMS, KY)
Gives investors every opportunity for success at the elite levels, whether it’s in the sales ring or at the racetrack and shows no signs of letting up. Already has an elite son in the breeding shed with Good Magic… with several promising sons in the pipeline including Elite Power and Cody’s Wish. Checks all the boxes for serious breeders looking for home runs.
4. CANDY RIDE ($75,000, LANE’S END, KY)
Falling victim to twilight sire syndrome commercially, but for those looking to reach the pinnacles of racing, don’t let the commercial market sway you from Candy Ride. His influence over the last two decades has been nothing short of breed shaping… with a legacy sure to continue on through Gun Runner, Twirling Candy, and Vekoma.
5. GUN RUNNER ($250,000, THREE CHIMNEYS FARM, KY)
How do you come up with more superlatives for Gun Runner? Firing on all cylinders would be a gross understatement. With yearling averages consistently hovering in the seven-figure neighborhood and his progeny dominating racing headlines, his 2025 fee likely leaves money on the table.
BEST VALUES, $35,000 – $50,000
1. STREET SENSE ($50,000, DARLEY, KY)
Though a bit problematic in terms of fertility, Street Sense is clearly worth the perseverance. The commercial market fancies him at all venues… and his track numbers are bullet proof including surprisingly good numbers when turf mares are sent his way.
2. VEKOMA ($35,000, SPENDTHRIFT FARM, KY)
Our top choice for leading freshman sire last year, Vekoma has not disappointed. The mind-numbing speed we saw from Vekoma and his immediate family is being passed along in spades to his progeny. There’s always a chance of a sophomore slump, but we’d bet against it in the case of Vekoma given that his average earnings per start thus far is just shy of $16,000… significantly higher than Justify at this stage.
3. OSCAR PERFORMANCE ($45,000, MILL RIDGE FARM, KY)
Admittedly, we never had Oscar Performance on our radar early on, but the numbers don’t lie. Superb stakes production including 53% graded stakes winners from overall stakes winners… and he can clearly get athletes that compete at the highest levels. The commercial market is now paying close attention as evidenced by healthy yearling and 2yo numbers in 2024.
4. CITY OF LIGHT ($35,000, LANE’S END, KY)
After a slow start with his first crop back in 2022, City of Light has rebounded like few others in recent memory. Averages and indexes are elite, and even the average ones garner lots of attention at the sales. A standout physical himself, it’s hard to imagine a physical type he wouldn’t compliment.
5. MACLEAN’S MUSIC ($40,000, HILL ‘N’ DALE FARMS, KY)
For the astute breeder who can get the physical compatibility right, Maclean’s Music can create tremendous fireworks both in the sales ring and at the races. You just can’t arbitrarily send any type of mare his way. Yearlings averaged $135,068 in 2024… and that number was likely closer to $200,000 for breeders who understand how to use him properly.