Curlin Rockets Back Into Top-Five Among Sires

The main sire panorama may have shifted dramatically following Kentucky Derby (G1) weekend. With 15 big-money graded stakes run at Churchill Downs Could 1-2, there was loads of alternative for the rankings primarily based on progeny earnings to face upheaval.

We positively noticed some shuffling, however just one sire actually made a big cost within the high 25.

Curlin , it was introduced April 22, wouldn’t be energetic the remainder of this breeding season resulting from a not too long ago found low fertility difficulty. As disappointing as that information was for everybody at Hill ‘n’ Dale Farms at Xalapa, the place he stands, in addition to his supporters, the weekend supplied additional proof of why he has been a standard-bearer amongst stallions since retiring for stud responsibility in 2009.

This previous weekend’s wins by Golden Tempo , who grew to become Curlin’s first Derby winner, and Company Energy , who eked out a neck win within the Alysheba Stakes (G2), helped raise Curlin within the rankings.

Two weeks in the past, he was No. 14; now he is in a extra customary place, having climbed 9 spots to No. 5.

Excluding this yr, Curlin has had 14 crops of runners. Of these years, solely 4 instances did he end ranked exterior of the highest seven. These years have been 2012-14, his first three crops, and 2024. In 2014 and 2024 he ranked eleventh. Thrice he completed second.

At 22, there is no query he has fewer days within the breeding shed forward of him than behind, however he’s undoubtedly nonetheless being represented by high-caliber runners who’re outfitted to shine on the game’s greatest stage.

Curlin’s two graded stakes victories, which included the Derby, make him the large winner amongst sires this weekend, a distinction that in all probability carries as much as Belmont Stakes (G1) weekend. Doubtlessly 5 weeks of bragging rights throughout Triple Crown season is not any small feat.

Nonetheless, the chief by variety of victories in stakes in the course of the Kentucky Oaks-Kentucky Derby weekend is the present main sire Not This Time . His offspring hit the wire first 3 times. Rhetorical gained the Turf Basic Stakes (G1T), On Time Woman conquered the Eight Belles Stakes (G2), and Imaginationthelady gained the Edgewood Stakes (G3T).

The three victories by Not This Time’s little kids match the three triumphs achieved by Medaglia d’Oro and his progeny final yr at Derby weekend.

Contained in the Numbers

Gun Runner and Nyquist flip-flopped spots 3 and 4, with Gun Runner getting a promotion due to his daughter At all times a Runner profitable the Kentucky Oaks (G1).

What separates No. 3 Gun Runner from fifth-ranked Curlin? $941,090.

Whereas this isn’t a run on par with Into Mischief, Sensible Joke has been ranked No. 6 for the previous seven editions of The Record.

Join and Frosted , who appeared within the high 25 earlier this yr, reentered at spots 22 and 24, respectively.

TOP SIRES BY PROGENY EARNINGS

Could 4 rating
April 20 rating

1. Not This Time
1 (–)

2. Into Mischief
2 (–)

3. Gun Runner
4 (+1)

4. Nyquist
3 (-1)

5. Curlin
14 (+9)

6. Sensible Joke
6 (–)

7. Structure
8 (+1)

8. Uncle Mo
5 (-3)

9. Munnings
7 (-2)

10. Vekoma
10 (–)

11. Oscar Efficiency
9 (-2)

12. Tiz the Regulation
13 (+1)

13. Omaha Seaside
11 (-2)

14. Liam’s Map
12 (-2)

15. Sweet Trip (ARG)
15 (–)

16. Maclean’s Music
16 (–)

17. Justify
18 (+1)

18. Mendelssohn
21 (+3)

19. Twirling Sweet
20 (+1)

20. High quality Highway
21 (+1)

21. Bolt d’Oro
17 (-4)

22. Join
NR

23. Avenue Sense
25 (+2)

24. Frosted
NR

25. Vino Rosso
22 (-3)