He is without doubt one of the “Massive Three” that has reigned over the business market in recent times. But, for all that Corridor of Famer Gun Runner has achieved in a stud profession dotted with markers solely probably the most influential of his variety boast, the Three Chimneys Farm stallion has discovered his identify trailing behind that of seven-time main sire Into Mischief and the phenom that’s Not This Time in latest discussions of who probably the most dominant power is on the overall sire checklist.
The rationale the son of Sweet Journey grew to become the all-timer he’s, nevertheless, is as a result of he was relentless in showcasing his class in a few of the most demanding assessments within the sport. Therefore, when the $1.5 million Kentucky Oaks (G1)—the hallmark race for 3-year-old fillies—reached its conclusion the evening of Might 1, the identical tenacity that was Gun Runner’s hallmark got here barreling down the Churchill Downs stretch to remind the business there are greater than two horses with a say on this 12 months’s main sire race.
Lest anybody wanted a reminder how apt Gun Runner is at shining underneath the glare of the highlight, the chestnut stallion delivered a large flex Friday night as he sired the 1-2 finishers within the Kentucky Oaks (G1) together with his sensible victorious daughter, At all times a Runner besting his different daughter That means by 1 1/4 lengths.
In changing into her sire’s first Oaks heroine, At all times a Runner added her identify a stretch-long checklist of top-level runners produced by Three Chimney’s flagship sire, becoming a member of the likes of champions Sierra Leone , Tremendous Corredora , Echo Zulu, and 2022 Preakness Stakes (G1) winner Early Voting . Whereas Gun Runner shares the distinction of being North America’s highest-priced stallion at an marketed price of $250,000 together with Spendthrift’s Into Mischief and Taylor Made Stallions’ Not This Time, his two comrades have separated themselves from the pack this season as regards to progeny earnings and graded stakes winners.
Gun Runner not often let rivals draw back from him on the observe, nevertheless. And within the wake of his Oaks double and with main Kentucky Derby (G1) contender Additional Ado set to begin Saturday, he is not conceding his newest hotly contested battle for supremacy.
“Into Mischief is the king till we knock him off the hill. However Gun Runner has been superb and he is bought extra to come back,” mentioned Doug Cauthen, vice chairman of Three Chimneys Farm, which campaigned Gun Runner in partnership with Winchell Thoroughbreds and co-owns At all times a Runner with Douglas Scharbauer. “For this filly to do it is a testomony to that and the actual fact the second filly is a Gun Runner. Earlier than the race, any person mentioned ‘We have to run 1-2 with Gun Runners’ and I mentioned ‘So long as it is the proper order.’
“The standard of the mares has at all times been good but it surely retains getting higher, and he retains throwing higher and higher horses. He is a godsend and a blessing for everyone concerned. We’re very grateful. He is actually rising as the person.”
Coach Chad Brown is aware of firsthand the extent of high quality Gun Runner’s greatest offspring boast having skilled Sierra Leone to his championship profession and Early Voting to his traditional triumph. In At all times a Runner, the five-time Eclipse Award winner has a protege with an unusual stage of aptitude as sickness had restricted the filly to simply two begins heading into her Oaks run.
The way in which she moved, the best way she discovered her classes, and the best way At all times a Runner rallied when known as upon by jockey Jose Ortiz Friday evening was simply what Brown had come to count on from her bloodlines.
“So far as Gun Runner goes, he is clearly top-of-the-line stallions on the earth,” mentioned Brown, who celebrated his first profession Oaks victory. “I’ve had loads of them, happily, in my care and I would say that class and athleticism in his horses, they arrive in all sizes and shapes, however I’ve by no means seen one which’s not a wonderful mover. Whenever you take a look at the mechanics of this horse (At all times a Runner), that is what he throws on a regular basis. It is exceptional.”
Fourth on the overall sire checklist heading into Friday’s motion, Gun Runner has an opportunity to additional slim the hole Saturday ought to Additional Ado take down the $5 million traditional to develop into his first Kentucky Derby winner.
It was over the Churchill Downs observe, in spite of everything, the place Gun Runner earned his first profession win and his first grade 1. As his pedigree demonstrated as soon as extra Friday, he’s removed from carried out making a transfer to the entrance.
“He throws class and he throws tenacity,” Cauthen mentioned. “And so they get higher with age. They’re good, then they higher, then they will get nice.”